Christmas at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa

The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, Bordeaux’s luxury Palace hotel, will be celebrating the upcoming festive season with a unique collaboration with Repetto, France’s original ballet brand and favourite flat to the stars, to design a magical Christmas Tree.

Reflecting the same values of elegance and synonymous with impeccable style and cultural heritage, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa are delighted to announce their Repetto Christmas Tree this 2011. Repetto will dress the Christmas Tree in the lobby, at the heart of the hotel, with a beautiful ballet theme to create an enchanting centrepiece for hotel guests and local Bordelais clientele to enjoy.

An ode to the art and décor of ballet, the impressive Christmas Tree will be sprinkled with enchanting Repetto touches and fairy-tale trinkets including pink and black satin ballet shoes, golden medals and Repetto-wrapped presents! Situated in La Place de La Comédie square overlooking Le Grand Théâtre, The Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa was designed by Victor Louis in the 18th century, the same architect who created the renowned opera house three years earlier. Their neo-classical facades offer a mirror effect across the square. Repetto’s Bordeaux boutique is located a stone’s throw from the hotel on the Cours de L'Intendance.

Madame Rose Repetto first created her ballet shoe in 1947 for her son in a tiny workshop near to the National Opera of Paris, and her ballet slippers have gone on to be worn by dancing greats from Kirov to Cendrillon, and have become much-loved by glamorous leading ladies, including Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss. Repetto ballet shoes are displayed in the Selfridges’ shoe galleries.

Rates for a superior room at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa start from €464, including daily breakfast. BA flies from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester to Bordeaux daily.

Located in France’s South-West region, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, overseen by Yan Vacher, is situated in the centre of the city, in La Place de La Comédie square overlooking Le Grand Théâtre. The hotel offers its local and international clientele a gastronomic experience in the Michelin-starred ‘Le Pressoir d’Argent’ fine-dining restaurant headed by Pascal Nibaudeau; the ‘Brasserie L’Europe’ restaurant with outdoor terrace; and ‘L’Orangerie’, a buzzing space in the heart of the hotel. Les Bains de Léa spa, offers treatments by acclaimed French beauty brand NUXE.

Bathed with natural light throughout, the spa leads out onto a terrace, offering exceptional views across the rooftops of Bordeaux. Originally designed by Victor Louis in the 18th century, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa re-opened at the end of 2007, after a full redesign overseen by internationally acclaimed interior designer Jacques Garcia. Bordeaux’s Palace hotel, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, boasts an unparalleled level of luxury and elegance in the city, steeped in cultural heritage.
www.ghbordeaux.com/uk/index.php

The Taste Of Christmas At Hotel Okura Amsterdam

The 5 star Hotel Okura Amsterdam's culinary team (www.okura.com) at the award winning Serre Restaurant and the hotel's two star Michelin star French restaurant, Ciel Bleu will be preparing their favourite recipes over the festive season. Located on the banks of the Amstel Canal, the hotel currently holds three Michelin stars at its four restaurants and two bars, making it the ultimate place to stay and dine in the heart of the Dutch capital over the Christmas period.

Serre Restaurant takes its inspiration from Ciel Bleu, where the quality and style that the two Michelin starred restaurant is renowned for presenting is delivered with a lighter touch, enabling a wider audience to get acquainted with the essence of Ciel Bleu's cuisine.


Chefs at the two restaurants have put together a selection of special Christmas menus to include "Golden Oyster & Onno's Favourite" at Ciel Bleu and "Smoked salmon with Dutch shrimp, Crème fraiche and Quail egg" at Serre Restaurant.


Guests at the hotel can take advantage of the special Christmas packages for both restaurants. The "Serre restaurant" package offers a one night stay in a superior room with Christmas lunch, breakfast, and late checkout and cost from €190.50 per person, based on double occupancy. Alternatively, the "Ciel Bleu" Christmas package offers a one night stay in an Executive Junior Suite for €342.50 per person based on double occupancy and includes Christmas dinner at Ciel Bleu, room service breakfast, free entrance to the health club and the executive lounge.


