A film review of ANGEL & TONY / ANGÈLE ET TONY and interview with director Alix Delaporte
and lead actress Clotilde Hesme by Timothy E. RAW

Alix Delaporte's debut film marinates in perplexing contradictions. A docu-realistic fairytale, it's a romance with intimacy issues and two lovers who despite being exactly as they appear, are difficult to comprehend. The direction is circumspect and at times overly subtle, but what stays with you about this deceptively simple love story is its enigmatic telling. It's rare these days that a film resists the temptation to lead an audience by the nose, rarer still that such assured work is from the hand of a first-time filmmaker. Judging the film accordingly, it's a considerable success even though as a character study, it's scaled back and lacking in dramatic incident.

The setting is a blustery, weathered fishing village in Normandy, France, the frugal existence of its inhabitants apiece with the wandering Angèle (Clotilde Hesme), a woman in step with the current economic beat down, looking for low-level work that pays just enough to get by, wherever it is she happens to end up.

First seen having passionless sex with a stranger up against a wall and not living up to her name, Angèle trades a quick concrete bang for a knock-off action man doll, a present for estranged son Yohan, about to go into the permanent custody of her parents-in-law. As nonplussed about her body as she is the dead-end work that keeps her fed, it's easy to imagine Angèle might just as easily trade sex for money whenever the menial work doesn't come her way. Though director Delaporte assured me in our interview that this was not the case, the film's presiding temperament is elliptical and purposely lacking in any information on the character's past lives, seems wide open for such interpretation.

Newly released from prison and owning few possessions outside of her stolen bike and leather jacket (another defensive layer of an already hard exterior), Angèle rides into town in response to a newspaper ad placed by fisherman Tony (Grégory Gadebois) who has recently lost his father at sea.

Gutting fish for Tony and lodging with him in close quarters, their first scenes together are a series of tentative negotiations of physical space, each sizing the other up. Tony's awestruck approach is how one might warily draw near a rare exotic bird. There's a definite crack in his usually stonewalled expression, enough to let us know that he never expected to be interested in the person he hired, let alone attracted to her. An emotionally closed off loner who lives with his mother, he's not necessarily conscious of these feelings in the beginning, but Angèle picks up on them right away. Sensing she might not get the job, she asks Tony if he'd like to fuck. He never says as much, but unlike the men before him, Tony doesn't want a woman like Angèle walking into his life only to risk letting her slip through his fingers by sleeping with her. Where so many films improbably pair much less physically attractive men with desirable women, Tony's suspicious hesitance of her offer is an acknowledgement of the fact that attraction is never that easy.

Turned down, the question will be asked again and the word used often. Angèle's default setting, she'd rather screw than be screwed over. Thinking nothing of debasing herself in this way, Angèle is an animal running on instinct, though perhaps more feral cat than exotic bird.

Illiterate and angry, all the angst and emotion pent up from a life of past mistakes is expressed physically and when Angèle's not fucking the pain away, she's cycling: the harder she pedals, the more she hurts. Throughout, there are long-held close-ups of Angèle determinedly riding to no place in particular. As she tells me in our interview, Clotilde Hesme shot biking-riding scenes at the end of every day. If as she says, the process was more mechanical than psychological, then due credit must be given to editor Louise Decelle for assembling the pieces in such a way that they form an emblematic subtext.

Riding with a punctured tire, Angèle has already suffered her fair share of bumps along the way, and long hard looks at her face as she rides with a flat are turned inward, a gradual realisation that she can no longer go it alone. Hesme makes much of her character's plight by saying very little, the intensity of her eyes communicating a mind ticking over and continually re-assessing her predicament. With unspoken brio, she competently expresses and completely earns a complexity of character without ever relying on the articulation of the script. Best known as a supporting player in films like The Grocer's Son, the films of Christophe Honoré and most recently, Raúl Ruiz's The Mysteries of Lisbon, Hesme disappears into the role with an effortlessness that should not go unappreciated. This is impressively subtle work, so much more graceful than the usual showier turn by an actor having a ball in their first lead.

Impossibly, Gadebois' is a performance of even fewer words. He has a way of not even looking directly at people – always past them – so every wayward glance, eye roll, or stilted brush off as he tries to keep things appropriate between him and Angèle is significant and interpretable. Emotionally and intellectually the film asks something of the viewer, to look again and to look closer, such that you find yourself sitting in your seat differently. Both characters demand such patience and fortitude that your whole nervous system seems to respond in a different way.

When she later proposes the idea of marriage to Tony, that's all there is to it, Hesme never gives Angèle's game away. The viewer is beholden to slow down and really think about her intentions, which aren't obviously weighted in any one direction. Choosing a good man who offers security verses an ulterior motive wedding to help get her son back, is an anxiety the film isn't particularly interested in solving. This ambiguity isn't lost on Tony, telling Angèle in no uncertain terms that he wants to be with her, but resigned to the fact that she'll need longer than the film's eighty-three minutes to learn to love him and reciprocate his affection. It's befitting then that there's no easy Hollywood moment of mutual thawing and deep-felt connection between the two. On the shared boat ride which comes closest, the couple are chaperoned by Tony's brother.

Delaporte's indeterminate treatment of character extents to her storytelling, purposely leaving gaps in the plotting and asking us to fill in yet more blanks. Blurring the line between deliberately withholding information for dramatic effect and just being confusedly vague, this ambivalence frustrates as much as it fascinates.

A scene where Angèle approaches her distrustful son in the playground, shows her watchful mother-in-law getting up to protest, but the moment of conflict is intentionally withheld – a hard cut shows Angèle riding away with the son who wouldn't even talk to her moments before. This de-emphasis on moments of action that would force characters to act out and let down their walls is a brazen refusal of shorthand emotional involvement, which in this instance stays true to Angèle's guarded instincts.

Other times, this method is so obtuse it raises questions and takes us out of the film altogether. When Angèle is called to Yohan's school after he locks himself in the bathroom, we see her stopping at a shop en route to steal a dress but not the moment where she receives the call. We're left wondering when and why such a down-and-out woman got a mobile. It's never seen and assumedly, given her wanderlust, she would not want to be contactable. Did Tony buy it for her or more likely, was it purchased on the insistence of her infrequently seen parole officer? To show the theft and not the phone call obliquely suggests that she's less worried about her son's distress and more about how he will perceive her after not having seen her for so long. Hurriedly, she changes out of her butch leather for something longer, free flowing and more maternal.

Where some of my reservations may sound like minor details I'm hung up on, there are a couple of jarring behavioural inconsistencies. Tony's mother Myriam seems to have no problem whatsoever with a wayward hussy suddenly turning up on her doorstep and often getting into loud, explosive fights with her son. As a last-minute replacement for the witch in a local production of Snow White, Angèle's illiteracy is conveniently dropped. Rehearsing, backstage with Tony, she's already committed most of the lines to memory from seeing the film multiple times as a child, but when she goes off script and has to double check over his shoulder, there's none of the expected frustration.

It's in this same scene that Angèle and Tony kiss for the first time before consummating their unpinable affair. Up against the wall a second time, the fairy tale setting circumvents pure love rather than fucking. Both experience something they've never known before, the lovers not unlike the children on the other side of the curtain, going through their lines unawares.

Atypically indulging in sentiment, Delaporte's film finally finds its soft centre. For the rest of the time its admirable toughness marks a memorable debut that's hard to love but easy to admire. And while you're unlikely to embrace these downtrodden characters, you won't soon forget them.

This exclusive interview with director Alix Delaporte and lead actress Clotilde Hesme was conducted for Cine Outsider by Timothy E. RAW at the Sofitel St James Hotel in London on Friday 23rd March 2012 as part of the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema festival.


Dissidia: Final Fantasy Interview

Dissidia: Final Fantasy Interview

Sitting down in the Penthouse Suite of the Dorchester Hotel, London, I have to admit that I felt more than a little out of place. Not only did my torn jeans and free t-shirt not exactly blend in with the up-market décor, but I also had a cold and had spilled part of a sugary snack down myself in my attempt to raid the buffet. Also, I didn’t have much of an idea about the game I was here to talk about.

To help simultaneously remedy my lack of knowledge and hide my embaressment, I picked up one of the demo units that littered the furniture and entered the game. I quickly found that Dissidia, which isn’t as widely publicised in the UK as it is in the US and Japan, wasn’t at all what I expected. It was an arena-based, multiplayer combat game that used characters from all the previous games in the Final Fantasy franchise, nothing at all like the top-down RPG I had foolishly anticipated.

I found Dissidia very confusing and wasn’t helped by the lack of English translation. After I just felt that I was starting to get to grips with the game when my name was called out and I was invited in for a quick chat with executive producer Takeshi Arakawa and Final Fantasy director Yoshinori Kitase. Here’s what the pair had to say for themselves...

Click to enlarge

bit-techCan you start by giving us an overview of the game and why you decided to make a Final Fantasy game that was so action-based, rather than staying closer to the RPG roots of the series?

Takeshi Arakawa: Well, the idea originally came when we were making Kingdom Hearts 2, which was very much an action game. We thought it would be really interesting to make a game in which you fight in 3D arenas. It was also important as we’re close to the 20th anniversary of the Final Fantasy series, so we really wanted to create an anniversary work to celebrate.

