What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 27 October 2015

Welcome to another week and we’ve been so busy that we are a bit behind on our blogs – shocking! But never ones to miss out on news and events, we’re delighted to share some updates on the lovely new Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech which is now open for business! 'The world's best voted destination by TripAdvisor in 2015'

Some of the facilities & services include - 63 keys including 9 Suites and 54 Villas each with their own private pool, 1800sqm world-class spa with indoor pool, hammam, fitness facilities, yoga room. Unique and timeless interior design with a sense of place by celebrated French duo Gilles & Boissier.

Whilst we are on the subject of launches, the new Studio Venue is also open in Leeds.

Based in the heart of the city (just a short walk from the train station) is their 8^th floor studio with stunning panoramic views of the beautiful north.

In typical studio style, you will find all of our usual quirkiness entwined within the 7 functional meeting & event spaces. We have everything from a living moss wall as you exit the lift, magnetic walls in the meeting rooms through to a Lego wall in the refreshment area… who said conferences have to be traditional?

As always, the spaces on offer are flood with natural daylight, have all of the mod-cons needed to run a conference and will be serviced by the excellent studio operations team with the true ethos of customer first at the heart of everything they do!!

You can check out the the interactive floor plans on their website, or take a peek at their YouTube clips of how to find the venue and images of all the new spaces. http://www.studiovenues.co.uk/plans/Leeds/index.html

They also have a rather funky time lapse video of thestudio… Leeds being built https://youtu.be/nEI9Vr4wFjw If only all new venues were this quick to build!

Finally this week, we’d like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 25 May 2015

Welcome to another week! Paula was lucky enough to go to Morroco with Moulden Marketing earlier in the year, and as well as enjoying a fabulous stay at La Mamounia, she also visited the newly opened and rather fabulous Royal Palm Beachcomber Hotel in Marrakech.

As we continue our series and look at new hotels around the globe, this week its Africa that beckons...

Africa is becoming the new battleground for global domination among hotel groups, so let's have a look at just some of the fabulous new openings!

Park Hyatt Zanzibar opened in March, and is the quintessential destination to experience the idyllic East African island of Zanzibar and embrace the rich culture, heritage and historical significance of the hotel's location. Sitting majestically on the beachfront in the heart of the Stone Town, a designated UNESCO heritage site, Park Hyatt Zinzibar provides the ultimate haven amongst Stone Town's labyrinth of winding alleys, bustling markets, mosques and famed Zanzibari doors, featuring magnificent ornate wooden carvings.

From the spacious, elegant guest rooms, authentic cuisine and spectacular views to the oceanfront infinity pool, Anantara Spa, fully-equipped fitness centre and exceptional meeting, event and private function facilities, Park Hyatt Zanzibar offers both discerning business travellers and luxury holiday makers rare, intimate and unforgettable experiences. 

Radisson Blu Marrakech is due to open in October 2015! Located in the recently built Carré Eden complex in the central Gueliz district, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Marrakech is surrounded by trendy bars and restaurants as well as a shopping mall populated with high-end international stores. Gazing at the hotel’s striking modern lobby, patio, restaurant and bar designed by famous architect Imaad Rahmouni, it’s easy to forget that the historic medina, with the vibrant Djemaa El-Fna square and famous souks, is just a short walk away. 

The 198 rooms and suites, created by acclaimed architects Lotfi Sidi Rahal and Meriem Benkirane, feature a warm, contemporary style and amenities like Free high-speed, wireless Internet and LED screens with satelite channels. The unique open dining area combines a restaurant, lounge and bar and serves organic meat and fish cooked over a charcoal grill as well as tapas and sushi. The hotel also features an aquarium swimming pool, an expansive patio with sun beds, a fitness centre, a spa and a ballroom, as well as 10 large meeting rooms for business events.

Park Hyatt Marrakech is set to open in 2016, and will welcome you into the exclusive universe of one of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands.

Only 15 minutes away from both the "medina" (old city) and the international airport of Marrakech, Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel features 131 spacious rooms and suites as well as 44 deluxe villas built inside the private gated grounds of the hotel complex. Park Hyatt Marrakech’s rooms, suites and private villas are generously sized and offer a unique atmosphere along with exceptional views of the landscaped gardens and the 18-hole golf course designed by Kyle Phillips.

At Park Hyatt Marrakech every staff member is dedicated to providing guests with an incomparable level of personalized service designed around your lifestyle and preferences.

Residents of the villas can enjoy full access to Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel concierge services, spa facilities, the golf course and clubhouse and to all other facilities and services the hotel has to offer.  Learn more about the Park Hyatt Marrakech villas.

Park Hyatt Marrakech presents a wide selection of authentic cuisines from different parts of the world and offers a diverse range of meeting facilities to cater an exclusive board meeting to large conferences and social gatherings.

Four Seasons Casablanca is opening towards the end of this year. Cool and avant-garde on the beachfront of Morocco’s largest city, Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca enjoys a prestigious resort-style setting, just a short distance from the business district and the historic city centre. 

