Ashford
Castle was recently voted by Conference & Incentive Magazine
as being one of Europe 's Top 20 Luxury Venues, and one of
the Top 5 Luxury Incentive Venues.
The
castle offers historical splendour and a range of country
pursuits, including falconry, fishing on Lough Corrib, clay
pigeon shooting, riding and an exclusive 9-hole golf course.
“It is a hidden treasure", enthuses executive vice-president
of BI Worldwide, David Hackett - "a truly warm welcome
awaits guests".
Special
Winter Offer
Why not take advantage
of the famous warm welcome during these cold winter months
with the special rate for all GP Newsletter readers of Euro
85.00 (approx £60.00) per night per person
sharing, to include accommodation, breakfast and VAT. Valid
for Sunday to Thursday only, from now until 22nd December
04, and again from 2nd January to 31st March 05.
24hr delegate rate:
In
addition, there is a special offer 24hr delegate rate
of Euro 275.00 (Approx £193.00) for
2 nights mid-week Sunday to Thursday, with 50% charge for
3rd night for all delegates. Offer based on minimum
of 10 rooms to maximum of 50 rooms. Valid until 30th April
2006
For
more information:
www.ashford.ie
or contact GP Associates
The Merrion
- New Penthouse & Top Accolade from LHW
The
Merrion, one of Dublin's most exclusive addresses, has recently
opened the doors of its exclusive Penthouse. With views
over the Dublin skyline, The Merrion Penthouse provides unparalleled
security and privacy, whilst offering the luxurious five-star
comfort, services and facilities for which The Merrion has become
legendary.
The
Merrion Penthouse provides a living space of approximately 2,800
sq ft split across two floors and a separate 1,000sq ft rooftop
terrace complete with cedarwood hot tub. Aidan
Cavey, one of Ireland's leading interior designers, has utilized
fabrics and furnishings from some of the world's most exclusive
design houses to provide an interior that is calm, luxurious
and elegantly welcoming. The penthouse comprises of two bedrooms
each with an ensuite Italian Carerra Marble bathroom on the
ground level. An elegant staircase leads to the beautifully
furnished top floor, with an open-plan living space, state of
the art entertainment area with surround-sound audio and TV
and a dining area offering spectacular views over Dublin and
the hotel gardens below. A further room off the main living
area can be used as a study, private meeting room, gymnasium
or as accommodation for security personnel if required.
To ensure
maximum privacy, the Merrion Penthouse faces the hotel's interior
garden and is surrounded on all sides by subtle fencing, potted
bay trees and box hedges.
For
reservations and further details on The Merrion Penthouse please
contact The Merrion directly on 353 1 603 0600, or email info@merrionhotel.com
The
Leading Hotels of the World announced at its annual convention
this month that The Merrion Hotel in Dublin has received the
Highest Score Overall in its third annual Commitment to Quality
Awards,
measured against over 400 Leading member properties worldwide
in recent anonymous inspections.
The
Merrion, created from four magnificent 18th century Georgian
townhouses in 1997, also received top honors in the European
market, scoring highest as the best Leading Hotel of the World
in Europe.
The accolade to the Merrion reflects its dedication to creating
a special environment in the heart of Dublin, now undergoing
a vibrant regeneration itself. The
Merrion, a 142-room property with 20 suites, is the home of
the first hotel spa in Dublin, the Tethra Spa. It has
a two-star Michelin restaurant, Patrick Guibaud, and is considered
to be Dublin's most stylish and luxurious hotel. Two outstanding
features are its private collection of contemporary art and
its 18th century style landscaped period gardens.
Stoke
Park Club, the luxury hotel and private members' club in Buckinghamshire,
returns to the big screen this Autumn with starring roles in
two of the hottest new movie releases - Wimbledon and Layer
Cake.
It
was a natural choice that the Club, with its six grass courts
built to Wimbledon specification, be selected as a location
for several of the scenes in Wimbledon, the romantic comedy
starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst. The courts are no strangers
to playing host to high profile celebrities, having been the
venue for the exclusive pre-Wimbledon grass court tournament
known as the Boodle & Dunthorne Champions Challenge for
the past three years. This unique event draws many of the biggest
names in the sport, with the likes of Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick,
Maria Sharapova, and our own Tim Henman recently competing for
glory.
There
is, however, not a mention of strawberries and cream to be had
in Layer Cake, the fast-paced new British crime thriller which
features Stoke Park Club, as 'itself', in a number of scenes.
The film stars Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon, and Sienna Miller,
and marks the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, the producer
behind the international hits Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
and Snatch.
