2012 Coverage

Title: Aspire
Date: December 2012

Circulation: 6,000
PR Value: 1,250

Title: Aspire
Date: December 2012
Circulation: 6,000
PR Value: 1,250

Title: Add Lib
Date: Autumn 2012
Circulation: 36,000
PR Value: 14,625

Title: Add Lib
Date: Autumn 2012
Circulation: 36,000
PR Value: 14,625

Title: Add Lib
Date: Autumn 2012
Circulation: 36,000
PR Value: 14,625

Title: Architectural Digest
Date:04/12/2012
Monthly Unique Users: 729,971

729,971

729,971

PR Value:

Title: Sunday Times Twitter Page
Date:03/12/2012
Followers: 13,724

Title: Sunday Times Travel
Facebook and Twitter pages
Date: 03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Date: 03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Magazine Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 12,801

Title: Sunday Times Travel Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 13,724

Title: NI Commercial
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 921

Title: Jill Starley Grainger Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 9,838

Title: Sunday Times Facebook Page
Date:03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Title: Sunday Times Facebook Page
Date:03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Title: ST Travel Magazine Twitte
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 12,801

- 1 -

Date: 03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Date: 03/12/2012
Likes: 657

Magazine Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 12,801

Title: Sunday Times Travel Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 13,724

Title: Jill Starley Grainger Twitter
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 9,838

Title: NI Commercial
Date: 03/12/2012
Followers: 921

Title: TTG Mena Luxury
Date: 26/11/2012
Monthly unique users: 45,000

Title: Luxury Travel Advisor
Date: 21/11/2012

Title: First Life
Date: November/December 2012
Circulation: 19,000
PR Value: 108.80

Title: First Life
Circulation: 19,000
PR Value: 108.80

Title: First Life
Circulation: 19,000
PR Value: 108.80

Title: First Life
Circulation: 19,000
PR Value: 108.80

Title: Facebook
Date: 06/11/2012

Title: Twitter
Date: 06/11/2012

Title: Twitter
Date: 06/11/2012

Title: Travelbite.co.uk
Date: 07/11/2012

Title: Travelbite.co.uk
Date: 07/11/2012

Title: 02B
Date: 08/11/2012

Title: BigHospitality.co.uk
Date: 09/11/2012

Title: BigHospitality.co.uk
Date: 09/11/2012

Title: ITCM
Date: 09/11/2012

Title: ITCM
Date: 09/11/2012

Title: Hotel Designs
Date: 10
th
Novermber 2012

Date: 10
th
Novermber 2012

Date: 10
th
Novermber 2012

Date: 10
th
Novermber 2012

Date: 10
th
Novermber 2012

Title: Telegraph.co.uk
Date: 09 November 2012
Monthly Unique Users: 53,915,491


Title: Property Magazine
Date: 14/11/2012
PR Value: 6,163

Title: TravelMole.com
Date: 14/11/2012
PR Value: 7,890

Title: Breaking News Travel
Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:
PR Value: 24,508 (approx.)

Title: Breaking Travel News
Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation:

Title: NET-A-PORTER
Date: 15/11/12

Title: NET-A-PORTER
Date: 15/11/12

Title: TTG Online
Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: 47,700
PR Value: 813,698

Title: TTG Online
Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: 47,700
PR Value: 813,698

Title: TTG Online
Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: 47,700
PR Value: 813,698

! !
!
!
!

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

! !
!
!
!

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

! !
!
!
!

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

! !
!
!
!

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

Date: 15
th
November 2012

Date: 15/11/12
Circulation: !

Title: The Daily Telegraph
AVE: 29,500
Circulation:560,471

AVE: 29,500
Circulation:560,471

AVE: 29,500
Circulation:560,471

AVE: 29,500
Circulation:560,471

Title: The Sunday Telegraph
Editorial Value: 762
Circulation: 445,229

Editorial Value: 762

Title: Urbanologie
Date: 01/11/2012

Title: Urbanologie
Date: 01/11/2012

Title: Essential London
Date: October 2012
Circulation: 8,000
PR Value: 7,500

Date: October 2012
Circulation: 8,000
PR Value: 7,500

Title: LUXOS
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 22,313

Title: LUXOS
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 22,313

Title: LUXOS
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 22,313

Title: LUXOS
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 22,313

Title: Square Meal Venues & Events
Date: Autumn 2012
PR Value: 2,500

Date: Autumn 2012
PR Value: 2,500

Title: Wallpaper
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 1,150

Title: Wallpaper
Date: October 2012
PR Value: 1,150

Title: The Telegraph Weekly
Date: 13/10/2012
PR Value: 2,766

Title: The Telegraph Weekly
Date: 13/10/2012
PR Value: 2,766

Date: 14/10/2012
PR Value: 1,969

Title: Preferente.com
Date: 15/10/2012

Date: 15/10/2012

Date: 15/10/2012

Title: Telegraph Travel
Date: 20/10/2012
PR Value: 2,766

Title: 4Hoteliers
Date: 25/10/2012

Title: 4Hoteliers
Date: 25/10/2012

Title: Style
Date: 28/10/2012
PR Value: 16,800

Title: Style
Date: 28/10/2012
PR Value: 16,800

Title: Travelplus
Date: 29/10/2012

21,450

Title: Travelplus
Date: 29/10/2012

21,450

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 55,000
PR Value: 13,125

Title:TotalTravel Yahoo7
Date: 27/09/2012
Circulation: 5,446,970

Title:TotalTravel Yahoo7
Date: 27/09/2012

Title: Property Magazine
Date: August 2012
Unique Users: 14,600

Title: 1 League
Date: 05/08/2012

Title: 1 League
Date: 05/08/2012

Title: 1 League
Date: 05/08/2012

Title: HotelierMiddleEast.com
Date: 05/08/2012
PR Value: 7,656

Title: HotelierMiddleEast.com
Date: 05/08/2012
PR Value: 7,656

Title: SmartBrief
Date: 05/08/2012
Unique Users: 3,000,000

Title: WIDN
Date: 06/08/2012
PR Value: 4,650

Title: travel news
Date: 07/08/2012

Title: travel news
Date: 07/08/2012

Date: October 2012
Circulation: 8,000
PR Value: 7,500

Date: October 2012
Circulation: 8,000
PR Value: 7,500

Date: October 2012
Circulation: 8,000
PR Value: 7,500

Title: Quintessentially Magazine
Date: Summer Edition
Circulation: 25,000
PR Value: 8,700

Title: Quintessentially Magazine
Date: Summer Edition
Circulation: 25,000
PR Value: 8,700

1

Title: Bar Magazine
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 1,125
Circulation: 12,300

2

Title: Bar Magazine
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 1,125
Circulation: 12,300

1

Title: EasyJet Traveller
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 14,575
Estimated Readership: 4,000,000

2

Title: EasyJet Traveller
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 14,575
Estimated Readership: 4,000,000

Title: GQ Magazine
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 4,325

Title: GQ Magazine
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 4,325

- 1 -

Title: The Daily Meal
Date: 10/07/2012
Circulation:

1

Title: Business Traveller
Date: July/August 2012
PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

2

PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

3

PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

4

PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

5

PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

6

PR Value: 6,100
Circulation: 54,976

1

Title: Vogue Hellas (Greece)
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 3,840

2

Title: Vogue Hellas (Greece)
Date: July 2012
PR Value: 3,840

- 1 -

Title: The National Ultratravel
Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 70,000
PR Value: 63,750

- 2 -

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 70,000
PR Value: 63,750

- 3 -

Date: Summer 2012
Circulation: 70,000
PR Value: 63,750

- 1 -

Title: Caterer and Hotelkeeper
Date: July 17, 2012
PR Value: 9,000

- 1 -

Title: Glam UK
Date: July 17, 2012
Unique Users:20,000,000

Log In (HotelChatter)
Register
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
CN Traveler
Jaunted
HotelChatter
VegasChatter
Concierge.com
Cond Nast Traveler Network
HotelChatter
Hotel Delays / Melia Hotels / ME Hotels / Hotels News / London Hotels / London Hotel
Openings / All Tags
Jolly Good! ME By Melia London Taking Reservations for September
Where: 336-337 The Strand, London, United Kingdom
July 18, 2012 at 9:46 AM| by JasonD | Comments (2)
If there's one thing we know goes well with a new hotel opening, it's a hotel opening delay. So is the story for
ME by Meli London, which, like many new hotels in London, was planning to open in time to welcome the
Page 1 of 3 Jolly Good! ME By Melia London Taking Reservations for September || HotelChatter
18/07/2012 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/7/16/16633/5154/hotels/Jolly_Good!_ME_B...
crowds set to descend on the city for the Olympics. Crowds that could afford the expected 400 ($626) nightly
rates, that is.
Walking by the hotel several times a week, the projected mid-July opening seemed aggressive to us, judging
from the ongoing construction. Latest news confirms that reservations are now accepted from September 1.
London will be only the fifth ME by Meli hotel in the world, the others being in Spain (Barcelona, Madrid)
and Mexico (Cancn, Cabo). These "experience-based personality hotels in global capitals of culture & cool"
belong to Spanish Meli Hotels International group, so you'll hear Spanish first when you ring global
reservations.
Once the hotel opens, there will be 144 rooms, including 30 with a balcony. The latter are located on floors 8
and 9, "The Level", which seems to take a slightly different approach than the usual concierge / executive floor
with dedicated lounge. We're particularly intrigued by the "Aura Experience Manager" for personalized pre
and post (we assume -stay) contact. In addition to a number of room categories there are 16 suites, including one
duplex ME Suite.
Location-wise, you couldn't be more central at the corner of Strand and Aldwych. Rooms on higher floors will
have views of the Thames or Covent Garden, and neighboring hotels include One Aldwych, the Waldorf Hilton,
Swissotel The Howard, and of course, Savoy.
Should summer ever arrive in the UK, we'd be mostly looking forward to trying out Radio rooftop (a nod to the
former BBC headquarters next door). From what we can tell on the website, the rooftop - presumably with
inside seating as well - is also the location for breakfast, and then goes straight on until 3am for drinks. The
lobby bar will even be open for service 24 hours a day.
Despite a post-Olympics opening, rates are pretty steep: a weekend late September in an entry-level Deluxe
room costs 360 ($563) a night, with a room on "The Level" close to an additional 200 ($313) more.
As always, we'll have more for you once we've seen ME by Meli London with our own eyes.
[Photos: ME by Melia Hotels]
Hotels mentioned in this story
Me By Melia London
Check Rates
Map
Send Like Be the first of your friends to
like this.
ShareThis
Popular Stories
Related Stories
Hotels In: Africa | Asia | Australia | Caribbean | Europe | North America | South America
Our Publications:
Jaunted | HotelChatter | VegasChatter
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective
3/21/12). 2012 Cond Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may
not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission
of Cond Nast.
Ad Choices

- 1 -

Title: insiderei
Date: July 18, 2012
unique users:35,000

- 1 -

Title: Hotel Chatter
Date: July 19, 2012

- 2 -

Title: Hotel Chatter
Date: July 19, 2012

- 1 -

Title: Luxury Travel Magazine
Date: July 23, 2012
unique users: 69,656

- 1 -

Title: Hotel Yahoo Singapore
Date: July 24, 2012

Title: METRO
Date: July 27
th
2012
PR Value: 33,600

Title: METRO
Date: July 27
th
2012
PR Value: 33,600

- 1 -

Date: July 27, 2012
PR Value: 19,500
Unique users: 150,000

- 2 -

Date: July 27, 2012
PR Value: 19,500

- 3 -

Date: July 27, 2012
PR Value: 19,500

- 1 -

Title: Food & Travel
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 3,337.50
Circulation: 25,000

- 2 -

Title: Food & Travel
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 3,337.50
Circulation: 25,000