BT:Can you give us a quick summary of the story and what the game is all about, for all the people in the UK who might not be familiar with the game yet?

TA: Umm...<pause>...Basically, Dissidia: Final Fantasy is an ordinary fighting game, but one with extra elements. The level of customisation and story makes it very similar to an RPG and we’ve tried to blend the two areas together. The Japanese version of the game is very much an action-RPG, but the overseas version is much more focused on the action than the RPG.

BT:How did the development time of Dissidia, as an action game, compare to your other titles?

Click to enlarge

TA: It took a lot longer to develop Dissidia than our usual games, obviously because we were creating some very different rules and types of gameplay. The battle system alone took us two years and then, on top of that, we took a year to create the RPG side of the game. So, three years, all in.

BT:There’s been quite a delay between the release dates of the two versions too, hasn’t there?

TA: Yes. There are two reasons for that, the main one is obviously that it took so long to localise the game and the various story parts. The second and kind-of less direct reason is that it took so long to adjust the original Japanese version for overseas audiences by adding on the arcade mode and tweaking the battle balance. We also added extra events for the overseas version.

BT:The game has characters from pretty much every game in the Final Fantasy series. Did you find it difficult to integrate them all into the same story?

TA: It was difficult at times because, obviously, Dissidia has got a new and original story and the idea was to pick one heroic character and one villain from each of the main games. Obviously there were lots and lots of characters we would have liked to have chosen, but we had to limit ourselves to what the concept of Dissidia allowed. We just had to choose the characters that fitted in the best.


The arrival of a new year brings with it buzz about hotly anticipated luxury hotel openings. 2017 is no exception, with amazing new resorts opening their doors from Fiji to London and beyond. Pursuitist presents the 20 most anticipated luxury hotels opening in 2017:

Kokomo Island Resort in Fiji

Kokomo Island Resort is 140 private acres in Fiji. The resort is specifically designed for inter-generational travelers and has plenty of activities. The Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest in the world, is right off the shore of the resort and prime for diving, snorkelling, fishing or kayaking.

Opens: March 31, 2017

Address: Kokomo Island, Fiji

Price: TBD

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

In October, Antigua’s intimate Curtain Bluff will welcome guests after a six-month closure and a $13 million refresh of its entrance, dining spaces, bar, lounge, and reception area. Curtain Bluff is introducing a new beach concierge, who will arrange activities and water sports, fetch drinks, and set up beach chairs and hammocks.

Opens: October 28, 2017

Address: Antigua

Price: TBD

Four Seasons at The Surf Club

After The Surf Club opened in 1930, it quickly cemented itself into the Miami Beach club scene. Next year, the iconic property will be reborn as the Four Seasons at The Surf Club. The 77-room hotel will have three pools on its property, along with 900 feet of white sand beach and a 15,000-square-foot spa center.

Opens: February 1, 2017

Address: 9011 Collins Avenue Surfside, Florida 33154

Price: Starting at $899

Ritz Carlton Langkawi

The Ritz Carlton’s upcoming property in Langkawi, Malaysia, will have 90 guest rooms and 29 villas between rainforest and beaches, allowing guests to experience whichever side of the tranquil nature they prefer. The hotel will have a resident naturalist who will take guests around the property and teach them about geological sites and rainforest flora and fauna.

Opens: June 1, 2017

Address: Langkawi, Malaysia

Price: $1,100 per person per night

Six Senses Bhutan

Six Senses Bhutan will spread across five separate locations, each with a specific theme and different perspective on Bhutan. The minimalist properties will be above Serbithang in the capital of Thimpu, the forest of Bumthang, a farmhouse at Kabijsa in Punakha, a chalet in the valley of Gangtey, and old stone ruins in Taa Dzong in Paro.

Opens: August 2017

Address: Various locations, Bhutan

Price: TBD

Provocateur Berlin

Travelers looking for a sexy, well-designed getaway need look no further than Provocateur Berlin. The upcoming burlesque-themed hotel will have 59 rooms, all decorated in plush, velvety reds. It will also house a sleek cocktail bar and Indochine-inspired restaurant for locals and guests alike.

Opens: March 2017

Address: Brandenburgische Straße 21 10707 Berlin, Germany

Price: From $125

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

Scotland’s famed Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa will unveil the results of its makeover in mid-April. The resort, which is owned by Wisconsin-based Kohler Co. and is situated alongside the world’s oldest and, arguably, most iconic golf course, is undergoing a total upgrade of its 144 rooms and suites, plus a spa extension that will add a new lap pool and gym.

Opens: April 2017

Address: St. Andrews, Scotland

Price: From $250

Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate Lodge

The six forest villas of the Bisate Lodge in Rwanda offer guests a luxurious and conservationally-minded way to see the country’s famous gorilla population. The lodge is located on a hill next to Volcanoes National Park, which gives guests views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno Volcanoes from their rooms.

Opens: June 1, 2017

Price: $1,100 per person per night

Rosewood Puebla

Rosewood’s new property, 75 miles southeast of Mexico City, will sit in downtown Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel will spread across several different buildings, collected around an intimate common courtyard. The property will also include a 300-year-old chapel that guests will be able to rent out for weddings.

Opens: First half of 2017

Address: Puebla, Mexico

Price: Starting at $250

The Line DC

A former neoclassical church in DC’s Adams Morgan neighborhood is getting a second life as the 220-room The Line DC hotel. Although the building will retain a lot of its original architectural features (60-foot vaulted ceilings, millwork and brass detailing, and large copper entry doors), there will be lots of modern upgrades—mainly rooftop views and restaurants from Spike Gjerde and Erik Bruner-Yang.

Opens: June 2017

Address: 1770 Euclid Street NW Washington DC 20009

Price: Starting at $268

Aman Shanghai

For their fourth hotel in China, Aman pulled out all the stops. The Aman Shanghai will be “a village of historic dwellings surrounded by a sacred camphor forest” which has been imported from Jiangxi. The hotel imported 10,000 ancient camphor trees with the help of botanists, architects and craftsmen. The result is an oasis just outside of the city that has helped preserve some of China’s most historic plants.

Opens: Fall 2017

Address: Shanghai, China

Price: TBD

Park Hyatt St Kitts

When the Park Hyatt opens on Saint Kitts, it will be the first luxury resort to debut on the island. The 126-room resort will be the ultimate spot for relaxation. The Stone Mill Spa & Sanctuary will offer guests Watsu therapy, daily meditation sessions and a fitness center. After a spa experience, guests can enjoy the resort’s views of the Caribbean and Nevis island.

Opens: Summer 2017

Address: Banana Bay, South East Peninsula, Parish of St. George St. Kitts, Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis

Price: From $380 low season, $900 high season

Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay, Indonesia

The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay got an upgrade in 2016 when the late Indonesian interior designer Jaya Ibrahim refurbished nearly all of the beachfront property’s villas. Roughly half of the villas were also structurally expanded to include more living space, larger bedrooms and plunge pools, and newly landscaped gardens. But resort insiders saved the best for last: The top-shelf Imperial and Royal Villas will reopen in May, revealing their own transformations.

Opens: May 2017

Address: Indonesia

Price: TBD

Hotel de Crillon

All the fanciest debutantes know the Hotel de Crillon for its annual coming-out event, the Crillon Ball. The Parisian hotel, which has hosted a who’s who of the world since 1758, will reopen in 2017 after renovations, with two brand-new suites designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

Opens: 2017

Address: 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France

Price: TBD

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills will spread across 12 floors and offer unobstructed views from its 170 rooms. The hotel will also feature a restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a rooftop pool and lounge with VIP cabanas and a personal concierge service for each guest.

Opens: June 2017

Address: 9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90210

Price: Deluxe rooms start at $815, Suites start at $3,000

Miavana Island Sanctuary

Madagascar’s first ultra five-star lodge will open this year—but it will only be accessible via private helicopter. The lodge’s 14 villas will all have direct beach and ocean access, offering visitors up-close interactions with the threatened animals who live on the property’s wildlife sanctuary.

Opens: April 2017

Address: Nosy Anko, Madagascar

Price: $2,500 per person per night

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

The first new luxury resort to debut in Bora Bora in 20 years will open in April 2017. Conrad Bora Bora Nui will be the only resort with two-story overwater bungalows, as if sleeping over the water weren’t decadent enough.

Opening: Fall 2017

Address: Bora Bora

Price: TBD

Hotel Eden

After two years of renovations, the Dorchester Collection (whose other properties include the Plaza Athenee in Paris and the Bel-Air in Los Angeles) is reopening the Hotel Eden. The hotel will contain 98 rooms in a three-story mansion in Rome’s Ludovisi district that dates back to 1889. There will also be an urban spa onsite to guarantee Italian glamour for all guests with signature treatments, a blow dry bar and manicure/pedicure stations.

Opens: April 2017

Address: Via Ludovisi 49, Rome 00187, Italy

Price: From $668 per night

Four Seasons Ten Trinity

When the Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square opens in January, it will be inside of a listed heritage building in the city of London. The hotel will have 100 rooms, along with 41 private residences. Eventually, a private members club will open for guests in the same square.