The new hotel is part of the master-planned Anfa Place community, combining residential, business, shopping and entertainment. The 183 guest rooms and suites share a range of dining and recreation amenities in a style that mixes French and Arabic traditions. Meetings and events unfold in the ballroom and five function rooms, open to outdoor terraces that celebrate Morocco’s year-round warmth and sunshine.

Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is our final hotel opening of this week, and With the snow-capped Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, Mandarin Oriental Marrakech lies in 20 hectares of landscaped gardens and olive groves, only minutes from the bustling medina. With just 63 villas and suites, a world-class spa and 5 innovative restaurants and bars, it provides a unique oasis of luxury in the heart of the city.

Contemporary in style, the resort’s interiors have been conceived by French design duo, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier who have combined their contrasting styles to create a balanced look. Patrick has focused on clean lines and symmetrical forms while Dorothée has added subtle Berber and Spanish Arabic touches. The Gilles & Boissier style is clearly seen throughout the hotel, with its emphasis on juxtaposing aesthetics: striking but discreet, luxurious yet unobtrusive.

Guests at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech will delight in an atmosphere that combines the exotic charm and relaxed lifestyle of the Red City with the oriental heritage of the award-winning hotel group.

So that's it for this week folks, have a good one! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 16 March 2015

Welcome to another week and this week we're all about Marrakesh, following the recent fam that Paula took with the marvellous Moulden Marketing. Hosted by Activ Travel, one of the best DMC's we've ever encountered at Cloud 9, it was truly a wonderful trip and rather surprising in terms of just what you can do with groups and incentives in the region.

With regular flights from both British Airways and Easyjet, its a very accessible location and the range of hotels is fantastic. 

We were met by Activ Travel, who have been providing high quality MICE programmes and travel to Morocco for almost 20 years. Founded in 1996 by Abdellatif ‘Ben’ Benmoussa and Hicham Tahri, Activ Travel is one of the most experienced and well renowned DMCs within Marrakech and Morocco. Working with a dedicated team of full-time staff, and cleverly utilising their fantastic relation-ship with the local people of Marrakech, Activ Travel are able to provide their guests with an incredible insight into the culture, colours, experiences and beauty of the country of Morocco.

We stayed at the La Mamounia a stunning hotel. Ravishing and regal, La Mamounia hotel is set in royal gardens, styled with Moorish opulence, and as sensuous as a seraglio. Aware that its guests (Winston Churchill was a fan) expect the best, and you won't be disappointed. 

After a quick change, it was off for an orientation tour by night of Marrakech rampart and the Famous Djemaa el fna square. Marrakech's famous Central Square. This was followed by a great evening and dinner at the M Restuarant Lounge, with belly dancers and fire eaters!

Up with the lark and after a great breakfast, we were off again exploring and the first stop was The Royal Palm Hotel, sister hotel to those in Mauritius and our friends at Beachcomber. Simply stunning is how we would describe the hotel!

After a 4x4 driving experience into the Atlas Mountains of Marrakech  with a stop off at a remote traditional Berber Village for some mint tea, it was off to Terres D’amanar.

Located on a beautiful plateau overlooking the Atlas mounts and their beautiful valleys in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains near the town of Asni, the Terres D’amanar domain is a unique site with an exceptional environment and very authentic feel. There is an adventure park in the trees and on the Arial rope slide, assisted by professionals, as well as equestrian, pedestrian, and mountain bike excursions. The more leisurely inclined can relax by the pool, or discover the Berber customs and tradition during the culinary and artesian workshops. This is what Paula opted for whilst the other mad fools were crossing rope bridges and zip wires!

We returned to La Mamounia by late afternoon for a quick dip in the pool and then it was

off for a tour and pre dinner drinks at at Palais Soleiman, which is a little difficult to describe, but truly amazing and well worth hiring exclusively if you have a small group and a reasonable budget. 

Then it was off to one of the best experiences ever, a  Party Dinner in a private camp in the heart of the PALM GROVE, with traditional Berber entertainment - The idea here was to  show us how to give our guests experience a magic moment. A single moment doesn't do it justice. It was simply full of magical moments, from the arrival, through to drinks, dinner, entertainment and departure. Even the loo's are worth a mention! This was a real introduction to Moroccan culture. It is a recreation of a “Moussem” or a traditional feast where locals celebrate the harvest. 

Despite the late night, it was an early start as we enjoyed a most entertaining hot air ballooning flight over the north of the palm grove of Marrakech between the river of Tensift and the Mountains of djebilets. The banter of the Pilot was worth the trip alone!

Then we were off to visit Marrakech gardens, and then Marrakech souks discovery, which I was glad to have had a guide as we had to navigate our way through the souks and food stalls, and learn how to haggle like a pro! 

It is a riot of colour, noise and activity, a wealthy storehouse of all the treasures of this vast and varied country, and then we had an introduction to Moroccan cooking and lunch at Al Baraka restaurant, located in the Famous Djemaa El Fna square.


We packed a lot into a short trip and it was without a doubt, a fabulous experience, so if you fancy Marrakech for your next event, please let us know. It really will be worth it!



Have a great week!