My name is Kim Taylor and I work for HotelSmart - actually I have worked there for over 12 years and I must tell you about my fabulous familiarisation trip - for those of you who do not work in the travel industry a fam trip is when a venue has recently refurbished or changed hands etc and they want travel agents to come and see for theirselves so they can then sell onto to their clients.  It is much easier to do this when you have seen something first hand.

So I was invited by Principal Hayley Group to view their accusation of the St David’s Spa Hotel in Cardiff Bay.  When I got there they offered my sister and myself a complimentary drink whilst getting ready and then we had a gorgeous dinner in the restaurant.  The room we were allocated was fit for a popstar - we thought we were one of the WAGs for the weekend - we were given a suite with stunning views over Cardiff Bay and with 2 separate balconies it was truly amazing.

In the morning we went on a high speed boat around the bay where we got soaked but it was completely exhilerating and that was followed by a supposedly ‘light lunch’ which was amazing with freshly made breads, loads of different cheeses and meats and more!

The afternoon was our own and we were too full and tired to do anything but sit on the balcony looking out over the bay, then there was a knock on the door and we were presented with freshly made Welsh cakes and a cup of tea - yes we ate them it would have been rude not to!!

In the evening we went down for an early dinner and the menu was carved onto a slate tile, we had a photograph taken with the MD of the group Tony Troy and then sat down to eat a pre-show dinner.  We then went off to the new Millenniuem Stadium to watch a tribute band to Take That which was fab.

On return to the hotel we had the cheese and dessert courses accommanied by fine wines. Finally when we reached the bedroom on the Sat night the photograph was on the bed in a lovely frame as was the menu in slate for us to take away as a momemtum. Sunday after a glorious breakfast we headed back to our hime town sunny Bournemouth - probably a couple of pounds heavier then when we left!

Thanks to you Principal-hayley for a truly wonderful fam trip  and I have been on many - this was the best one I have ever experienced!

HOTELSMART OPENING HOURS OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

Friday 21st December - Closing at 12.30pm for Staff Christmas Lunch
Monday 24th December – 9.00am – 12.00pm
25th & 26th December –Closed
Friday 28th December – 9.00 – 12.00pm
Monday 31st December – 9.00 – 12.00pm
1st January – Closed HAPPY NEW YEAR
Tuesday 2nd January 2008 -9.00 – 5.30pm

An emergency mobile number will be available throughout

HOTELSMART ‘S FREE BENEFITS  AVAILABLE TO YOU

 FREE Monthly Management Information Reports stating money saved, hotels booked and who stayed where. 
 FREE Online booking form with your company logo and relevant details
FREE venue finding
FREE accommodation finding
FREE Conference Venue Finders
FREE IT assistance  for conference organizers
FREE Team Building ideas

TOP 20 DEALS * — 12 DECEMBER 2007
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£29 & up — UK & European Flights on Sale, up to 1/3 OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348793/
Source: bmibaby.com

£32 — 4-Star Prague Hotel w/Breakfast & Upgrade
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348267/
Source: Corinthia Panorama Hotel

£99 & up — Festive Rhine River Cruise w/Meals, Over 30% OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348342/
Source: Travelscope

£459 — Peak Season Barbados Holiday w/Virgin Flights
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347611/
Source: Virgin Holidays

£113 — Norwegian 7-Night Ski Holiday
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348254/
Source: Neilson

£56 — Niagara Falls 4-Diamond Suite inc Meals
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348570/
Source: Embassy Suites Niagara Falls

£23 & up — Fly to 5 Scandinavian Cities (Return)
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348276/
Source: Sterling

£449 — Kenya 5-Shield Beach Holiday w/Meals
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347551/
Source: African Safari Club

£69 — Scarborough Coastal Hotel w/Dinner and FREE Upgrade
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348274/
Source: The Royal Hotel

£641 — Mauritius 7-Night Island Escape
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348812/
Source: Expedia.co.uk

£79 — Cotswolds Hotel Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Pkg, 40% OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347317/
Source: Snooty Fox

£520 — Fly to Australia (Return)
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348803/
Source: Travelmood

£199 — Last-Minute Madeira Break: 7 Nights & Flights
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348817/
Source: Atlantic Holidays

£360 & up — Lapland Half-Price Family Breaks Over Xmas
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348526/
Source: Iglu Lapland

£359 — Orlando Two-Week Holiday
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348542/
Source: A1 Travel

£85 — Manchester City Centre Hotel w/Breakfast (Reg. £120)
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347412/
Source: Macdonald Manchester Hotel

£74 — 7-Night Algarve Winter-Sun Escape, 50% OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347953/
Source: Jet2holidays.com

£799 — 10-Night Fjords & Baltic Summer Cruise, £200 OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347561/
Source: Jetline Cruise

£38 & up — Eastern & Central Europe Fare Sale
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-348289/
Source: Sky Europe

£989 — 13-Night Golden Temple & Himalayas Tour inc Flights
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-347856/
Source: Southall Travel

In the Christmas spirit Hotelsmart would like to alert everyone to these great deals on Hotels, flights and holiday packages.

