Stop the night
From chain hotels to university campuses, Alex Middleton takes a look at group-friendly accommodation across the UK.
When planning a group trip involving overnight stays, booking good quality accommodation is an essential part of any GTO’s role. From the guaranteed levels of quality offered by the large chains, to the individual character of an independent hotel or Oxbridge College, the following pages detail some of what the UK has to offer groups.
The large chains
The large hotel chains operating in the UK offer GTOs a range of options, from budget express hotels to large luxury properties. With each guaranteeing standardised levels of quality and service, GTOs can know just what to expect for their money.
Beginning with one of the larger chains Hilton International, has 73 hotels based in the UK. The company has a dedicated group bookings team and offers special rates for groups of over 20 in all its hotels.
Another of the large chains, Marriott International offers groups 63 hotels across the UK under four brand names; 45 Marriott Hotels, mainly based in towns and cities, 10 Marriott Hotels and Country Clubs, whose locations are generally more rural and which feature swimming pools, spas, golf-courses and tennis courts, seven Renaissance Hotels, which provide more up-market three and five star accommodation, and Marriott Vacation Club’s Grand Residences by Marriott, offering luxury accommodation in the heart of Mayfair. There is a dedicated group sales team who can provide details of the group rates offered at all the hotels and a free guide to group accommodation at Marriott properties is available.
Meanwhile, MacDonald Hotels and Resorts operates 46 hotels across the UK. The company has recently invested in a major refurbishment programme, which has included the addition of a £3 million health club and spa at its MacDonald Portal Hotel in Cheshire and recently started work on a £1.7 million health club at the MacDonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Shropshire, which is due to open in January. Group rates are offered at all of its 46 hotels, 45 of which also offer a ‘Great Days Out’ scheme, which offers groups half-price tickets to local attractions.
Specialising in group travel, Shearings Holidays, formerly WA Shearings, operates 44 hotels across the UK. The company offers discounts on group bookings at all its hotels and offers free accommodation to GTOs.
Thistle Hotels also has venues across the UK, with six in Scotland, 19 in London and a further 16 across the rest of England and Wales. The group also includes the Guoman Hotels brand, which operates two stylish hotels in central London. GTOs can book through a group sales team, who can also advise on group rates at individual hotels.
Similarly, Britannia Hotels, the operator of 33 hotels across the UK, offers groups a range of negotiable discounts at its hotels, as well as a number of package breaks, such as ‘Murder Mystery Nights’. The company also offers discounted all-inclusive out of season breaks and ‘Entertainment Breaks’ at its seaside Britannia and Grand Entertainment Hotels, which feature live evening entertainment.
The Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, meanwhile, runs two brands in the UK; the three star budget Jurys Inns, which features 22 hotels in towns and cities throughout the UK, with one more scheduled to open this month in Brighton and another in Liverpool city centre in Spring 2008, and Jurys Doyle Hotels, offering four star accommodation in London, Bristol and Dublin. Both brands offer discounts on group bookings.
Lastly, Von Essen Hotels, which runs 20 country house hotels based mainly in the south of England, as well as one just outside Edinburgh and one in the Lake District, also offer varying group discounts at their properties.
Small chains
Smaller chains can offer groups a level of guaranteed quality, but due to their size tend to have less of a corporate image and a more personal atmosphere than some of their larger rivals.
Bourne Leisure’s chain of 34 Haven and British Holidays Parks, set across the UK, offer groups accommodation in chalets and caravans at several of their properties. The company, which has a dedicated group bookings team, also offers groups a wide range of discounts.
Providing up-market four star accommodation, Q Hotels runs 22 properties across the UK. In May the company completed a £4.5 million refurbishment of its Chase Hotel in Cheltenham and offers groups a range of discounts at its various properties.
Paramount Hotels runs 20 four star hotels across the UK, most of which feature health clubs and spa facilities. The company offers a variety of group discounts, which vary between hotels.