Opens: January 26, 2017

Address: 10 Trinity Square EC3N 4AJ London, England

Price: Introductory offer starting at $435

The Oberoi, Al Zorah

Oberoi is opening a luxury property just 20 minutes outside of downtown Dubai this year called Al Zorah. The new hotel will feature an on-site spa, 247 acres of protected forests and its own natural beach front. The property will also offer guests a championship golf course, kayaking, dune driving and sky-diving.

Opens: March 2017

Address: Al Ittihad Road PO Box 8010 Ajman, UAE

Price: TBD


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Having frequented Earls Court EasyHotel for several years, we had no hesitation in booking EasyHotel Paddington when we needed somewhere close to Paddington Station to stay. It is much the same as other EasyHotels everywhere - we stayed in a small room, no window (so I can't speak for any other rooms), and it was of course very basic, but...

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Dear Rachiikins,
We appreciate you recommending us on TripAdvisor and thank you for enumerating the negative & positive points and of course highlighting the opportunities to improve.
For your information we also have rooms with windows subject to availability. We’ll keep in mind your preferences on your next visit to easyHotel Paddington. The team loved your review and a huge...

As stated in the previous reviews, the rooms, corridors, shower rooms etc are small. However when you book the website even gives room measurements so you can't complain about it when it is there for all to see. My husband & I stayed for 2 nights for our trip to London and we wanted a cheap central hotel. They don't...

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AbidaA_12, Social Media Coordinator at easyHotel Paddington London, responded to this review

Dear Guest,
We appreciate your constructive feedback, in particular your comments regarding the shower room. Your feedback has been shared with the whole team and we’ll do our best to rectify the issues you've mentioned in your review. The team would also like to thank you for the compliments.
We do hope you will give us the opportunity to restore...

Stayed here over a week when visiting London. If you need a room for only a sleep this is great value for the money. Room was small but that we knew already when we booked it. It was clean and had own toilet/shower and we were happy to find also air contidioner which was quite nice as the weather was...

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Dear Orein,
It’s overwhelming to know we met your expectations and you’ll be visiting us again. Your comments and suggestions will be shared with the team members.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Best wishes,
Abida.

On checking in I got a warm welcome and was asked which floor I would like and I opted for the second floor.
I had booked a small room with window. The room was small but perfect for one person and I was not planning to spend any time in the room. Room was splotless clean as was all linen....

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AbidaA_12, Social Media Coordinator at easyHotel Paddington London, responded to this review

Dear Jamieh,
It is regrettable that your overall positive experience was dented by a temporary problem we faced that day. Just to let you know that the shower in room 201 was fixed the next day.
Thank you for putting up a great review. We’re glad to know you’ll be visiting us again in near future.
Kind regards,
Abida.

3 stars would be fair, but if you book here is because you are on a budget and need to have easy access to the underground system. It delivers that, but not anything else. The first impression when you see the room is terrible, but you arent going to stay too much time inside anyways, so it is actually an...

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Dear Cleston,
Thank you very much for putting up a valuable feedback on your recent visit to easyHotel Paddington.
It’s good to know you found the staff helpful, location convenient and the price reasonable. The motive is to provide our guests the basic facilities at an affordable price in the heart of London.
Thank you for staying with us and...

If you go expecting a very small, basic room in a great location, then you will not be disappointed. The receptionist on check-in was really friendly, helpful and pointed out the nearest supermarkets. She asked which floor I would like and I just opted for the 2nd (really wish I had gone for the top floor in hindsight).
The room...

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AbidaA_12, Social Media Coordinator at easyHotel Paddington London, responded to this review

Dear Guest,
We’re glad to know you found the reception team personable. Apologise that the noise kept you from completely enjoying your visit. The reception would’ve assisted you with the problem if they were informed during your. Hopefully you will not leave it too long before you make a return visit.
Warm regards,
Abida.

I had an early flight so stayed here out of curiosity. The best thing you can say is that the hotel is on the doorstep of the Heathrow Express. The rooms are how I imagine Scandinavian jail cells -- claustrophobic and unwelcoming but with an eye on design. The ubiquitous Easy orange extends to the decor, though dim lighting and...

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Dear Dave,
Thank you for putting up a review on your recent stay with us.
We regret to read you found the rooms unwelcoming. The rooms are small but we consciously make sure our guests feel comfortable and relaxed. It’s nice to know you liked the interior design and the location. Please keep in mind that we are a no-frill...

If you just want a hotel in London that is less than 5 mins walk from the tube, has a bed to sleep in and en suite, then this is absolutely fine. Stayed with a friend, both happy as we didn't intend to stay in the hotel for lengths of time. I will say that the rooms are small, no...

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Dear Guest,
Thank you for putting up a great review! It’s nice to know that the level of standard you experienced met with your expectations
We appreciate you choosing to stay at easyHotel Paddington and look forward to welcoming you back again in near future.
Warm wishes,
Abida.

I stayed at the EasyHotel in Paddington for one night. Having recently stayed at the EasyHotel in Earl's Court, I did find myself comparing the two. I was in room 202, which faces the back. It was a standard room with a window. It's small but seems slightly bigger than a twin room because there is more floor space at...

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Dear Guest,
Thank you very much for the compliments!! Our aim is to provide a memorable experience at an affordable price in the heart of London. And we’re glad know we have succeeded in your case.
We’re working on the grey areas you highlighted in your review. We highly appreciate your feedback as it will assist us in becoming better...

Claustrofobic, so small and no ventilation. Funny stinky smell since the 1st day, probably mold. Payed for the room with window, but it was underground, and under the window there was a door...? Changed room to first floor, view to the street but window opens just a little. Like your towel wont get dry for the next day. You cant...

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AbidaA_12, Social Media Coordinator at easyHotel Paddington London, responded to this review

Hi Gabriela,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
In regards to your comments on room size please note that this is the standard size of easyHotels. Our guests have a choice to book rooms with or without windows. We’ll make sure you have a room with a window on your next stay. Keeping in mind few security issues...

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A graduate of Hotel Management at Shannon, Colin spent his formative training years in hotels in London, holding various managerial positions with the Red.

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The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa is located near the Kerry Airport, making your transit easier and smoother. Ideally located in Killarney town center.

#1 Best Value of 421 places to stay in County Clare. Carrygerry Country House. Show Prices. #2 Best Value of 421 places to stay in County Clare. Sheedy’s Country House Hotel. Show Prices. 17,288 reviews. #3 Best Value of 421 places to stay in County Clare. Falls Hotel & Spa. Show Prices. #4 Best Value of 421 places to stay in County Clare…

Shannon Hepp, 17, is graduating from Thomas Nelson Community. She, her seven siblings and their parents were crammed into a single hotel.

The award was presented immediately following AIA’s 76th Annual General Meeting that took place at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Shannon.

After leading from start to finish, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel opened their 2018 account. Midcourters Gina Crampton and Shannon Francois delivered a precision service to the Steel shooters while the Mystics struggled with their consistency.

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1830-1902), titled Morning – Summit, New Jersey from Hotel, artist signed “Bierstadt”, found a new owner for $42,500. Shannon’s produces an.

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(Shannon Green) My boss gave me a simple – and welcome. Sandwiched in between those early mornings and late nights, I walked back to my hotel room.

Vacation In The Mountains Of Nc The Conservation Fund said Thursday that 1,680 acres of high-elevation ridges and headwaters have been protected in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The Fund, which is a national group, partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and the. May 6, 2018 – Browse and Book from the Best Vacation Rentals with Prices in North Carolina Mountains:

Joie de Vivre is a collection of boutique hotels offering unique accommodations that reflect the vibrant neighborhoods that they’re located in. Discover, explore and relax during your unforgettable getaway at our hotels.

The general manager of a Virginia hotel fired an employee who used a racial slur in an argument with a visitor last week. The incident was captured on.

#1 Best Value of 106 places to stay in Dingle. Greenmount House. Show Prices. #2 Best Value of 106 places to stay in Dingle. Brownes Bed & Breakfast Dingle. Show Prices. 9,244 reviews. #3 Best Value of 106 places to stay in Dingle.

Joie de Vivre is a collection of boutique hotels offering unique accommodations that reflect the vibrant neighborhoods that they’re located in. Discover, explore and relax during your unforgettable getaway at our hotels.

Cheap Trips To Warm Places Sep 28, 2016. By Terence Loose/GOBankingRatesIf youre looking for the best places to retire on a fixed income, moving to an affordable place to live is a key. Here are cheap ways to save money when heating your house. But apart from those often expensive tactics, what can be done cheaply and quickly to keep

The owners of an award-winning Aiken hotel, The Willcox, have launched a new venture in the hospitality industry. Geoff and Shannon Ellis recently reopened.

That includes Shannon Waltchack’s purchase of The Shops at the Colonnade.

Experience The Ritz-Carlton luxury hotels and resorts that craft unforgettable travel experiences in the world’s top destinations.


Massey Ferguson 35

The Massey Ferguson 35 (MF35) is a tractor produced by Massey Ferguson.

