Staff at The Landmark hotel were thrilled to receive a visit from the Hairy Bikers, Simon King and David Myers, known as Si and Dave, in the beginning of September.

The pair were filming their next series for BBC and during their touring they visited seafood restaurants across in Anstruther, the county Fife. Si and Dave aren’t professional chefs but they are lifelong food lovers. Since they met, over 19 years ago, they have been heading off to all corners of the world in search of authentic culinary and cultural experiences.

The Landmark Dundee was pleased to have the talented pair as their guests in the newly-refurbished luxury suites. The hotel has been through a £4 million investment programme since November 2008 to completely transform the hotel into Dundee’s leading luxury hotel.

The Landmark Hotel provides an excellent vantage point for the many attractions of Dundee and the surrounding towns of Aberdeen and Perth. Close to excellent shopping, theatres, museums and attractions such as Glamis Castle and Scone Palace, this hotel is a perfect choice for the discerning traveller.

The Landmark Dundee is part of BDL Select Hotels which is a division of The BDL Hotel Group. The group owns and operates hotels throughout the UK, under brands such as Express By Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Ramada Encore and Princes Street Suites.

For further information on the new Landmark Hotel Dundee, please visit http://thelandmarkdundee.co.uk/or call 01382 641122.

Hollywood comes to town
Leonardo DiCaprio and crew of Inception stays at The Bedford Swan, Bedford

Staff at the Bedford Swan Hotel were thrilled to receive a visit from Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio earlier this month. Leonardo stayed in one of the most luxurious suites and enjoyed a pleasant stay in Bedford’s most chic and historic hotel.

The star, who has featured in several best-seller movies, is best known for his role in Titanic, along with Kate Winslet. Leonardo has teamed up with Batman director Chris Nolan for his latest role in Inception, due to be released in July 2010. The film is partly being filmed at the Cardington Airship Hangers as well as in Tokyo, LA, and Alberta, Canada.

The storyline is very much under wraps but Nolan, who also stayed at the hotel along with the cast and crew, cryptically described it as a contemporary sci-fi action thriller “set within the architecture of the mind.”

The 4* Bedford Swan Hotel is no stranger to the stars and co-star Michael Caine, who has a small part in the movie, has previously stayed there.  Most recently, the hotel was home to Pop icons Take That during rehearsals for their Circus Tour.

ENDSNotes to editor: 

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Keen

Sales Manager
01234 346565
Email:  sales@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

Hollywood comes to town
Leonardo DiCaprio and crew of Inception stays at The Bedford Swan, Bedford
Staff at the Bedford Swan Hotel were thrilled to receive a visit from Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio earlier this month. Leonardo stayed in one of the most luxurious suites and enjoyed a pleasant stay in Bedford’s most chic and historic hotel.

The star, who has featured in several best-seller movies, is best known for his role in Titanic, along with Kate Winslet. Leonardo has teamed up with Batman director Chris Nolan for his latest role in Inception, due to be released in July 2010. The film is partly being filmed at the Cardington Airship Hangers as well as in Tokyo, LA, and Alberta, Canada.

The storyline is very much under wraps but Nolan, who also stayed at the hotel along with the cast and crew, cryptically described it as a contemporary sci-fi action thriller “set within the architecture of the mind.”

The 4* Bedford Swan Hotel is no stranger to the stars and co-star Michael Caine, who has a small part in the movie, has previously stayed there. Most recently, the hotel was home to Pop icons Take That during rehearsals for their Circus Tour.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Keen
Sales Manager
Tel 01234 346565
Email: sales@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

Jo Pratt (one of Waterstone’s Authors for the Future) is another new addition to the event. Jo will be talking about her new book “In the Mood for Entertaining” and the delicious no - fuss recipes which have endeared her to an international audience. A regular face on the popular cooking show Market Kitchen, Jo has worked with BBC’s Gary Rhodes on The Good Food Show, contributed columns and recipes to Elle UK, Olive, BBC’s Good Food Guide and Glamour. She also co-wrote, The Nation’s Favorite Foods and contributed to the subsequent hit show.

Helen Rathbone, of Flying Pig Events, who is organising the event with sponsors, Hamptons International, and Crowne Plaza Marlow says “The Marlow Food Festival has already surpassed all expectations in terms of the level of support we have received locally. The festival will offer something for everyone of any age who is interested in food, and hopefully, this will become an annual event which is a credit to Marlow town”

The Marlow Food Festival aims to put Marlow on the map as a serious culinary destination. The winners of BBC Two’s program, The Restaurant, Russell Clement and Michelle English, owners of The Cheerful Soul, (opened in June this year in the Hare & Hounds pub in Marlow) were one of the first to get involved and will be participating in their own Q & A event on the day.

Local chefs, including Michael Macdonald of Vanilla Pod, Miles Warren of Aubergine at The Compleat Angler and James Penlington owner of The Royal Oak, Bovingdon (voted “Dining Pub of The Year 2009″ in The Good Food Guide), will showcase their skills alongside renowned Chocolatier Damian Allsop and “Come and Cook” owner Dorn Kipping who will be conducting a “hands-on” children’s cookery session.

There will also be food & wine tastings, displays and children’s activities on the day. General admission will be free and tickets and more information about the scheduled events are available on 01491 635346

Marlow Food Festival
Crowne Plaza Marlow
Sunday 20^th September 2009
10.00am - 4.00pm

Crowne Plaza Marlow is offering a fantastic room rate of from just £60 if you would like to stay over on the Sunday night after the Food Festival and explore Marlow for yourself. Please call 0870 444 8940 or visit crowneplazamarlow.co.uk to book.

