What's Floarting Around Cloud 9? 11 December 2017

Welcome to another (rather chilly) week and we are starting with a trip to London today for Paula, who is attending a GDPR Workshop today to ensure the team here at Cloud 9 Towers understand the new European personal data regulations that come into force next May.

 The existing Data Protection Act (DPA) will be replaced by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and this is a framework with greater scope and tougher punishments for those who fail to comply with new rules around the storage and handling of personal data - so really important for us as a business to understand.

We email customers, stakeholders, delegates and all manner of people all of the time so understanding the new stance on the storage of personal data is vital as is protecting that data from the baddies online! 

Recent figures show that in 2016, companies in the UK lost more than £1billion to cybercrime and breaches in data have given criminals access to names, birth dates, addresses and even social security and pension information.

Additionally, a recent report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) claims that SMEs are now more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than their large corporate counterparts, as we are  consider  easier targets that some of the big companies with well-defended corporate counterparts.

This is one of the reasons that GDPR is considered long overdue by many authorities, and ignorance will be no defence for SMEs who fail to comply, hence our enthusiasm for ensuring we understand the do's and don't for Cloud9 going forward. 

One of the biggest changes we will face is around consent, as under the new regulations, companies must keep a thorough record of how and when an individual gives consent to store and use their personal data. Consent also means active agreement so a pre-ticked box is no longer sufficient and we will all need to keep a formal audit trail. Those individuals on the mailing list have the right to withdraw consent at any time, easily and quickly and when they do, all of their details must be permanently deleted, not just removed from a mailing list.

Should we have a data breach, GDPR will force us to inform the relevant authorities within 72 hours, giving full details of the breach and proposals for mitigating its effects.These new conditions alone – and there are many more – show just how demanding the new regulations will be and how the data is stored whether on a PC, a server or on a cloud. 

There's probably a lot more to it so at least we are taking steps to understand the new laws nice and early as the last thing we want is to upset anyone on our mailing lists or to receive a fine. 

There are some advantages to the new laws though, in that if you worry about embarrassing social media posts online that have been around for years, you can now ask for them to removed and hopefully it will stop a lot of unnecessary phone calls and rubbish through the post. 

Have a great week and just remember, when you are ordering online this year, you can opt out if you need to!

Ho Ho Ho!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 13 April 2015

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9!

We're now halfway through April folks, Mothers Day has passed, Easter has passed and there's only 255 days until Christmas - can you believe it! Throughout April is Stress Awareness Month in the USA - time to deal with your stress, learn how to cope with stress and help make yourself feel better. 

At the official website, you can find out information about stress and ways to relieve it during Stress Awareness Month.  Dealing with stress can in itself feel stressful, but there are lots of things you can do to manage it and start feeling great!

From teenage stress to work related stress, there are lots of simple steps that can help you to overcome your problem.

Why not start a stress journal to find out how or why your stress is triggered?  Or just make some more time for fun and relaxation. As we work with some fantastic venues all over the world, we can recommend just some of the best Spa Hotels, where you can relax and defeat the stress within you...

Aman Resorts, Thailand

Since the opening of Amanpuri on Thailand’s tropical island of Phuket in 1988, Aman Resorts has integrated treatment facilities and full service spas into the development of its resorts. Linking discovery of some of the world’s most interesting cultural and natural environments to the health and well-being of its guests has always been a cornerstone of Amanresorts’ approach.  Adjacent to Amanpuri, Aman’s first full-service spa, The Aman Spa, opened in 2001.

Aman is the Sanskrit-derived word for “peace” and Amanresorts strives through its services and facilities to fulfil that promise, offering in boutique resorts a guest experience that is both intimate and discreet. Each Aman resort and destination highlights distinctive local well-being practises. Spa facilities for therapeutic massage, body wraps, scrubs, baths and beauty treatments provide ample opportunity to relax after various expeditions or sporting activities, or to revitalise the mind, body and spirit.

The Scarlet, Cornwall

With its luxury tented treatment rooms lit by lanterns and its far-reaching views over Mawgan Porth Beach to the wild Atlantic beyond, the Scarlet Spa is essentially a quiet, contemplative, almost spiritual place.

Their spa is a little different to others you might have visited. Their focus is your holistic

well being and the nourishment of your mind, body and soul. They do this by drawing on the wisdom of Ayurveda and adding their own, distinctive Cornish twist.

You might want to slather yourself in rich mineral mud in their rhassoul, experience a traditional bathing ritual in the hammam, or try your hand at massage guided by one of their therapists. Outside, a cliff top hot tub invites you to stargaze or storm watch, and their natural chemical-free pool, cleaned by reeds, beckons you into the water.

Their stunning Relaxation Room has cocoon-like pods swinging from the ceiling where you can drift away following your treatment and really absorb its benefits.

Eco has never felt so good.

Sugar Beach, Viceroy Resort, St Lucia

Cradled in the embrace of St Lucia’s World Heritage-listed Pitons, it is hard to imagine a location more conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation than the Rain forest Spa at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

Widely regarded as the island’s spiritual heart, the lush foliage and soaring mountain vistas of Val des Pitons provide the perfect backdrop for St. Lucia spas. Guests wishing to unwind can experience a period of re-creation in its truest sense - a time for reflection, renewal and a break from the everyday stresses of life.