History

United States
In 1953 a team led by Hermann Klemm started developing a new model for Ferguson, known as the TO35, to replace the TO30. Klemm wrote to Harry Ferguson in July that year to tell him about the features of the TO35. Ferguson was unhappy with the project, and ordered Klemm to stop work. However, after another letter from Klemm, running to 23 pages, Ferguson changed his mind and allowed development to continue. Although Ferguson had merged with Massey-Harris to form Massey Ferguson in 1953, the TO35 was marketed under the Ferguson name. The new Ferguson 35 was launched in the United States on 5 January 1955, a year earlier than planned, following a decision made at a conference in San Antonio in March 1954.

It was initially available in two models; standard or deluxe, with a third (utility) added in 1956. Despite not being designed for industrial use, it became popular amongst industry users. The colour scheme was changed from all-grey to a beige shell and wheels and a grey body in May 1956. In December 1957 the scheme changed again when the TO35 was rebranded in the standard Massey Ferguson red and grey. However, the wording on the tractor continued to be "Ferguson" until February 1960.

Production ended in late 1964.

United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the MF35 was launched on 1 October 1956 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and was originally marketed as the Ferguson 35 (FE35). Built at Massey Ferguson's Banner Lane factory in Coventry, the first FE35 (serial number 1001) had been produced on 27 August that year.

The FE35 was a successor to the Ferguson TE20, which ceased production in the same year. Whilst the TE20 had been an all-grey tractor (earning it the nickname Little Grey Fergie), the FE35 had a grey shell and wheels, but a bronze finish for the body, leading to it becoming known as the "Gold Belly". Three types were built; agricultural, industrial and vineyard, although only a small number of the latter were produced. The industrial model was designed for compliance with the Road Traffic Act 1947, including a driving mirror and a high-frequency horn.

In 1957, after 73,655 units had been produced, the tractor was rebadged as the MF35, and the colour scheme was changed to red and grey. In 1959 Massey Ferguson purchased Perkins Engines, and began using a new diesel Perkins engine in the MF35. De Luxe models had a dual clutch, allowing the user to disengage the rear wheels while keeping the power take-off and hydraulic pump engaged.

On 8 November 1962 the company launched the MF35X, which had an increased power output and the additional "multi-power" system, which allowed the driver to shift up or down a gear ratio without using the clutch. Although production in England reached over 45,000 units the following year, it ceased in 1964, when it was succeeded by the Massey Ferguson 135. Over its eight-year production run, 388,382 units were produced. Many are still used today on small farms.

The Banner Lane factory continued to supply kits to foreign manufacturers until 24 December 2002. By the time production ceased, 3,307,996 tractor or kits had been built at the factory. According to Michael Thorne, "it is not an exaggeration to say that there is no other tractor design in history that has contributed more to the feeding of the world."

Other countries
TAFE in India bought a licence to build MF35s in 1960 and continued manufacturing them until 2002. Yugoslavian firm Industry of Machinery and Tractors also bought a licence to build Massey Ferguson tractors, marketing the MF35 as the IMT533 and IMT539. In 2014 variants of the MF35 were still being built in India, Pakistan and Turkey. In 2015 Agco, owners of the Massey Ferguson brand, relaunched the MF35 in the East African market as the "People's tractor".

References

 0035


Millennials don't need living rooms, says top architect But they do need to live and work in urban centers, insists Patrik Schumacher

Mary Stackienicz lies down in a very small home in Berkeley, Calif. Next: 42 impressive tiny homes. Mary Stackienicz lies down in a very small home in Berkeley, Calif. Next: 42 impressive tiny homes. Photo: Paul Kuroda, Special To The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Kuroda, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 55 Caption Close Millennials don't need living rooms, says top architect 1 / 55 Back to Gallery

Add a 56-year-old London architect to the long list of experts who know what's best for Millennials.

Patrik Schumacher of prestigious Zaha Hadid Architects, which designed the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, has determined that 18- to 34-year-olds do not need living rooms in their apartments.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Schumacher said a hotel-sized room is enough for young professionals "out and about networking 24/7."

Schumacher wants to see "outdated" London regulations requiring 409 square feet of floorspace in new units revised downward. He argues they clash with the priorities of Millennials, many of whom, he says, would welcome smaller apartments.

Hotel-sized studios in central London would cost less to rent or buy, reduce commuting costs and enable more Millennials to enter the housing market. The Daily Telegraph quoted Schumacher as saying London Millennials now pay up to 80 percent of their income on housing in the central portion of the city.

California's space requirements are significantly less restrictive than London's. Even a 160-square-foot unit in San Francisco qualifies as legal. Turning a living room into a bedroom in order to house an extra roommate is nothing out of the ordinary.

But on social media, Schumacher's recommendations were mostly met with scorn by Millennial Brits.

Twitter user @CatoHeresy wrote, "How depressing. Just put us all into a pod at work with an IV drip overnight, that way we wont waste any more time or space for our elitist classes. I bet this architect would not dream of putting his son/daughter into a shoebox flat. ..."

Raiko Aasa tweeted, "Essentially a kennel."

Hannah Shaw-Williams saw a trend developing:

2018: "Millennials don't need living rooms."

2019: "Millennials don't need kitchens."

2020: "Millennials don't need bathrooms."

2021: "Come on, Millennials, do you really need a whole room just for your bed?"

2023: "Generations Z don't need coffin linings."

But Schumacher has his defenders as well.

Sophie Jarvis, a policy adviser at the Adam Smith Institute, said that relaxing sizing rules would ease the housing shortage forcing young people farther and farther out of the capital, according to The Week.

Schumacher, something of a lightning rod in urban planning circles, sees high property prices as a threat to cities' ability to attract the best and brightest.

"People are moving out of LA, out of the Bay Area. They have to create other tech clusters because of land prices," he told the Guardian. "Now that's a tough choice for a young startup — to swallow these huge prices or to pull away. But pulling away means being less connected, being less productive potentially.

"My staff here in the firm – young professionals — they know they have to be close. They can't afford to live miles away. They need to be in the pub afterwards debating issues. They need to slip over to the exhibition opening or that university lecture close by. ... They have to be in the center."


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Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London

Madame Tussauds

WORLD-FAMOUS WAX MUSEUM

Visit one of London’s top attractions, and world-famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds. From Bollywood to Hollywood, politics to royals, and performers on stages to athletes in stadiums – Madame Tussauds has it all. Visit and take a photograph with your favourite celebrity wax figure just a 15-minute walk from the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel. Simply head north to Gloucester Place and turn right by Baker Street. Foodies will be glad to know that there are independent pubs, cafés and restaurants spread along Marylebone High Street, moments from the museum.

What and who to see at Madame Tussauds
With 13 zones and over 300 figures to explore, we recommend that you plan spending approximately 2 hours at the museum, depending on the number of pictures you want to take. Snap a selfie with Kim Kardashian, pose with Victoria and David Beckham or moonwalk by Michael Jackson, or pay to have your picture taken with the British Royal Family. With new figures added to the collection throughout the year, there is always a new reason to visit the wax museum.

Special effects
Madame Tussauds is more than lifelike wax figures, it is also remarkable special effects guaranteed to thrill. Try the exciting “Spirit of London” ride for a journey through the history of London from the back of a black cab, or visit the Marvel Comic section and see the characters come to life with impressive ground tremor effects, and go on to watch the 4D movie for an extra immersive experience. For a true VIP experience, you can purchase priority tickets for special entrance, queue-jumps and less waiting time.

Fun facts

Madame Tussaud herself is exhibited at her own museum

Celebrities have often donated clothes to their own figures for extra likeness


Afternoon Tea at Woodlands Park Hotel, Stoke D’Abernon, Surrey

Afternoon Tea. There’s something distinctively classy about this uppercrust British custom, isn’t there? Downton Abbey springs to mind, stately homes and maids in frilly aprons and white caps, cucumber sandwiches in an English country garden or crumpets in front of a roaring fire. It’s such a nutritionally unnecessary meal, served as it is, between lunch and supper, and that alone gives it a sense of unadulterated luxury. It transports you back to more genteel times.

Woodlands Park Hotel

Originally introduced by the Duchess of Bedford around 1840, Afternoon Tea is not to be confused with High Tea. Both may involve the same beverage but there is a huge class divide between the two. High Tea, or just ‘Tea’ for short, was the evening meal taken by the labouring working class in the 19th and early 20th century, who traditionally call their midday meal ‘dinner’ and their substantial six pm snack ‘tea’, whereas the upper social classes, who rose later in the morning and went to bed well after the gaslights had dimmed, would call the midday meal lunch (or luncheon), and the evening meal, served after 7 pm, dinner or, less formally, supper. This then left time for a little sumptious morsel at mid afternoon to tide one over, just a few tiny crustless sandwiches, scones with clotted cream or jam, crumpets and some cake, perhaps, and of course, loose tea, never teabags, God forbid! Standards, my dear!

Woodlands Park Hotel

Then there is the ‘milk first or last’ debate. Debrett’s, the etiquette bible of the privileged, advocates a tea first strategy and firmly advises against slurping, dunking or sticking out your pinky. And to top it all, there’s the issue of cream first or jam first on one’s scone, not to mention one’s pronounciation of the word, which in British English should rhyme with ‘con’. It’s a minefield, this British class system! Get it wrong and you’re indelibly marked as NQOCD (not quite our class, dear) or worse, as a ‘foreign Johnny’.