Meanwhile, Forestdale Hotels, which runs 19 mid-range hotels across the UK, most of which are housed in historic buildings, also offers group discounts at its various hotels.
Warner Leisure Hotels, another Bourne Leisure Company, which specialises in the adult-only market, have 13 properties across England and Wales, divided into three categories; Historic Hotels, Character Hotels and Coastal Resorts. The company offers groups a range of packages, such as Festive Dining, as well as a dedicated group bookings team, a free welcome host to meet your party and a range of group discounts at all its properties.
Featuring 12 UK hotels in its portfolio, Legacy Hotels has a dedicated group travel advisor to deal with bookings from GTOs. The company also offers GTOs free assistance with planning itineraries, discounts on organising evening entertainment at the hotels and a facility for booking local theatre tickets. The company also offers a range of discounts for group bookings.
Grand Hotels UK, part of The UK Holiday Group, consists of 10 hotels based around the UK. The company offers groups a range of discounts, as well as tailor-made packages in conjunction with its sister company, the tour operator Group UK. These packages can include accommodation at hotels in the group or other selected venues and coach travel to local attractions. An annual group travel brochure is also produced.
Strathmore Hotels operates eight three star hotels across the north of England and Scotland. The company offers GTOs tailor-made packages in conjunction with its sister company, Strathmore Travel. These can feature coach travel to and from the hotel and also to loacl attractions, as well as hemed stays at any of the group’s country house hotels. Packages include ‘Burns Night’, which features traditional Scottish dining and entertainment. Group discounts on accommodation are offered at all of the company’s hotels.
Meanwhile, the Metro Inns chain, which was formed in 2006, has five budget hotels based across England and Scotland, in Peterborough, Doncaster, Teesside, Newcastle and Falkirk. The company has a dedicated group bookings department and offers a range of discounts for groups at all its hotels.
In the south west of England, Hollybush Hotels, which has three hotels and two holiday villages set across Devon and Somerset, is another company specialising in the adult market. The company’s group sales team offers GTOs assistance in finding the best rates on local coach operators and group discounts are offered, with no supplements on single rooms available for 10% of the party.
Daish’s Travel operates hotels in Torquay, Shanklin and Bournemouth and now also runs the Barrowfield Hotel in Newquay. The company offers groups tailor-made packages which can include coach transport to and from the hotels, excursions to local attractions and pre-booked theatre tickets. Details of all of these are available from the company’s dedicated group bookings team, who can also give GTOs information on the various group discounts available.
Holdsworth Hotels, which has three hotels on the south coast of England, also offers group discounts at all its properties. The booking and reservations team are also happy to help GTOs looking to plan itineraries in the local areas.
With a luxury hotel in Knightsbridge, a mid-range hotel housed in a former coaching-inn in Gerrards Cross and a country house hotel in Gloucestershire, Sarova Hotels has a broad range of accommodation for a small hotel chain. The company offers groups discounts at each of its properties. The hotel chain, Aston Hotels, which already operates two properties in Darlington and Dumfries in Scotland, will be opening a further two hotels in 2008; the Aston Hotel Neath, near Swansea, and the Aston Hotel Sheffield. The company currently offers a range of group discounts at its existing hotels, which will also be offered at its new properties.
Franchise hotels
Just like hotel chains, hotel franchises aim to guarantee GTOs a standard level of service and quality across all their establishments.
One of the larger franchises, Premier Inn, which re-branded from Premier Travel Inn at the beginning of October, runs 480 hotels across the UK. These include locations in central London, all major UK cities and at all UK airports. The company also offers groups a ‘Great Days Out’ scheme, where groups can receive discount vouchers for over 500 attractions.
Meanwhile, Best Western Hotels, a body that markets hotels across the UK, has 290 members operating under its name at locations on the coast, in the country and in cities throughout the UK. All of the group’s members offer special rates for groups.
