Come and join us for the best Singles Party in Cheltenham before Valentines Day! 

 

 

 

Date: Friday 10th February

Time: 8pm - Midnight

Tickets: £8 Advance/ £10 on the door

Tickets include: welcome drinks, light bite buffet, fun party games & disco entertainment. There will also be a charity raffle with some fabulous prizes up for grabs!

Looking for something to do for this Valentines Day February 14th 2012 - well look no further! The Holiday Inn Express is hosting a fun filled evening for all of Cheltenham’s singles. Single on Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry, come along and meet other new singles in Cheltenham this Valentines Day. For the best Valentine’s Day event in Cheltenham click below to book your tickets.

To book please call 01242 548200 or email k.hatherall@hiexcheltenham.com or book tickets online here.

We all know how stressful the festive season can be, especially when we hear stories of a ‘ruined’ Christmas: too many parties where partners refuse to leave until they are carried out; husbands or wives not turning up for Christmas lunch, having just popped out for a minute; disappointment after opening your Christmas gift; anticipating your January bank statement with hope that somehow the balance is still healthy - all of which add to yet another stressful Christmas.However, by following our top winter secrets you can ensure a stress-free Christmas and save enough money to start splashing out for New Year.
Save your space
For many years we have put up with distant relatives squeezing into the spare room, stopping on the sofa and draining our house supplies dry. According to the Energy Saving Trust, an average household’s carbon footprint from lighting and running their home during Christmas alone increases by 500kg (adding £75.00 more to your electricity bill). It may not seem like the most obvious solution, but outbooking your guests to nearby accommodation in Cheltenham means someone else can bear the burden of your energy draining relatives. We’ve managed to find one hotel in Cheltenham who has slashed their prices to cater to the friends and families who may be visiting us this winter with bed and breakfast rates at only £36.00 per night - much cheaper than your electricity bill.
Save on food costs
During the Christmas period (3 days of festivities), the average household will spend £169.00 on food and drinks this year, according to an article by the Stockholm Environment Institute. This equates to £73.00 per person and adds a Christmas food wastage footprint of 26kg. With breakfast included in many hotel deals this year, the average household could save up to £24.00 per day not catering for breakfast-seeking relatives.
One central hotel in Cheltenham also provides Christmas guests with up to 25% discounts on restaurant meals at 9 town centre restaurants. Although you may not be able to get out of hosting Christmas Day Dinner, save time and money by letting them eat out and treat themselves before and after Christmas Day - they may even invite you along! Additionally, by having relatives stay elsewhere means there will be no extra feasting from your food reserves in between meals.
Save your party mood
Don’t be anxious about hosting your next Christmas get together. Whether you’re burdened with organising the office Christmas Party or tirelessly assembling all the family to be in one place at the same time, let another party planner do the work for you. The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham is hosting parties big or small over the Christmas period. This Cheltenham hotel will organise everything for you, including catering, entertainment & accommodation, all at the most competitive rates in town (just £12.95 per person). So all you have to do is turn up, relax and party all night long.
Save your sanity
Above all, let there be peace amongst all this Christmas! By using another venue rather than your home, you are more likely to ensure a stress-free and cost-saving festive season. Ensure your Christmas guests stay in a clean, modern and family friendly hotel in Cheltenham so they will also enjoy a relaxing break this year. Choose a hotel in Cheltenham that offers family rooms with breakfast included, and look for hotels close to the town centre so there is plenty for your friends and family to do - and not get under your feet instead!
For more information on winter saving deals please visit www.hiexcheltenham.com.
Discounted B&B rate available from 20th to 30th December 2011 (Terms & Conditions apply).

Notes to Editor:
References:
Article Stockholm Environment Institute
“The Carbon Cost of Christmas” http://www.climatetalk.org.uk/downloads/CarbonCostofChristmas2007.pdf
www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/site/view/retail_christmas_will_bring_a_boost/

Energy Saving Trust (2005) www.energysavingtust.org.uk/aboutest/news/pressreleasearchive/index.cfm?mode=view&press_id=468

Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham offers guests a great value for money experience, including a complimentary continental breakfast, comfortable rooms and an invigorating power shower. Holiday Inn Express continental breakfast with hot favourites is included in the price of every guest room. This hotel caters for Christmas parties, accommodation and leisure breaks. Customers also have the opportunity to benefit further from their stay thanks to the hotel group’s loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards. These points can either be redeemed against free stays worldwide across all IHG (InterContinental Hotel Group) hotels, airmiles, or exchanged for shop vouchers for many high street stores.

Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre was named finalist in the recent Gloucestershire Media Business Awards this month. The newly built hotel in Cheltenham was recognised for its Corporate Social Responsibility within Gloucestershire and its contributions to the community.

Over 700 business people gathered at Cheltenham racecourse on Thursday night (Oct 6) to find out the winners of the 2011 Gloucestershire Media Business awards.
The HSBC-sponsored event, now in its 14th year, has become the largest of its type in the country, which took place at The Centaur Centre at Cheltenham Racecourse. The awards ceremony has become a major feature on the county’s annual business calendar.

The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre employs a strong CSR programme, with initiatives to help the environment, local community, business community as well as investing in people through work placement schemes. This Cheltenham hotel has been well recognised by the Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, Cotswold Tourism and Cheltenham’s Business Pride previously for its contributions to the community and partnerships with local organisations such as the Job Centre, Working Links, University of Gloucestershire and Cheltenham based charities.

Kimberley Hatherall, General Manager, says “It was incredible to be the only hotel present at the awards ceremony. Out of the hundreds of businesses that were nominated for the awards, and 700 people attending the event, we were the only hotel in Gloucestershire present. I think that speaks volumes in terms of how hard we have worked since opening 3 ½ years ago, and to be recognised out of the thousands of businesses in Gloucestershire for our contributions to the Cheltenham community is a great achievement.”

Local hotel, Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre, has internally promoted a new General Manager to lead the town’s only internationally branded hotel. During such economic times, where many businesses face cuts and redundancies, it is reassuring to know this local company seeks to grow talent from within. Kimberley Hatherall brings over 3 years of experience with the company, and a distinguished track record in growing the hotel since opening.

The award-winning 3* hotel boasts 132 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in Cheltenham’s town centre. This centrally located hotel also prides in its expanding hotel team and quality of staff reflected in its high ranking online reviews for delivering excellent service quality. Attributable to the hotel’s robust training and development plan, many employees benefit from the internal and global prospects of promotion.

Kimberley launched the newly built Holiday Inn Express hotel 3 years ago, after completing a Marketing Management and Media Communications honours degree at the University of Gloucestershire. Kimberley came to the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham as a University work placement student and had to start at the bottom as a receptionist. Determined to progress into a marketing role quickly, Kimberley worked hard to be a key member of the hotel opening team and increased sales by meeting local businesses, and organising hotel opening events. After completing a 3 month training development plan, she was promoted to Sales Co-ordinator dealing with sales enquiries and growing the business mix. On finishing her degree, the hotel then promoted her to Sales & Marketing Manager taking the hotel from an empty building into a fully fledged and flourishing hotel in Cheltenham - a real challenge during these difficult economic times. In January 2011, Kimberley was promoted to Deputy General Manager to manage the overall business development of the company, staff and internal marketing initiatives.

Kimberley is Deputy Chair for the Cheltenham Hospitality Association, an association which brings together over 50 businesses related to the hospitality industry. She was also nominated to represent Tourism Officer on the committee board for the Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, and plans to strengthen tourism to Cheltenham.

At only 24, Kimberley Hatherall is one of the youngest hotel General Managers in Cheltenham, and has been appointed by the hotel owners to continue taking this hotel forward in this new role. At such a young age, Kimberley has always been driven by her passion for marketing, determination to overcome barriers to achieve success and her ambition to revive tourism to Gloucestershire. From the early stages of her career, Kimberley has been an inspiration to others, developing others in the workplace, involving herself in organisations outside of work and has been recognised with awards for her contributions to the local community. Kimberley is also in the running for ‘Young Business Person of the Year’ for the Gloucestershire Media Business Awards 2011.

“It is with great excitement to be taking on this new venture and to spearhead a business that I have been part of from the beginning,” says Kimberley, “…Our international trademark of quality, ‘Holiday Inn Express’, is only a small part of what I want this hotel in Cheltenham to stand for. We are independently owned and locally managed which is important as we continue to be a cornerstone venue for the local community and business hub”

Clearly committed to more than just service excellence, Kimberley Hatherall will certainly bring a fresh new approach to this growing hotel in Cheltenham . To book your next stay at the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham please call 01242 548200 or for more information visit www.hiexcheltenham.com.

The Holiday Inn Express hotel Cheltenham Town Centre is proud to be supporting 3 Navy Sailors attempting to raise money for the Help for Heroes cause. Three Royal Navy sailors are walking from Wembley to Cardiff carrying the match ball for the Wales versus England game on the 26th March.