The Bulgaria Spa, London

Regarded by many as the crowning achievement of the hotel, the Bulgari Spa has curated

a selection of the most advanced beauty, grooming and health-enhancing treatments available today, offering the flexibility of one off specialist treatments to long term life-improvement programmes uniquely tailored to the needs of the individual. 

The Spa and fitness centre at the Bulgari offers a unique universe of wellness five storeys beneath, and a world away from the fast paced bustle of modern metropolitan life. 

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island caters for everyone's fitness needs with two luxurious Spas and a Fitness Centre, all set in the most idyllic of beachside settings with sweeping ocean and lagoon views. The Spa Retreat on the Main Island is set on stilts over the ocean and boats a holistic spa experience that combines therapies, cuisine and holistic and lifestyle classes, including naturopathic and complementary healing therapies.

The Over-Water Spa epitomizes barefoot luxury with glass-floored treatment rooms set on stilts above a coral reef in the resort's lagoon. This spa features an array of luxury treatment rituals designed with couples in mind using precious oils, colours and crystals to create an air of seduction and mystique. A lavish range of spa facials is also offered.

Le Meridien, Barcelona

Inspired by the centuries-old traditions of social European spa cultures, Explore Spa revitalises the spa experience. The spa pulses with magnetic energy and artful displays, enabling curious minds to discover the good life while engaging with their surroundings, signature treatments and fellow spa goers.

Each Explore Spa offers exclusive services, inspired by the local culture, designed to tap into your sense of creativity and discovery. Signature touch points subtly signify transitions between services and set the Explore Spa experience apart.

As day shifts to evening, Explore Spa offers Spa After Dark – events that connect Le Méridien spas to the local, regional and international art communities. From art-driven cocktail parties to charitable auctions, these curated events evoke thoughtful conversation and spark new ways of thinking about spa.

Kulm Hotel, St. Moritz

Heaven on earth describes it best! Put all your cares behind you in its magnificent pool and sauna-scape, or indulge in the exclusive treatments of your choice, whether in one of their new treatment rooms or in their luxurious Private Spa Suite. 

Their Spa partners and team of highly skilled professionals have created for you an all-inclusive selection of treatments that together appeal to every one of your senses. So join them on a journey to this wellspring of beauty and inner peace. Breathe their pure mountain air and regain all your energy and reserves as they help you discover nature's hidden strengths.

ESPA Life at Corinthia Hotel, London

Set in a space of iconic beauty, ESPA Life at Corinthia London is quite simply the Next Generation of Spa. A pioneering new concept, ESPA Life excels at offering a fully integrated approach to well being, bringing together a team of the world's top experts to offer an unrivalled choice of spa, complementary alternative therapies, fitness, beauty treatments and Daniel Galvin Hair Salon.

Ayana Resort and Spa, Bali

Stunningly located on rocks amidst the sparkling Indian Ocean, these two awe-inspiring spa villas are the pinnacle of their Bali luxury spa. Surrounded by the sea, each spa villa has been ingeniously designed to blend with the environment, highlighted in Indonesian 'merbau' wood, traditional Balinese 'alang alang' thatched roofs, and interiors enhanced by the natural contours of the rocks on which they sit. Experience the sound of waves gently lulling beneath, feel soft sea-breezes drift into your private villa and be invigorated by the scent of refreshing ocean midst whilst indulging in a treatment created exclusively for Bali Spa on the Rocks guests at the best spa resort in Bali.

There's just a few of the beautiful spa resorts that are available to you and we wish you all a stress free month.

Have a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 9 March 2015

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we're sure you'll all like to here that it's National Bed Month - time for a lie in before learning about the importance of a good night's sleep!

Organised by The Sleep Council, the month aims to remind us all of why a sound sleep is good for our health. Forget the old saying that if "You snooze, you loose."  It's thought that a good sleep has amazing properties that make you healthier and happier, and can even add years to your life!

At the Sleep Council website, you can find out all about the essentials you need to have the perfect sleep, and of course, the right bed should be your number one priority. We can help you with just that and thanks to Huffington Post for the inspiration, below are 17 hotel beds you need to try...

U.S. Grant, San Diego

Comfort begins with the Luxury Collection and is enhanced with Italian linens, plush down comforter, robe and slippers. Their pillow-top mattresses are mentioned on several review sites as "huge and super comfortable"!

Graham & Co. Phoenicia, NY

With paired-down but cosy beds in a stylized upstate motel The Graham & Co is located at the foot of Hunter Mountain and just two blocks off of Phoenicia's main street, approximately 2.5 hours from New York City!

Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

Their Contemporary Two Queens room is highly recommended featuring modern design, two queen beds in one room, and inviting gas fireplace. Some rooms enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay or Golden Gate Bridge. Accommodating up to four persons in 450 square feet, this room is ideal for families with children or friends travelling together.