The Intercontinental Hotels Group also has 240 hotels operating across the UK. The group features 15 Crowne Plaza Hotels in the UK, which offer up-market accommodation, as well as 116 Holiday Inns and 109 Holiday Inn Expresses, both of which offer good quality budget accommodation. Group rates and special deals are available but vary depending upon the hotel.
The Accor Group offers GTOs a wide range of choice across six UK brands. Two ETAP hotels in London offer express budget accommodation, as do four Formule 1 Hotels, based in London, Coventry, Birmingham and Liverpool. The group’s 49 Ibis Hotels, based in cities throughout the UK, offer slightly more up-market budget accommodation. For good quality mid-range accommodation, the group features 31 Novotels in cities across the UK and 26 three and four star Mercure Hotels. The group’s three luxury Sofitels in London, which also offer group accommodation, complete the range. Group rates are available at all of the brands, but vary depending upon the hotel.
In Scotland, the Classic Britain hotel consortium has 86 members, all of which offer group discounts and packages. The consortium produces the annual Classic Britain Group brochure, which gives information on group packages and deals at its members’ sites.
Also offering group discounts, Ramada Jarvis operates 40 mid-range hotels in cities across the UK, with a new property near Heathrow scheduled to open in mid-2008. The company has recently completed a £52 million refurbishment of all its properties, which has included a complete refurbishment of the Jarvis Manchester Piccadilly, as well as the addition of flat-screen LCD televisions to every bedroom in the company’s properties. Besides discounts, the company offers groups a selection of ‘ready-made’ packages, which include accommodation, transport and entry to local attractions.
Another large franchise, Rezidor SAS Hospitality, is increasing its presence in the UK. The group’s Radisson SAS chain features 13 up-market hotels in London, with a further seven based in major UK cities. Two more of these will be opening in Bristol and Durham in mid-2008. The group’s Park Inn brand, which offers mid-range accommodation, also has 13 hotels based in cities throughout the UK. Group discounts are available at both of the company’s brands.
Abacus Hotels, part of the Best Western consortium, is the independent owner of three hotels in and around East Anglia. These are the 17th century Best Western Orton Hall in Peterborough, the Best Western Knights Hill Hotel, which enjoys scenic views of the Wash from near King’s Lynn, and the Le Strange Arms Hotel, which offers sea views from its Hunstanton location in northern Norfolk. The group’s Orton Hall hotel is currently undergoing a refurbishment which will see a new pool added by next spring. Groups are offered various discounts at all three hotels.
Lastly, the international hotel brand, Kempinski Hotels, which celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, operates two luxury hotels in central London, the Bentley Kempinski and
the Courthouse Hotel Kempinski. Group rates may be negotiated with each hotel on an individual basis.
Independent hotels
The many independent hotels located throughout the UK can offer groups not only good quality accommodation, but a more personal service and competitive rates and discounts.
Beginning in the south west, the Cliff Head Hotel in Cornwall, located a short distance from the Eden Project, offers discounted rates for groups.
On the north coast of Cornwall, the Hartland Hotel in Bude offers groups up to 50 percent discounts on its rates and no single supplements outside the summer season. The Hotel, which can also help GTOs arrange coach transport to and from the hotel and to local attractions, features a range of themed breaks, such as 1940s themed weekends and ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ Christmas breaks.
In Devon, the Preston Sands Hotel, which offers panoramic views of Torbay, has a friendly and personal atmosphere and offers discounts on group bookings.
Not far from here, in Torquay, TLH Leisure Resort has four on-site hotels and offers group discounts, details of which are available from their dedicated group bookings team. The company also offers a range of package breaks for groups, such as Golf and Dance Weekends. GTOs are also offered free familiarisation visits, which include trips to local attractions.
Moving along the coast to the Isle of Wight, the art deco Trouville Hotel features 92 rooms and offers a range of package deals for GTOs, including ferry transport and themed packages, including ‘Rock and Roll Dance Weekends’. The Hotel also offers group discounts.
