25 February 2013
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Castle Green Hotel.
Never mind Daniel Day-Lewis and Adele what about our triumph at the BEST WESTERN Annual Members’ Conference last month in winning the top conference venue as voted for by BEST WESTERN Venues, key conference booking agents and, of course, the customers.
As always I was at the conference and got very excited when our name was announced at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony. So excited that I had to spend the next three hours dancing and of course have a couple more drinks.
And the PLUS descriptor
Following our latest programme of refurbishment in January we have just secured the PLUS accreditation placing us firmly amongst the 32 hotels in the GB brand within this category. This confirms our great customer care, quality product and design and enhanced standards.
What next? Maybe four star – watch this space…
By Liz Duncan, 25 February 2013 –
05 December 2012
It seemed like a good idea at the time…one of us was bound to be going down to The Pinewood from The Castle Green this week so could we take an order of biscuits from a Kendal supplier and save on the delivery charge.
So, 10 boxes of biscuits were packed into my boot ready for my visit this week. When I picked the kids up from Grannys they were:
1. Curious - ‘what’s that in the boot’ they said as the school bags went in
2. Excited - ‘wow, a boot full of biscuits…cool’
3. Intrigued - ‘isn’t it difficult when you have to deliver the chicken and peas?’
They enjoyed the trip home though – well with 480 packets in the car how could I say no.
Then my appointment was cancelled so the cargo has now been transferred to the Finance Director's car for her visit on Friday. The only thing is she also has to take down a load of Christmas hats. I would like to see her explain that to the Police if she gets stopped on the Motorway!
I think we will go back to getting the suppliers to do the deliveries…
By Tim Rumney, 05 December 2012 –
17 September 2012
As the summer draws to a close it is time to reflect on what have been a strange few months.
At Castle Green we followed up on our busiest June ever with our best accommodation month in August since we opened in 1997. July was okay but we were never going to beat last year which was also a record.
At The Pinewood it is getting busier all the time and well ahead of the first few months under our new ownership this time last year.
The Jubilee, Olympics and the Great British weather have all provided challenges and opportunities but we have tried to stick our most important job of looking after the customers.
The economy continues to be the default topic of conversation when there is nothing else to say (like talking about the children at a dinner party) but I can’t help thinking that having the media on another agenda for a few months might just have allowed people to get on with other things…including having a good time.
By Tim Rumney, 17 September 2012 –
08 May 2012
What a month – three birthdays: one a first, one a fortieth and one a seventh and all involving parties.
The first was the easiest – well they don’t know at that age do they. One day is much like the last (or the next) so the fact that the card stayed in its cellophane and the presents were pretty random did not matter too much.
The fortieth was a different matter altogether. Due to some childcare challenges the trip to Liverpool for the weekend with 10 friends was on, then off, then back on but only for one night. But what a great night it was…
At seven, parties are really important and in our house important means horses. So where better than a Pony Party at the local stables. How can you go wrong with a bunch of girls and equine entertainment – the weather of course. Maybe I don’t usually pay attention to the forecast but it is rare I think that it is described in such forbidding terms as driving wind and rain. It was a success all the same – it would take a lot more than that to put them off our four legged friends.
And in the midst of all that the first four months sales at Castle Green are 11% up on last year, our new on-line booking facility has gone live and the Pinewood goes from strength to strength.
And who is the April Fool? Well me of course, I have to pay for all the birthdays…
By Tim Rumney, 08 May 2012 –
01 December 2011
All guests are of course Very Important People, it is just that some are more Very Important than most.
We have just had the privilege to host our first Royal guest, with the visit of Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.
Her Royal Highness was guest of honour at the recent ASAO Conference that was held at the hotel and was attended by representatives of all the Agricultural Show Societies from around the country.
Following the visit I received a letter from the Lady in Waiting of Her Royal Highness expressing her thanks and best wishes.
I am not sure of the etiquette regarding such correspondence but Her Royal Highness reflected on ‘the excellent packed lunches, which were delicious and much enjoyed’ and which had been provided for her onward journey the next day.
Suffice to say that the Chef now has a ‘By Royal Appointment’ crest of two slices of bread and a bag of crisps over his desk for services rendered.
Whoops…is that the keys to the Tower I can hear clinking.
By Tim Rumney, 01 December 2011 –