Woodlands Park Hotel on a drab day

It goes without saying that, failing a stately home of one’s own, coupled with suitably attired staff, Afternoon Tea should be taken in the right environment. A motorway service station is not likely to imbue one with that all important sense of impeccable pedigree, so where better to indulge than at a traditional country house hotel? How agreeable to play at being Lord or Lady of the manor for this particular type of indulgence.

Afternoon Tea, Woodlands Park HotelWoodlands Park Hotel

The Woodlands Park Hotel near Cobham in Surrey fits the bill jolly well, with its sweeping lawns, panelled dining room and outsize fireplaces, so long as one conveniently ignores that it was originally built by a nouveau riche industrialist, one William Bryant, son of the founder of the match company Bryant and May (trade, how unspeakably vulgar!). Built in 1885, the house was, at the time, the height of modernity, and one of the first in the UK to have electric light. It’s certainly pretty in its 19th century mock Tudor grandness. How unfortunate though, that on the day we visited, a party of ladettes had overindulged in the Prosecco part of the ‘Champagne Tea’ and were squealing in a somewhat unladylike fashion, causing a discreet eyebrow raise by other, more discreet guests. Shocking, the lack of good manners these days! No matter, we had a glorious table for four overlooking the gardens at a good distance from the offending group. Table linen was white and crisp, well laid out, and service was impeccable, just as it should be. The teatime treats were quite delightful, well presented on a tiered cake stand. There were finger sandwiches of smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise with cress, ham with grain mustard and tuna with cucumber, as well as plain and raisin scones, clotted cream, jam and lemon curd, a generous selection of mini patisserie too and naturally a choice of fine teas. It was all faultless.

Afternoon Tea, Woodlands Park Hotel (portion for two people)

If one were to get on one’s high horse, it might be said that in terms of sophistication, the Afternoon Tea at the Woodlands Park is possibly not quite in the same league as that of some of the smarter London hotels or private clubs, there were none of those fancy foreign Laduree macaroons, after all, but then it was a proper English country tea, and considering that it wasn’t at one’s own rural pile, at £20 per head (or £29 including a glass of Prosecco) it offered good value, plenty of calories and happily sated stomachs in a most civilized atmosphere. The Dowager Countess of Grantham would have no complaints.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns receiver Kenny Britt told ESPN's Pat McManamon that he "hated everything" about playing in London last year while a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

On and on, Britt spewed venom about the Browns trip to London to face the Minnesota Vikings.

I know how the Browns can solve that problem.

Leave him home.

In fact, I wanted to cut the veteran receiver earlier in the week after his recent transgressions.

The guy has been a disaster, on or off the field.

Waive him. Write off the $10 million.

I can't recall the last time I pushed the Browns to cut a player in the middle of a season. So I don't write this simply for attention.

Britt has caught 10 passes. He has two official drops. He has grumbled and complained almost from the moment he arrived here.

The team is 0-7. What role is he serving other than making things worse?

Goodbye.

In fact, I'd call a team meeting after cutting Britt. I'd tell the rest of the players, "You guys virtually all are millionaires, or soon will be. The NFL is your dream job. Don't complain about flying to London in a private jet and staying in a first-class hotel. You should be thankful."

ABOUT THE GAME

The Vikings probably will be without starting quarterback Sam Bradford (knee), so it will be Case Keenum, who is a respectable backup.

Keenum is 4-2 as a starter this season, including victories in his last three games. He's thrown five TD passes compared to two interceptions. He's a by-the-numbers quarterback, making sure the plays are run right and everyone is lined up correctly.

That will be good enough to beat the Browns.

Who are the Browns two best players? Joe Thomas and Myles Garrett.

Who won't be playing in London? Joe Thomas and Myles Garrett.

Future Hall of Fame left tackle Thomas is out for the season with triceps surgery.

Hello Spencer Drango, a second year pro. He started some games at guard last season for the Browns. He was a left tackle at Baylor.

No one has started at left tackle for the Browns other than Thomas since the final game of the 2006 season.

Who was that man? Kevin Shaffer.

So there you go.

WHO WILL WIN?

There are still some questions about Britt (knee), Jamie Collins (shoulder) and Jabrill Peppers (toe).

As far as I know, Britt is still with the team.

The Browns defense was strong in the 12-9 loss to Tennessee in overtime. They gave up four field goals. The Browns offense turned the ball over three times, making their life harder.

DeShone Kizer is back at quarterback after being pulled from the game in his last two starts because of turnovers.

I can't imagine he'll have much success against the Minnesota defense, which is ranked No. 4.

The Vikings are giving up only 17 points per game.

I doubt the Browns will score even that many.

The average margin of victory for the first three games played in London this year is 30 points!

Here's the good news: The Browns won't lose by 30.

Final score: Minnesota 20, Browns 10.


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Thank you very much.     What is the train schedule?    I think the train
would be an
enjoyable experience.   I would like to leave at a reasonable time after 8
and before 12 I
would think.    If there is a website for the train schedule you might point
me to it.
Once again thank you for your kind assistance.
Rod

linda_brown@azurix.com wrote:

> Rod
>
> I have today clarified bookings with The Royal Crescent Hotel and your are
now booked
> under their reference booking 10910.    I have today spoken with Toby of
Reservations and
> you are booked in at a rate of o130 per room per night which is a good
price.
>
> With regard to your visit to London on Saturday 8 July, there are two
possibilities - our
> chauffeur (if he is available) or the train - car will take about two and a
half hours and
> train will be take about one hour and a quarter.
>
> Let me know what time you would like to depart Bath for London and I will
make
> enquiries.
>
> I hope you are enjoying your holiday time.
>
> Regards
> Linda
>
> 04/07/2000 00:22
>
> To:   Linda Brown/BTH/AZURIX@AZURIX
> cc:   haysletr@flash.net
> Subject:  Re: Visit to Azurix Bath  (Document link: Linda Brown)
> My confirmation says GBP 245.00 per night for the Royal Crescent.    You
might try to
> cancel mine directly with the Hotel since everyone is on holiday here. My
confirmation #
> is 95632170.    As to London, I have reservations for Saturday
> and Sunday at the Athenaeum Hotel and Appartments.    What is the best way
to get to
> London Saturday am?    I appreciate the assistance you are providing. The
cc:  address
> above is my address that is more easily accessible when I am
> traveling or out of the office. Thanks. Rod Hayslett


AlphaDigits

Shaftesbury Hotel Booking App Makes Life a Lot Easier

If you are planning for a holiday stay in London or are looking to book rooms for your corporate staff at an affordable but luxurious hotel, then the Shaftesbury group of hotels is what you should be looking for. With their branches out there in every main location of London, be it the Heathrow, the Paddington, the Piccadilly, the Hyde Park or others, Shaftesbury has something to offer for every client to suit their needs and budget. With their Shaftesbury Hotel booking app, they have made life a lot easier for their clients when it comes to booking online.

Shaftesbury is a free hotel booking app for a London group of hotels and it has a very smooth, friendly and easy to use, interface that any novice can use to book rooms at one of their hotels online. Users can also keep track of their bookings and make any changes to bookings where possible. If you are interested in having a look at the list of hotels that come under the group, please see below.

Park Grand, Paddington Court London

The Metropolis, London Hyde Park

The Shaftesbury Premier, London Paddington

Park Grand, London Kensington

London Premier, Kensington

Grand Royale, London Hyde Park

Park Grand, London Hyde Park

Shaftesbury Hyde Park International

Park Grand, London Paddington

Park Grand, London Heathrow

Park Grand, London Lancaster Gate

Paddington Court Suites

Shaftesbury Suites, London Marble Arch

Paddington Court Executive Rooms

The Piccadilly London West End

Setting up the app is pretty straight forward. You just need to download it and open and it comes up with a slideshow of random interior pictures of all their group of hotels. The local time and temperature are displayed on the screen. Users can either register and use the app or just browse through the app, but a sign up will be required to do their bookings and to keep track of the bookings.

The main screen of the app comes up with options to input Check in and Check out dates,

number of rooms required, how many adults and children with the default option chosen for all Shaftesbury properties. You can search rooms in all the hotels listed above or if you are looking for a specific hotel, then you can choose that from the drop down list and then search for rooms in there.

When all the above details are input, tapping the Book Now button on the app comes up with a list of all hotels in the Shaftesbury group that have rooms available for the dates chosen. The list shows Starting from price so users can look for cheaper affordable bookings.

The info icon on top right i gives the user the option to choose between hotels list and gallery list. Opening the gallery list takes you to a page that has a separate gallery for each hotel. Opening the individual gallery opens pictures for that particular hotel. Tapping the info icon again takes you to the main page with list of rooms.

Opening a particular hotel from the list takes you to the types of rooms available in that hotel, along with information on the number of rooms of each type available, maximum occupancy for each room and price per night for each room type. This page has hotel info button that takes you to a page with a slideshow of hotel pictures, a general overview of the hotel, room amenities, hotel facilities, nearby attractions with address, booking care charter that has booking security details and information on the TV channels in the room.