Also on the Isle of White, the Trouville’s sister hotel, the Shanklin Hotel offers groups 90 bedrooms, a gynasium and swimming pool. Group rates are also available.
Back on the mainland, Butlins’ Shoreline Hotel in Bognor Regis offers groups 160 bedrooms and a range of group discounts.
East of here, in Eastbourne, the four star Cavendish Hotel, located on the sea front offers groups 119 bedrooms in a grand Victorian building. The hotel has a dedicated group bookings team who can advise GTOs on discounts.
Moving north to the capital, the four star Bonnington Hotel, located in Bloomsbury, offers groups 245 bedrooms as well as a fashionable restaurant, gymnasium and cocktail bar. Discounts are also available on group bookings.
Just outside the capital, in Middlesex, groups can stay at the Grims Dyke Hotel, the former country home of William Gilbert, the musical partner of Arthur Sullivan. The hotel features 46 ensuite bedrooms, 40 acres of grounds and offers a year round programme of events, featuring performances of the librettist and composer’s operatas.
On the Norfolk and Suffolk coast, Potters Leisure Resort offers groups a range of options. From 110 rooms in its on-site hotel to accommodation in 150 bungalows. The company has a dedicated group bookings line and features a range of full-board packages, including ‘Bowls Trips’ and dance weekends featuring music from the 50s onwards. Free familiarisation trips are also offered.
Moving to the north west coast, the family-run Auckland Hotel in Morecambe, which provides group accommodation, offer groups a range of discounts.
Staying in Morecambe, the Broadway Hotel offers groups 54 rooms. Group discounts are negotiable depending upon the size of the group.
At its sister property in the town the Headway Hotel, which is also in Morecambe, groups are offered a range of themed breaks, including Turkey and Tinsel trips. Groups are also offered negotiable discounts on bookings.
Across the Pennines, in Yorkshire, the Queens Hotel, in the heart of York, features 80 ensuite bedrooms and a dedicated group bookings manager to assist GTOs.
Meanwhile, in Wales, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, in Carmarthen, features a health club and discounts on group bookings.
Back to university
Universities across the UK can offer GTOs a wide range of low cost accommodation options and many feature no single-supplements on rooms. However availability may be limited during term times, which usually last from late September to mid-December, mid-January to March and April to June each year.
GTOs can find the details of 80 academic venues which offer accommodation listed in the VENUEMASTERS consortium’s annual directory. The consortium represents academic venues across the UK and the directory gives details of rates and the dates when accommodation is available at members sites.
Starting in Scotland, the University of Stirling, offers groups 82 modern ensuite bedrooms at its Business Learning and Conference Centre, which is located 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The rooms all feature Sky television, the site features a comfortable lounge bar and group rates are negotiable.
On the west coast, the University of Strathclyde features 824 bedrooms in several locations around Glasgow, including just outside the city centre and on the banks of Loch Lomond. At its Campus Village, in the heart of the city, it offers groups 600 bedrooms, 300 of which are ensuite. Available packages include bed and breakfast and self-catering in self-contained flats in the Campus Village.
Moving into northern England, the University of Durham has 4,400 rooms including 1,500 ensuite rooms in its various modern and historic colleges, including at the medieval Durham Castle which, along with the Cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting groups are welcome to make use of the University’s facilities, which include bars and tennis and badminton courts. Group packages are available and rates are negotiable.
On the west coast, Liverpool, has three universities, all of which offer group rates on accommodation and bed and breakfast packages.
The University of Liverpool offers groups 1,600 rooms just outside the city centre. 236 of these are ensuite, with a further 200 ensuite bedrooms to be added next April.
Meanwhile, Liverpool John Moores University offers groups 200 ensuite rooms in the city centre. A further 170 single rooms with shared bathrooms are available at its Marsh Campus, just outside the city.
Liverpool Hope University offers groups 330 ensuite rooms at two venues; Hope Park Campus, just outside the city and Hope at Everton, based in the city centre.
