What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 13 March 2017

Welcome to another week and we're fresh from a great night at the newly refurbished Nottingham Derby Novotel at the weekend, who had  a casino night and black tie gala dinner to mark the occasion. 

A good time was had by all but sadly we don't have any winnings to brag about so work continues this week at Cloud 9 Towers!

On the subject of a good time, no one knows how to party better than the Irish and of course, this Friday sees the arrival of St Patrick's Day so no doubt every bar from Dublin to Derry will be packed to the rafters.

Here at Cloud 9 we are also getting in on the act and attending a St Patrick's Celebration on Thursday evening at the King Street Townhouse in Manchester along with Moulden Marketing who have organised the event.

The evening will be hosted by nine of Irish partners; a mix of Hoteliers, Venues and Regional Convention Bureau and starts with Irish themed cocktails, presentations and then a three course meal topped off with Irish Coffee!

We are using this trip to Manchester as an excuse also to introduce Fiona, one of our Ambassador's to the region as its one we use for many events and its not a part of the UK that she is familiar with. So the Melia, the Mercure Piccadilly and Alderley Park are all on our radar.

Manchester is certainly keeping up its end as the Northern Powerhouse, and when it comes to looking at future trends with regards to hotels and guest attitudes to both in terms of business and leisure travel, the North West always offers a good benchmark.

Business travel in the region has seen significant growth and more and more guests want to try and create a home away from home feeling, with the opportunity enjoy the benefits of the service and facilities provided by hotels, but also the flexibility to cater for themselves.

With an increase in International Flights to Manchester Airport the North West Hub and weak pound has also driven a hike in international visitors, both for business and leisure so occupancy rates in Manchester are enjoying a high.

With increased occupancy rates and growth in the number of companies choosing to stay in the UK for their annual events, many hotels and venues face the challenge of maintaining and improving their service levels to meet and exceed demand.

Additionally,  health and well being has increased as a priority for many guests and delegates in recent years, so healthy menu options and wellness-focused environments are increasingly important.

Manchester has always been a bustling and innovative city and some of the new hotels set to open offer increased choice for guests and delegates alike and we're looking forward to seeing just is what next for the region so watch this space!

Have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 5 October 2015

Welcome to another week and its still all go here at Cloud 9 Towers, and we're off to Manchester at the back end of the week for both the Fresh PR & Fresh Creative Awards at the Piccadilly Hotel.

Whilst we are on the subject of Manchester, it looks like there will be another 622 hotel rooms to add to the mix as there are five new hotels planned for the City. 

We've already seen Hotel Gotham, Hotel Football and the new Melia Hotel open as part of the huge First Street Development, all this year and yet there are more to come!

First up is The Trafford City Hotel which will be a 203-room hotel covering a 1.75-acre site opposite Trafford Centre's EventCity. Work on the hotel is anticipated to start early next year prior to the planned Metrolink extension to the Trafford Centre set for 2018/19.

Budget airline easyJet have announced plans to convert a Grade II listed building in the Northern Quarter into a six story 116 room budget easyHotel. They already have easyHotels in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow (plus lots of International ones) and Manchester is next. 

Work on Bradley House which is know locally as The Flatiron Building and sits on the corner of Dale Street and Newton Street is due to start next Summer.

Travelodge has plans for two additional hotels in South Manchester. One with 86 rooms in Stockport on Heaton Lane and one in Sale on Cross Street, with 67 rooms and work on both should be up and running before the end of the year, with plans to open late in 2016.

Travelodge already have 16 hotels throughout Greater Manchester and long term they have plans to look at further seven new sites to increase their portfolio. Potential sites include two in in Manchester central, plus locations in Cheadle, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan and Worsley.

Last but by no means least, Hilton are starting work on a new 150-room, four-star hotel at Emirates Old Trafford. The existing 68 room lodge is being replaced and the new hotel will feature a bar, cafe, ticket office, glazed bridge link to the pavilion and balconies overlooking the cricket pitch. Now news yet on an opening date, but exciting times ahead in the City all round!

We are also aware that there are other plans afoot, throughout Manchester and the Thistle on Portland Street is being rebranded as a Mercure, plans have been submitted for a new

350-room hotel planned for the 24-acre Mayfield Quarter development at Manchester Piccadilly and there are also plans for a 'major five-star hotel by Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Additionally Allied London are looking at the potential for two or three new hotels in Manchester, Crown Plaza with a new 210 room hotel and the Staybridge Suites with 116 Rooms both on Oxford Road to be near the Manchester campus redevelopment. There are also plans in place for a new four-star hotel within Urban & Civic's £75m Gay Village development, with plans for another 200-bed hotel for a scheme at the Marriott Rennaisance hotel on Deansgate.

There might already be 11,000 hotel rooms in Manchester with around 7000 of these in the City Centre, but you can guarantee when you want a room you might struggle, such is the popularity of Manchester as a destination for both business and leisure. Good job we're around to help you make an informed choice!

Have a great week!