On this page, you can edit dates if required. The info i icon next to each package gives you quick info on package details. Each package has different types of rooms. The sort icon funnel shaped on top right can be used to sort the display of room list by price low to high or high to low.

Clicking on a particular room type takes you to a page with slideshow of room pictures, overview of the room, room amenities specific to that room, hotel facilities when you book that room type, nearby attractions, booking care charter and TV channels.

When viewing the room list, it shows the price, rating for the rooms and an option to call directly from the app using the phone icon that will connect you directly to the hotel through your phone providers network.

Once you are happy with a package or a particular room, you can continue to the booking process. Clicking on Book now, comes up with options to personalise your stay, for example add a bottle of wine, champagne, flowers in room, chocolates in room or a celebration cake. You can choose to skip or add enhancements, and after this step you will be taken to My stay summary where you can check your booking details to make sure they are correct.

Clicking on Confirm stay takes you to a page where you enter personal details like name, email, phone, address, etc. The next page should take you to where you enter your payment details.

The menu button is located on the top left of the screen. Tapping on it takes you to the screen where you see the options below.

Sign in | Register

View your bookings You can view any bookings that you have made

Rooms and suites Shows a list of available types of rooms

Dinning and bars To check to see restaurant and bars in each hotel

Corporates For making bookings for corporate clients

Offers Comes up with any offers going on in their group of hotels

Packages Shows all the hotel packages

Collections Brings up the list of different stay collections like elite, executive, classic, suites, smart

Events Shows conference halls and private functions facilities and choosing one of these, open a form to fill in details

Contact us Takes you to a page where list of hotels with address, phone, fax and rating are displayed

As a hotel booking app, I think flashing up the best offers on the main screen will help attract more clients and to help them click on that offer and view it quickly, rather than get into the menu to search for the available offers. iOS version of Shaftesbury Hotel Booking app is also available here.

I found the app to be very well made and user friendly with nothing missing.


Friday, 13 May 2016

Amba Hotel Marble Arch Review; Have they created London's best hotel bedroom?

Co-creation. A concept so brilliant, it’s hard to understand why every business doesn’t implement it, in some way, into their business strategy. Whilst the idea of co-creation isn’t brain surgery, nor is it a new idea, it still astounds me when a hotel (or anywhere for that matter) has so obviously used the approach to create a product to not only meet their customer’s expectations, but also firmly plant themselves above and beyond their competitors.

The Amba Hotel Marble Arch (formerly Thistle Marble Arch) is currently just finishing a multi-million refurbishment. If you saw it pre-refurb, you’ll know it was most definitely needed, and having visited the hotel before and after, it was without a doubt, money well spent to give the hotel a much needed, brighter, fresher, more modern look. However, I won’t go into depth on the whole refurb of the hotel as I wanted to specifically concentrate on the bedrooms in this post.

Now, I want to begin by saying, this post is not affiliated with the Amba Hotel Marble Arch, or sponsored by them in any way – I recently visited the newly refurbished hotel on a site visit for an event and was seriously impressed at the product they have created for hotel guests thanks to the concept of co-creation. I visit a lot of hotels in my job so it is hard to impress me, which is why this hotel, in particular, the bedrooms, had such an impact.

Whilst designing the bedrooms at the Amba Hotel Marble Arch, they gathered feedback from a variety of guests to find out what they really want from their hotel room and genuinely implemented it. It is so blatantly clear while having a look around, how much thought has gone into every single inch of the room, offering services to exceed expectations, some of which I’ve rarely even see in five star hotels.

So what impressed me most about the bedrooms of the newly refurbished Amba Hotel Marble Arch?

Complimentary soft drinks and snacks in the mini bar which is refreshed every day (alcoholic drinks in the upgraded rooms)

No tray charge for room service

Unlimited, free and fasted Wi-Fi in Central London

USB, UK and international plugs on either side of the bed

Full length mirror with a plug underneath for hairdryer/straightener

Smart TVs (for all of you Netflix lovers) and tablets in every room to use the internet, check out, order room service etc.

Treseme hairdryer

Safe big enough for a laptop

Nespresso coffee machine with fresh milk

Bathrobes

Sofas that turn into sofa beds

Hypno beds and mattress toppers for the best night’s sleep - these are the same ones supplied to the Royal households!

Blackout curtains

The parts that really impressed me the most were the complimentary mini bar (especially as it’s replenished every day), no tray service, high quality hair dryers and having plugs by the mirror. For a four star hotel, and a four star price, you really are getting a five star service.

Congratulations Amba Hotel Marble Arch, for creating, what I would call, London's absolute best four star bedroom.

This hotel room sounds like an absolute dream!! I also love how it looks! All the complimentary things are amazing !! LOVE this review darling ... I know who to turn to for advice if I'm ever going to London to stay!!Thanks lovely!Sairawww.throughtheglitterglass.wordpress.comXxxx


Shepherd's Bush Pavilion

The Shepherd's Bush Pavilion is a Grade II listed building, currently a hotel, formerly a cinema and bingo hall, in Shepherd's Bush, London. Built in 1923 as a cinema, it was badly damaged by a flying bomb in 1944. In 1955 it was restored and re-opened, but it changed ownership a number of times, and eventually in 1983 became a bingo hall. The Pavilion closed its doors for good in 2001, and remained empty and disused for much of the next decade. In 2009 planning permission was granted for conversion into a luxury hotel. Demolition work began in 2012, with only a part of the building's façade retained. The re-built hotel, the Dorsett Shepherd's Bush, London, opened in 2014.

History

Origins
The Pavilion was originally built as a cinema, designed by Frank Verity for Israel Davis. It opened in August 1923, when it won the RIBA London Street Architecture Award for the best London facade. The panel noted the "imposing structure of brick and stone in which the former material especially is used with great imagination". From the beginning the project was very ambitious – the films were accompanied not by a mere piano but by the Pavilion Symphony Orchestra, and a sophisticated lighting system created colour effects during the films – such as blue lights for rain, or red for fire.

The interior was classical in style, using 3 shades of copper, and seated 2,000 spectators. It had no less than 2 miles of carpet and solid silver lamps for lighting, and was awarded a Bronze Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

WW2

Much of the sumptuous interior work would be lost when the building was badly damaged by a flying bomb in 1944, towards the end of World War II, and the original interior was destroyed.

Modern era and decline
After the war The Pavilion was repaired (though not entirely to the original design), and reopened in 1955 as the Gaumont Theatre. It was then closed again in 1969 for further refurbishment, when a new floor was installed, dividing the large open space into two levels – a cinema upstairs and a Bingo Club below.

In 1974 the Pavilion acquired a new status as a Grade II listed building although, given the war damage and subsequent alterations, little remained of the original interior design or layout.

In 1983 the cinema closed for the last time, leaving the bingo hall open for a while longer. However, in 2001 even the bingo hall closed, and the building fell into disuse.

Redevelopment as a hotel

In both 2004 and 2006 planning permission was given for conversion into a hotel, but investors withdrew from the project owing to the difficulty of converting the building, in particular the relatively small number of rooms, few of which would have enjoyed any natural daylight or views.

The building was left unoccupied and in disrepair for several years, prompting English Heritage to add it to its 'Building at Risk' register.

In 2009 planning permission was granted to convert the empty building into the 4 star Shepherds Bush Pavilion Hotel, designed by architects Flanagan Lawrence.

At the end of February 2012 it was reported that the £25 million conversion of the derelict building would begin in March 2012. In the summer of 2012 the building was largely demolished, retaining only the original facade. When completed the hotel would have 11 floors, and the existing curved roof would be replaced by a glass roof.

In September 2012 a planning variation was requested by the developers, to change the proposed development from a 242-room hotel to one with 322 smaller rooms. The proposed variation was opposed by local residents who feared that the fundamental character of the new building would be quite different from what was originally proposed.

The new hotel is to run by the Asia-based hotel group Dorsett Hospitality International, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It opened in June, 2014.

See also
History of Shepherd's Bush
Shepherd's Bush Palladium
Shepherd's Bush Empire

Bibliography
 Denny, Barbara, Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush Past, Historical Publications Ltd, London (1995),

References

External links
Shepherd's Bush Blog Retrieved December 2011
Shepherd's Bush Blog Retrieved December 2011
Evening Standard, article by Sri Carmichael, 8 February 2010 Retrieved December 2011
The Pavilion at www.londontown.com Retrieved December 2011
Hamilton Development Retrieved December 2011
Hammersmith & Fulham Chronicle, 5 March 2012 Retrieved February 2013
Cinema Treasures Retrieved February 2013
premier construction news June 2013 Retrieved January 2014

Category:1923 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1923
Category:Buildings and structures in the United Kingdom destroyed during World War II
Category:Event venues established in 1923
Category:Former cinemas in London
Category:Grade II listed buildings in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Category:Grade II listed theatres
Category:Hotels in London
Pavilion


A luxury hotel in Mauritius, shining with the vibrant energy and hospitality of authentic island life.

Tucked away in lush tropical gardens near the quaint, sleepy village of Belle Mare, this luxury hotel in Mauritius graces a glorious stretch of the island’s eastern coast.