1

Magazine
Date: June 2012
Editorial Value: 10,425
Circulation: 68,097

2

Magazine
Date: June 2012
Circulation: 68,097

3

Magazine
Date: June 2012
Circulation: 68,097

Title: Wallpaper*
Date: June issue
Circulation: 105, 328
AVE: 19,167

- 1 -

Title: InStyle
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 10,076.50

- 2 -

Title: InStyle
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 10,076.50

Title: ABTA Magazine
Date: June 2012
Circulation: 12,799
PR Value: 3,967

Title: ABTA Magazine
Date: June 2012
Circulation: 12,799
PR Value: 3,967

1

Title: Dove Magazine
Date: June 2012

105 DOVEXgi`c\12 104 DOVE^`lêf12
i resto di Londra, che ha appena conquistato daa communit, di lri-
padvisor i titoo di migior destinazione de legno Unito, d`Luropa e
de mondo, si mette in mostra per esteggiare i Ciu|ieo. La stessa area
di Bermondse,, dove i popoo deàrte ha esteggiato pochi mesi a
àpertura de Vhite Cu|e, ha goduto di un progetto di rigenerazione
ur|ana, otre miiardi di sterine, tra i piu riusciti dea citta. ConBer-
mondse, Square, vincitrice, o scorso anno, de premio quae migior
spazio pu||ico ondinese. I uogo di unàntica a||azia cuniacense ~
i resti archeoogici si possono ammirare da pavimento in vetro de ri-
storante mediorientae ;\c8q`q (i cous cous ro,ae e da provare) ~e
stato competamente trasormato dagi architetti deo studio Last in
uno spazio uido, dove gi eementi di design ur|ano, panche-noriere,
icosaedri in erro dipinto, sedii-spartitranco si dividono o spazio.
Nea piazza, un cinema (anche aàperto), un garage-scutura dove
riporre |icicette, conrivestimento inpannei inacciaio che richiama-
no i sedii-icosaedro, e i amoso mercato. Popoarmente chiamato
Nev Caedonian Market, oggi e di nuovo in auge grazie a recupero
dei vecchi edinci dei dintorni e di ristorantini ormai noti anche ai
gourmand come QlZZX (vvv.zuccaondon.com), che ha vinto i
premio 9ZXVciZg GZhiVjgVci '%&& e ha una cantina che si riornisce daa
cee|errima enoteca Pinchiorri di Firenze.
A mercatino (che ora ore meno |anchetti rispetto a un tempo,
una cinquantina nea |ea stagione), sempre di venerd:, |isogna an-
dare a mattino presto: nonmancano e occasioni, gi argenti sono |e-
issimi, tanti i servizi di posate in siver pate, ceramiche, stampe di ini-
zio Novecento, spie vittoriane. Sotto e ,o sterine si portano a casa
deiziosi astucci di |astoncini in argento per aperitivi. lra i suoi ha|i-
tue, persino a mitica Liza Minnei, quando e in citta, non manca mai
1
1. Lo skyline londinese dalla terrazza del lussuoso
Me London: lhotel, sullo Strand, disegnato dallo
studio di Norman Foster, gi stato eletto tra i
dieci migliori nuovi alberghi del mondo.
2. Una sala del Fashion and Textile Museum.
3. Grazie alla ruota panoramica e alla Tate Modern,
il lungo Tamigi diventato la zona pi animata.
2
3
G
Xn
\cC
`Y
\iX
106 107 DOVE^`lêf12
piatti tradizionai, come òttima nsh pie, cucinati utiizzando ingre-
dienti che arrivano da vicino 9fifl^_ DXib\k (vvv.|oroughmar-
ket.org.uk). L i piu antico mercato aimentare di Londra, nominato
per a prima vota ne iz,6, neo stesso uogo da otre z,o anni. Fre-
quentato da che e intenditori, ore i megio dea gastronomia made
in UK e speciaita provenienti da tutto i mondo. Insomma, un mer-
cato decisamente trend,: i suoi |anchetti di ormaggi reschi, pani ar-
tigianai e sandvich |io sono presi dàssato dai giovani |roker per a
pausa pranzo. Da non perdere anche queo emergente di DXckYp
Jki\\k (vvv.mat|,street.com), aperto ogni sa|ato mattina nei ma-
gazzini sotto gi archi dea errovia. Vicino a Shad lhames, a pittore-
sca strada a ciottoi che costeggia i lamigi, dominata daa piramide in
3
1
2
di arci una visita. Sua piazza si apre pure M`kiè\ >Xcc\ip, specia-
izzata in artisti emergenti, con una parete-vetrina che e consente
di sem|rare aperta z ore su z (vitrinegaer,.co.uk), mentre Nf$
fc]jfe KXp, i|reria e gaeria dàrte con un ricco menu asiatico
(da , \), torte e |iscotti atti in casa, e un punto dìncontro e di|at-
tito di grande successo.
Lèdincio gioieo dea piazza e pero i recentissimo 9\idfe[j\p
JhlXi\ ?fk\c, i piu trend, de legno Unito, secondo lripadvisor,
con tanto di vasca idromassaggio su terrazzo deùtimo piano, e us-
suosissimi dog |eds per chi viaggia accompagnato da proprio cane. I
ristorante deà|ergo, >i\^^j KXYc\ (te. oo.zo.,,.,.z.,o), di
proprieta di Cregg Vaace, giudice di BVhiZg8]Z[, e requentato per i
vetro deo J_Xi[, i grattacieo disegnato da lenzo Piano, con unci,
appartamenti, un a|ergo di usso (vvv.shangri-a.com) tra i , e i
,z piano, a cui apertura e prevista per i zoi,, e un ristorante con ga-
eria-|evedere che, una vota inaugurata, si prevede verra visitata da
circa z miioni di persone ànno. Intanto, si gode èervescenza di
Bermondse, Street, e |outique indipendenti come :fZb^_k\i e
Le`k\[ El[\(te.oo.zo.,o.,,,.,), àegro mix di arredi anni
Cinquanta e |igiotteria contemporanea ingese di Cfm\cp Xe[ 9i`$
k`j_, a moda ricercata di (-. (a i6,, te. oo.zo.,.o,.,i.,,) e unàta
concentrazione di gaerie e ocai. ;\ceX, in unèx a||rica di cioc-
coato, questèstate ospita una mostra otogranca sugi ateti aa ricerca
di un posto nei teamoimpici e propone un interessante menu usion:
1. Bermondsey, un barbiere con
interni da bric a brac.
2. Arredi minimal-chic al
ristorante Zucca, tra gli indirizzi
pi affollati del quartiere di
Bermondsey. Nel menu, taglierini
al pesto e ricette italiane. 3.
I piatti light di Mark Jarvis al
Blueprint Caf, al primo piano
del Design Museum. Dalle
vetrate si gode una magnifica
vista dal Canary Wharf fino
allEast End.
@f
e
X?
f
[
^
jf
e

1

Title: The Telegraph [Online]
Date: 10
th
June 2012
PR Value: 105,000
Unique Monthly Users: 264,000

Title: Urbanologie
Date: 14
th
June 2012

1

Title: MyDaily [Online]
Date: 20
th
June 2012
PR Value: 1,800

2

Title: MyDaily [Online]
Date: 20
th
June 2012
PR Value: 1,800

1

Title: View London [Online]
Date: 20
th
June 2012
Unique Monthly Users: 1,323,283

2

Date: 20
th
June 2012

3

Date: 20
th
June 2012

1

Title: Caterer & Hotelkeeper [Online]
Date: 20
th
June 2012
PR Value: 2,500

01
DEPECHEMODE

Hey Jude
80
90Brit-pop
2012
()
KateMoss
1980super modelicon
Samuel JohnsonWhen a man is tired of London he is tired of life, for there

is in London all that life can afford
17
800
()
Coldplay
SOHOSelfridges
calling
Stella KateKate Moss
_ Thomas Shao
_ Bono Lee
_ Shiraz Randeria
_ Timm Law
_ Xiao Hei
_ Amychow XuLong
709
_

02 03 04 05 06 07
10 11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 23
08 09
16 17
2012
24 25
32 33
40 41
26 27
34 35
42 43
28 29
36 37
44 45
30 31
38 39
46 47
g r e e n l o n d o n
LONDON
GREEN IDEAs

_ Denni Hu
Solar Tree
21
Ross Lovegrove
Lovegrove
Artemide
2001
Safia James MinneyPeople Tree20
J.Crew,
desirable
People Tree
People Tree
Slow Fashion
4PMBS 5SFF
Leyland Olympian
KartaKarta
cargo
#JDZDMF -JCSBSZ 1FPQMF 5SFF

1998Duke of Cambridge13
Geetie Singh
7Geetie
Geetie
Duke of CambridgeTimeOut
%VLF PG $BNCSJEHF
2012
mcm
48 49
56 57
64 65
50 51
58 59
66 67
52 53
60 61
68 69
54 55
62 63
70 71
2012
omega omega
74
tudor
72 73

- 1 -
Title: Luxe City Guides (Online)
Date: 27
th
June 2012
Unique Monthly Users: N/A

- 2 -
Date: 27
th
June 2012

- 3 -
Date: 27
th
June 2012

- 4 -
Date: 27
th
June 2012

Title: Modern Weekly (China)
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 11,000

Title: Modern Weekly (China)
Date: June 2012
PR Value: 11,000
[Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point.
You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Drawing
Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.]

1

Title: First Coat News [Online]
Date: 2
nd
May 2012

Title: IT Business Net [Online]
Date: 02
nd
May 2012
PR Value: 27,296

1

Title: Hotel Chatter [Online]
Date: 8
th
May 2012

Londons hotel market is booming

TOPHOTELPROJECTS: 20 new top hotels have opened their doors during the past year 37 new hotel projects
with more than 8,800 rooms are in the pipeline further 10 new hotels will open up until the 2012 Summer
Olympics

No one would ever imagine, that London could not offer a sufficient number of hotel rooms or premium hotel properties. The
UK capital still is the melting-pot of the British Empire and talking point in respect to its numerous hotel projects. According to
TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the leading information service for international hotel construction and development projects, 20 new
four and five star rated hotels with more than 4,200 rooms have opened their doors during the past year. Over the next three
years further 37 new top hotels with more than 8,800 rooms will be inaugurated. Among them the 195-room Shangri-La in the
new skyscraper "The Shard" (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr. 616), expected to open up in spring 2013.
Until the start of the Summer Olympics by the end of July a total of 22 first class and luxury hotel will have opened their doors
in London, including the new ME London by Mlia International (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr. 9182, 157 rooms) located in
prime location in a former bank office building. In early July the InterContinental Westminster (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr.
8900, 256 rooms), nearby New Scotland Yard at St. James Park, will officially open. And close to the legendary Wembley
Stadium the new Hilton Hotel (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr. 12670, 306 rooms) will be ready to host its first guests this summer.
After the recent opening of the beautiful Grosvenor House Apartments (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr. 9314, 133 apartments) next
to Hyde Park, Jumeirah Hotels will add another 261 rooms luxury property (TOPHOTELPROJECTS Nr. 1276), to its hotel
portfolio after the official opening in August. The hotel in a glass tower will be located on the south side of the River Thames
directly opposite the City of London - a very convenient location for business travelers. With the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel
already operating, the Dubai-based and globally expanding hotel chain already offers a London boutique hotel in prime
location in the sophisticated Belgravia district.
GLOBAL DATABASE AND RESEARCH SERVICE FOR FIRST-CLASS & LUXURY HOTEL CONSTRUCTION
AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
TOPHOTELPROJECTS is the leading online database for worldwide first-class & luxury hotel construction projects. WE
constantly research hotel projects, so YOU can focus on selling your products & services!
Filter projects according to development stage, region, category, opening date, keyword search and many other variables
Contacts from the groupings "ownership" (investor, owner, consultant), "project execution" (contractor, interior designer,
architect, developer) and "operation" (hotel company, franchise, mgmt. company, pre-opening office) Receive automatic
update-notifications by e-mail View projects on Google Street View Receive hotel market analysis via our newsletter Plus plenty
of further benefits.
Via our daily research service you know "where-who-when-what" is happening and being planned in the global hotel
construction business to initiate or complement your sales cycle. Outsource your daily hotel project research and have instant
online sales lead access!

Title: Hospitality Net [Online]
Date: 14
th
May 2012
Unique Users per Month: 110,000
PR Value: 1,850

1

Title: Conde Nast Traveller
Date: May 2012
Circulation: 80,059

2

Date: May 2012
Circulation: 80,059

3

Date: May 2012
Circulation: 80,059

4

Date: May 2012
Circulation: 80,059

1

Title: Buying Business Travel
Date: May/June 2012
Editorial Value: 1,687.50
Circulation: 18,127

2

Date: May/June 2012
Circulation: 18,127

3

Date: May/June 2012
Circulation: 18,127

4

Date: May/June 2012
Circulation: 18,127

1

Title: Centurion Magazine
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 4,101.30
Circulation: 33,500

Title: House & Garden [Hotels by Design]
Date: May 2012
PR Value: 6,688. 88

Title: Urbanologie [Online]
Date: 10
th
May 2012
Unique Users per Month:250,000

THURSDAY MAY 10TH 2012
RECOMMENDED
NEWDININGROOMS

Almost every month it seems that there is a new hotel opening somewhere in
London with a delectable variety of new dining options.
Opening from the May 28th for reservations is Il Ristorante (at the Bulgari Hotel,
Knightsbridge) with Head Chef Robin Pepin (previously at Alain Ducasses Italian
restaurant La Trattoria, Monaco). Expect a menu of contemporary Italian food with
a focus on seasonal, sustainably sourced produce. The sleek silver-themed interior
seeks to evoke the the glamour of the Dolce Vita era complete with Bulgari
cutlery.

Title: Urbanologie [Online]
Date: 10
th
May 2012
Unique Users per Month:250,000

Across town (on the corner of Aldwych and the Strand) and scheduled to open in
July is the (Foster & Partners designed) ME hotel by Melia (formerly the old BBC
Marconi building) featuring the first non-US outpost of New York (female
friendly) steakhouse STK. There is also a roof top bar and terrace with panoramic
views across London (pictured).

Also opening is the Potting Shed (at the newly refurbished Dorset Square Hotel)
serving up English brasserie style cuisine using (of course) locally sourced and
seasonal produce. The hotel started Tim & Kit Kemps successful Firmdale
collection (which now has seven hotels in London and The Crosby Hotel in New
York City). As previously featured the opening of the Caf Royal (part of the The Set
collection) will include the exquisitely restored Grill Room (restaurant) and the
Domino Room and will be opening in time for the London Olympics.
Missing out on the Olympics will be the anticipated opening of the London Edition,
with the refurbishment of the grade ll listed former Berners Hotel in Fitzrovia by Ian
Schrager and Marriott International. Andre Balazs, the owner of some of most iconic
hotels (The Mercer in New York, Chateau Marmont etc.) is set to also launch a
property in London to open next year. Situated on the site of the old fire station on
Chiltern Street (Marylebone) and rumored to include an outpost of the popular
(American bistro style) meatpacking district eaterie The Standard Grill.

Title: Wallpaper* [Online]
Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

Date: 10
th
May 2012
PR Value: 159,600

New ME London and the Meli Defense Hotel in Paris to open soon

Two brand new hotels, both part of the Meli Hotels International Group, will soon be coming to London and Paris.

The much-anticipated ME London Hotel opens this July at the site of the historic Marconi House building on the corner of
Strand and Aldwych, and the Paris property, Meli Defense Hotel, will begin welcoming guests in 2014.

The Meli portfolio includes hotels all over the world and the leading hotel group operates a very successful shared-vacation
membership division, Club Meli by Meli Hotels International www.clubmelia.com. One of the top names in the global
shared membership industry, Club Meli offers members flexible vacation stays at its branded hotels and resorts.

The ME London Hotel has been designed by legendary architects Foster and Partners. The hotel will feature a unique
pyramid shaped lobby area, fitness and business centres, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, a rooftop bar with impressive
views of Somerset House and the Thames, and a food and beverage offering from the fashionable New York restaurant, STK
House.

ME London joins the ranks of British architect Sir Norman Foster's signature projects which include the British Museum,
Beijing Airport, and New Yorks Hearst Headquarters. The property will also have "Biosphere Hotel" certification, like its
sister properties the ME Madrid, ME Barcelona and ME Cancun.

The hotel will feature a signature VIP floor, The Level, which has been designed as an exclusive retreat where guests can
enjoy complimentary cocktails, petit dejeuner, a separate check-in area and access to a private lounge.

Melis other London property is the Meli White House, next to one of Londons largest green spaces Regents Park, making
ME London the second Meli -branded property in the capital.

Meli Defense Hotel in Paris, which is set to open in 2014, will be located in a new 20-storey building next to the Esplanade
de la Defense metro station. Guests will be able to take in the wonderful views of the Arc de Triomphe and enjoy all the
modern comforts and facilities the brand is famous for. Meli currently has six properties in the French capital, under its
Tryp and Meli Hotels and Resorts brands.

About Melias Vacation Membership Division: Club Meli

Meli Hotels International is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world. As a result of 56 years of experience,
Meli Hotels International is considered the leader in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, with more than 350 hotels in
30 countries on 5 continents. They are considered the largest hotel company in Spain and Latin America, as well as the 6th
largest in Europe and the 17th largest in the world.

Club Meli offers its members the best of luxury vacation membership as well as access to one of the worlds premiere hotel
brands like: Gran Melia, Paradisius, ME by Melia, Meli Hotels & Resort, Innside by Meli, Tryp by Wyndham and Sol Hotels.

Club Melis vacation club membership is a points-based (or Option) membership plan, providing maximum flexibility so
that its members can enjoy any of Melias home resorts or other destinations through the Club Meli Network.

