Strattons Hotel

Strattons Hotel and CoCoes deli really have mastered social media with their facebook, twitter and blogger profiles, updating daily keeping their fans baited for more. I have just been on the Strattons web site to find their new Special offers page, what a fantastic idea, winter sales, 2 for 1's, New year information, special gift package ideas. Its left you with no choice but to book and get a great deal, discounted or not, and then get that package last minute for the other half as you had forgotten, http://www.strattonshotel.com/special_offers.php

CoCoes and coffee

CoCoes is born, online www.cocoes.co.uk and bricks and mortar. It even has a twitter page www.twitter.com/cocoes . So that adds to www.twitter.com/strattonshotel and www.twitter.com/djsh . The cafe deli is doing well and so are the new rooms cocoes 1 and 2, and the old print workshops 1 and 2. As a statement Vanessa has written the following blurb
at Strattons and built up strong relationships with local suppliers and growers. They always sourced cheeses from the UK until the likes of Jane Murray, Ellie Betts and the awesome Mrs Temples put Norfolk firmly on the map with their delicious varieties. The Deli offers cheeses from Norfolk and Suffolk, not wrapped in plastic and kept and sold at perfect maturation. British cheese has gone through a Renaissance following its demise during the Second World War when all milk was processed into ‘Mousetrap’ at the behest of the Ministry of Agriculture. As old recipes and dairies have been reinstated, new cheese makers have been inspired to produce that most fundamental and fabulous of artisan products. Enjoy a plate of it with some of our crackers, breads, damson paste or roasted nuts or take some away for supper with a bottle of one of our organic or bio-dynamic wines.
In embracing local produce we are sometimes dealing with very small suppliers. These micro industries may only specialise in one or two different products or supply in extremely small quantities. To work with a supplier and the regionality of our foods, the kitchen has invested in and is constantly researching where we can source produce from and how we can use it on the menu. This leads to a greater respect and appreciation for the achievements of our farmers, dairies, fishermen and microbreweries.
CoCoes is situated in the cottage and print workshop complex previously owned and run by the Coe family; Strattons Hotel was formerly owned by the farmer Bertie Stratton and the building was designated as an emergency feeding station in the event of invasion during the last world war.

InterContinental listed on Ebay

InterContinental have been listed on Ebay by octopus-travel-shop, (0) feed back so far but its early days. From the listings it looks like you are bidding on a stay at the specific hotel as quoted below but your bid is to charity. Very nice. The offer:
1 x two night stay in the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Presidential Suite for two guests only.
By bidding on this auction you adhere to the below terms and conditions.
Terms and Conditions
BIDDING:
1.Pre-approval bidding. Due to the exclusive and unique nature of this auction, pre-approval to bid is required. Any expressions of interest to bid will be processed as promptly as possible. In most circumstances this will be within the hour of Octopus Travel receiving a pre-approval bidding request.
2.Eligibility.All InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Charity auctions are only open to registered eBay Users over the age of 18 years. Employees and their family members of GTA by Travelport, Octopus Travel and InterContinental Hotel Group are not eligible for bidding on this auction. Such bids will be deemed to be invalid if placed throughout the bidding process.
3.Verification. All winning bids are final, so please verify your bid amount before placing it, as the winning bidder will be held liable for nonpayment as per eBay Terms of Service.
4.Booking conditions. Successful bids for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts are subject to usual booking conditions (see www.ichotelsgroup.com for details).
Could this be a point of sale that Strattons luxury boutique hotel www.strattionshotel.co.uk could sell rooms to the highest bidder?

Online networks and blogs

This is getting beyond a joke, I have luxury boutique web sits www.strattonshotel.co.uk, www.norfolkboutiques.co.uk , online networks and groups www.thesmenetwork.com , http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=13416140074&ref=ts , http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=84540988964&ref=ts , http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dom-hughes/12/760/74 , and there is the blogs including this one and http://doah2k.wordpress.com/ , and then 2 twitter pages http://twitter.com/djsh, and http://twitter.com/Strattonshotel . and I bet there are more. Get me off the thread mill

Is boutique dead?