London-based design queen, Kelly Hoppen, has breathed new life into the resort with her fresh take on traditional Mauritian hospitality. Dressed in soothing whites and vibrant brights, each of the thatch-roofed suites and villas is blessed with sea views. And what a view it is: an unspoilt sweep of powder-soft sands, crystalline waters in sparkling shades of beryl blue, coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze – this is one of the the finest beaches in Mauritius.

At the heart of the resort, the island’s largest swimming pool is an idyllic spot for lounging and mingling, gently buzzing by day and sashaying to Balearic beats by night. Dip a toe in the water, indulge in sweet-scented treatments at the LUX* Me spa, work on your swing at one of three world-class golf courses or sample exotic scoops of home-made ice cream at the ICI parlour. Beyond the sands, a kaleidoscope of sea life awaits in the lagoon – you’ve found one of the most delightful spots on the island.

Tropical pleasures

Just steps from the gardens, the white-sand beach is a delight: it seems to stretch for miles, bordering the calm beryl waters of the lagoon, one of the finest in the country. With the largest swimming pool on the island, easy-on-the-eyes architecture and lush tropical gardens, the resort caters to idle loungers and fun-seekers alike, from playful families to peace-seeking honeymooners.

LUX* island life

LUX* has thought about all the little extras that make holiday life lighter and brighter. Start the day at Café LUX*, a stylish pit stop serving proper cups of coffee made with organic beans freshly roasted on-site. Cool down with an exotic ice-cream from ICI’s retro parlours and mobile carts, where home-made waffle cones are cooked for you on the spot. Have a nose around the grounds – you may come across a Message in a Bottle containing a free spa treatment voucher. Free Phone Home telephone boxes, outdoor film shows (Cinema Paradisio), the tastiest island-fresh food and LUX* handcrafted Sleep-Tight beds complete the experience.

LUX* Valet

This modern-day Jeeves lives in your room around the clock – well, at least virtually. Hankering for a tray of nibbles or a glass of wine? Need to book a table or a spa treatment? Itching for a sightseeing trip or a fishing expedition? Just pick up your LUX* Valet, a clever application loaded on the mini iPad provided.

Horse riding on Belle Mare beach

Experience the thrill of a canter along the shoreline. Setting off from the nearby stables, riders can explore a breathtaking stretch of pristine beach. These fun rides are suitable for all levels: new riders can be accompanied by a guide on foot, while those confident in the saddle can enjoy a guided ride along the sand and through the shallow waters.

LUX* It Up!

Leave your wallet at home: as well as attractive all-inclusive, half-board and full-board packages, LUX* Belle Mare offers an exclusive LUX* It Up add-on. This option includes a full-day excursion to LUX*’s private island Ile des Deux Cocos, as well as a choice of Indian Ocean adventures and LUX* Me wellness programmes. Guests can also opt for the LUX* Combo Offer, with fantastic prices for those wanting to extend their stay to other LUX* hotels in Mauritius and on nearby Réunion Island.

We can't always promise clear skies but, with your help, we can guarantee a clear conscience

TREAD LIGHTLY

LUX* cares about the destinations that are home to its properties.After all, memorable holidays shouldn't cost the earth and that's why we are doing our best to 'Tread Lightly' by offsetting 100% of the carbon emitted during your stay. It's one of a number of measures we're putting in place to help us leave a lighter footprint.The destinations of Mauritius, La Réunion, the Maldives and Lijiang China are spectacular. Together, we can do our bit to make sure they stay that way.

Three 18-hole championship courses are just minutes away from LUX* Belle Mare,while special golf itineraries can be organised as part of private-hire journeys.

Golf Package

The natural setting of the course, over rolling links style terrain, is complemented by excellent fairways and firm greens.

With volcanic rock structured in pyramid formations, the course features truly exceptional natural scenery. Plenty of water makes for many challenges and afternoon seabreezes can make a difference of 2 or 3 clubs to your selection. The longest put is located at hole No. 10 with a distance of 566 yd.

Multiply your holidays at our luxury hotel in Mauritius! The choice is yours with the ultimate Indian Ocean combo stay

LUX* COMBO OFFER

For a combined stay at LUX* Belle Mare and any other LUX*hotel in Mauritius or Reunion, you will get the following:

- 35% OFF at our luxury hotels in Mauritius- 10% OFF at our luxury hotel in Reunion IslandStart your holiday with a leisurely Mauritian beach break, then get into action mode with an exciting visit to vibrant Reunion Island, or the other way around. And if you want to enjoy more vibes from Mauritius, you can even extend your stay at any of our hotels on another coast of the Island! The choice is yours…


Mark Wahlberg Talks Success, Fatherhood And Burgers

A quick chat with the Deepwater Horizon actor.

Sat in the middle of his London hotel room, Mark Wahlberg jumps to greet anyone that enters.

Not exactly shy but quietly composed, he speaks with long pauses for thought between words.

"I'm not as interesting on my own," he says, jokingly lamenting director Pete Berg who has just left.

The pair have worked together on a growing list of films based on real life events: Lone Survivor which recounts how Navy SEALs took out a Taliban leader, Deepwater Horizon based on the huge spill from a BP oil rig and forthcoming Patriots Day tracking the events after the Boston bombing.

Esquire sat with the artist formerly known as Marky Mark to talk about those films, bulking up for roles and what good advice life has given him.

ESQUIRE: Pete Berg recently said he thinks "real stories are better and stranger than fiction". Do you agree?

MARK WAHLBERG: I'm certainly fascinated by true stories. I've made lots of different movies but these are the ones I always feel drawn to. There's a lot of pressure when the man you're pretending to be is standing next to you and watching your every move.

ESQ: A lot of the films you've made together concern everyday American heroes. Is this a good time to talk about what 'being American means', given the current election?

MW: All three of those films are really about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. What is going on in America as a whole right now feels like something else. We'll wait to see what happens with the election. Remember, it could always be worse.

ESQ: The character you play in Deepwater Horizon is a devoted father. How has having kids changed your life?

MW: Mike is a man whose main objective is to get home to his family. I can relate to that as I'm away from my wife and children a lot. When you become a father you either change drastically or you're gonna go towards the dark side. Having happy healthy kids is how I measure success.

ESQ: You own a burger chain in America and Canada. How did that come about?

MW: My brother is a chef and he came to me with this idea for a burger restaurant, which I was up for. Then he told me it was called Wahlburgers so I said, "Absolutely not." But I realised it was the chance to work with all my brothers, so now we've got 11 of them and more coming.

ESQ: You've had to bulk up or gain weight for lots of roles, including The Fighter. Do you enjoy the physical side of acting?

MW: Bulking up can be a struggle. It becomes more and more difficult to quickly lose or gain weight for roles. In an ideal world I'd maintain a healthy diet, but it's part of my job so I've just accepted it. People spend too much time talking about what they're doing to prepare for roles. But I've probably been guilty of that myself on a few occasions.

ESQ: What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

MW: I was given a lot of advice when I was younger that I ignored. It taught me how important listening was.


A handful of the most luxurious hotels in the world might be finding themselves without their fashionable guests as a boycott of the Dorchester Collection hotel group has been joined by Vogue editors.

The group’s hotels include the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, The Dorchester in London and Le Meurice in Paris and are owned by the Sultan of Brunei’s investment agency. The Sultan’s plans to implement Sharia law, making homosexuality punishable in his country with death by stoning, has been met with abhorrence, prompting high-profile celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ellen DeGeneres and Richard Branson to renounce the hotel group.

U.S. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her publisher Conde Nast have thrown their weight behind the boycott, telling the New York Times: “While I am sensitive to the potential impact that this issue may have on the wonderful staff at Le Meurice, I cannot in all good conscience stay there, nor can Vogue’s editors.”

Le Meurice is the hotel of choice for many during the fashion shows in Paris, the next round of which are set to take place in July for the men’s and Haute Couture collections.

It is also likely that guests and employees of international luxury brands Gucci, Balenciaga, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen won’t find themselves in any Dorchester Collection-owned hotels either, as the CEO of Kering, François-Henri Pinault, which part-owns the aforementioned labels, publicly threw his weight behind the boycott.

Earlier this month The Telegraph reported that the boycott of the Dorchester Collection’s 10 hotels had caused a drop in bookings.

But the boycott isn’t being advocated by everyone – including Stonewall, the gay, lesbian and bisexual rights charity. Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, has criticised the move, writing in The Telegraph: “By turning the issue into a battle between gay people and the Sultan… we limit the opportunity for dialogue and put the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of Brunei at far greater risk.” She also said: “We’re renowned for our pragmatism and our belief that talking is usually more effective than protests – however satisfying protests may be, in the short term they’re often most rewarding to the individuals taking part.”

A spokesperson for the Dorchester Collection released the following statement: “While we recognise people’s concerns, we believe this boycott should not be directed to our hotels and dedicated employees. The impact of this not only affects our loyal team members but extends to the local community, our valued partners and suppliers as all profits from Dorchester Collection continue to be re-invested into the hotels, their people and communities. This has been the case since the company was founded in 2006.”

The Sultan of Brunei is estimated to be worth $20 billion, and opposers argue that the hotel group’s staff would be the only ones who would suffer from the boycott.


Exclusive: The luxury hotel rooms that don't want you to stay

Can you spot the real hotel room? – Peninsula built this model of one of its Shanghai property's rooms at an off-site location in Hong Kong. Staff and special guests stayed overnight to test it out.