The three Navy Sailors are walking an average of 35 miles a day stopping at Henley on Thames, Newbury, Swindon, Cheltenham, Monmouth and Cardiff. The participants will be out and about in the evenings selling Help for Heroes bands and collecting donations around the towns and cities. During their fund-raising marathon, the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham will be providing complimentary room nights for the walkers and offer the centrally located hotel as a retreat for the walkers to rest.

“We are proud to provide our hotel as a key resting point for this fundraiser walk.” says General Manager Ian Dick Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham, “This gesture towards helping raise funds for the Help for Heroes cause is only the start of our contributions towards supporting the charity in as many ways possible.”

The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre will also be supporting the Lions Club International charity, an organisation currently volunteering to help those in crisis after the Japan earthquake. This Cheltenham hotel kindly donated an all expenses paid ‘Day at the Races’ for the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup in a charity auction to help raise much needed funds for the cause.

All donations would be gratefully received. Please visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk and www.lionsclub.org for more information about how you can support the charity in your area.

“After a 2-day workshop in Cheltenham, I wondered why, in this age of video-conferences, blackberries and social networks, do we still subject ourselves to the hassles of traveling including claiming expenses, security checks and time away from our families?” - recalls Carlos Castellon, The Call Card Chronicles.

The answer is simple. From a business perspective, research has demonstrated the benefits of face to face business meetings compared to electronic communication devices with the following 5 competitive advantages:

1. Benchmarking. Going offsite allows us to gauge our company’s performance against others. We can see what they are doing right, what we can improve on and what we should avoid. These things are sometimes evident as soon as we arrive at our destination. If we’re truly serious about improving our situation then we can use external locations as an additional opportunity for reflecting and as a springboard for action. One must also weigh up the costs of using telecommunications against travel costs at the expense of making good business decisions for the long term. Anything that increases efficiency during business meetings increases the effectiveness and performance outcomes for the company.

2. Building stronger business relationships. There’s nothing more worthwhile than being face to face with your clients and colleagues. Seeing the look of genuine approval on their faces when seeing your presentation and ideas makes the trip worthwhile. One of the biggest sales techniques often ignored, at great expense, is missing the opportunity to read your customer’s faces. Recognising hesitations and objections, and preparing yourself with what to expect during the Q&A session is one of the biggest sales tools you will have to closing a deal. Furthermore, you can’t fax a smile or email a handshake - two of the most powerful relationship makers in body language.

3. Inspiring people. There are some things which are best experienced live, like watching a performance, being at a football match or listening to a brilliant guest speaker. Motivational speakers have an art to holding an audience’s interest and communicating important messages through body language and expression. Think about how your audience will remember your key messages by email or web conferencing.

4. Results in breakthrough thinking. Group influences versus individual thinking…it is obvious which has the biggest impact on making quality business decisions. It is also an opportunity to learn about how other people think and work. Our differences may be apparent from the beginning, but we may also be surprised to learn about our similarities. This will make you better equipped for your next visit and when it comes to understanding your client’s needs. Computer-mediated communication may be an efficient and rapid means of disseminating information, but research also suggests that it is not the most effective means of making group decisions….managers must make the decision as whether the cost savings in travel expenses and time outweigh the potential decrements in quality of decisions reached.

Creating More Value for Business Meetings
The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre offers a wide range of professional meeting space for all types of meetings and events. Whether you need small boardroom space, or a large conference room for seminars, this central hotel Cheltenham offers everything you need to suit your budget. For more information visit www.hiexcheltenham.com or call 01242 548200 and speak to your dedicated Conference & Events team.

We all know how stressful the festive season can be, especially when we hear stories of a ‘ruined’ Christmas: too many parties where partners refuse to leave until they are carried out; husbands or wives not turning up for Christmas lunch, having just popped out for a minute; disappointment after opening your Christmas gift; anticipating your January bank statement with hope that somehow the balance is still healthy – all of which add to yet another stressful Christmas.

 

However, by following our top winter secrets you can ensure a stress-free Christmas and save enough money to start splashing out for New Year.

Save your space

For many years we have put up with distant relatives squeezing into the spare room, stopping on the sofa and draining our house supplies dry. According to the Energy Saving Trust, an average household’s carbon footprint from lighting and running their home during Christmas alone increases by 500kg (adding £75.00 more to your electricity bill). It may not seem like the most obvious solution, but outbooking your guests to nearby accommodation in Cheltenham means someone else can bear the burden of your energy draining relatives. We’ve managed to find one hotel in Cheltenham who has slashed their prices to cater to the friends and families who may be visiting us this winter with bed and breakfast rates at only £36.00 per night – much cheaper than your electricity bill.

