Not many Brits thought London would win the bid to host the Olympic Games in London in 2012. In reality, many of us simply weren’t interested.
We complained how expensive the Games would be with all the upheaval involved in the city’s infrastructure. Besides, London had already hosted the Olympic Games in 1948; we thought another city should show its merits. Paris was the strong favourite; they’d never held the Games before, were really enthusiastic, and had got lots of T-shirts printed announcing “Paris 2012”.
Consequently, on the 6th July 2005 13.00 BST, few Brits had bothered to tune into the announcement from Singapore declaring the winning city …… London! No one was more dumbstruck than the French or amazed than the British. The resulting belated euphoria in London was akin to the UK winning the medals table.
For the meeting and events planner, the London 2012 Olympic Games are a double-edged sword. Firstly, we’re finding in some cases meeting/event space next year is restricted in the months running up to Games because the major Olympic sponsors have block booked large numbers of bedrooms and function areas. We also need to inform the authorities if we are holding an event in London with over 500 attendees during this period, and corporate hospitality can only be provided by three “official” agencies. However, London has some excellent new hotels opening in time for the Games, including international brand hotels new to London (Corinthia, Shangri-La, W Hotels).
In addition, opening May 2011 the 5* deluxe Renaissance St Pancras, London, becomes the flagship of the Renaissance group in Europe. This former grand station hotel and landmark building is a stunning renovation. The old booking office has been converted into a trendy bar, the ornate “ladies smoking room” has been transformed into a refined, period function room, but most impressive is the gothic staircase, a certain backdrop for wedding photography.
And for train enthusiasts you can even book a bedroom overlooking the platforms.
Already in the UK this year we have set a new world record for high-speed bed making. A hotel housekeeper from Sheffield’s Premier Inn hotel tackled two pillows with pillowcases, a mattress cover, sheet, duvet cover and bed runner in just 95 seconds!
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The Venue Guru is a name given for reviews of business venues that as a professional, I have inspected personally or used for meeting and events. The venues reviewed are in the UK or mainland Europe and these reviews are from a meeting and event planners perspective. I have no links with any hotels or venue marketing consortia and the reviews expressed are my own opinions. I hope you find them useful.
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