Members can save, borrow, combine, accelerate or convert/bank their Options as desired and increase their buying power
to incorporate additional locations, destinations and days when they plan ahead.
For more information please visit www.melia.com and www.clubmelia.com

Title: Go Timeshare [Online]
Date: 14
th
May 2012

1

Title: Caterer
Date: 15
th
May 2012

1

Title: Hotel News Now
Date: 15
th
May 2012

Meli Hotels reports 7.2% RevPAR growth in Q1

Palma de MallorcaMeli Hotels International presented financial results for the first quarter 2012, with the following highlights:
Hotels saw revenue growth of 7.6%, offsetting lower capital gains over the same period in 2011
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 7.2%, strongly supported by the positive evolution of average room rates which
grew by 10.2%
Market diversification meant that the dynamism of North and South America and major European capitals offset the slowdown in
Italy and Spain
Management fees for hotels in Cuba, Brazil and Asia increased by 17.8% to 13.3 million
The company is committed to reducing net debt below 900 million by year end
The first quarter results exceeded market expectations and the company is confident of meeting growth targets for 2012
Excluding capital gains, EBITDA margin improved 65 basis points
Despite the crisis in some markets, quality and customer satisfaction levels improved from 2011 to 81.1%

Differing hotel business trends depending on markets: The intense market diversification the company has pursued for
decades now allows it to be present in 35 countries and with an increasing focus on emerging markets, considered both as tourism
destinations and increasingly as feeder markets. Meli Hotels International has thus avoided over-dependence on any one country or
region, and thus presents its results by region for the Americas, EMEA, Premium Brands Europe and Spanish cities and
resorts: 1) Americas: all together, the market in the Americas reported a RevPAR increase of 20%. The healthy development of the
U.S. economy (especially noticeable in the MICE segment) and the rise in the number of travellers from Latin American countries such
as Brazil or Argentina, coincided with an increase in arrivals to the Caribbean from Europe due to adjustments in flight schedules by
Tour Operators. In Latin America, one of the highlights was the performance of the resorts in the Dominican Republic, particularly
Paradisus Palma Real, thanks to the growth in business groups and incentives and the success of the "Royal Service" after the
improvements made to this superior quality product. The positive performance of the Gran Meli Cancun and ME Cancun, together with
the new Paradisus Playa del Carmen which has exceeded expectations in its first months of operation, also meant that Mexico
contributed to the positive results. The company expects Paradisus Playa del Carmen to become one of the major contributors to
company profits in the coming years. The company's second hotel in the USA, the Meli Orlando has also seen excellent results, helping
to lay the groundwork for future expansion.
2) EMEA: the EMEA region, excluding Spain, also saw RevPAR increase by 3.1%. By country, France recorded the highest rise in
revenue per available room (+15.6%) partly due to efforts made by the company to reduce exposure to price-sensitive segments and
simultaneously strengthen the more profitable business travel segment, allowing for an increase in average rate. Germany, a country in
which Meli Hotels International currently operates 25 hotels, improved its revenue per available room by 3.3%, affected by the
momentum of major biennial exhibitions and events held in the country which are expected to drive growth during the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the UK contributed positively thanks to the good performance of the Meli White House and the effect of exchange rate
differences. A strong third quarter is also expected due to the hosting of the Olympics and the opening of the new ME London hotel, a
flagship property that will add to our successful presence in London. Less brilliant was the performance in markets such as Greece and
Italy which have suffered from the effects of the political and debt crisis, and also the pressure of demand due to increased hotel supply
in Italy. Meli believes that the recent opening of the magnificent Gran Meli Rome, thanks to its location, characteristics and target
segment, is a very safe bet to make a positive contribution to the results of the company in Italy.

3) Spain: first quarter results in Spain suffered from the rise in unemployment in the first quarter due to stagnation in consumption
and also the impact of Easter being held 15 days later than in 2011, added in the resort business to a certain normalization of the
situation in the Middle East and North Africa. Reservations to date point towards a positive summer season given that future sales to
the Spanish resorts in markets like UK and Central Europe, as well as in melia.com, are above the results for the same period in 2011.
RevPAR in city hotels declined in the period, as the positive evolution of Madrid and Barcelona combined (+2.6%) failed to offset the
drop in MICE activity in second-tier cities (- 8%).

Financial Management: In the financial area, Meli is not encountering any difficulties in refinancing maturing debt or the limits of
its credit facilities, all of which have been fully renewed thanks to the confidence that the business model and solid balance sheet provide
to financial institutions, even in the current context. The company's debt stood at EUR 1,085 million, up 2% over the same period last
year due to the completion of the two Paradisus Playa del Carmen resorts (Mexico). No new investments are foreseen for expansion in
2012, given that company strategy expects strong growth through low capital-intensive formulas. This strategy and the objective of
reducing the debt below EUR 900 million by the end of 2012, means that Meli will consider the possibility of new asset sales in the
current year amounting to at least EUR 100 million. To conclude this section, Meli is currently analysing several alternatives to
address the issue of preference shares in 2012.

2

Title: Hotel News Now
Date: 15
th
May 2012

International growth: The Meli commitment to international development will continue in 2012, a year in which emerging
economies will continue to lead growth, and in which the hotel industry will benefit from the continued growth in international
travel. In the first quarter of 2012, the company added 6 new hotels to a pipeline of 34 hotels with 10,959 rooms, 87% of them outside
Spain and 56% in emerging markets. 87% of the hotels in the process of incorporation belong to the upscale hotel segment. The Meli
focus on a business model based on management agreements is apparent in the latest deals. 100% of the hotels in the pipeline will be
added under management or franchise contracts (80%) or variable leases (20%). Meli does not foresee any new Capex investments for
expansion in 2012 after completion of the Paradisus Resorts in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The growing importance of hotels under
management is also seen un the almost 18% growth in management fees.

Contingency Plan in Spain: The strong rate of growth Meli will continue to seek in markets such as America (north and south) or
Asia Pacific, and the implementation of a new Strategic Plan in these and other dynamic markets such as European capitals and the
Middle East, will maximise growth and profitability through initiatives in revenue management, customer relationship management,
asset management, and optimizing added value for owners and investors. This drive will contrast, however, with a contingency
approach to the Spanish market, which will focus in 2012 on generating savings and efficiencies at the corporate level. The growing
proportion of international hotels - which in 2011 accounted for almost 80% of operating income will be accompanied by a more
decentralized corporate structure, employing resources where they are most needed and seeking greater proximity between support
services and business units.

Outlook 2012: The company expects an average one digit percentage growth in RevPAR for 2012, based more on increasing prices
than on improvements in occupancy. This estimate is based on the demand in major source markets and in improving flight availability
from Europe and Canada to destinations in the Caribbean. It is also based on the current situation of reservations for the future
mentioned above, and the growth trend in markets such as Russia, with double digit growth, or Asia, which is particularly benefiting
European hotels included in the Meli alliance with the leading hotel group in China, Jin Jiang, now reaching its first anniversary. It is
still too early to predict the outcome of domestic demand for Spanish holiday destinations, but the company points out in its report that
the third quarter represents 50% of total revenues for the year. 2012 will see the inauguration of strategic projects that will contribute
not only to the future performance of the company but also to its prestige and the international positioning of its brands, such as the ME
London, the hotel designed by Foster & Partners in the heart of the "City". The portfolio of projects currently under consideration and
negotiation will also bear fruit over the year with new agreements and hotel additions in cities and key markets. Finally, the company is
proud to announce the imminent opening of the first phase of the Calvia Beach Resort project, an initiative to reform an area with
enormous potential and beauty on the southwest coast of Mallorca, whose decline in recent years threatened the profitability of the
company's numerous hotels in the region and the sustainability of the destination. In early June the company will open two totally
refurbished hotels, the Hotel Beach House and the Sol Wave House, which, along with other already renovated hotels and the
incorporation of the most prestigious international beach club (Nikki Beach) and the first artificial surf centre in Europe (Wave House),
will drive a total repositioning of the resort as well as economic recovery and employment in the area. The project has been declared of
Autonomous Interest by the Balearic Government which has given priority and maximum support at all levels of government.

1

Title: ABTN [Online]
Date: 19
th
May 2012
PR Value: 7,000

2

Date: 19
th
May 2012
PR Value: 7,000

3

Date: 19
th
May 2012
PR Value: 7,000

1

Title: Telegraph Ultratravel
Date: Summer 2012
PR Value: 12,807.45

2

Date: Summer 2012
PR Value: 12,807.45

1

Date: Summer 2012
PR Value: 12,807.45

2

Date: Summer 2012
PR Value: 12,807.45

Title: Arabian Business (Online)
Date: 30th May 2012

Title: BA Highlife
Date: April 2012
PR Value: 5,126.25

Title: BA Highlife
Date: April 2012
PR Value: 5,126.25

Date: May 2012
PR Value: 6,688. 88

Date: May 2012
PR Value: 6,688. 88

Title: New style
Date: April 2012
Circulation: 20,000
PR Value: 3,750.00

Title: New style
Date: April 2012
Circulation: 20,000
PR Value: 3,750.00

Title: New style
Date: April 2012
Circulation: 20,000
PR Value: 3,750.00

Title: Square meal
Date: April 2012
PR Value: 1, 875. 00

Title: Square meal
Date: April 2012
PR Value: 1, 875. 00

Title: Square meal
Date: April 2012
PR Value: 1, 875. 00

1

Title: France 3
Date: 11
th
April 2012
Market Share: 9.5%

ME London included in a London Roundup news feature

Title: The Irish Times [Saturday magazine]
Date: 14
th
April 2012
PR Value: 4, 177. 00

Title: London Evening Standard
Date: 12
th
April 2012
PR Value: 48,195

Title: The Irish Times [Saturday magazine]
Date: 14
th
April 2012
PR Value: 4, 177. 00

This summer ME London is set to shake up Londons high-end hotel scene when it opens on The Strand in July overlooking Somerset House. Having taken
over the historic BBC Marconi building, ME will be the UK flagship hotel for the ME by Meli brand and will be designed by Foster + Partners.
Were talking 157 rooms and suites plus a luxurious two floor suite that opens onto the roof terrace in the turret of the building. There will be two
restaurants and a bar on the ground floor - including the first British incarnation of Steakhouse concept STK and theres also a partially-covered rooftop
terrace bar boasting fantastic 180 degree panoramic views of the capital.
Each guest's stay will be orchestrated by a dedicated Aura Experience Manager (AEM). The name of the game, we suspect, is tapping into your inner
psyche so ME knows what you want before you do. And yes that includes securing you the hottest tickets in town and knowing you like a salted caramel
choccie on your pillow.
ME has just finished the first stage in an X-Factor style ME.N.U. challenge for a full time position in the kitchen beginning with a fully-paid two-week
training programme in North America. Contestants submitted a short video of themselves explaining their passion for food. Eight hopefuls will be chosen to
prepare dishes live before a panel of judges. There will also be recruitment events for front-of-house, supervisor and management roles with successful
applicants invited to attend a ME Factor talent day 23-27 April.
Meli Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca and is one of the worlds largest resort hotel chains. There are currently ME Hotels in
Madrid, Barcelona, Cancun, Cabo with and a ME Vienna set to open in 2013.
Launching July

Title: The Handbook [Online]
Date: 18
th
April 2012

Recruiting and retaining staff: How and where to advertise hospitality jobs

What do Gumtree, Twitter, viral web videos and local newspapers have in common? The answer is they have all served as promotional mechanisms for
advertisements for hospitality jobs recently.
If you have vacancies to fill, what are your options in advertising them?
The hospitality industry is notorious for having a high turnover of staff, which means that employers are often on the look-out for new talent and as a result
are increasingly trying out new ways of letting potential employees know about their vacancies.
With the emergence of the internet and the rise in the popularity of social networks it has never been easier to reach a wider, or even global, audience with
your job ad, but is telling your followers on Twitter about a vacancy or using a site where users are more likely to be searching for a flat or a second-hand
guitar as effective as posting it on a dedicated channel for job-seekers?
In the first installment of our three-part special on recruitment, we look at the options available and examine their effectiveness for your business's needs.

Targeting the right people
Where you decide to advertise your position and start the search for staff will mainly depend, as with many things, on how much time and money you have
to spare, but it is also worth thinking about the kind of candidate you are trying to attract.
We used to rely on our own website and industry jobs boards to advertise our jobs, but now we also use a lot of social media, particularly Linkedin and
Twitter, to tell people about what we have on our books, says Nick Claypole, operations manager London and South East at hospitality recruitment
company Berkeley Scott.
The market is saturated with lots of average level candidates who are actively seeking employment, but they often dont have the skills employers are
looking for, so we try and find the passive job seeker who might be more suitable for our clients, which is where social media is useful, he adds.
Weve found Linkedin works well to tell people about permanent management positions while Twitter works well to advertise for temporary staff.
Of course, Claypole works for a recruitment consultancy, which works on your behalf to advertise roles and find suitable candidates for them - one option
for employers who can afford to outsource the job of writing the job ad, advertising it and then sifting through all the applications.
However, if you do lack the funds to get external help, or want control over the process yourself, it is worth returning again to the question of what kind of
candidates you want to reach.

Innovation
When the HR team at Meli hotels was thinking about advertising vacancies for new hotel ME London, due to open this summer, it decided to use some
innovative methods to recruit staff for certain posts.
Instead of posting a job advertisement in the traditional way for a commis chef role, the hotel's HR team decided to launch a competition to find one ,
inviting candidates to submit a Masterchef-style video of themselves in place of a CV to give them the chance of landing a dream job with training.
The quality and quantity of entries has been high so far, according to ME London, evidently striking a chord with media-savvy, emerging chefs who favour
the web and social media over more traditional forms of job-seeking.
"The brand is one that very much engages with the city in which it is located, so we wanted to open the posts up to London s talented, culturally-connected
individuals, who might not hear about this exciting opportunity through traditional hospitality recruitment methods," explains Robert Dunning, head of HR
at ME London.
"Given that social media is now a key channel of communication, we feel that this is the most effective way to find the right candidates. Our model is all
about psychographics not demographics, so this personal, fun aspect of the process is just what was needed to find the individuals to match our brand."

Local search
While innovative use of technology to reach potential candidates might be preferred by some, for others it is simply not necessary.
The owners of the soon-to-reopen Talbot Hotel in Malton, North Yorkshire, decided they only wanted to employ people who lived close to the business
when starting the recruitment drive, so only used the local Yorkshire press to advertise vacancies.
"We wanted to give first opportunity to local people - this is good for the local community and also our guests who benefit from being looked after by people
who know the area well, particularly as many of our guests will be tourists," says a hotel spokesperson.
"We held an open day in the function room and were inundated with responses - and very able people. The difficulty was choosing from such a large number
of good quality applicants. We were also in the fortunate position that many people had already applied to us direct once they heard the hotel was being
restored and re-opened."

