What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 1 June 2015

Welcome to another week and its a busy one ahead here at Cloud 9 Towers! 

Image via Nottingham Post

We're off to see the new Roomzzz Aparthotel in Nottingham. It might be the end of an era for the Welbeck Hotel but we are delighted to see the latest Roomzzz Aparthotel open for business. Hailed as ‘possibly the best hotel ever’ by New Woman Magazine and shortlisted in the European Hotel Design Awards for innovation, Roomzzz combines the style of a boutique hotel with the convenience of a serviced apartment. 

After carrying out extensive work on the Welbeck, including comprehensive sound-proofing, new glazing, fully integrated air-conditioning and a complete interior refurbishment, there are now 106 individual apartments, including a stunning penthouse suite. All rooms have been created in a vibrant contemporary style, with all the usual touches you would expect from Roomzzz. The penthouse features a luxury modern interior and beautiful views from the roof top balcony.

With free high-speed fibre Wi-Fi, on-site parking and plenty of excuses to visit Nottingham, it’s the perfect space for the business or leisure traveller and it boasts great views over the bright lights of the Nottingham skyline as well as having a perfect central location only 5 minutes walk to all the popular bars, shops and restaurants.

From there we're off to take a long overdue showround at the Welcome to the St James Hotel, an independent boutique hotel that is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant Nottingham city centre. With refurbishments made in 2014 inspired by the luxurious grand palazzos of Venice, the St James hotel has been transformed to a stylish sanctuary that offers an exquisite and relaxing atmosphere for all of its guests. The hotel boasts an extensive variety of room designs ranging from the youthful crash pads to The Penthouse. All of the rooms have been uniquely designed to provide comfort with elegance and style throughout making St James an undeniably unique boutique hotel in Nottingham.

Wednesday and Manchester beckons as we're off to an event with Meet in Ireland, which we thoroughly enjoyed last year and we're sure it will be even better this year. With an afternoon of networking at The Lowry Hotel  with numerous hotels and venues, followed by dinner and entertainment at The Midland Hotel.

This is a great event for anyone needing to increase their knowledge about the range of options available in Ireland and with new hotels opening all the time, we like to keep ahead here at Cloud 9 Towers!

From memory, the event which is organised by our friends at the CHS Group, is also renowned for the famous Irish hospitality and was somewhat boozy last year - and that doesn't include the Guinness!

Friday is closing date for the Midlands Media Awards so our offices will start to look like a news agents as we collate all of the entries for this years awards. As the Birmingham Press Club, for whom we run the project, is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year, we are sure the awards are set to be bigger and better than ever.

Whilst we are on the subject of awards don't forget also that we are in major planning mode for the Fresh Awards also this year, and the deadline for Fresh 2015 is around a month away!

Finally this week, don't forget to register for The Meetings Show, which has refreshed, redefined and reinvented the platform for those that are truly serious in doing business within the meetings industry. By combining a proven hosted buyer programme, unrivalled education sessions and numerous daytime and evening networking opportunities, The Meetings Show has become the must attend event for the UK inbound and outbound meetings industry. Held in London from 7-9 July, registration is now open.

Busy, busy! Have a great week and we'll see you soon!

What's Floating Around? 4 August 2014

Welcome to another week and as the deadline for one of our awards has approached, we're rather busy here at Cloud 9 Towers. Although, we're not sure why we stick to a deadline... you should hear some of the calls we receive!

After our blog last week, about the rather interesting Maiden Voyage concept, we thought that this week we would excite you with the recent industry news and a few of the new event spaces in the UK.

Starting with the East Midlands, The St James Hotel, formerly the Rutland Square hotel, has launched in Nottingham's historic castle quarter after a complete re branding and refurbishment. The boutique hotel officially opened on the 23 July, having been purchased a year before.

The public areas have been totally transformed into grand, yet contemporary spaces, with dazzling chandeliers, restored pink marble floors, and sumptuous furnishings. The hotel's lounge and bar, 'No6', is a warm and inviting space with an exciting cocktail list, regular events and a library wall of over four hundred books. 

The hotel is unique in Nottingham for its art collection which is focused on work from local young artists. The hotel has its own gallery, which will have regular events showcasing the best of breakthrough talent. 