Is boutique dead?, After the country house craze came the Boutique accommodation market propelled by the Mr and Mrs Smith guide books, giving the Boutique Hotel Directory and more recently adding Luxury Hotels to the tag line. I guess its like most fashions or buzz words, its passed. So whats next? In fact I see it a bit like fashion. Lets think about it, the toff/ country fashion has hardly changed over the decades, checked stripe shirt, cords, shoes, tweed blazer and or a barber, hey why not throw in a rugby shirt for that casual look. Done! its like a gok make over. I see the hotel equivalent as the luxury hotel market, its always been there, always will be and says what it is on the can. Its safe but we know it wont offend like the boutique. I remember an article a few years ago giving the same commentary of the gastropub market now I think its just a standard that all pubs serve or try to good modern food, almost restaurant standard.

The word boutique refers to being small and individual, like those classy wine bars that we hope no one else will find out about. This definition has been stretch with big chains spanning hundreds of rooms having jumped aboard with the tag line boutique. I don't think the recession has help either, we don't want the risk. When I book a room I'm now looking for luxury for my Penny's not risky boutique, which could be any ones interpretation of applying damask to the walls, curtains, carpet, lamp shades and even bed linen.

This blog has made no steps to decide or evaluate whether the boutique market has finished only explored the questions in a 5 minute break. Enjoy. What I propose is a new buzz word "Lux"

Happy New Year

Every blog needs a 2010 posting so here is my start. Happy new year to all that land on this page. 2010 will be the year for me to actually realise the dream and make my first Million, yes £1,000,000 or more! Now comes the hard bit, where and how am I going to make all of this money.

Strattons Hotel New Year rates and online booking

New Year rates are available, with just a few rooms left. The 3 night New Year package for the moment we are only taking bookings via telephone 01760 723845. Lucky gaps around the new year date, i.e Monday and Tuesday 29th December are being sold on line, D, B&B plus afternoon tea prices quoted below and bookable via the ONLINE BOOKING system. http://www.welcome-online.net/welcome_frame.asp?id=132&booking_selection=0

Spend New Year 09/10 with Strattons..........

A three night package to include New Years Eve

*Arrive 29th or 30th December*

Check in from 2.30pm and enjoy luscious afternoon tea in the lounges by the fire or the comfort of your room, served between 2pm & 5pm.

3 course Dinner is served from 6.45pm on 29th & 30th; book your table in advance.

Enjoy our fabulous locally sourced and fleshly prepared breakfast between 8.30am and 10am (a little later on New Year's Day!) each morning before spending the rest of the day at your leisure.

Afternoon tea will be served daily between 2pm and 5pm at Strattons.

*New Years Eve 31st December*

Evening celebrations start with canapés and a Strattons Kir Royale each in the lounges before moving down to the restaurant for a special eight course meal, using locally sourced ingredients, organic wherever possible.

*Depart 1st or 2nd January*

After a night celebrating, relax and indulge in our scrummy breakfast between 9am and 10.30am, then pack up and head home. Check out by 11.30am.

Cost per couple for the three night package:

All Doubles £975, Suites (Edie & Boudoir) £1175, (Opium & Stalls) £1250, (Red) £1275

(Package includes breakfast each morning, a 3 course dinner on 2 nights, an 8 course dinner on New Year’s Eve and afternoon tea daily at Strattons.)

Extra nights or where available one or two night breaks:

Inclusive of a 3 course dinner, bed and breakfast and afternoon tea per couple per night (excludes 31/12/09):

All Doubles £265, Suites (Edie & Boudoir) £320, (Opium & Stalls) £336.50, (Red) £347.50

Extras

Children are welcome in suitable rooms and charged at our usual rate of £15 - £30 per night when sharing a room with 2 adults. The children's menu is not available after 6.30pm. Dogs are welcome at £6.50 per day per dog; please arrange this in advance to ensure your room choice is pet friendly.

Nitty Gritty

We require a valid card to secure your booking and a £200 deposit payable on booking. The full amount of the package should be paid by November 30th 09. Any cancellations after the 30th November 09 will be liable for up to 80% of the package if we are unable to re-sell