Title: Big Hospitality [Online]
Date: 25
th
April 2012
PR Value: 2,150

Location and level
Local press is also used by Carluccio's to advertise posts at restaurants due to open in towns across the country, but it is just one of many ways the Italian
restaurant group aims to find staff.
Marcus Weedon, senior recruitment manager at Carluccio's, says his team takes many aspects into account when choosing where to advertise vacancies,
citing location of branches and the type of role on offer as the deciding factors.
"For managerial and head chef vacancies we tend to use our own website and jobs boards, but when searching for team members (ie commis chefs, waiting
staff) we tend to use Gumtree because they like using that website and we have more chance of reaching that level there.
"We use Twitter now and again - it's a way of telling people that we are currently recruiting and we hope that our followers might know someone who is
looking for a job and will let them know about a position."
One route which Weedon is increasingly taking to find staff is by holding open days. The day is advertised in the press, on jobs boards and its own website.
A recent open day in London attracted 400 people and led to the hiring of 12 people while a management and chef open day attracted about 80 and led to 15
people being invited for trials and second interviews.
The open day route is suited to larger organisations and as Weedon says it can take work, but has the benefit of being able to reduce the time taken to sift
through CVs.
"It takes organising and it means our recruitment team is out of the business for a day, but it is worthwhile because you see a CV and the person behind it.
As we hire a lot on personality it helps us to recruit the right people."

Where should you place your job ad?:
- Social networks - Use Twitter to reach passive job seekers, temporary and junior staff and Linkedin for managerial positions, passive and active.
- Free websites - Gumtree, Friday Ad etc. Suitable for advertising junior roles and have the benefit of costing little or nothing at all.
- Hospitality jobs boards/trade press - Use to target those serious about careers in the hospitality industry. Higher level, managerial roles work well,
but they can be effective for most levels.
- Local press - Use local and regional newspapers and websites to recruit for businesses based outside large cities and where knowledge of the local
area is needed for the role.
- Open days - Will need to be promoted before the event, but can cut down admin in the long-run as candidates can be vetted before the interview
stage.
- Your own window/community noticeboard - The local social network. Catch passers-by, your regulars or active 'pounding-the-street' type job-
seekers.

The hot list: A new wave of hotels hits London

Thanks to two rather big events taking place in London this year, 2012 is definitely the capital's time to shine. While the city is already jam-packed with
world-famous hotels, the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics have sparked a rapid increase in new developments all over the place, from Regent's Street to
the East End. Take a look below to find out more about the newest names in London.

Hotel: The Wellesley, opening November 2012
Where: Knightsbridge
USP: 1920s art deco meets city sleek decor. Sip on cocktails in the Jazz Bar or light up in The Cigar Room before heading to one of the 36 decadent
bedrooms - or perhaps even the Penthouse Suite - for a good night's sleep. We're talking six star luxury here.
What's the damage: No word yet but our guess is this Hyde Park Corner location will put it in the pricey bracket.

Hotel: ME London, opening July 2012
Where: The Strand
USP: Designed by Foster + Partners, this contemporary hotel is the latest project from the Spanish hotel group, Melia Hotels International. It's 157
bedrooms will make it a popular stop off for tourists this Summer, but we'll be heading to the rooftop bar for some of the best views of the city.
What's the damage: The prices haven't yet been released but we're expecting reasonable rates for a central location.

Title: MyDaily.co.uk
Date: 13
th
April 2012

The hotel: Belgraves, now open
Where: Belgravia - a stone's throw away from Sloane Square
USP: The Thompson group have recently opened their latest hotel, aimed to be "a second home for guests and glitterati alike" and with its SW1 location,
there's a chance you'll bump into some of the most glamorous guests in London. It boasts a chic, sleek style with subtle hints of cosiness (roaring fires,
patterned rugs, comfy sofas) and foodies will be happy with the in-house restaurant - Hix Belgravia.
What's the damage: King Deluxe Rooms are around 260 a night.

The hotel: The Ampersand, now open
Where: South Kensington
USP: There are 111 bedrooms here, but it has retained a boutique hotel feel with quirky, colourful decor and luxe rooms inspired by the local area - from the
Royal Albert Hall to Chelsea Gardens. Our favourite feature? The cellar-turned-restaurant, Apero, which serves up Mediterranean treats daily.
What's the damge: Double rooms start at 125 a night and range up to 245 for a Deluxe Studio.

Title: Viajeros [Spain]
Date: 25
th
April 2012
Circulation: 45,000
PR Value: 1,624

Title: Viajeros [Spain]
Date: 25
th
April 2012
Circulation: 45,000
PR Value: 1,624

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk 88 venues&events
London hoteLs
venues&events 89
great expectations
Words: Suzanne Wateridge
As London gears up for this summers Olympics, existing hotels are
fufng their feathers while glossy new properties fing open their doors.
Make the most of the new and improved event spaces
london hotels
For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk
I
n case you hadnt noticed, the
worlds biggest sporting event is
coming to London this summer.
By the time the Olympics arrive, over
11bn will have been invested in
making the city sparkle, and among
the biggest spenders are its hotels,
who are vying for the attentions of an
estimated 450,000 staying visitors.
The London hotel scene has never
looked more vibrant. But what does
this mean for event organisers?
For a start, theres a crop of new
hotels springing up, from established
luxury chains such as Four Seasons
and InterContinental, to upscale
operators Thompson Hotels and ME
by Melia, who are dipping their
boutique toes into Londons waters
for the frst time. Then theres the
refurbished meeting rooms and new
and improved event spaces in existing
properties, such as Lancaster London
I
n case you hadnt noticed, the
worlds biggest sporting event is
coming to London this summer.
By the time the Olympics arrive, over
11bn will have been invested in
making the city sparkle, and among
the biggest spenders are its hotels,
who are vying for the attentions of an
estimated 450,000 staying visitors.
The London hotel scene has never
looked more vibrant. But what does
this mean for event organisers?
For a start, theres a crop of new
hotels springing up, from established
luxury chains such as Four Seasons
and InterContinental, to upscale
operators Thompson Hotels and ME
by Melia, who are dipping their
boutique toes into Londons waters
for the frst time. Then theres the
refurbished meeting rooms and new
and improved event spaces in existing
properties, such as Lancaster London >>
For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk 90 venues&events venues&events 91
london hotels london hotels
WHERE TO FIND THEM
the dorchester Park Lane, W1, tel: 020
7319 7071, squaremeal.co.uk/dorchester
lancaster london Lancaster Terrace,
W2, tel: 020 7262 6737
Royal Garden hotel 2-24 Kensington
High Street, W8, tel: 020 7937 8000,
squaremeal.co.uk/royalgarden
the Grosvenor 101 Buckingham Palace
Road, SW1, tel: 0871 376 9038
st ermins hotel Caxton Street, SW1,
tel: 020 7227 7718
Marriott Grosvenor square, Mayfair, W1
tel: 020 7493 1232, squaremeal.
co.uk/m-grosvenor
and The Savoy (see Silver Service, overleaf ).
The eco-friendly lancaster london has
been almost as busy as its half a million rooftop
honey bees, with a 11.5m refurbishment that
has ramped up the hotels vast kitchens and
given the Nine Kings Suite and Westbourne
Suite a dramatic makeover. The hotel has also
introduced the innovative Senses Room, which
creates a test-drive of an event, replicating not
just the menu but the lighting, decor and colour
OUT WITH: WI-FI CHARGEs
IN WITH: FREE sURFING
Its becoming increasingly diffcult for
hotels to justify exorbitant Wi-Fi fees.
Though many properties claim it is the
price and logistics of setting up a network
that keeps costs at a premium, free
internet access is now as essential a
commodity as heating and water for
corporate customers.
But no naming and shaming. Instead,
lets credit some of those hotel groups
who do provide free surfng for delegates
and hotel guests alike, such as Radisson
Edwardian, Soho House Group, Red
Carnation Hotels, COMO Hotels and
Resorts, as well as standalones One
Aldwych and The Athenaeum.
THE GROSvENOR HAS
BEEN RESTOREd TO ITS
FORMER vICTORIAN
GLORy, RESPLENdENT
WITH GOLd LEAF ANd
ORIGINAL MARBLE PILLARS
and The Grosvenor Hotel. Though we would
have refurbished with or without the Olympics,
it was defnitely the catalyst in making the
project start and fnish on time, says Michael
Parker, general manager at the Grosvenor. Its a
sentiment thats echoed throughout the
industry. And, with a halo effect that will
reverberate for years to come, the London
hotel industry is positively booming. Heres our
round-up of the latest developments and what
lies in store.
AHEAD OF THE GAME
In a year when all eyes are on London, its no
surprise that some of the capitals top hotels
timed their latest refurbishment plans very
carefully, ensuring the paint was dry long before
the Olympic fame was lit.
Park Lane princess the dorchester put the
fnishing touches to its Ballroom Suite last
October. The space now packs the latest
technology (an integrated audio system,
remote-controlled spotlighting on any table
confguration) but also recalls the hotels
glittering past (three large crystal chandeliers
restored to the ceiling domes, marble foors in
the entrance hall). The Ballroom seats up to
500 and now also offers la carte banqueting,
a crowd-pleasing offering youll also fnd at the
Lancaster London, Marriott Grosvenor Square
schemes, for up to 10 people in a glass-fronted
room overlooking the kitchen.
Across Hyde Park, another events
heavyweight has just had a makeover. At the
Royal Garden hotel, the refurbished Palace
Suites now form a dedicated conference foor
with a pillar-free principle event space holding
up to 550. Its complemented by a large
pre-function area and four syndicate rooms.
The exclusivity element, together with rooms
that have a multitude of uses and set-ups as
well as some top-notch catering is already
proving popular with event bookers.
The beginning of the year also marked the
end of Guomans 18-month refurbishment of
the Grosvenor hotel. What was a rather
dilapidated railway hotel has now been
restored (in consultation with English Heritage)
to its former victorian glory, resplendent with
gold leaf and original marble pillars. Nine new
meeting rooms have been created, with the
jewel-in-the-crown Orient Suite holding up to
150 under its elegantly restored ceilings.
Restored victoriana also abounds at the
four-star st ermins hotel which has just
completed a 30m renovation project, with
Grade II-listed interiors positively groaning with
original rococo plasterwork and art nouveau
styling. There are 15 meeting rooms, and the
grandest of these is the Crystal Ballroom,
Opening page, clockwise from top left: Bulgari; Four
Seasons at Heron Plaza; Hilton London Wembley;
South Place, ME London
This page: Cloisters Suite, St Ermins Hotel
Opposite: The Grosvenor Hotel
>>
OUT WITH: sIlvER sERvICE
IN WITH: A lA CARTE DINING
Chefs need to be in control of the plate
not waiting staff in order to produce
restaurant-quality food, says Stephen
Kyjak-Lane, general manager of Lancaster
London. As the hovering spoon and fork
have fallen further out of favour and staff
trained in silver service are becoming a rarer
breed la carte dining is becoming the
default option for events at several of
Londons top hotels. This means more
creative menus, more effcient service and a
less stuffy, old-fashioned feel to proceedings.
Functions at the Lancaster London, The
dorchester and The Savoy can now feature
la carte dining for hundreds of guests.
Maze at the Marriott Grosvenor Square beat
them all to it however, back in 2010, by
launching the frst Michelin-starred
banqueting menu to guests holding functions
in the hotel, whether small (12 people in the
private dining room) or large (550 in the
Westminster Ballroom).
london hotels
holding dinners for 120. The smaller Cloisters
Suite, seating 39 guests at one table, is a more
subdued alternative.
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW
No less than fve new hotels are launching
themselves onto the market before the
Olympics circus rolls into town. Thompson
Hotels Belgraves has already stolen a march
by opening in February. Its rooftop Cigarden,
attached to Marks Bar and accommodating 25,
is a stylish backdrop for cocktails and canaps
(and with an extensive cigar menu, smokers feel
right at home).
Hotels have certainly cottoned onto the fact
that alfresco space is fast becoming a sought-
after commodity in the corporate
entertainment market. Hence, Me london,
opening in July courtesy of the trend-setting
Spanish hotel chain ME by Melia, will boast an
impressive wraparound roof terrace designed
by Foster & Partners, holding up to 140. Also
on offer for groups of up to 20 will be a
stunning two-storey suite that will have its own
entrance to the terrace.
Further east, near Liverpool Street station, a
convenient transport hub for the Olympic park,
d&d London is launching south Place hotel in
the same month, with an enticing rooftop
Above: roof terrace, ME London
Right: Sky Bar, Hilton London Wembley
>>
THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL IN LEAFY KENSINGTON, ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST
5-STAR HOTELS LONDON HAS TO OFFER.
WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PRESTIGIOUS LONDON MEETING VENUE
OR A LUXURY ESCAPE, AT THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL YOULL FIND 5-STAR
SERVICE WITHOUT THE STUFFINESS.
2-24 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET LONDON W8 4PT
TEL +44 (0)20 7937 8000 FAX +44 (0)20 7361 1991
WWW.ROYALGARDENHOTEL.CO.UK
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
KENSINGTON
PALACE & GARDENS
HYDE
PARK KENSINGTON HEATHROW
WEST
END
WHERE TO FIND THEM
Belgraves 20 Chesham Place, SW1
tel: 020 7858 0100
Me london 336-337 Strand, WC2
tel: 0808 234 1953
south Place hotel 3 South Place, EC2
tel: 020 3503 0000
hilton london Wembley Lakeside Way,
HA9, tel: 020 7616 6556
Bulgari hotel 171 Knightsbridge, SW7
tel: 020 7151 1010
the Ampersand 10 Harrington Rd, SW7
tel: 020 7589 5895
the savoy Strand, WC2
tel: 020 7836 4343
squaremeal.co.uk/savoy
softel st James 6 Waterloo Place, SW1
tel: 020 7747 2200
squaremeal.co.uk/softel-stjames
45 Park lane 45 Park Lane, W1
tel: 020 7493 4545
squaremeal.co.uk/45pl
town hall hotel Patriot Square, E2
tel: 020 7871 0460
squaremeal.co.uk/townhall
For more hotel venue ideas, click on
London Hotels under Square Meal
Selections in the left-hand column at
squaremeal.co.uk/vande
restaurant and terrace on
the seventh foor. And at
the new hilton london
Wembley, directly
opposite the stadium,
guests can look down on
the hustle and bustle of
Olympic football-goers
from the comfort of the
Sky Bar and Roof Terrace
every afternoon.
Theres no shortage of
private screening rooms
dotted about either. ME
London will even have a 3d
one, while the Bulgari
hotel, which opened in May, has one with
disabled access, seating 47. Both boast
cinema-quality sound.
BACk TO THE FUTURE
The recent trend for retro styling in bars and
restaurants has started to infltrate the hotel
market too. The ffth hotel to open this
summer, the Ampersand, takes a refreshingly
quirky approach, with curiosity cabinets
inspired by the local South Ken museums
fanking the walls of two private dining rooms,
The Wine Room (seating 10) and The Games
Room (seating 16). The hotel even employs a
victorian coffee press to make its brews.
In hotel design as in fashion, the art deco era
is proving particularly popular. the savoy
recently turned its Beaufort Bar into a
Prohibition speakeasy,
with cocktails poured
from teapots and
Champagne bottles hidden in paper bags. Coco
Chanels 1920s Parisian apartment was the
inspiration behind the glossy decor in the
softel st James bar and restaurant The Balcon,
where a snug private dining room seats 16. And
thanks to ber-designer Thierry despont, you
would never guess that The dorchester
Collections 45 Park lane started life as a
1960s offce block, so authentic is the art deco
styling (even the 10-seater media room, for
private screenings, oozes 1930s glamour).
Finally, one of the hotels thats closest to the
Olympic Park, the town hall hotel in Bethnal
Green, has masterfully combined art deco with
Edwardian elements throughout its idiosyncratic
meeting spaces and bedrooms. Hotel guests
also enjoy a visit from the Town Hall Tea Lady,
who wheels her drinks trolley from room to
room mixing bespoke pre-dinner martinis.
yOu WOuLd NEvER GuESS THAT
45 PARK LANE STARTEd LIFE AS
A 1960s OFFICE BLOCK
Above: 45 Park Lane
Left: Prohibiton nights
at The Savoy
>>
Choose a London venue that has got the space.
0207 208 6000
www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-london
londonevents@radissonblu.com
London is crammed with venues, but space in many of
them is a little tight.The Radisson Blu Portman Hotel,
however, can easily accommodate up to 500 people
and most requirements. From corporate hospitality
to summer balls, our West End location and dedicated
events team make any event a real showstopper.
For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk 96 venues&events
10 TRINITy sqUARE
Opening late in 2014, the eagerly anticipated 10 Trinity
Square will occupy a mighty Grade II-listed site just by
Tower Hill. david Collins Studio, in consultation with
English Heritage, is designing the interiors.
2013
2012
2014
CAFE ROyAl
Former haunt of bohemians and intellectuals, the Regent Street
stalwart will relaunch as a 159-bedroom luxury hotel, with a big name
chef presiding over the Grill Room and the neo-classical Pompadour
Suite holding up to 110 for cocktails, plus four other meeting rooms.
tel: 020 8253 6513
PARk INN By RADIssON WEMBlEy
The hotels location on Olympic Way will prove
somewhat obsolete come October (it had
planned to open pre-Games) but it is forging
ahead nevertheless, with 140sq m of
conference space.
tel: 0844 847 6747
INTERCONTINENTAl lONDON WEsTMINsTER
With a New Scotland yard location, this former hospital will have a
grand ballroom, divisible into three spaces, eight state-of-the-art
meeting rooms and a PdR in the main restaurant.
tel: 020 3301 8080
EDITION HOTEl
The frst London hotel in Ian Schrager and Marriott Internationals
boutique chain opens in 2013, in the former Berners Hotel. No
details of the event space as yet, but its sure to be hip.
ARTOTEl HOxTON
The new hotel from the creative German chain will have a
gallery, 350 bedrooms and a spa, housed over 18 storeys.
tel: 0800 169 6128
sHANGRI-lA HOTEl AT
THE sHARD, lONDON
Asia Pacifcs leading luxury hotel
group will be moving into the
Shard in the second quarter of
next year, touted as Londons
frst new-build fve-star in over a
decade. Occupying foors 34 to
52, lofty meeting space will
include function rooms seating
up to 200. tel: 020 8747 8484
HAM yARD
Firmdale will transform a derelict Soho site into one of their
largest properties to date, with a cinema and a bowling alley.
tel: 020 7287 4434
MONDRIAN lONDON
London gets the frst Mondrian launch in Europe in
former Sea Containers House on the Southbank. The
rooftop bar, designed by Tom dixons design Research
Studio, will be inspired by the top deck of a cruise liner.
...on the
horizon
london hotels
For free advice on venues & events call 020 7840 6299 www.squaremeal.co.uk venues&events 97
THE WEllEslEy
The Jazz Room at this 36-suite Knightsbridge hotel will hold up to 40
for parties and the penthouse will have a boardroom for eight.
tel: 020 7235 3535
The Montcalm
London City
At The Brewery
Excellent events in the square mile just got exciting! Come
explore an exquisite venue that brings grandeur , enhanced with
technology that surpasses time itself. Completed by succinct
fine dining and opulent luxury stay options here is a new world
of exhilarating opportunities. The Montcalm London City at the
Brewery presents an ideal venue for day and evening events for
10 80 guests, and residential conferences hosting up to 100
bedrooms. Explore exciting events in a need dimension.
Classic Serenity....
In the heart of Londons West End, the extravaganza of the day
sets, for the night to come to life. This is the epicentre of all the
happening, where celebration and joys converge. The Montcalm
London Marble Arch presents an experience like never before.
Enjoy an evening of razzle and dazzle, rising into climax of
celebration of mirthful joy, wrapped in a suave panache and grace!
Welcome to The Grand Ballroom at The Montcalm, where every
event is an exquisite expression of excellence and joy.
Where Luxury comes to life
The Montcalm
London Marble Arch
...Luxury Lifestyle, Redefined
42 46 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 207 614 0123 / +44 (0) 207 614 0100 Fax: +44 (0) 207 628 4511
events@themontcalmlondoncity.co.uk www.themontcalmlondoncity.co.uk
34 - 40 Great Cumberland Place, London, W1H 7TW, United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 479 2244 / +44 (0) 20 7479 2233 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7745 1459
events@montcalm.co.uk www.montcalm.co.uk
CENTRAL RESERVATIONS OFFICE Tel: +44 (0) 20 7479 2233 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7745 1459
StyliSh, hiStoric & cultured
in the heart of london
londonMarriott hotel county hall
Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7PB
020 7928 5200 LondonMarriottCountyHall.co.uk
An impressive, luxury 5-star hotel, the London Marriott
Hotel County Hall boasts a wealth of original period features.
A quiet oasis away from the clamour of the city, the hotel
offers spacious guest rooms, intimate private dining,
Gillrays Steakhouse and bar celebrating the fnest English
produce, a luxurious Spa, a leading-edge ftness studio
and attentive service in a discreet riverside setting.
8894 CH Venues & Events ad.indd 1 14/06/2012 14:54