Set
in 350 acres of historical parkland and gardens and boasting
an 18th century Palladian mansion as its Clubhouse, it is not
surprising that Stoke Park Club has long been a popular and
sought-after location with the biggest names in film. Forty
years ago this summer the Club was the setting for the most
memorable game of golf in cinema history, when James Bond defeated
Auric Goldfinger on the 18th green in the 007 epic Goldfinger
(1964). Other notable credits include Tomorrow Never Dies, Bridget
Jones's Diary, and the recently released Bride and Prejudice.
Winter Golf
: includes coffee & bacon rolls on arrival, 18
holes of golf on the world-renowned Stoke Poges course, and
a two course lunch in the iconic Palladian Mansion Clubhouse
from just £50 per person.
Spring Corporate
Golf Days: include coffee and bacon rolls on arrival,
18 holes of golf, two course lunch or dinner, and complimentary
range of balls and course planner (March) or welcome gift (April).
March - £75 per person, April - £100
per person.
Prices based on a
minimum of eight players. Contact Sales Team on 01753 717171
or at info@stokeparkclub.com
Exclusive Christmas
menus created by one of the finest Chefs in the country combined
with dedicated Event Co-ordinators will ensure that every aspect
of your celebration is planned and realised to perfection. Private
dining room menus start from £55 per person, and parties
of eight or more can enjoy complimentary use of the Club's exquisite
function rooms.
The Vineyard
at Stockcross - WIN A HOLIDAY TO CALIFORNIA
Just
as the winner of the Summer Californian Holiday Competition
is announced, The Vineyard at Stockcross is giving you the chance
to win ANOTHER trip to the sunshine state!
As readers
will know, over the summer The Vineyard at Stockcross offered
you the opportunity to jet off to California just by booking
a £20,000 meeting, conference, incentive or corporate
golf day.
The
lucky winner was Frances Bailey, pictured, Executive Director,
Fixed Income at Morgan Stanley, and Frances is now working with
The Vineyard to arrange her holiday, flying with British Airways.
For
your opportunity to win a trip to California all you need to
do is book a meeting, conference, incentive or corporate golf
day to take place in January or February 2005 that is worth
more than a total of £20,000 (excluding VAT).
For
further information on The Vineyard at Stockcross contact Catherine
Whittle on (01635) 528770 or email catherinewhittle@the-vineyard.co.uk
Terms and Conditions:
This
promotion is for GP Associates Clients only
All
holidays will be arranged at The Vineyard's discretion after
the event has taken place. Flights and accommodation (excluding
all meals and transport to and from airport and travel insurance)
will be provided for two people for one week's duration. There
may be some restrictions on dates and times of travel.
Only
one holiday will be provided per booking whatever the value.
The
happiness and style of Christmas and the New Year at The Dorchester
is unforgettable.
Swathed in traditional decorations and with the sounds of Christmas
in the air, The Dorchester is the perfect place for family and
friends to meet and enjoy the best in festive food and conviviality.
Take
time out in The Dorchester's sumptuous surroundings, from the
hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas shopping and the January
Sales!
Superior
Single from
£235
Superior
Double from £255
Deluxe
Double from
£295
The
above rates are inclusive of service, VAT and English breakfast.
This
rate is valid from 17th December 2004 to 31st January 2005.
Mar
Hall, Scotland's newest luxury hotel, is proud to announce the
opening of its new Aveda Spa on 30th November. To celebrate,
they are offering a very special package, as follows:
Spa
Break (minimum 2 night stay - applicable 7 days / week)
•
Accommodation in a luxurious King Bedded Room (upgrade subject
to availability)
•
Single: £145 per night to include full Scottish Breakfast
and one x 1 hour Spa treatment of your choice per 2 night
stay.
•
Double: £185 per night to include full Scottish Breakfast
and one x 1 hour Spa treatment per person per 2 night stay
(one person may make use of the two hours allocated if
this suits the guests).
•
Offer is subject to availability and runs until 30th April
2005
For
enquiries, please visit www.marhall.com
or telephone 0141 812 9999 quoting ref. GP.
Competition
Prizewinnner:
In
the last newsletter, we asked you:
Q
. How many acres of private land surround Mar Hall?
A.
240 acres of private woodland
There
was a great response to the competition, and we are delighted
to announce that the winner of two Nights Bed & Breakfast
at Mar Hall is Gillian Roost of Grass Roots Group.
Mix Business
with Pleasure in 2005 at Stapleford Park
Get
away from the hustle and bustle of city life and hold those
all-important meetings in the heart of the English countryside.
Only 1 hour 10 minutes from London on the train and 1
hour from Birmingham Airport, Stapleford Park offers you the
opportunity to work hard and relax at the same time.