Bay Lake Tower, Disney World

The only Disney beds to make the cut, these mattresses reside in the modern Bay Lake Towers at Disney's Contemporary Resort. 

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CA

Embracing the dramatic beauty of the California coastline, Post Ranch Inn is a serene retreat where romance and connection thrive. The 39 guest rooms and two private homes blend rustic elegance with luxury and comfort, offering stunning ocean or mountain views. Post Ranch is a destination in which to relax and reconnect with yourself, your partner and the environment. With this is mind, their guest rooms do not include televisions or alarm clocks - Great for the perfect nights sleep!

Kensington Marriott, London

During your London visit enjoy comfortable accommodation in their modern guest rooms. Pillow-top mattresses and custom duvets ensure a good night's sleep in the heart of South Kensington!

Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA

Every guest room at The Charles is designed to provide you with all the comforts of home. The rooms offer panoramic views of Harvard Square , Cambridge or Boston. All of our Cambridge hotel suites are generously appointed with custom designed down quilts, Italian waffle bathrobes and slippers and turndown service upon request.

The Caledonian, Edinburgh

Stay at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - home to 241 elegantly furnished guest rooms and suites, many with spectacular views of historic Edinburgh Castle. Renovated to Waldorf Astoria's peerless, internationally-renowned standards, each room and suite offers a backdrop of luxury, style and sophistication, with bespoke furniture, eclectic artwork and pristine en-suite bathrooms with marble and burnished chrome fittings. These beautifully furnished, elegant spaces are equipped with luxurious beds complete with an exclusive Waldorf Astoria Serta mattress and a unique pillow and bedding menu.

The Palazzo, Las Vegas

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the accommodation at The Palazzo, including a bed chamber with a plush king-sized pillow-top bed and 400-count wool throw blankets!

XV Beacon, Boston

Offering the best in Boston hotel accommodations, each room is seamlessly balanced with

modern and antique furniture, sharing the same warmth and handsome colour scheme of taupe, cream and espresso. 

This palette marries furniture and furnishings, including the Frette linens, which provide visually crisp, tailored lines and are pure luxury to tuck into. 

Mindfully designed, our rooms are ideally suited for hosting an intimate party or simply relaxing. Sleek modern lines enhance guest rooms' modernism and functionality, while gas fireplaces and canopy beds lightly accent our traditional New England soul. In-room thermostats and water conservation options, such as third-day linen changes, leave eco-choices in guests' hands.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Vietnam

Their spacious and well appointed rooms offer clean designs and an elegant marble bathroom featuring walk-in shower and separate bath. The rooms offer magnificent views over the modern Ho Chi Minh City from our unique floor-to-ceiling windows. 

The Roosevelt, Los Angeles

From the historic Spanish Colonial lobby, you'll find the Hollywood Roosevelt has taken on rather a dual personality over the years. The Tower is original 1927, where Clark and Carole carried on. The Cabanas are vintage 1950's famous as Marilyn's place of residence around the time of her very first modelling shoot - at the Hollywood Roosevelt pool, no less. The Roosevelt offer ultra comfortable luxurious new beds with custom-made 400 thread count SFERRA linens. 

Aston Waikiki Beach, Waikiki 

Directly across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach, this 645-room hotel features comfy, contemporary guest rooms and suites with naturally inspired décor. Some 85% offer full or partial ocean views, while most are decked out with a private balcony where you can soak up the scenery and the action that make Waikiki such a hot destination. 

Fountainebleau, Miami

A total of 1,504 guest rooms offer luxurious comfort and privacy. From guest rooms to three bedroom suites and penthouses, your stay will be made unique by providing a variety of room/suite configurations. Many guest rooms and suites have breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the twinkling necklace of lights that reveals Miami Beach at night. Modern sophisticated interior designs create an atmosphere of quiet and calm for effortless relaxation.

Four Seasons, Sydney 

Spoil yourself with Sydney's best luxury accommodation decorated in contemporary grand-luxe style. Relax in luxurious room or suite that overlooks the Sydney skyline, George Street or Walsh Bay, unwind in a City Harbour-view Room with partial views over Sydney Harbour, or treat yourself to full harbour-view accommodations that offer dramatic panoramas of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Walsh Bay. The views are exquisite. 

Hotel St. Cecilia, Austin

Perhaps the Saint Cecilia's most significant offering is an exquisite night's sleep on a handmade organic bed made by Hästens, Sweden's most revered bedding company. Bathrooms are outfitted with custom kimono bathrobes and Le Labo bath products. The hotel offers a variety of other amenities and services to inspire and delight. 

Loews Hollywood 
Each and every one of our newly renovated 628 guest rooms and lavish suites is decorated

in a refined mix of slate grey plus deep violet and burnt orange accents. The colours may be dramatic but the overall feel is one of sophistication and serenity. Modern wallpaper, cerused oak furniture and iconic Eames chairs complete the look. Since their hotel is a commanding 20 floors, they have some of the best views in the city. All of their bedrooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, crisp 100% cotton sheets, embroidered robes and Comfort Zone skin and body products ensuring you'll feel pampered throughout your stay. 

That's it for this week folks, sleep well and enjoy your week!