Save on food costs

During the Christmas period (3 days of festivities), the average household will spend £169.00 on food and drinks this year, according to an article by the Stockholm Environment Institute. This equates to £73.00 per person and adds a Christmas food wastage footprint of 26kg. With breakfast included in many hotel deals this year, the average household could save up to £24.00 per day not catering for breakfast-seeking relatives.

One central hotel in Cheltenham also provides Christmas guests with up to 25% discounts on restaurant meals at 9 town centre restaurants. Although you may not be able to get out of hosting Christmas Day Dinner, save time and money by letting them eat out and treat themselves before and after Christmas Day – they may even invite you along! Additionally, by having relatives stay elsewhere means there will be no extra feasting from your food reserves in between meals.

Save your party mood

Don’t be anxious about hosting your next Christmas get together. Whether you’re burdened with organising the office Christmas Party or tirelessly assembling all the family to be in one place at the same time, let another party planner do the work for you. The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham is hosting parties big or small over the Christmas period. This Cheltenham hotel will organise everything for you, including catering, entertainment & accommodation, all at the most competitive rates in town (just £9.95 per person). So all you have to do is turn up, relax and party all night long.

Save your sanity

Above all, let there be peace amongst all this Christmas! By using another venue rather than your home, you are more likely to ensure a stress-free and cost-saving festive season.  Ensure your Christmas guests stay in a clean, modern and family friendly hotel in Cheltenham so they will also enjoy a relaxing break this year. Choose a hotel in Cheltenham that offers family rooms with breakfast included, and look for hotels close to the town centre so there is plenty for your friends and family to do – and not get under your feet instead!

For more information on winter saving deals please visit www.hiexcheltenham.com.

£36.00 B&B rate available from 20^th to 30^th December 2010 (Terms & Conditions apply).

The 3* new Cheltenham hotel, Holiday Inn Express, has been awarded Hotel of the Year in the Silver Category by Cotswolds & the Forest of Dean Tourism. This prestigious award was bestowed after consideration to hundreds of Cotswolds hotels in the region. Furthermore, Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG), the largest hotel group in the world, has also awarded the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham with a ‘Quality Excellence’ Award which recognises its achievements in guest satisfaction and excellent standards. This new Cheltenham hotel is also up for the IHG ‘Hotel of the Year’ and ‘General Manager of the Year’ award which will be announced in Cairo later this month.

The nominations highlighted this hotel in Cheltenham as a key contributor to both the local and business community. This Cheltenham hotel has supported local community initiatives such as charity fundraising and sponsorship, as well as being committed to employing and sourcing locally to be a sustainable hotel in Cheltenham.
The Holiday Inn Express was the only hotel in Cheltenham hand-picked to be recognised for its achievements and contribution within the community. The 2010 awards are co-ordinated by the local tourist board (Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism) and have been agreed upon by a knowledgeable and fiercely independent group of judges.
Above all, the awards celebrate our hardworking local tourism industry in 2010.

The judges were Katie Jarvis (Guide book and Cotswold Life author); Rob Rees (The Cotswold Chef and Visit England Board Member), Shane Blackwell (Quality in Tourism (Accommodation Inspection agency)), Edward Gillespie (Cheltenham Racecourse and Chair of Cotswolds And Forest of Dean Tourism), Anne Bartlett (Blue Badge Guide), Chris Dee and Sarah Tyler - Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism.

Chris Dee, Tourism Manager for Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism commented: ‘Tourism in the Cotswolds is a continuing success story and these awards are our way of highlighting some of the many business who have raised standards and achieved something new for 2010′.

Ian Dick, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham, commented: “It is with great pleasure to be honoured with these awards. It has taken a lot dedication and commitment to our guests to ensure we are continually improving our service standards and maintaining an excellent hotel. We plan to continue contributing to the local community next year as a sustainable and accomplished hotel in Cheltenham.”

 

‘Celebrate Service Week’ was rolled out across the globe at nearly 3,000 IHG hotels as part of a worldwide celebration of the great services delivered by over 330,000 employees. The dedicated week has been created to recognise each hotel employee for their hard work and continued levels of superior service in what has been a challenging time for the hospitality industry.