For more information please contact:

Helen Rathbone on 07912 696658
E-mail : Theflyingpigs1@aol.com

The Landmark Hotel Dundee (formerly known as The Swallow Dundee) is currently undergoing a 4 million refurbishment program of its bedrooms, Leisure Club, restaurant and bar.  BDL Select appointed Interior Architect Kate Mooney of Occa Design, established in 2003 with over twenty years of experience in architectural interiors and the hotel & leisure sector.

Work has begun in November 2008 to completely transform the property into the Dundee’s leading luxury hotel. The entire project is expected to be complete by May 2009. The gradual refurbishment will see the renovation of all rooms, the introduction of brand new Club bedrooms and improvement of the Leisure Club and gym equipment.

The General Manager, Marcello Ventisei comments “We are absolutely thrilled about all the changes taking place and the exciting new look of the hotel which will position the Landmark as Dundee’s leading luxury hotel. Due to the planned phasing of the development and the layout of the building, we will be able to avoid disrupting our guests. The hotel will continue to operate with the same focus on Guest Service throughout this transition.”

The Landmark provides an excellent vantage point for the many attractions of Dundee and the surrounding unspoiled Glens. Close to excellent shopping, theatres, museums and attractions such as Glamis Castle and Scone Palace, this hotel is a perfect choice for the discerning traveller.

The Landmark Dundee is part of BDL Select Hotels which is a division of The BDL Hotel Group. The group owns and operates hotels throughout the UK, under brands such as Express By Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Ramada Encore.

BDL Select is the group’s portfolio of quality, independent hotels.

To keep informed of great offers and promotions across the BDL Group, click here.

The Landmark Hotel Dundee has been officially awarded 4 Star Status by Visit Scotland. This accolade reflects the transformation of the property from The Dundee Swallow hotel. A £4million investment programme has been underway since November 2008 to completely transform the hotel into Dundee’s leading luxury hotel.

BDL Select appointed Interior Architect Kate Mooney of Occa Design, with over twenty years of experience in the hotel & leisure sector, to create this stylish, contemporary luxury hotel.

The General Manager, Marcello Ventisei comments “We are absolutely thrilled about all the changes that have taken place and the exciting new look of the hotel which will position the Landmark as Dundee’s leading luxury hotel. Guest feedback has been overwhelming and the creation of the Club Rooms in particular has enabled us to create a guest experience beyond anything else in the area.”

The Landmark provides an excellent vantage point for the many attractions of Dundee and the surrounding unspoiled Glens. Close to excellent shopping, theatres, museums and attractions such as Glamis Castle and Scone Palace, this hotel is a perfect choice for the discerning traveller.

The Landmark Dundee is part of BDL Select Hotels which is a division of The BDL Hotel Group. The group owns and operates hotels throughout the UK, under brands such as Express By Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Ramada Encore. BDL Select is the group’s portfolio of quality, independent hotels.

To keep informed of great offers and promotions across the BDL Group, click here.

Children at Epsom Hospital on Casey and Ebbisham Wards, Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children and The Children’s Trust, Tadworth were visited by staff from the Holiday Inn Express Epsom yesterday. General Manager Maria Robinson and Janet Flack from Holiday Inn Express Epsom Downs were joined by colleagues Nathan McCloud and Ray Perry dressed as the Teddy Bear and the Easter Chicken. The team were visiting the children to hand out soft toys and chocolates ahead of the Easter weekend.

Any extra presents were donated to The Children’s Trust Spring Fair being held on Easter Monday. The fair is being held on-site at Tadworth and is free for children and £2 for adults. There will be a farm, egg hunt, games, stalls and lots more entertainment for all the family.

The Children’s Trust is the nominated charity for the Holiday Inn Express Epsom and the hotel are looking to hold a charity car wash and a balloon race later this year in aid of the charity.

About The Children’s Trust
The Children’s Trust is a national charity, which provides care, education and therapy for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, and rehabilitation services to children with an acquired brain injury.
The Trust’s latest appeal, as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2009, will help more children from across the UK to access the specialist services it provides.
For more information visit: www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Hotel staff at The Children's Trust, Tadworth

Wyndham Hotel Group International held their awards ceremony in Antwerp for the annual GM and Franchisee Meeting with Sean Worker (Managing Director and Senior Vice President for International Operations Wyndham Hotel Group International) presenting.The hotel of the year award is given to one hotel from each brand within Wyndham, Ramada, Ramada Encore and Days Hotels. This is the first time Ramada Encore had there own category. The criteria for the Wyndham Rewards was for the hotel who gain the most enrolments to the loyalty scheme within EMEA, the hotel achieved 1,708 from January to September 2008 in the category Days Inn Hyde Park and Ramada Dover came in 2nd and 3rd.
The Ramada Encore London West knew that they were one of the top enrolling hotels within Wyndham so were pleased to win this award. The Front Office Manager Orhan Pek tasked his team to promote the loyalty scheme to all guests to ensure they are rewarding regular guests with points which can be converted to a variety of uses to suit their needs. The program ensures the hotels are looking after regular guests and in turn their family when they are lavished with gifts earned.

The Hotel of the Year Award was the highlight of the evening with 3 brands receiving the award for the best hotels within EMEA for Wyndham. Ronald Little General Manager of the hotel commented on the win ‘I was stunned into silence when Sean Worker named the Ramada Encore London West and am so happy that the teams’ hard work and commitment has been acknowledged by Wyndham as this is seen by not only myself and BDL but also by others within the industry.’

Ramada Encore London West ….simply better

BDL has successfully re-launched it’s BDLManagement website.

This new site marks the start of the hotels new websites and all it’s partner sites which will be rolled out over the next few weeks.
The Holiday Inn Express London Epsom Downs site is the first of these new roleouts.

For more information, please contact Ford Hollett by email at ford.hollett@bdlhotels.co.uk