New
24 hour delegate rate
New
24 hour business and pleasure rate will be £250 + VAT
for January, February and March for 10 delegates and over, subject
to availability.
For
reservations, call 01572
787012 quoting
GP Winter Newsletter
NOTHING
PLANNED FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE? JOIN THE PARTY AT STAPLEFORD
PARK
New
Year Package based on a one night stay from £725
per room per
night. In addition, the second night stay is complimentary
bed and breakfast.
For
further information and reservations please call 01572 787019
or visit the Stapleford Park website at
www.staplefordpark.com
Sun International
- Sun City's 25th Anniversary
In
December 2004, Sun City Resort in South Africa celebrates its
25th birthday. Over the last quarter of a century the resort
has evolved into South Africa's premier holiday destination.
The
creation of Sun City began in 1978 when work began to build
a luxury resort and casino in the heart of the African bushveld.
Seventeen months later on 7 December 1979, South Africa celebrated
the opening of the Sun City Hotel, the embodiment of style,
sophistication and glamour.
The
original Sun City offered far more than just a casino. 1979
also saw the creation of one of the world's greatest golf tournaments,
initially a celebrity pro-am tournament, which became the Nedbank
Golf Challenge that it is today - the world's richest golf tournament
attracting the most prominent golfers. In 1981 the R30 million
Entertainment Centre opened with Frank Sinatra performing, a
performance which paved the way for superstars including Queen,
Elton John and Rod Stewart.
Not
only did Sun City offer entertainment with an international
flavour, but its location next to the Pilanesburg National Park,
which also opened in 1979, offered a further dimension to the
resort. Sun City initiated a preservation project to ensure
that the park was amply stocked and maintained, advancing their
international position as an eco-tourism destination.
Sun
City's development into the resort that it is today came in
1992 with the completion of the Lost City and the legend that
accompanies it. The R830 million project took 28 months to complete
and included building the Palace of the Lost City Hotel with
its intricate detail and awesome sculptures; the surrounding
jungle gardens, awarded National Botanical Garden status in
1999; the Valley of the Waves, Sun City's own inland beach complete
with waves; and a second championship golf course incorporating
28,000m² of water features and crocodiles.
The
amenities and facilities at Sun City have continued to expand
over the years and today Sun City Resort is the resort of choice
in Southern Africa. It is the premier conference venue in Africa,
catering for groups from 14 to 6,000. It offers a myriad of
adventure and sporting activities including safaris by day and
night, elephant or hot air balloon, aerodynamic adventures,
the top two golf courses in South Africa and the longest zip
slide in the world. There are also world-class restaurants,
spa facilities, a wedding chapel and an internationally acclaimed
concert venue.
For more information
on Sun International resorts visit
Hotel Majestic Roma
- New Year Offer & Competition
The
Hotel Majestic Roma, located on the famed Via Veneto in the
heart of the Eternal City of Rome, is proud to announce its
refurbishment project. All 98 guestrooms, including 13 suites,
will be completely revisited with state of the art technology
including high speed internet access in all guestrooms, modem
lines, dual telephone lines and plasma & LCD flatscreen
televisions.
In addition, guestrooms will feature new carpeting,
some rooms with hardwood floors. Corridors feature artwork from
many famous painters.
The hotel now features a brand new fitness centre
with 24 hour access, including the most up to date cardiovascular
equipment, LCD screens, relaxation area and a personal trainer
exclusive to inhouse guests.
The Hotel Majestic
was inaugurated in 1889 and still continues to be the home away
from home for many celebrities, socialites and political figures.
The hotel is just moments away from the Spanish Steps, Trevi
Fountain, Villa Borghese and the elegant Via Condotti with its
haute couture boutiques. The Majestic Roma is dedicated
to preserving its authentic and classical Italian style while
adding modern features for today's traveller.
Valid
27 December '04 - 3 Jan '05 (2 night minimum stay)
Deluxe
accommodation
Full
American Buffet breakfast daily
Spumante
& canapes in your room
Access
to fitness centre
Daily
newspaper
Tax
& service
€325.00
per room per night based on double occupancy
For additional
promotions and packages, please visit www.hotelmajestic.com
or contact GP Associates
Competition
- WIN 2 NIGHTS AT MAJESTIC ROMA
Win
a 2 night complimentary stay, inclusive of
breakfast daily and one 3 course dinner (excluding beverages).
Valid for 1 year and subject to availability.
Q
When was the Hotel Majestic Roma first inaugurated? And name
two celebrities who have stayed there.