Title: A Luxury Travel Blog
Date: March 7
th
2012
Monthly Unique Users: 50.000
PR Value: 2,760.00

Title: Country and Town House
Date: March 2012
Circulation: 60,000
PR Value: 1,125

Date: March 2012
Circulation: 60,000
PR Value: 1,125

Date: March 2012
Circulation: 60,000
PR Value: 1,125

New ME Hotel to Host Masterchef-esque Comp

ME London, a new five star, design-led hotel will be opening in July in Central
Londons historic BBC Marconi building. This contemporary hotel has been designed
by Foster + Partners, who are known for their work on the Stansted Airport, the
Reichstag dome in Berlin, and Londons City Hall.
ME London will feature 2 ground-floor restaurants, a ground-floor bar, as well as a
Rooftop Club bar. In order to stick with their cutting-edge theme, the hotel has
decided to take an extremely unconventional approach to hiring for one of the
restaurants.
Instead of bringing in some well-known celebrity chef, ME London has decided to host their own version of MasterChef to find a new culinary
superstar; the challenge is called ME.N.U. While this competition will be nowhere near as intense as the show, it will be just as exciting.
Whats at stake? A full-time position in the kitchen of a new, high-profile restaurant. The winner of the competition will be sent to North
America for a fully-paid two-week training programme. In order to qualify, contestants must simply submit a short video explaining their
passion for food. It must be submitted anytime between March 12th and April 12th.
From those videos, it will be narrowed down to a group of eight final contestants, who will be asked to prepare dishes, live, for a panel of
experienced and influential judges. The most talented three will be invited for interviews and additional skills tests in order to help the judges
pick a winner.
So readers; if you feel like you have what it takes to be a full-time chef at a new, innovative restaurant, dont let this opportunity slip by. Get
those camcorders out, and send your videos in. You can submit them and find more information here https://www.challenge-
melondon.com/index.html.
Good luck! And may the best chef win.

Title: Blue Tomato (Online)
Date: March 28
th
2012
PR Value:10,500

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Title: Sphere
Date: Spring 2012
PR Value: 12, 299

Anticipation builds for Londons first personality hotel.
by Jules on March 12, 2012

The lounge design reflects the hotel's stylish atmosphere and "exclusive" attention devoted to each guest - perhaps explaining the "ME" in the hotel's name
The ME by Melia has announced it will officially open its doors on 6th July and weve already spotlighted it as one of our top 10 new London hotels in 2012.
Located on the Strand in the old BBC Marconi building, the luxury hotel will have 157 rooms and suites, including the Suite ME a luxury two floor
suite with its own roof terrace, screening room and an event space.

Title: London Hotel Insight
Date: March 12
th
2012
PR Value: 1,238

The hotel's rooftop bar will offer gorgeous skyline views of the city
The hotel will also boast two restaurants and two bars including one on the half-covered rooftop terrace with 180 degree panoramic views over London. If
the image above is anything to go by, it looks like it will be pretty swish! Another highlight is the adult-only floor which offers complimentary late check-
out, 3 pieces of clothing ironed and an iPod. Free WiFi is also included for all guests throughout the hotel.
To set itself further apart, ME by Melia is promising first-class service through its Aura Managers whose job is to get to know each guest personally and
know London back-to-front to offer totally bespoke advice. Melia describes its Aura Managers as a combination of concierge, DJ, stylist, tour operator,
personal confidant and private secretary. That reminds us a bit of the butlers at The Lanesborough.
We just hope they are good with names because with 157 rooms that is potentially 314 different guest names to learn every night!

If this image is anything like the hotel, ME by Melia will be blinging!
The hotel was originally set to open in the spring but the opening was delayed were crossing our fingers they wont delay the opening again so that the
hotel can welcome guests in time for the Olympics and we can add it to our expanding list of free WiFi London hotels.

Madrid mini break
Take a break in Spains foodie capital
Barcelona is Spains epicentre of culture, nightlife and cool, right? Well, after seeing what Madrid has to offer, I beg to differ. The Spanish
capital is the perfect minibreak easily manageable on foot, very friendly, and a foodies dream. And a warm, clear spring weekend is a great
time to visit.
Words: Natasha Tomalin
We stayed at the majestic ME Madrid hotel, which dominates picturesque Plaza de Santa Ana. Its an early 19th-century building, but the
interiors ooze modern sophistication from every wooden panel and leather sofa, and the bedrooms are sleek and up to date. The hotels
Midnight Rose bar is the perfect starting point for an evening of bar hopping. An easy feat to pull off with its central location, just a stones
throw from some of the best tapas joints around (there are over 20,000 of them in the city).
Why it's hot
Most visitors head for the historic Prado museum, or the shopping boulevards of upmarket Salamanca, but its areas TriBall, Chueca and
Malasaa (Penlope Cruz owns an apartment there) that are really buzzing. A hive of designers, musicians and artists, you could stroll around
all day, people watching and checking out the indie boutiques and cafes. Among the best in Malasaa is Lolinas (lolinacafe.com), which makes
great coffee and sells one-off retro furniture and cute cupcake bakery Happy Day (happydaybakery.es) next door. Lotta in Chueca
(lottavintage.com) is the perfect place to pick up exquisite clothing from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, while around the corner must-try
modern tapas bar Ol Lola (olelola.com), serves Croquetas Jamn Jamn (the Almodvar pun is deliberate).
Eating and drinking
If youre a foodie, head straight to San Miguel market. In an art deco building, the best suppliers in Spain serve wine, beer and every form of
tapas imaginable. For an afternoon treat, sample them Spanish speciality of churros (long, thin doughnuts) with chocolate at Chocolateria San
Gines. For dinner, head to the Gastro Bar Le Cabrera (lecabrera.com). We sat at the bar and watched the chefs prepare fusion-style tapas
including passionfruit sardines, scallop tartar served in a gem lettuce leaf and bombones de carnes (mini hamburgers). If you prefer more
traditional tapas but are too scared to approach the bar and ask for pinchos (bread with everything from jamon to cheese) then take a tour with
Adventurous Appetites (adventurousappetites.com), where youll be led around a selection of the best places to sample the specialties.
One tip: the dirtier the floor, the better the bar its traditional to throw anything you cant eat (prawn shells, olive stones, napkins and
toothpicks) at your feet. If you want to go it alone, the kitsch Los Gatos on Calle de Jess has the best Boquerones en vinagre (anchovies) in the
city. While sherry bar La Venecia, just off Plaza Santa Ana, has a welcoming ambience, which is relatively unchanged since the Fifties.
Photo opportunity
Head to a spot right in between the Cathedral de la Almudena and the Royal Palace and you will find the most breathtaking panoramic views
over the west outskirts of the city, but if you dont fancy the walk and want a cocktail to accompany your view, then the rooftop bar at ME
Madrid provides the perfect solution. Theres nothing more relaxing than watching the sun go down over the city withthe speciality black
mojito in hand.
Doubles at ME Madrid start at 220 (memadrid.com). Easyjet flies to Madrid International Airport Barajas

Title: Stylist (Online)
Date: March 21
st
2012

Melia Hotels ME London to Open in Holborn District

The ME London, a sub-brand of Spanish company Meli Hotels International, is a cutting-edge, cool and contemporary hotel designed by
British architect Sir Norman Foster. ME London is located next to Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, in the district of Holborn.
Upon opening, the hotel will comprise of 157 rooms and suites, including 17 suites and one ME Suite, a ground-floor bar and a roof-top terrace
club/bar with views across London. The hotel will have two restaurants including an offering from American Steakhouse STK. The property
will combine the historic facade of Marconi House with a new Portland Stone building and will feature a rooftop bar with views of Somerset
House and the Thames.

Title: Travel Pulse (Online)
Date: March 25
th
2012
PR Value: 15,551

ME London asks chefs to submit Masterchef-style video to land commis role

Spanish hotel brand Melia is hoping to find a commis chef for its new ME London hotel by asking potential candidates to
submit a Masterchef-style video of themselves in which they can demonstrate their passion for food.