£419 & up — Worldwide 25th Birthday Holiday Sale
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346713/
Source: Flight Centre

£15 & up — European Ski Flights, Skis & Boards go FREE
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346745/
Source: easyJet.com

£81 — France: 7-Night Ski Hotel Pkg inc Lift Pass
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-345372/
Source: SnowTrex Ski Holidays

£89 — Award-Winning Boutique UK Hotel Sale, up to 40% OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346509/
Source: Malmaison Hotels

£217 — Return Flights to New York w/Virgin Atlantic
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346390/
Source: Opodo

£99 — Deluxe Barcelona Hotel nr Las Ramblas w/Upgrade
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346298/
Source: Avenida Palace

£259 — Turkey All-Inclusive Holiday, ex Liverpool
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346533/
Source: Go-Travel Holidays

£193 — Marrekesh 7-Night Winter Escape w/Meals
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346739/
Source: lowcostholidays.com

£49 — Stylish Belgian Hotel in Medieval Bruges w/Breakfast
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346439/
Source: Martin’s Brugge Hotel

£240 — 7-Night Gambia Winter-Sun Escape
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346275/
Source: Holiday.co.uk

£69 — Fly to Malta & Sicily (Return)
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346278/
Source: Air Malta

£87 — Landmark New York City Hotel w/Breakfast
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346043/
Source: The Roosevelt Hotel

£10 & up — Winter-Sun Flights on Sale, SAVE up to 80%
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346288/
Source: Jet2.com

£71 — Plush Paris Hotel nr Arc de Triomphe, 60% OFF
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346728/
Source: Best Western Champs Elysees

£409 — 7-Night Canary Island Fly/Cruise, SAVE £230
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346580/
Source: cruisedeals.co.uk

£138 — Deluxe Country Hotel Golf Pkg w/Meals, Save £150
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-345345/
Source: The Belfry

£99 — Central London 4-Star Hotel w/Breakfast & Upgrade
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-345307/
Source: Millenium Baileys Hotel

£173 — 14-Night Florida Fly/Drive
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346312/
Source: Holiday City Direct

£99 — Costa Del Sol 7-Night Budget Holiday
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346466/
Source: Holidays Direct

£699 — 9-Night Bali & Malaysia Twin-Centre Holiday
http://uk.travelzoo.com/top20/2850-346531/
Source: Travelmood

This London hotel is located moments away from Canary Wharf, ExCel, City Airport and the 02 Arena. On a tranquil riverside spot boasting 169 bedrooms and 7 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 250 people

The 169 individually designed bedrooms at this London hotel are generously sized with integral workspaces, Bang & Olufsen flat screen televisions and full in-room entertainment systems with satellite, pay movies and wireless broadband. Spectacular views of the River Thames and the City of London from many of the bedrooms in this London hotel.

The hotel houses the Azura Bar and Restaurant, fast becoming the meeting place of choice for local residents and Canary Wharf professionals. The interior space is cool, intimate and relaxed with designer furniture from Phillipe Hurel and a long basalt and blue steel bar.

Hotel services

• Express check in and check out on request
• Online check in
• 24 hour room service
• Currency exchange
• Valet service available for laundry
• Cribs available on request

Hotel amenities

• Bar and lounge
• Azura Restaurant
• East River Spa
• Swimming pool
• Fully equipped gym
• Alfresco terrace bar

Concierge service

• Limousine service
• Theatre and sightseeing bookings
• Flower arrangements
• Car hire

Business services

• Conference rooms
• Complimentary wireless Internet access
• Audio/visual equipment
• Video conferencing

Business Centre

• Internet access
• Email
• Fax
• Photo copy
• Computer packages - Powerpoint, Word, and Excel

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Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf London

5 Fairmont Avenue , Canary Wharf, London E14 9PQ , England

Reservations: +44 (0)20 7987 2050

Fax: +44 (0)20 7987 8424

resnpw@radisson.com

As the official accommodation partner HotelSmart have secured excellent rates at a range of Bournemouth hotels specifically for the National Rugby Sevens Festival.

About the National Rugby Sevens Festival

The National Rugby Sevens Festival is a 2 day rugby/music festival on par with world tournaments such as Dubai, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam. The organiser’s goal is to make this annual festival the largest in Europe appealing to everyone from all ages.

The festival will be a whole weekend of entertainment.

Fancy dress all weekend
National sevens tournament
Kids zone
Live bands
Meet the England world cup winners
Huge beer marquees
VIP corporate hospitality
Pitch side Jacuzzi
Cheerleaders
Family entertainment
Food stands
Fun fair
RFU road show
Rugby clinics
Trade stands
Onsite camping
Plus much more.

The festival is going to be held at the Bournemouth Sports Club (next to Bournemouth international airport)

See www.bournemouthsevens.com for further information about the festival.

Camping facilities are available but for those of you who like your home comforts you may wish to find a hotel room using our website www.hotelsmart.co.uk

Where possible it would be advised to avoid placing conferences or accommodation in London and Birmingham on the below dates.

1. World Travel Market London
   12th-16th November 2007
2. Spring Fair Birmingham
   4th-8th February 2008

See our main website for great rates on hotel accommodation and conference venues.

We all know it costs a fortune for TV Advertising but I found a new channel called Hollywood Classics Network ( AKA Open Access 2 channel 160 ) who only charge £8-00 for 30 seconds with no minimum number of slots, they will also create your advert for around £300.

They broadcast old black and white and colour Movie Greats also including iconic comedy shows like” I Love Lucy ” every weekday from 6pm and at weekends from Noon.

I found out about this opportunity through channel flicking one day and thought to myself I wonder if this could be good for hotelsmart to advertise on.

I believe that we are the first Conference and Hotel Booking Agents ever to try TV Advertising.

This blog will be of interest to anyone who organises events, conferences or accommodation and will feature such things as:

• Latest news from HotelSmart and anything that could affect the booking of accommodation, conferences, events and training sessions.
• Tips on which dates and cities to avoid when booking conferences or accommodation
• Full reports from familiarisation trips