Between 25th-30th July, staff at the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham were pampered with a lavish 3 course lunch served by the senior management team. The afternoon concluded with team building activities and games, and thanked all the staff for providing fantastic service throughout the year. Management also finished the week by organising a staff day out to a local restaurant and an evening ten pin bowling. With the management team all getting involved, individual team members received small gestures such as thank you gifts from managers, including a £100 cash bonus awarded to the Employee of the Year.

Magda Mateja, Reception Manager, commented “The week was really successful, and all of the staff really enjoyed the team building activities. The biggest impact came from just recognising staff for their efforts; this really made a difference to them.”

Ian Dick, General Manager, said “Our employees are at the heart of all our guest experiences. We are passionate about the great experiences we deliver, and equally passionate about appreciating the hard work that goes into making this hotel a success. A big thank you to you all!”

 

People spend so much time planning meetings and sitting in meetings, that businesses often forget how to close the deal properly. Organisations that can turn meeting time into profitable results are by far the most successful. Take these five meeting management secrets to ensure your next meeting in Cheltenham is a real success.

Choose the Right Venue
Your choice of venue is probably one the most important factors to consider when arranging a meeting or conference. Choose a central location for your conference venue in Cheltenham - there is nothing worse than getting lost before an important meeting. Remember, your delegates need to be able to find the venue easily too. Our researchers have found the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre is an ideal venue in a central location, with conference parking space nearby. If you are meeting over lunch choose somewhere that won’t be too crowded or noisy. Although there is an array of good restaurants in Cheltenham, always rely on multiple sources to recommend a good place to entertain. Our researchers also found that business people are progressively opting for hotels in Cheltenham as a place to meet. Non-residents can often use a relaxing hotel bar and coffee lounge area, which is still a professional and ambient place to meet to ensure a successful meeting. Furthermore, such a meeting place makes it a cost effective business choice.

Manage Your Meeting Budget
In tight times is it even more important to ensure your meeting includes everything you need and nothing you don’t. For bigger seminars and conferences, many venues in Cheltenham will charge extra for all the little things that really make a difference. Choose a venue that can offer an all inclusive day delegate rate as this will include your room hire, tea/coffee, lunch and equipment to really showcase your event on a budget. Our researchers found the following site Meeting Rooms in Cheltenham offered the most competitive meeting venue in Cheltenham with all the added-value extras included for your next meeting. This ensures you can deliver the ‘wow’ factor to all your delegates without having to present a huge bill to your boss - double brownie points!

Preparation is Key
Whether you’re planning a large seminar or just meeting over lunch, for every minute of your meeting there should be 2 minutes spent planning. Preparation is key to ensure you get the business results you want. If you’re planning a business lunch, always phone the venue ahead of schedule and confirm the booking and any requests you may have. To really close the deal, research your client beforehand as much as possible and plan your sales approach before lunch, there’ll be nothing worse than taking a vegetarian to a steak house! Many successful organisations use central hotel venues for conference rooms and important business meetings as they always offer a dedicated meetings organiser. Many hotels with meeting rooms in Cheltenham will offer an events co-ordinator free of charge that will greatly alleviate all the planning stress.

Boost Your Attendance
The best way to ensure successful results after your meeting is to present to as many people as possible. Early bird discounts can be a great way to boost attendance to your next event in Cheltenham. Send reminders to your delegates as we’re all busy professionals. Sending a simple, non-intrusive reminder is a great way to catch your invitee’s attention. Promoting your meeting’s value is key. Value is driving all decisions these days: in order to get people to attend, they need to have a clear idea of how it will benefit them. Reach out through multiple channels such as Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn-these days there are many more ways to market your event than the tried-and-true email invitations and websites. Offer a special deal and consider implementing a new special price or some other incentive (e.g. half-price registration for a guest) to entice invitees.

Close the Deal
Don’t let your meeting finish without closing the deal you need. Watch body language and look out for buying signals during your presentation. This will help you better understand how to approach the close with your delegates. Ask for feedback about your presentation and ensure you cover any questions or knowledge gaps the delegates may have, so you can rest assured they have left with a full understanding of your presentation. Request commitment from your delegates before they leave the meeting room. This can be by using simple phrases throughout your meeting such as “Does that sound good to you?” or “What do you think about that?” The more positive their mindset the more likely you are to get the business results you want.

There are many actions that can make meeting in Cheltenham successful. They require careful management before, during, and after the meeting. If you neglect any one of these meeting management opportunities, your appointment will not bear the fruit you desire and the results will not reflect the time invested in organising your meeting.