A commis chef who wows judges in their video could work in the kitchen for the new restaurant
at Melia's ME London hotel
The 173-bedroom hotel, which will open on The Strand this July, has started a major
recruitment drive for staff with the unusual method of a video CV being used to find one new
member of the kitchen team.
To enter the ME.N.U challenge, chefs will need to submit a short video of themselves
explaining their passion for food by 12 April 2012.
From the submitted entries, eight hopefuls will be chosen to prepare dishes live for a panel of
judges that will include ME London's new general manager Fabio Gallo, the hotel's head of HR
Robert Dunning, Jon Yanti of recruitment company The One Group and Springboard chief
executive Ann Pierce.
Judges will shortlist three candidates who will be invited for an official interview and final skills tests before a winner is chosen. The finalist
will not only win a full-time job in the kitchen at ME London but will also be sent to the US to take part in a two-week training programme.
Gallo said: Core to the ME brand is the notion that each hotel should engage with the unique character of its surrounding city. What better
way to ensure that our hotel is infused with a vibe that is truly London than to throw open this opportunity to ambitious and talented locals?
To enter the ME.N.U challenge and submit a video click here

Title: Big Hospitality (Online)
Date: March 29
th
2012

New ME Hotel to Host Masterchef-esque Comp

ME London, a new five star, design-led hotel will be opening in July in Central
Londons historic BBC Marconi building. This contemporary hotel has been designed
by Foster + Partners, who are known for their work on the Stansted Airport, the
Reichstag dome in Berlin, and Londons City Hall.
ME London will feature 2 ground-floor restaurants, a ground-floor bar, as well as a
Rooftop Club bar. In order to stick with their cutting-edge theme, the hotel has
decided to take an extremely unconventional approach to hiring for one of the
restaurants.
Instead of bringing in some well-known celebrity chef, ME London has decided to host their own version of MasterChef to find a new culinary
superstar; the challenge is called ME.N.U. While this competition will be nowhere near as intense as the show, it will be just as exciting.
Whats at stake? A full-time position in the kitchen of a new, high-profile restaurant. The winner of the competition will be sent to North
America for a fully-paid two-week training programme. In order to qualify, contestants must simply submit a short video explaining their
passion for food. It must be submitted anytime between March 12th and April 12th.
From those videos, it will be narrowed down to a group of eight final contestants, who will be asked to prepare dishes, live, for a panel of
experienced and influential judges. The most talented three will be invited for interviews and additional skills tests in order to help the judges
pick a winner.
So readers; if you feel like you have what it takes to be a full-time chef at a new, innovative restaurant, dont let this opportunity slip by. Get
those camcorders out, and send your videos in. You can submit them and find more information here https://www.challenge-
melondon.com/index.html.
Good luck! And may the best chef win.

Title: Blue Tomato (Online)
Date: March 28
th
2012
PR Value: 10,500

Title: ES Magazine
Date: 30
th
March 2012
PR Value: 12,600

Title: ES Magazine
Date: 30
th
March 2012
PR Value: 12,600

Win A Job As A Chef For A New London Restaurant
With all of the high ratings attached with cookery shows and Masterchef-style cook-offs, it's hardly surprising that the catering world is looking to create its
own competition to capitalise on this type of recruitment trend.

First up is ME. No, not me-me, Alwynne Gwilt, but luxury hotel chain, ME by Meli, the flagship ME London hotel by Meli, opening on the Strand in the
West End this summer, with spectacular views across the River Thames (as seen in the artist's impression above).

Meli already reside in London at The Meli White House near Regent's Park - home to Spanish restaurant, L'Albufera, as well as The Place restaurant - but
this Thames-side venture will be the first under the ME by Meli banner.

ME by Meli hope to find one chef for its new restaurant from the general public, based purely on the candidate's vociferous appetite for all things culinary
and competition.

How to win a job as a chef at the new Thames-side London restaurant

Between now and 12th April, anyone - read: you, me, even your Nan - can submit a video to the ME website explaining why you should be shortlisted and
why you're passionate about food.

Eight lucky people will be chosen to go onto the next round during which you'll cook for a panel of judges, including Fabio Gallo, the ME London GM, and
Jon Yantin of the The One Group. The winner gets a full time position in the kitchens of the restaurant at ME along with a fully-paid two-week training
course in North America.

So, the question is: do you have what it takes to become the next star of the culinary world? If so, head to www.challenge-melondon.com

You may want to investigate the standard of cuisine that you'll be expected to cook for the judges, so be smart and take a visit to the Meli Spanish
restaurant, L'Albufera. Book a table simply by using the booking form below. Research has never been this fun.

Good luck!

Title: Fluid London (Online)
Date: March 30
th
2012

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Date: March 2012
Circulation: 60,000
PR Value: 1,125

The May Fairs Schiaparelli Suite recently
won Most Excellent Bedroom at the Cond
Nast Johansens Awards. It dont mean a
thing if it aint got that bling and boy, does
this place have bling. It comes in shocking
pink and is P Diddyesque luxury, with CCTV
entry controls, a limestone egg bath with
bath-side LCD TV and illuminated rain
shower, a 42in Bang & Olufsen plasma TV
and Bang & Olufsen CD player, a lounge with
integrated freplace, curtain and lighting
system and a dining area with a full-size
eight-seat dining table. Though were
guessing you dont come here to cook
The Palladio Suite at the Hotel Cipriani is
the one for visiting showbiz royalty Elton
favours it, as do many of the A-listers in
town for the Film Festival. It has a 180 view
over the Venetian lagoon through foor-to-
ceiling windows from the bedrooms, living
room and dining area. The living room can
be transformed into a cinema, and there are
three (count em) bathrooms, each crafted
from Carrara and Verona marble. It comes
with a secluded private garden for your brood
of adopted children to play safely in, and
has a wooden terrace shaded by shrubs and
lemon trees and an outdoor heated Jacuzzi.
And dont feel you are in a gilded cage
a short walk leads you to a private jetty,
where a motor launch with driver is at your
disposal so you can explore the various
islands. Whatever foats your boat...
T O P T E N | 97
www. mezemagazi ne. co. uk I SSUE 13
SUITE DREAMS
Mezes choice of Europes greatest hotel suites
LONDON
themayfairsuites.com/schiaparelli
From 2,500 per night
VENICE
hotelcipriani.com
T O P T E N | 99
www. mezemagazi ne. co. uk I SSUE 13
Honeymoon Suite, Le Bristol. There is only
one place to stay in Paris. Well, actually,
thats patently untrue there are lots of
places to stay in Paris. But only one if you are
Woody Allen. The quirky, neurotic director
so loves Le Bristol that he took over the two
top foors for his cast and crew when flming
Midnight in Paris. The best thing here? The
fabulous three-star Epicure restaurant, run by
affable and tranquil genius Eric Frechon.
All ship-shape and Le Bristol-fashion.
The Lanesborough Suite at the Lanesborough is famous for two
things, which we feel may be linked. Its price. And its luxury. The
specs speak for themselves some 4,000 sq ft (380 sq m) of ineffable
luxury, four bedrooms, fve and a half bathrooms (just what is half a
bathroom, though?), two living rooms, a kitchen and a dining room.
Not enough? How about foor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping
views of Wellington Arch and Green Park, plus a restored Queen
Anne partners writing table and George III mirrors. Lovely.
The W Londons E-WOW Suite does Funky
with a capital FU. This penthouse includes a
circular sofa centrepiece under a mirror ball
sculpture, a dining-room area, a bedroom
that is lavishly adorned with plush pillow-top
mattress, 300-thread-count sheets and goose
down comforter and pillows, a bathroom with
Jacuzzi and four-person shower (wahey!) and
a 62in TV screen in the bathroom. Having
friends over? No problemo the hotel can close
off a corridor for you and add more rooms. Its
certainly got the wow factor. Rock n roll.
PARIS
lebristolparis.com
LONDON
lanesborough.com
LONDON
wlondon.co.uk
Royal Villa Koroni, The
Romanos, Costa Navarino.
They might be rioting in
Athens but in Messinia
there aint a cloud in sight.
Its easy to see why... They
have the fabulous Romano
Hotel & Resort.
And the Romanos crown
is the 660 sq m. Royal Villa
Koroni four bedrooms,
a private infnity pool,
a secluded barbeque area,
a spa treatment suite with
steam room, private ftness
facilities, amazing views,
24-hour dedicated butler
service. Dont just take our
word for it this place won
Favourite Overseas Leisure
Hotel: Europe, Asia Minor
and the Russian Federation
at the 2011 Cond Nast
Traveller Readers Travel
Awards and is on the
magazines Gold List
of the worlds best hotels.
Greece is the word...
GREECE
romanoscostanavarino.com
POA (thats how posh it is...)
I SSUE 13 www. mezemagazi ne. co. uk
100 | T O P T E N
ME Madrids Tower Suite ay caramba. In the
historic Plaza de Santa Ana in the heart of the
city, Tower Suites two spacious roof-terraces
mean you can look out over the city like you
own the place. Which you may well do.
This is no ordinary suite its a two-storey
affair, taking up 1,615 sq ft. They say: The
suite offers an airy oasis of calm in a bustling
area where space is a premium. We say:
This place rocks! In what was once the
Grand Hotel Reina Victoria, the suite is
essentially the tower of one of the most
signifcant and beautiful buildings in town.
Jacuzzi, spa stuff, butler, you get the picture
siesta to festa. Buenissimo!
As Vanessa Williams so memorably sang,
weve gone and saved the best till last. For 14
years Forte Village Resort has held the title
of Worlds Leading Resort. It stands in a 55
hectare tropical park-like setting on Sardinias
beautiful south coast. The Royal Suite is on
the top foor of Hotel Castello, reached only
by private lift. It has a huge open-plan lounge
and foor-to-ceiling windows, a bedroom area
with king size bed, large bathroom
with separate Jacuzzi and glass shower
cubicle, all surrounded by a vast terrace
with private pool and sunken solarium.
MADRID
memadrid.com
SARDINIA
justsardinia.co.uk
POA
In trendy Oporto, the Bacchus Suite at
luxury wine hotel The Yeatman is the only
way to see the city. With a high vaulted
wooden ceiling, the suite extends onto a
furnished conservatory with freplace and
a private exterior terrace from which to
marvel at the splendid panoramic views of
Porto and the River Douro while necking
sorry, sipping port. A round copper
Jacuzzi has a freestanding freplace to
one side and city views to the other.
On the deck is a second freplace that
opens onto a large sun-terrace with a small
fountain and deck beds. Its basically a fat
disguised as a crows nest as well as the
large bedroom, there is a double shower
and dressing room, lounge area with
plasma TV and an offce space. Not just
any port in a storm...
PORTUGAL
theyeatman.com
From 442 per night
The Penthouse Suite on the 26th foor of
the London Hilton at Park Lane has just
had a 500,000 facelift. The end result is a
superb apartment suite doesnt cut it that
comprises a double master bedroom, a dining
room for eight people, a lounge with private
balcony that gives Londons best views of
Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace bar none
and a connecting room that turns the whole
shooting gallery into a two-bedroom affair.
A hop and a skip up the stairs to the 28th foor
brings you to the eighth wonder, Galvin at
Windows, the iconic piano bar and restaurant
where you imagine Harrison Ford sips malts.
LONDON
hilton.co.uk/londonparklane

Top 10 new London hotels in 2012.
by Timea on February 15, 2012

New hotels are trying to outdo each other in luxury and value: the upcoming Me by Melia for example will apparently offer breathtaking views and free
WiFi
To say that 2012 is a big year for London is perhaps an understatement.
The Olympic Games are of course at the forefront of many peoples minds, but thats not the only event which will make 2012 a special vintage for the UK
capital. The Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations will bring an influx of extra visitors for the extended bank holiday weekend at the start of June and then
of course there are the usual suspectsWimbledon, the London Marathon, RHS Chelsea Flower Show the list could go on and on.
The prospect of the Games has sent the hotel industry into overdrive over the past few years and this year will see the culmination, with many a new hotel
opening in the UK capital in 2012. London Hotels Insight looks ahead to 10 of the most exciting hotel openings on the calendar

10 Trinity Square
Situated by the Thames, this opening should interest anyone who believes hotels should have a touch of the grandiose to them and a dash of history.
10 Trinity Square is the former HQ of the Port of London Authority and was designed by Sir Edwin Cooper early in the 20
th
century. A central location right
by the Tower of London will surely see this hotel become one of the citys most sought after stays (though opening has now been delayed to well beyond
2012 - the best things in life come to those who wait!).
Predicted opening: Now scheduled for 2014

There is a lot of pre-opening buzz surrounding 10 Trinity Square

Title: London Hotel Insight (online)
Date: February 15
th
2012

Apex Temple Court
London Hotels Insight has been closely monitoring Apex Hotels forthcoming addition to their growing portfolio located just off Fleet Street at 1-2
Sergeants Inn, in a historic building formerly owned by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. The hotel was due to open 1 April but will in fact
open a month early. 184 luxury rooms will be accompanied by a spacious gym, the Chambers Restaurant & Bar and a stylish modern lounge. Free Wi-Fi
(and cute ducks!) will be included as standard hurrah!
Predicted opening: 1 March 2012

We're excited to see another free WiFi luxury hotel in the shape of Apex Temple Court
Tune Hotel Kings Cross
Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes not only has his own airline (Air Asia), F1 team (Team Lotus/ Caterham F1) and football club (QPR) but is also
founder of a budget hotel chain - Tune Hotels, with a reputation for some of the best-run and cheapest hotels in London. Tune Kings Cross will open just
a few months after Tune Liverpool Street and will no doubt prove a big hit among the hordes of cost-conscious travellers who transit through St Pancras
station. The group will also open a Paddington hotel earlier in 2012. Tune Hotels established itself in the UK with one of the top-rated cheap Westminster
hotels, as reviewed on this blog.
Predicted opening: July 2012

Tune has a strong focus on customer satisfaction: guests are encouraged to fill out a feedback form in all hotels and improvements are quickly fed into new
properties.
Bulgari Hotel and Residences
Currently under construction in Knightsbridge, Bulgari Hotel and Residences is the latest venture from luxury jewellery and fashion brand Bulgari. Early
signs suggest that the hotel will also be the epitome of Italian style and class, with a touch of exclusivity and decadent indulgence. Expect Italian furniture
and impeccable interiors, with luxurious comfort provided by a large spa, plush Italian restaurant and a cigar shop.
Predicted opening: April 2012

The Bulgari Hotel is set to offer Designer style with a capital D

Me by Melia
Me by Melia is a chain with a growing number of experience-based personality hotels in world-class cities, and soon London will become the latest
destination to experience the brands unique personality. Located on the Strand, the hotel is designed by Norman Foster and promises 157 rooms, 18 suites,
two restaurants and a rooftop bar with enviable views over the Thames and landmarks such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. It will also be
one of a growing number of new hotels to offer free WiFi to guests and we hope a great Spanish restaurant too!
Predicted opening: 4 June 2012

Me by Melia will have a rooftop bar with gorgeous views
South Place Hotel
South Place Hotel is the first foray into the hotel industry by restaurant operators D & D. In a central location close to Liverpool Street, the hotel is shaping
up to be an ideal stay for business visitors, and of course for anyone with tickets to the Olympic Games. One of its main draws is likely to be its rooftop
restaurant on the seventh floor, complete with outdoor terrace and some breathtaking views.
Predicted opening: Summer 2012

The South Place Hotel's location makes it ideal for business travellers
Belgraves
Located in classy Belgravia, US group Thompson Hotels say their new hotel addition on this side of the pond is a blend of traditional British hospitality
with an American Bohemian attitude but disappointingly WiFi is not complimentary. A definite plus, however, is that the hotels 85 rooms are serviced by
the Hix Belgravia restaurant from talented chef Mark Hix, with a mouthwatering menu inspired by flavours from around the world.
Has opened on: 1 February 2012
Check the best rate for Belgraves London from 30+ hotel booking sites

The Belgraves promises traditional British hospitality with an American feel.