For
a chance to win a 2 night stay at the Hotel Majestic Roma, just
answer the question above, stating whether you would be interested
in learning more about the hotel, and e-mail to: Majestic
Competition
Valid for groups from 1st November '04 until 31st
January '05
The Hotel Principe di Savoia, located in Piazza
della Repubblica in the heart of Milan, is one of the most well
renowned hotels for its refined elegance and impressive building.
Five-star exclusive comfort and impeccable service continue
a long tradition of prestige and hospitality.
Rates are per room per night, inclusive of American
Breakfast and 10% VAT.
Offer is subject to availability and is valid for
a min of 15 rooms
*All bedrooms and meeting spaces are provided with
WI-FI connection
Meeting Packages
Half Day Meeting Package (09.00-13.00/15.00-18.00)
- €78.00 (Price list €91.00)
Full Day Meeting Package (09.00-18.00)
- €90.00 (Price list €107)
Packages
are per person per day and are inclusive of 1 coffee break (half
day package) or 2 coffee breaks (full day package), 3-course
lunch, meeting room rental and basic equipment. Packages do
not include 10% VAT
For information & reservations:
Marina Belluco, Groups & Meetings Manager
Beau Rivage Palace,
Lausanne - Special 24 Hr Delegate Rate
Special
24 Hour Delegate Rate of Chf 585 (approx £265) per person
per night in single occupancy
Including:
Accommodation
American buffet breakfast
Main Conference room, basic technical equipment
Office
room rental and welcome desk
2
Coffee Breaks
3-course
lunch (beverage excluded), coffee and petits fours
Mineral water during the conference
Complimentary
pre-dinner drinks for ½ hour, to include red and white
wine, minerals and canapes
4-course
dinner menu (beverage excluded), with coffee and petits fours
Service
Charges and VAT.
Bonus:
50% of the rooms upgraded to lake view, without supplement
(subject to availability)
1 complimentary single room per 20 paying rooms (max 3 rooms)
Staff rate for room and breakfast at Chf 270 (approx £123)
(max 3 rooms)
Valid
from now until 28th December, 2004 and from 1st January to 31st
March, 2005. Subject to availability, minimum 10 rooms, local
taxes are Chf 2.60 per person per night.
The next Hotelopoly
showcase will be on February 8th at the well
renowned Thai restaurant - The Blue Elephant, SW6.
As previously, the day will include a lunchtime (12.00 - 2.30)
and evening programme (6.30 - 8.30) featuring all of the hotels
which we represent. Invites will be sent out in December.
New
Clients
The second
half of 2004 continued on a high for GP, with two more new clients.
We are delighted to announce the latest editions to our
portfolio -
Sun
International Hotels & Resorts -
South Africa's most prestigious and largest hotel group, and
Cowley Manor the contemporary country house
hotel in Gloucestershire.
Cowley
Manor
Cowley
Manor has enjoyed enormous success over the last 2 and
a half years, exceeding all expectations.….. The overall
response to the contemporary design and
relaxed atmosphere has been overwhelming, encouraging
couples, families and business alike to retreat to the
Cotswolds. Not a single Saturday night
has gone by without a full house & with GP Associates
now on board, the hotel looks set to be bursting mid
week also.
With
30 Bedrooms, extensive grounds and a breathtaking spa,
the hotel is perfect for that quiet weekend away, but
similarly the hotel can cater for business meetings,
incentive trips and Exclusive Use requests.
For further information,
please contact Reservations on 01242 870900 or visit
the website:
For
the first time since Cowley Manor opened, the hotel
is offering a discounted rate for both one off room
nights and for Exclusive Use:
During
the month of January 2005, all individual room bookings
made between Sunday and Thursday will be charged at
the reduced Flat Rate of £185 including service,
vat and continental breakfast. Room Grades will
be allocated according to availability, and on a first
come first served basis.
The
mid week Exclusive Use rate is also being reduced significantly,
with a Minimum Spend of only £9500 plus VAT….a
saving of £1200. The minimum spend is attributable
to accommodation, food, beverage and spa treatments.
Valid Sunday to Thursday.
Shirley
had the ‘difficult task' of hosting our first familiarization
trip to Sun International's properties in October. It was a
joint trip hosted by South African Airways and the South African
destination management company, Walthers.
The
group left London on a damp and dismal Sunday night and arrived
fresh faced in Cape Town (thanks primarily to SAA's delightful
business class) on a bright and beautiful Monday morning.
By 11am that morning, we were sipping wine in the Spier Winelands
and stroking live cheetahs in the Cheetah Sanctuary – not a
bad Monday morning!