The hotel also has several refurbished event spaces. The largest of which can cater for two hundred guests. These rooms have stunning views over Nottingham Castle and are the ideal venue for weddings, product launches or conferences.

As the largest independent boutique hotel in Nottingham, The St James is sure to set the standards for style and service.

Moving to the West Midlands, we have The Vox, which the ICC Birmingham are set to open in Birmingham mid-2015. The Vox represents a new world of conferencing - a unique and attractive offering for the conference market, not only providing innovative conference facilities and event expertise, but its location within an integrated comples also offers clients access to a huge choice of restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel, spa, cinema and casino all under one roof. This new proposition, never seen before in the UK, offers a fresh approach for those wanting an end to end conference experience. 

The Vox Suites 1-5 will provide fully flexible conference and banqueting space that can be combined or divided to create several multi-functional areas to suit individual event requirements. The unique layout of the Vox can accommodate any type of event from a small seminar or meeting for just a few people, to a banquet for 850 or a conference for 900 delegates.

The new state-of-the-art conference facilities will include plug and play technology from the event industry's most respected brands, together with complimentary delegate Wi-Fi. An audio visual, sound, lighting and crew package will be included in the quoted cost for conferences, adding extra value for the client. A media wall and digital signage will also be available for use to support the delegate experience at the Vox. 

The Vox is the perfect choice for those looking for an impressive but affordable venue in contemporary surroundings, with premium catering, the latest technology and an experienced team, in a central location.

Heading further South, The Roundhouse has announced the opening of a brand new rooftop event space, ideal for summer parties.

Overlooking Camden beach, the new venue offers room for up to 120 guests. The roof garden comes complete with trees, sun loungers, sofas, a private bar, television and sound system, panoramic views and a swimming pool.

An all inclusive party package is available at the rooftop venue, incorporating exclusive access, a Prosecco and canape reception, fish and chip supper, event host, security, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and popcorn and towel hire. 

In addition to the roof garden, Camden's Roundhouse offers a range of spaces ideal for corporate and private events. The famous Main Space can accommodate up to 1,800 guests, whilst the venue's two bars, The Circle Bar and Torquil's Bar, offer room for up to 120 guests.

Again in London, the Royal Society have unveiled its newest event spaces for this

September. The Library Suite is a stunning set of rooms which bring grandeur and elegance to very special events.

Revealed behind the magnificent doors, the Library is a breath-taking room which exudes glamour and sophistication. With is intricate features and fabulous natural light, this show-stopping space is the perfect setting for an exquisite event, be it contemporary in design or classically stylish. 

Overlooking the Mall and St James's Park, the Royal Society is a prestigious venue which offers a unique insight into the world of scientific discovery and the opportunity to create an outstanding, inspirational event.

Knowledgeable, energetic and passionate, our conference services team dedicates every minute of the working day to creating flawless events. 

Another London venue, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) have announced they are having extensive refurbishment programme to re-establish the Centre's 'wow factor'. 

The ambitious programme of capital works will provide aesthetic and visual improvements and enhanced facilities to the building and facility environment. The improvements are focused on enhancing the customer experience and will create more modern, quality and stylish environment and improve way finding. These works will have a significant impact on improving user and visitor perceptions whilst stimulating client interest and business generation. 

The programme will include;

• Sanctuary Foyer - Comprehensive refurbishment of the main entrance foyer, reception and registration areas to deliver a modern, high quality and welcoming environment that will "wow" delegates. Works will cover; ceilings, lighting, furniture, floor surfaces, layout and configuration, business centre and the establishment of an executive lounge/cafe.
• Connectivity - improved connectivity between the ground floor and 1st floor for Churchill Auditorium focused events which will involve replacing the staircase and improving the route to the Pickwick Suite (the principle break out area) as well as expanding its overall area and delegate capacity.
• Floor surfaces - Replacement of all carpeted floor surfaces across the Centre.
• Furniture - Replacement of the Centre's conference chairs and conference tables.

The Centre will close during late July and August - with all works being completed by early September 2014. 

Also, on top of all this exciting news, Marriott International have announced plans to add more than 200 luxury and lifestyles hotels to its global portfolio over the next 3 years! 

So... we think we have bombarded you with enough industry news for this week. 

Have a great week folks!