Ampersand Hotel
The Ampersand is situated on Harrington Road in South Kensington on premises originally built in 1888. According to its independent operators, the hotel
is one of Londons original Victorian Boutique hotels. It will apparently take a large dash of design inspiration from the areas many museums and will
have 110 rooms, a bar, restaurant and patisserie. Read more about the Ampersand Hotel on the LondonOnTheInside blog.

The Ampersand Hotel will be an authentic "Victorian boutique" hotel - intriguing
Artotel Hoxton
South Shoreditch will soon have a new landmark, in the form of the latest hotel opening from concept brand Artotel. Original artwork by an as yet unnamed
artist will be displayed throughout guest rooms and public areas of the hotel. 18 storeys tall, with 350 bedrooms, the hotel has been somewhat controversial
amongst local residents due to its location on the old site of the beloved gallery and pub, The Foundry, but will no doubt make a significant mark on
Londons hotel scene.
Predicted opening: Late 2012 / early 2013

The Art'otel Hoxton will also feature an arts centre accessible to the public.
Cafe Royal Hotel
Located on Regent Street, the Cafe Royal has no shortage of history and was once a favourite dining venue of Oscar Wilde. Cafe Royal is now in being
turned into an ultra-luxurious 5 star hotel. With 160 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, spa and other features, the hotel promises to be a firm favourite with
the more well-heeled spectators of the 2012 Olympics.

The famous site of the Cafe Royale is currently being turned into a luxury hotel that is very keenly anticipated thanks to the building's rich past and amazing
location.
Is it merely coincidence that so many of the above hotels are due to open on an unspecified date just before the Olympics? We see some stressful times
ahead for the builders, architects, project managers and interior designers involvedwatch this space to stay fully informed!
We also hope that we can add many of these new hotels throughout the year to our Squidoo lens listing free WiFi London hotels.

ME London appoint Fabio Gallo as GM
Janet Harmer
Tuesday 21 February 2012 16:07

ME London - set to launch in June 2012 - has appointed Fabio Gallo as general manager.
Gallo has arrived at the 157-bedroom hotel from the Cadogan London, where he was general manager for five years. He has also worked as
general manager at the Baglioni, director of sales and marketing at Grosvenor House and director of business development at the London
Hilton on Park Lane.
ME London will sit alongside the 581-bedroom Melia White House as the second hotel in London for the family-owned Spanish hotel group,
Melia Hotels International. It is the fifth hotel to be launched worldwide to be branded under the contemporary, luxury ME banner.
Situated on the Strand, the ME London has been designed by Foster + Partners and will feature two restaurants - including one to be run by a
yet-to-be-announced outside operator, two bars, a 360-degree roof-top bar and a screening room.
Gallo, who speaks four languages including Spanish, described ME London as the group's flagship hotel and an exciting new offering for the
capital.
"ME London and the building is firmly rooted in the cultural world - it was formally the Gaiety Theatre and then the first home of the BBC,
Marconi House," he said. "Being passionate about photography and the arts, I am looking forward to realising a number of exciting
collaborations to preserve ME London's rich heritage, whilst embracing the future'.
Meli to open four star Innside Manchester Hotel this year >>
Meli Hotels International to expand into the UK >>
Sol Meli becomes Meli Hotels International >>
By Janet Harmer

Title: Caterer and Hotelkeeper [Online]
Date: February 21
st
2012

Top 10 new London hotels in 2012.
Tuesday, 21st February 2012
Source : Timea

To say that 2012 is a big year for London is perhaps an understatement -

The Olympic Games are of course at the forefront of many peoples minds, but thats not the only event which will make 2012 a special vintage
for the UK capital.

New hotels are trying to outdo each other in luxury and value: the upcoming Me by Melia for example will apparently offer breathtaking views and free WiFi

The Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations will bring an influx of extra visitors for the extended bank holiday weekend at the start of June and
then of course there are the usual suspectsWimbledon, the London Marathon, RHS Chelsea Flower Show the list could go on and on.

The prospect of the Games has sent the hotel industry into overdrive over the past few years and this year will see the culmination, with many a
new hotel opening in the UK capital in 2012. London Hotels Insight looks ahead to 10 of the most exciting hotel openings on the calendar

10 Trinity Square
Situated by the Thames, this opening should interest anyone who believes hotels should have a touch of the grandiose to them and a dash of
history.

10 Trinity Square is the former HQ of the Port of London Authority and was designed by Sir Edwin Cooper early in the 20th century. A central
location right by the Tower of London will surely see this hotel become one of the citys most sought after stays (though opening has now been
delayed to well beyond 2012 - the best things in life come to those who wait!).
Predicted opening: First Summer 2012 , Now scheduled for 2014

There is a lot of pre-opening buzz surrounding 10 Trinity Square

Title: 4 Hoteliers (online)
Date: February 21
st
2012

Apex Temple Court

London Hotels Insight has been closely monitoring Apex Hotels forthcoming addition to their growing portfolio located just off Fleet Street at
1-2 Sergeants Inn, in a historic building formerly owned by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. The hotel was due to open 1 April but
will in fact open a month early. 184 luxury rooms will be accompanied by a spacious gym, the Chambers Restaurant & Bar and a stylish
modern lounge. Free Wi-Fi (and cute ducks!) will be included as standard hurrah!
Predicted opening: 1 March 2012

We're excited to see another free WiFi luxury hotel in the shape of Apex Temple Court

Tune Hotel Kings Cross

Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes not only has his own airline (Air Asia), F1 team (Team Lotus/ Caterham F1) and football club (QPR)
but is also founder of a budget hotel chain - Tune Hotels, with a reputation for some of the best-run and cheapest hotels in London. Tune
Kings Cross will open just a few months after Tune Liverpool Street and will no doubt prove a big hit among the hordes of cost-conscious
travellers who transit through St Pancras station. The group will also open a Paddington hotel earlier in 2012. Tune Hotels established itself in
the UK with one of the top-rated cheap Westminster hotels, as reviewed on this blog.

Predicted opening: July 2012

Tune has a strong focus on customer satisfaction: guests are encouraged to fill out a feedback form in all hotels and improvements are quickly fed into new properties.

Bulgari Hotel and Residences

Currently under construction in Knightsbridge, Bulgari Hotel and Residences is the latest venture from luxury jewellery and fashion brand
Bulgari. Early signs suggest that the hotel will also be the epitome of Italian style and class, with a touch of exclusivity and decadent
indulgence. Expect Italian furniture and impeccable interiors, with luxurious comfort provided by a large spa, plush Italian restaurant and a
cigar shop.

Predicted opening: April 2012

The Bulgari Hotel is set to offer Designer style with a capital D

Me by Melia

Me by Melia is a chain with a growing number of experience-based personality hotels in world-class cities, and soon London will become the
latest destination to experience the brands unique personality. Located on the Strand, the hotel is designed by Norman Foster and promises
157 rooms, 18 suites, two restaurants and a rooftop bar with enviable views over the Thames and landmarks such as the London Eye and the
Houses of Parliament. It will also be one of a growing number of new hotels to offer free WiFi to guests and we hope a great Spanish
restaurant too!

Predicted opening: 4 June 2012

Me by Melia will have a rooftop bar with gorgeous views

South Place Hotel

South Place Hotel is the first foray into the hotel industry by restaurant operators D & D. In a central location close to Liverpool Street, the
hotel is shaping up to be an ideal stay for business visitors, and of course for anyone with tickets to the Olympic Games. One of its main draws
is likely to be its rooftop restaurant on the seventh floor, complete with outdoor terrace and some breathtaking views.


The South Place Hotel's location makes it ideal for business travelers

Belgraves

Located in classy Belgravia, US group Thompson Hotels say their new hotel addition on this side of the pond is a blend of traditional British
hospitality with an American Bohemian attitude but disappointingly WiFi is not complimentary. A definite plus, however, is that the hotels
85 rooms are serviced by the Hix Belgravia restaurant from talented chef Mark Hix, with a mouthwatering menu inspired by flavours from
around the world.

Has opened on: 1 February 2012

The Belgraves promises traditional British hospitality with an American feel.

Ampersand Hotel

The Ampersand is situated on Harrington Road in South Kensington on premises originally built in 1888. According to its independent
operators, the hotel is one of Londons original Victorian Boutique hotels. It will apparently take a large dash of design inspiration from the
areas many museums and will have 110 rooms, a bar, restaurant and patisserie. Read more about the Ampersand Hotel on the
LondonOnTheInside blog.


The Ampersand Hotel will be an authentic "Victorian boutique" hotel intriguing

Artotel Hoxton

South Shoreditch will soon have a new landmark, in the form of the latest hotel opening from concept brand Artotel. Original artwork by an as
yet unnamed artist will be displayed throughout guest rooms and public areas of the hotel. 18 storeys tall, with 350 bedrooms, the hotel has
been somewhat controversial amongst local residents due to its location on the old site of the beloved gallery and pub, The Foundry, but will no
doubt make a significant mark on Londons hotel scene.

Predicted opening: Late 2012 / early 2013

The Art'otel Hoxton will also feature an arts centre accessible to the public.

Cafe Royal Hotel

Located on Regent Street, the Cafe Royal has no shortage of history and was once a favourite dining venue of Oscar Wilde. Cafe Royal is now in
being turned into an ultra-luxurious 5 star hotel. With 160 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, spa and other features, the hotel promises to be a
firm favourite with the more well-heeled spectators of the 2012 Olympics.


The famous site of the Cafe Royale is currently being turned into a luxury hotel that is very keenly anticipated thanks to the building's rich past and amazing location.

Is it merely coincidence that so many of the above hotels are due to open on an unspecified date just before the Olympics? We see some
stressful times ahead for the builders, architects, project managers and interior designers involvedwatch this space to stay fully informed!

We also hope that we can add many of these new hotels throughout the year to our Squidoo lens listing free WiFi London hotels.

Photo credits: Me by Melia, 10 Trinity Square, Apex Temple Court Hotel, London Hotels Insight blogger Timea (Tune Hotels photo), Bulgari Hotel and Residences, Me by
Melia, South Place Hotel, Belgraves, Ampersand Hotel, Artotel Hoxton, Christine Matthews.

www.londonhotelsinsight.com

ME London appoint Fabio Gallo as GM
Janet Harmer
Tuesday 21 February 2012 16:07

ME London - set to launch in June 2012 - has appointed Fabio Gallo as general manager.
Gallo has arrived at the 157-bedroom hotel from the Cadogan London, where he was general manager for five years. He has also worked as
general manager at the Baglioni, director of sales and marketing at Grosvenor House and director of business development at the London
Hilton on Park Lane.
ME London will sit alongside the 581-bedroom Melia White House as the second hotel in London for the family-owned Spanish hotel group,
Melia Hotels International. It is the fifth hotel to be launched worldwide to be branded under the contemporary, luxury ME banner.
Situated on the Strand, the ME London has been designed by Foster + Partners and will feature two restaurants - including one to be run by a
yet-to-be-announced outside operator, two bars, a 360-degree roof-top bar and a screening room.
Gallo, who speaks four languages including Spanish, described ME London as the group's flagship hotel and an exciting new offering for the
capital.
"ME London and the building is firmly rooted in the cultural world - it was formally the Gaiety Theatre and then the first home of the BBC,
Marconi House," he said. "Being passionate about photography and the arts, I am looking forward to realising a number of exciting
collaborations to preserve ME London's rich heritage, whilst embracing the future'.
Meli to open four star Innside Manchester Hotel this year >>
Meli Hotels International to expand into the UK >>
Sol Meli becomes Meli Hotels International >>
By Janet Harmer

Title: CATERER AND HOTELKEEPER (ONLINE)
Date: February 21
st
2012

Title: CODE
Date: Spring 2012
Circulation: 6,412
PR Value: 2,397

Date: January 4
th
2012
PR Value: 21,420

Date: January 4
th
2012
PR Value: 21,420

Date: January 4
th
2012
PR Value: 21,420

The 10 Most Anticipated Hotel
Openings Of 2012
This new year will usher in a fleet of luxury hotels slated to open in locations that range from the familiar (New
York City) to the exotic (hello, Mauritius). Weve chosen a short list of 10 hotels to watch in 2012. With unique
amenities and vastly different vibes, these hotels all have one thing in common we cant wait to check in.

1. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. The luxury chains newest location will open its doors on Jan. 19 in the
exclusive enclave of Bal Harbour, just outside Miami. The newly constructed beachfront hotel has three sleek,
glass-encased towers that deliver ocean views from each of the 27 floors. Look for Art Deco-influenced design with
a heavy dose of glam common areas feature unusual accents such as the graffiti-style mural that anchors the
bar and the massive crystal chandelier in the hotels Grand Hall. The Jean-Georges Vongerichten-created J&G Grill
and Remde Spa provide diversions, as do the private oceanfront cabanas and outdoor pool.

2. Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto. In typical Trump fashion, this hotel will own the skyline when
it opens in downtown Toronto on Jan. 31 the tower will be Canadas tallest residential building and its second-
tallest structure (the unique articulated spire puts a fine point on the buildings size). Each room 261 in all
will deliver views of the city and Lake Ontario, along with a champagne and caviar color scheme (think dark gray
walls, crystal wall sconces and aubergine-hued silk drapes). Trump Torontos amenities include an 18,000-square-
foot spa located on the 65-story buildings 31st floor, with dedicated spa concierges to create personalized
treatments and experiences.

3. Conrad New York. Opening early this year, Conrad New York will bring 463 sleek rooms to Manhattans
Battery Park neighborhood. The light-filled hotel will feature a dramatic 15-story atrium and a green rooftop,
complete with a bar and an herb garden. With more than 32,000 square feet of event space and catering by
restaurateur Danny Meyers Union Square Events, the Conrad is positioning itself as the place to host parties in the
Financial District.

4. Park Hyatt Sydney. The results of a months-long renovation will be unveiled when the waterfront hotel
reopens its doors on Feb. 1. Expect an expanded spa and three rooftop suites on the brand-new fourth floor. The
hotels 155 guestrooms have been refreshed with custom-designed lighting; contemporary, earthy fabrics and
furnishings; and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto private balconies.