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Can you spot the real hotel room?4 photos

Real deal – The mock-up rooms are used as testing grounds to ensure the real things, once released, are perfect. This is the finished product: a Deluxe Room, one of 235 rooms and suites at The Peninsula Shanghai.

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Artistic work – The mock-up rooms are tested for up to a year before the designs are released for building in the properties. The process starts with an artist's rendering, such as this one, of a Deluxe Room at The Peninsula Shanghai, which opened in 2009.

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Peninsula Paris hotel – The real Peninsula Paris is set to open its doors August 1. The Beaux Arts building on the Avenue Kléber, built in 1908, originally housed the Majestic Hotel.

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Story highlights

Peninsula Paris rooms "tested" in Hong Kong before release

Mock-ups are identical to real rooms, and tested for a year

Location is a secret, CNN's David Molko first journalist given access

It's a beautiful fall morning looking out over the Avenue Kléber, just a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe.

I've checked into Room 309, a Grand Deluxe guestroom at The Peninsula Paris, on a brisk, blue-sky day that makes you want to stroll the streets with a stop at the boulangerie for a pain au chocolat, or two.

But that might prove difficult.

I'm not in Paris. I'm in Hong Kong, in an identical mock-up of the hotel's Paris rooms.

Just Watched

Luxury hotel masters innovation

In the bedroom, there's a stack of French magazines in a rack next to the sofa.

It does feel like I'm in the French capital, even down to the exact street views you get from the real property.

Peninsula's Paris hotel doesn't open until August, but the project team at The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH), Peninsula's parent company, designed and built this fully functioning model room back in 2011.

Test before release

This is where Peninsula tries out new ideas and technology for a full year, before releasing its designs into the world.

I'm the first journalist allowed access to see how the concept works. Such is the confidentiality surrounding these unseen rooms, I'm sworn to secrecy as a condition of my visit.

The Paris property's pictures aren't even made available to me.

This is basically a place to make mistakes, so they don't get made in the real world.

"What happens if you wake up in the middle of the night? Do you bump your knee on anything? If you're in the bathroom, does it all work?" asks Clement Kwok, CEO of HSH.

For example, the "Dior grey" carpet originally laid will never see action. When the housekeepers came in to vacuum, it grew bald patches.

The Peninsula Paris is set to open its doors August 1, 2014.

The built-in television cabinet flanked by a hidden mini-bar and built-in espresso machine (with bilingual instructions) replaces a design that featured a fireplace and an in-mirror hidden TV.

The team learned that watching TV during daylight hours was impossible, due to the glare from the mirror, which stretched up to the ceiling.

Eventually the fireplace was cut too, and the single-panel door design was revised because it was too heavy to lift.

What I see, and what will appear in Paris, are two ivory-colored panels that split and slide up and down.

Peninsula has been building these rooms at a location in Hong Kong with every new property or major renovation since the 1990s, including the construction of its tower rooms in Hong Kong (1994), and its hotels in Tokyo (2007) and Shanghai (2009).

To visit Shanghai, I just have to go next door, where the colors are richer and bolder, and the accents Art Deco, in keeping with the hotel's location on the Bund.

Tokyo's modern lines and Zen touches must be around here somewhere, though my hosts remain tight-lipped.

Rooms full of secrets

I later learn the Tokyo tester room has been demolished.

With construction in its final stages in Paris, and the Shanghai hotel open for more than three years, these rooms haven't seen as many visitors lately.

But in 2011 and 2012, the Paris mock-up would have been busy with members of management teams and special guests staying one or two nights.

Chairman Sir Michael Kadoorie, whose family opened the first Peninsula in Hong Kong 85 years ago, has stayed overnight in the Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo models.

Even couples have shared the king-sized bed.

At the end of their stay, guests are asked to fill out a questionnaire that can take hours to complete.

Every detail the same, except the location.

Executives give their suggestions directly to the project team, or, in the case of COO Peter Borer, experiment with changes themselves onsite.

Peninsula says Borer moved around and angled different sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables until he was satisfied with the setup.

There was also debate over the look and feel of the curved bathroom in Paris and whether it was worth the wasted space (its predecessors in Shanghai and Tokyo are rectangular, though the guestrooms have a similar overall layout).

Other changes were initiated from feedback that the room didn't feel "Parisian" enough.

The color scheme was changed from beige and bronze, to grey and chrome, and the wall coverings, carpet, and some of the furniture was adjusted.

And there were lots of other small tweaks, including the addition of a built-in reading light in a floor lamp.

A world of mock-ups

Peninsula isn't the only hotel company to build and test model rooms.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts which owns St. Regis, Westin, Sheraton, and others brands, has a design lab at its U.S. headquarters that features test rooms for some of its hotel lines, though not for each new property.

And while Peninsula won't disclose how much it costs to build, test, and maintain the model rooms, its CEO says they are an investment worth making.

"The purpose of doing all of this is not to add more gold and silver into the design," Kwok explains. "It is very focused on ergonomics, which is the sheer convenience of staying in that room and whether everything works."

My Paris stroll and fresh croissants will have to wait. I head down a short hallway past some Eiffel Tower-inspired art, open a mirrored door, and step back into the Hong Kong sunshine.

The Peninsula Paris, the luxury hotel group's 10th hotel, is set to open on August 1. Peninsula is also planning properties in London and Yangon, Myanmar.


Passion on a Plate

Sagewood Café is an Artisan-style café in Pietermaritzburg where harmony, service and a passion for quality food come together through locally sourced seasonal and fresh produce, and a highly skilled chef - Gregg Oosthuizen.

The café is situated within Blackwood’s Home of Gardening and Touchwood Interiors, forming a Lifestyle Centre that incorporates food, nature and design.

The deck and veranda along the Dorpspruit River offer a tranquil setting for families and friends to enjoy a break from the daily bustle of ‘Maritzburg life. There is a safe and well maintained children’s playground in full view of the dining area so that the whole family get to relax and enjoy their surroundings and meals.

The café was launched by Gregg, and Con and Sue Malherbe in May 2015.

Sagewood Cafe subscribes to a simple and sustainable lifestyle of real food in which everything we serve is made from scratch, always using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

We avoid preservatives, artificial sweeteners and colourants wherever possible, instead using real butter, farm-fresh dairy, free-range eggs and chicken, the highest quality meat and seafood, artisan cheeses and home-grown fruits and vegetables. Even our flour is grown, harvested and milled by traditional stone-ground methods right here in the Midlands.

From our daily Bakers Table, Wood Fired Pizza oven, Specials Board and menu, you can expect to find a sensory experience second to none.

CAKES TO ORDER

If you’re looking for a beautiful cake to suit any occasion, Sagewood Café offers a number of cake options, which can all customized to your unique requirements.

Who's Cooking?

Chef Gregg Oosthuizen

Gregg's love affair with food started in 1994 when he had the privilege of working for famous chef, Anton Mossiman, in Knightsbridge, London. After this, he began a 3-Year Apprenticeship at the Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg.

Gregg was voted the Top Junior Chef in SA for three years running and was placed 2nd in the 1997 World Junior Chef Challenge. These accomplishments gave him the opportunity to return overseas to work for Marco Pierre White in London, considered to be one of the best chefs of all time. Gregg has also had the privilege and experience of being a ‘preferred caterer’ to the likes of Nelson Mandela, Barloworld, Ernst & Young and a number of other profiled people and companies over the years.

Gregg’s passion has ultimately led him back to the KZN Midlands where his heart belongs. Here, together with business partners, Con and Sue Malherbe, Gregg has a fresh new canvas to splash with love, honesty, passion and creativity - Sagewood Café. Food for the heart and soul.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music, passion and prose.
An Artisanal High Tea will be served in harmony with Lara's performance.
Bring your own Wine / Champagne. No Corkage charged.
Don't miss this one!


Contact Morris Conferencing

Conference Venues and Conference Organisers - Morris Conferencing

Morris Conferencing is a long established independent conference venues finding and planning company. We help organisations of all sizes find the perfect venue for their conferences, meetings and events. We will also give you free expert advice on the best way to plan your event.

Conference Venue Deals

Conference Venue Deals

Morris Conferencing know how to get the best rates for your event, and we know how to get the best deals from all the conference hotels and conference venues, from 5 ***** starred venues in London, to unique venues located Worldwide.

Our industry contacts keep us update with special promotions, and are always willing to go the extra mile for us and our clients, which allows us to to get significant discounts up to 70% of published prices!

Our aim is to get our clients more for their money, and Morris Conferencing negotiate with conference venues on behalf of our clients to get the best rates and plenty of upgrades and add on's included on a complimentary basis.

We understand that cost effective can still mean fit for purpose, but that it can be a false economy to penny pinch too much! Remember, successful conferences cost less with Morris, so ring 0843 289 7787 or email info@corporateconferences.co.uk to talk to one of our deal hunters today!


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Motel One London-Tower Hill offers a great location, putting you within just a 10-minute walk of Tower of London and The Gherkin. You can unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge, and buffet breakfast is available daily. Nice touches like Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding are offered up in all rooms, along with flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.

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