On the other side of the Pennines, the University of York offers groups catered and self-catering accommodation in 650 rooms in both the city centre and on the outskirts of the city. Sixty five of the rooms are catered, ensuite and feature hotel style housekeeping throughout the year. Various group discounts are available, depending upon the location.
Also in Yorkshire, Leeds has two universities which offer groups accommodation.
Leeds Metropolitan University, located in the centre of the city, can offer groups accommodation in its 1,250 ensuite bedrooms. The University also features a range of health and leisure facilities that guests are welcome to use. These include a gym, sauna, swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as its various bars. Groups may be able to negotiate discounts.
The University of Leeds has 180 ensuite bedrooms just outside the city centre. Groups staying at the University are also welcome to use its swimming pool, squash courts, bars and other leisure facilities. Group discounts are negotiable.
In the Midlands, the University of Birmingham offers groups accommodation in 600 ensuite rooms at its campus in Edgbaston just outside the city centre. 150 of these rooms are available throughout the year, and group discounts are negotiable on all.
Not far from here, in Coventry, Warwick Conferences, the University of Warwick’s accommodation marketing department, offers groups up to 870 ensuite rooms at its campus just outside the city. Discounts are negotiable on bookings.
Further west, in Wales, Cardiff features two universities, both of which offer group accommodation.
Cardiff University offers groups both self-catering and bed and breakfast options at its Talybont Campus, just north of the city centre. The campus features 2,000 ensuite rooms and group rates are available.
The University of Wales Institute of Cardiff features 900 rooms, 555 of which are ensuite, at its two campuses; Plas Gwyn and Cyncoed. Both are located just outside the city centre and options include bed and breakfast or self-catering in flats of eight bedrooms with a private kitchen. Group rates are negotiable.
Across the Bristol Channel, the city of Bristol also features two universities that offer group accommodation.
The University of Bristol has 1,000 rooms, 300 of which are ensuite, spread across its three campuses in Stoke Bishop, just outside the city centre, and at its more historic halls of residence in the city’s fashionable Clifton district, in the city centre. Self-catering options and group discounts are available.
Not far from here the University of the West of England offers groups 2,000 ensuite bedrooms in self-contained flats at its Student Village, just outside Bristol city centre. Group rates are available.
Staying in the west country, the University of Exeter, in Devon, can provide accommodation for up to 1,400 people in either single or double ensuite bedrooms. These are offered in its various halls of residence, which are based on the edge of the town centre. Various group rates are offered.
Groups are also offered accommodation at the historic colleges of Oxford and Cambridge. From March 2007, guest accommodation at the colleges of both universities has been marketed by University Rooms. The new body is a joint endeavour between the universities to make booking accommodation at the
many individual colleges simpler, and features a special group accommodation team who can advise on available packages and group rates.
Moving to London, the London School of Economics (LSE) offers a wide range of group accommodation in its eight residences based in north, south and central London. These range from single rooms to six bedroom self-contained flats. Group rates are negotiable at all.
Also in the capital, Kings College offers groups 1,300 ensuite rooms at its four halls of residences based in Hampstead, London Bridge, Denmark Hill and Waterloo. Group packages include self-catering and bed and breakfast and group rates are available.
Further south, the University of Kent, which is situated just outside Canterbury, offers groups accommodation in 225 ensuite bedrooms during term time and 1,100 during the holidays. Its campus is set in 300 acres of parkland, overlooking the city. Guests at the University are also welcome to use its range of bars and restaurants. A bed and breakfast package is available for group bookings.
Meanwhile, in Hampshire, the University of Winchester has 265 ensuite bedrooms that groups can book outside term times. Set across two sites, both within the city centre, they are available within either self-catering or bed and breakfast packages. Group discounts are also negotiable.
On the south coast, the University of Brighton has 800 ensuite bedrooms, mostly in self-contained flats of six with a shared kitchen. These are spread across its five halls of residence, which are located in sites in the city centre, on the edge of the city and in nearby Eastbourne. Group discounts are also available.