Title: Forbes (online)
Date: January 5
th
2011
Unique Users: n/a
5. W Paris Opra. The W brand makes its debut in France on Valentines Day with this chic new outpost across
the street from the citys famed Opra Garnier opera house. A highlight of the dcor (a departure from Paris more
traditional hotels) is a backlit digital wall, which will project abstract patterns throughout the space, creating
different moods to match different seasons or events. The public areas will feel classic thanks to stained glass
windows, mosaic flooring and marble staircases but the 91 guestrooms will have more of an edge. Local artists
are responsible for the innovative accents in the rooms, including sculptural faucets and original light fixtures
designed for the hotel.

6. The St. Regis Mauritius Resort. Africas first St. Regis hotel will open in the sleepy island nation of Mauritius,
known for its white sand beaches, turquoise lagoon and tropical climate. The hotels 173 guestrooms each
outfitted with spacious private balconies with ocean and mountain views include spa suites and villas decorated
in a traditional colonial style. Personal butlers, a nightly champagne ritual, six restaurants (including a beachside
eatery and bar) and a spa surrounded by tropical gardens complete the offerings. Its all slated to open May 15.

7. Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg. Hows this for a glamorous location? Opening in May, the
first Four Seasons outpost in Russia will be inside a 19th-century royal palace. Two marble lions guard the
entrance of the restored building, which will house a grand staircase, two signature restaurants, and a glass-
topped spa with Russian-style saunas and a relaxation pool.

8. Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. This newly constructed hotel promises to bring contemporary and spacious
guestrooms (along with serviced apartments) to the southern Chinese city in mid-2012. Its Financial District
location will be ideal for the mainly business travel crowd that comes to Guangzhou; but those checking in for
leisure can scope out the six restaurants and bars (including an outpost of the hotel groups signature Mandarin
Oriental Cake Shop), or the hotels spa, which will offer Mandarin Orientals well-known holistic treatments.

9. ME London. ME from the Spanish brand Meli is just one of the many hotels opening in London ahead of
the 2012 Summer Olympics. Though ME will be in the historic Marconi House in the Aldwych neighborhood, this
fashion-forward hotel will be thoroughly modern. Guests can book one of the 157 trendy rooms, including those in
the hotels VIP area, or a penthouse suite that covers two floors. Between athletic events, take advantage of the
3-D-equipped screening room and the 180-degree rooftop terrace with a bar and views of the Thames.

10. The James Royal Palm. Taking over Miamis historic Royal Palm hotel when it opens at the end of 2012, this
new property plans to pay homage to the buildings roots (the rolling lawn, outdoor fountain and signature palm
trees arent going anywhere), but it will revitalize the space with a topiary living room on the front lawn and clean
and bright guestrooms that emphasize the hotels ocean views. Other highlights will include two swimming pools, a
full-service spa and a top location thats steps from the beach and trend-setting Ocean Drive.

BMW boosts Melia with contract for Olympics
Tom Hall , 06 January 2012
BMW has chosen Melia Hotels International's ME London for its Olympics activity, as the hotel chain reports an 80% boost in UK C&I turnover
over two years.
C&IT has learned that the automotive giant, an Olympics sponsor, will hold events at the hotel near Trafalgar Square, which opens in June
2012.
Melia's UK C&I turnover has grown by more than 80% since 2009, up around 44% in 2011 compared to the previous year. Melia director of
global sales - meetings and events John Kelly said that 2012 bookings (as of December 2011) are ahead of where 2011 bookings were in
December 2010.
"We have a much greater amount in the pipeline than in late 2010. Nobody knows what the Olympics will bring. We are hoping that those
clients who want to stay away from London will look to the continent where they can get more for their spend, particularly in Barcelona or
Madrid," he added.
Profitability also remains strong, according to Kelly, who said making Melia's sales and marketing work closer together has helped the
company emerge from its problems during the recession.
"A big factor was the rebrand from Sol Melia to Melia Hotels International," he added. "The opening of the new ME in London in 2012 is
helping that and people are seeing what we are really about as opposed to having a perception of us which has not always been accurate."

Title: CIT Magazine (online)
Date: January 6
th
2012
Unique Users: n/a

BMW boosts Melia with contract for Olympics
Tom Hall , 06 January 2012
BMW has chosen Melia Hotels International's ME London for its Olympics activity, as the hotel chain reports an 80% boost in UK C&I turnover
over two years.
C&IT has learned that the automotive giant, an Olympics sponsor, will hold events at the hotel near Trafalgar Square, which opens in June
2012.
Melia's UK C&I turnover has grown by more than 80% since 2009, up around 44% in 2011 compared to the previous year. Melia director of
global sales - meetings and events John Kelly said that 2012 bookings (as of December 2011) are ahead of where 2011 bookings were in
December 2010.
"We have a much greater amount in the pipeline than in late 2010. Nobody knows what the Olympics will bring. We are hoping that those
clients who want to stay away from London will look to the continent where they can get more for their spend, particularly in Barcelona or
Madrid," he added.
Profitability also remains strong, according to Kelly, who said making Melia's sales and marketing work closer together has helped the
company emerge from its problems during the recession.
"A big factor was the rebrand from Sol Melia to Melia Hotels International," he added. "The opening of the new ME in London in 2012 is
helping that and people are seeing what we are really about as opposed to having a perception of us which has not always been accurate."

Title: CIT Magazine (online)
Date: January 6
th
2012
Unique Users: n/a

New hotels for 2012 in London, Paris and New
York
Natalie Paris looks ahead to some of the biggest new hotel openings scheduled for
2012, in London, Paris and New York.

Image 2 of 5
Melia will be the first hotel to be solely designed by Foster + Partners

By Natalie Paris
11:26AM GMT 06 Jan 2012
As the 2012 Olympics draws near, hoteliers in London are planning a raft of new openings
designed to capitalise on the anticipated influx of tourists to the city. Visitors to Paris and New
York can also look forward to some bold new accommodation options. We preview some of the
best below.
London
Bulgari
www.bulgarihotels.com
Knightsbridge is where fine jewellery merchant Bulgari will open its new five-star Hotel and
Residences later this year. We are promised sleek and elegantly-styled accommodation in silver
tones equipped with the latest technology. Exclusive furnishings in the 85 rooms and suites will
be crafted by Italian manufacturers, there will be two solid silver chandeliers in the ballroom and
the patterns on silk curtains will replicate classic Bulgari jewellery designs.
There will be a cigar shop and bar with a sweeping, silver, staircase down to the restaurant which
will serve Italian cuisine. The spa will have 11 treatment rooms and a 25m swimming pool.
Unusually, there is also a 47-seat cinema underway, accompanied by a library of more than 500
hand-picked films for guests to enjoy. The hotel will be eco-friendly too, incorporating the
generation of geothermal energy into its design the first of its kind in the UK.
Opening in April
ME by Meli
www.me-by-melia.com

Title: The Telegraph (online)
Date: January 6
th
2012

Housed in what was once the BBC Marconi building, this hotel will be the first to be solely
designed by Foster + Partners, the firm founded by Sir Norman Foster, the lauded British
architect. The best of the 157 rooms and suites will be a two-floor suite within a turret that leads
onto the roof terrace. The city views from the club up here look impressive and will be worth
checking out should you be passing through Holborn one evening. Staff are hoping to provide as
close to a bespoke service as they can - rather fantastic-sounding "aura managers" will be on
hand to gauge guests' moods and provide appropriate assistance and advice.
Opening June 4
London Belgraves
www.thompsonhotels.com
Located near Sloane Square in smart Belgravia, this 85-room hotel from American company
Thompson Hotels, hopes to envoke the spirit of "new Britannia" for city bohemians, with an
eclectic but chic lobby, an outdoor terrace with a retractable roof and rooms that look equal parts
comfy and stylish. Popular chef Mark Hix will open another London restaurant on the premises -
HIX Belgravia - and the bar will open out onto a cigar garden, decorated with contemporary art.
Opening February 1
The Ampersand Hotel
www.ampersandhotel.com
A boutique property that hopes to open in time for the Olympics, The Ampersand has taken over
a Victorian building, near to South Kensington tube and will comprise 110 rooms. Designers are
taking inspiration from the great museums surrounding the hotel and the interiors find inspiration
from botany, music, geometry, ornithology and astronomy. The hotel will also offer west
Londoners and guests a patisserie, vaulted restaurant and Bellini bar.
Opening in spring
South Place
www.southplacehotel.com
South Place is a 80-bedroom, design-focused property, due to open in the summer. The hotel's
rooftop terrace will offer 7th-floor views of the City of London. Handy for Liverpool Street
commuters will be the two restaurants, including a brasserie on the ground floor, plus bars from
hotel owner the D&D London group, which owns restaurants including London's Bluebird and
Coq d'Argent.
Opening in summer

Paris
W Hotel
www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html
W Hotels will make its debut in France on February 14 with a Parisian hotel set inside a 1870s
Haussman-era building close to Opra Garnier and the department store Galeries Lafayette. W
Paris Opera is attempting to bring New York dynamism to the historic building, playing on the
theme of Paris as the city of light. The hotels central walls will be illuminated with a digital
"spark", that forms patterns of dots at various tempos depending on the time of day.
Red elevators are supposed to give a womb-like sense of energy, while elsewhere historic
features such as stained glass windows are being preserved to sit alongside contemporary
additions. There will be a bar, restaurant, fitness centre, and 91 rooms - including 22 suites -
some with ceilings up to 3.5m high.
Opening February 14
New York
Conrad New York
conradhotels3.hilton.com
This super-stylish, 463-suite hotel, the first Conrad in the city, will be opening in lower
Manhattan's financial district and is currently taking bookings from early February. It has a rooftop
bar overlooking the Hudson River and two restaurants, Atrio for Mediterranean food and Blue
Smoke, an already existing restaurant offering regional American barbecue specialities. Each
contemporary room is actually a two-room suite, giving you at least 430sq-ft of space. They
include wifi and espresso machines.
Opening early February
NoMad
www.thenomadhotel.com
Occupying a grand building in the up-and-coming area north of Madison Square, NoMad will
provide Parisian-inspired accommodation incorporating 168 guestrooms that overlook the Empire
State and Flatiron buildings. Guests will be able to dine throughout the day in a glass-roof atrium,
operated by the people behind celebrated restaurant Eleven Madison Park.
Opening early 2012

Title: The Times
Date: January 7
th
2012

Title: The Times
Date: January 7
th
2012

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11TH 2012
TRAVEL+DESTINATIONS
CHECKINGIN

With the countdown to the Olympics, London is witnessing the opening of several
much anticipated hotel openings, including the opening of the Shangri-La in the
Shard (occupying floors 34-52), with 202 rooms featuring panoramic views of the
London skyline and the opening of the ME by Meli hotel designed by Foster +
Partners, previously the site of the famous Marconi House and City Bank building
in Aldwych and the opening of the Edition London (Berners Street). However,
opening earlier (this month), is Belgraves the first transatlantic opening by
Thompson Hotels and will feature a restaurant and bar by English chef Mark Hix.
Housed within the former Sheraton Belgravia on Chesham Place, and is with 85
guestrooms featuring interior architecture and stylish design by Tara Bernerd
blending traditional British hospitality with Thompsons American bohemian
attitude. The hotel will include an 80-seat signature restaurant by celebrated Chef
and food writer Mark Hix; with an off-piste menu inspired by his travels from
around the world whilst Marks Bar will pay homage to his famous Soho bar as well
as boasting a stylish cigar garden with commissioned artwork by British artist Mat
Collishaw.
Thompson Hotels is a portfolio of small, boutique urban hotels including the famed
60 Thompson in New York City, Hotel Sax in Chicago and Hollywood Roosevelt
Hotel in Los Angeles. The company has expanded extensively including: New York
City including Gild Hall in the Financial District, Six Columbus in Midtown
Manhattan, Thompson LES on the Lower East Side, Smyth in Tribeca, as well as
Thompson Beverly Hills in Los Angeles and Donovan House in Washington, and
Thompson Toronto.
Starting bedroom rate at the Belgraves hotel will be from 336.

Title: URBANLOGIE
Date: January 11
th
2012

Title: Irish Independent - Weekend Magazine
Date: January 14
th
2012
PR Value: 7,632.75

Title: Stylist
Date: January 18
th
2012

Title: The Guardian
Date: January 21
st
2012
PR Value: 10,800.00

Title: The Sunday Times
Date: January 22
nd
2012
PR Value: 48,824.00

London's new luxury hotels

Barely a week goes past in the capital these days without a fabulous new hotel opening up. Construction is at full tilt as London's year in the
spotlight gets underway; and opening this season, in time for the Olympics, are three fabulous new hotels.
First up is Belgraves, which opens in February in one of the world's most exclusive neighbourhoods. It's the first Thompson property in the
country that, ironically, inspired the group's original New York venture.
'Our first hotel, 60 Thompson, was based on the intimacy of British hotels,' said Jason Pomeranc, co-owner of Thompson Hotels, who
describes Belgraves as 'blending traditional British hospitality with an American bohemian attitude'.
EPR Architects have overhauled the former Sheraton Belgravia, given it a facelift and added living walls to its exterior. Inside, Tara Bernerd's
decoration is bold, with rich colours and eclectic furniture and art. There are 85 rooms, a library bar and, best of all, Mark Hix's 80-seater
restaurant and Mark's Bar.
In neighbouring South Kensington - and conveniently placed just around the corner from Boujis - The Ampersand Hotel has reinvented its
1888 self. Going for a vintage, boutique look, it has 110 bedrooms, a new patisserie, an in-house gym and the Bellini cocktail bar; the bird-
themed lobby/lounge displays a mix of modern art and vintage ornaments.
Over on the Strand, the Savoy and Somerset House have a cool new five-star neighbour. ME by Meli will open in Marconi House, the Grade
II-listed building where the first BBC broadcast took place in 1922. Foster + Partners has added a contemporary Portland stone and glass
extension and designed the interiors, which include 157 rooms and suites, two restaurants (including the first British outpost of American
steakhouse STK) and a rooftop bar (pictured). The view from the bar stretches along the Thames in both directions, all the way from the
Houses of Parliament in the west to Canary Wharf in the east. There's also a two-storey suite with a private terrace at the top of the building's
glass turret that has a 360-degree view.

Rather than a concierge, an 'Aura Manager' can fix everything from providing insider information for the design-savvy and booking tables at
underground restaurants to offering guests styling tips. If ME London is half as cool as its sister hotel in Barcelona, then you can expect to see a
host of beautiful people partying here.
Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel, 20 Chesham Place, London SW1 (www.thompsonhotels.com). Doubles from 336
The Ampersand Hotel, 10 Harrington Road, London SW7 (www.ampersandhotel.com)
ME London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2 (0808 234 1953; www.me-by-melia.com). Doubles from 340

Title: Conde Nast Traveller Online
Date: January 30
th
2012
PR Value: 28,800

2012 Coverage

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

2012 Coverage

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Title: Aspire

Date: December 2012

Hotels mentioned in this story

Samuel JohnsonWhen a man is tired of London he is tired of life, for there

#JDZDMF -JCSBSZ 1FPQMF 5SFF

Вам также может понравиться