Hotel Okura Amsterdam is situated on the edge of the city centre, close to a large number of cultural landmarks. The hotel has 301 luxury rooms, including the most spacious (485 m2) and luxurious suite in the Benelux countries.


Accommodation at Hotel Okura Amsterdam all provide panoramic views over Amsterdam, including 68 rooms located on executive floors, with access to the Executive Lounge and Executive Health Club. Facilities at the hotel include a traditional Japanese sauna & Shiatsu massage; health club and swimming pool.

To  book call Hotel Okura on 0031 6788 300 or visit www.okura.nl

Get yourself Aloft in London. New Aloft Hotel opens with Aloft London Excel

The world's fastest growing mid-market hotel brand introduces affordable, loft-style accommodation to London.

London – Aloft® Hotels have now launched in the UK with the opening of Aloft London Excel in the heart of London’s Docklands. The new destination sensation brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Aloft is created to shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector by delivering urban-influenced design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point.

In the same year that Starwood Hotels launched its world-renowned W brand in the UK market, the innovative hotel giant has brought a second new brand to London, Aloft. With prices starting at £120 per room per night, Aloft London Excel will feature 252 loft-like guest rooms, a buzzing bar scene, a grab-and-go food pantry and industrial design elements throughout.

Situated next to the ExCeL international exhibition and convention centre, Aloft London offers something new to savvy travellers tired of the bland, one-size-fits-all mid-market hotel model. With East London seeing much regeneration ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games, the hotel is perfectly situated within easy reach of the Olympic Park, Westfield Stratford City and The O2.

Aloft London Excel’s key features and guest facilities include:

• Stylish and spacious rooms designed by Rockwell Group featuring Aloft’s signature ceilings of nearly three metres high, oversized windows and platform beds
• Large walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary Bliss Spa products
• 42” LCD TVs and plug ‘n play docking stations, allowing guests to link their computer and tunes straight to the TV
• Fast & free wireless access across the whole hotel, including all guest roomsre:mixSM lounge – an open, atmospheric space where guests can play a game of pool, enjoy drinks with friends and enjoy the free WiFi

• wxyzSM bar – the place to meet, mix & mingle, home to signature cocktails and regular DJ nights
• Quick and easy check-in with the touch-n-go kiosk – touch screen technology which allows guests to choose their exact room and floor, confirm rates, pick-up keys and even print boarding passes
• re:fuel by AloftSM – a one-stop, 24-hour grab-and-go food and beverage area, offering sweet, savoury and healthy food, snacks and beverages
• re:chargeSM fitness centre – open 24/7 for guests’ gym fix day or night
• splash swimming pool – an oasis of calm where guests can de-stress and re-energise after a hard day’s work
• tactic – a suite of five high-tech meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual, plasma TV and complimentary WiFi
• arfSM – Animals R Fun, an exclusive pet-friendly programme where furry friends can enjoy a stay with an Aloft-branded bed, bowl and complimentary treats and toys
  
  

FACTFILE:
Aloft London Excel is the second Aloft property in Europe following the opening of Aloft Brussels Schuman in September 2010. Aloft Hotels represents the fastest brand launch in hospitality industry history with the Aloft portfolio now including over 50 properties spanning six countries: US, China, Canada, India, Belgium and the UAE.

Aloft London Excel has been developed by ExCeL London’s parent company, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), also owners of Aloft Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s first Aloft hotel, which is located adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Situated at ExCeL’s Eastern entrance at the Royal Victoria Dock, Aloft London Excel will have direct covered access to Prince Regent Station on the Docklands Light Railway, less than 30 minutes from the shops Oxford Street and the buzzing nightlife of Shoreditch, so this is an ideal hotel for use as a base for Chirstmas shopping and taking in the West End shows!

For details visit www.alofthotels.com.