It was
then time to travel to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Cape
Town's working harbour, which has been transformed into a tourist
mecca with restaurants, bars and shops all accompanied by the
beautiful back drop of Table Mountain! The group checked
into The Table Bay, Sun International's hotel in Cape Town.
It is designed like an ocean liner and has views over Robben
Island (where Nelson Mandela was
incarcerated)
and Table Mountain – a truly superb hotel that has won ‘Africa
Hotel of the Year' by Conde Nast Traveller USA. That afternoon
was spent pottering about the waterfront and enjoying the sights
and sounds of the harbour and the excellent value for money
shopping.
After
a relatively early night with a delicious dinner at the Conservatory
Restaurant at Table Bay, it was an early rise the following
morning to see the Castle of Good Hope and other superb venues
in Cape Town. This was followed by a trip to the breathtakingly
beautiful Cape Peninsula with a fabulous lunch in Fishoek, a
sleepy fishing village while watching whales swimming by! We
also stopped at Boulders Beach to see the penguins waddling
by! Dinner was at the lively Africa Café that
night with traditional African music and cuisine.
Wednesday
morning was an early start with a quick flight from Cape Town
to Johannesburg. We had a quick tour around the Sandton Convention
Centre before transferring to Sun City. Everyone was truly blown
away by Sun City and the Palace. Lots of ‘wows' and ‘incredibles'
were to be heard. Highlights at Sun City were definitely
meeting the elephants in the elephant sanctuary and paddling
in the Valley of the Waves. The group spent the last night of
their trip on safari at Pilansberg, just 15 minutes from Sun
City.
As you
can see from above - a trip to South Africa provides 'treats'
in abundance. For more information on Sun International's properties
- contact shirley@gp-associates.co.uk
or visit their website at
www.suninternational.com
New
Employees
Debbie
Jacobs
Debbie
recently joined GP Associates as sales co-ordinator. Though
most of her studies were in TV and Film, she has just left the
Draycott Hotel in London where she spent a year and a half as
Sales/Events Coordinator.
Client
List
Beau-Rivage
Palace, Lausanne
(A
member of The Leading Hotels of the World)
The
Dorchester , London
(The
Dorchester Group)
Hôtel
Plaza Athénée, Paris
(The
Dorchester Group)
Hotel
Meurice, Paris
(The
Dorchester Group)
Hotel
Principe di Savoia, Milan
(The
Dorchester Group)
Hotel
Majestic, Roma
(A
member of Leading Small Hotels of the World)
Trump
International Hotel & Tower , New York
(A
member of The Leading Hotels of the World)
The
Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
(The
Dorchester Group)
Sun
International Hotels, Resorts & Casinos
South
Africa
The
Merrion, Dublin
(A
member of The Leading Hotels of the World)
Dromoland
Castle, Co. Clare , Ireland
(A
member of Preferred Hotels)
Ashford
Castle, Co. Mayo , Ireland
(A
member of Relais & Châteaux)
Cowley
Manor, Gloucestershire
Stoke
Park Club, Buckinghamshire
(A
member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World)
The
Vineyard at Stockcross, Berkshire
(A
member of Relais et Châteaux)
Stapleford
Park, Leicestershire
Mar
Hall, Glasgow
Alison
Price & Company
Don't forget to check out our website at
gp-associates.co.uk
for all the up to date information on our portfolio.
The
Merrion, one of Dublin's most exclusive addresses, has recently
opened the doors of its exclusive Penthouse. With views
over the Dublin skyline, The Merrion Penthouse provides unparalleled
security and privacy, whilst offering the luxurious five-star
comfort, services and facilities for which The Merrion has become
legendary. 
In
December 2004, Sun City Resort in South Africa celebrates its
25th birthday. Over the last quarter of a century the resort
has evolved into South Africa's premier holiday destination.
The
Hotel Majestic Roma, located on the famed Via Veneto in the
heart of the Eternal City of Rome, is proud to announce its
refurbishment project. All 98 guestrooms, including 13 suites,
will be completely revisited with state of the art technology
including high speed internet access in all guestrooms, modem
lines, dual telephone lines and plasma & LCD flatscreen
televisions. 
Celebrate the New Year at the Majestic Roma.
Shirley
had the ‘difficult task' of hosting our first familiarization
trip to Sun International's properties in October. It was a
joint trip hosted by South African Airways and the South African
destination management company, Walthers. 
incarcerated)
and Table Mountain – a truly superb hotel that has won ‘Africa
Hotel of the Year' by Conde Nast Traveller USA. That afternoon
was spent pottering about the waterfront and enjoying the sights
and sounds of the harbour and the excellent value for money
shopping. 