Restaurant Spotlight | Berners Tavern Review

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All day dining goes upmarket: Berners Tavern serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner under the expert direction of Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton, located just off Oxford Street inside the contemporary London EDITION Hotel.

The London EDITION (see our hotel blog post here) is the second collaboration between the Marriott group and hotel legend Ian Schrager – find out more about the hotel brand vision in this interview with Schrager.

Berners Tavern serves contemporary British cuisine within award-winning (Interior Design of the Year at the European Hotel Awards for one!) and stylish surroundings.

Every inch of the dramatic high walls is covered in chic framed art, described by Marina O’Loughlin of the Guardian as “different-sized paintings and photographs interlocking like some kind of aesthete’s Tetris”.

Located above the restaurant is Berners Tavern’s private dining room; an intimate space seating up to 14. A modern, long dark walnut table with rose upholstered chairs is placed under an original historic skylight with atmospheric lighting.

Custom designed private dining packages are available to suit every occasion and make your experience both personal and memorable. The private dining room is the ideal space for exclusive VIP dining.

The Effective Event Solutions team are big fans of the lunchtime ‘sandwiches’ especially the Lobster and prawn brioche roll! Check out the Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner menus!

Summing up our Berners Tavern review we reckon this is a great place for informal lunch meetings or to get creative inspiration from the incredible decor.

New York | Event Space Times Square

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Early next year The Knickerbocker Hotel will re-launch itself. With an iconic location at 6 Times Square this luxury property is going to be brilliant for group incentives and events.

The 7,500 square foot rooftop lounge and bar can hold up to 250 guests within it’s indoor and outdoor space. With panoramic views of Manhattan’s famous skyline this is the perfect place to hold your next NYC event – or better still watch the New Year’s eve ball drop!

At the crossroads of uptown and downtown the Knickerbocker is also ideal for incentive groups. First opened in 1906, the hotel’s most recent make-over means it is just a vibrant and dynamic as the city itself.

Featuring 330 stylish bedrooms (including a selection of suites), state of the art fitness facilities and a restaurant / bar by Charlie Palmer the soon to be re-born Knickerbocker is the place to see and be seen.

The meeting space boasts integrated technology, natural daylight and Time Square views. Events for up to 250 can easily be accommodated in style, event space Times Square doesn’t get much better than this!

Nothing says ‘New York’ better than holding an event near the iconic Times Square, if you’re interested in more event ideas for this amazing city, contact our team on Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com

Alternative Christmas Parties in London

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Looking for different way to celebrate the festive season this year? 2014 is the Year of the Bus for London Transport, but it’s much easier to see the city by bicycle …

Wrap up warm and take the Tally Ho Ho Ho Christmas tour of the capital! A single group is usually around 12 cyclists but we can have multiple guides to take a group of up to 40.

Your group will take a merry winter’s ride around London against the backdrop of glittering Christmas lights and festive decorations adorning many of the buildings and shop fronts you pass. The tour guide(s) will lead you around some classic sights as well as the best of London’s seasonal happenings.

Wrap up warm and swap the traditional office ‘do’ for an alternative view of the capital as the sun goes down and everything lights up for Christmas!

The tour guide(s) will stop frequently to tell you quirky historical tales, insider tips and also to take a pit-stop at Hyde Park’s famous Winter Wonderland (grab a mulled wine while you’re at it!). After visiting the Christmas markets your tour will head on through the back streets of the West End and soak up the vibes of fashionable Carnaby Street and the alternative character of Soho.

If you’d like more ideas for alternative christmas parties in London then please contact the team on Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com 

Top 10 Group Activities in Dubai

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Dubai is a fascinating city with much to offer both corporate events and incentive groups. From high-end hotels and penthouse bars to desert landscapes and golf courses, the range of group activities in Dubai mean you’ll never get bored.

Effective Travel Solutions work with the best local suppliers in the U.A.E. to ensure our group and incentive programmes offer your guests an unforgettable experience.
Here are our Top 10 group activities in Dubai:

1. Dune-bashing (pictured)

Combine stunning scenery with adrenaline fueled action as you head out on across the sand dunes in a 4×4. If you’re brave enough (and have your driving licence) you can take to the wheel yourself!

2. Get an Aerial view

See the famous Palm in all it’s glory from your own private Helicopters or Seaplanes, take a short trip over the city or make a day of it and use air transfers to take you to/from Abu Dhabi!

3. Shopping

Dubai Mall is a wonder in itself; take a trip round the aquarium, gaze at the indoor waterfalls and pick up a few designer treats! At the other end of the shopping spectrum are the markets, head over to Souk Madinat for more traditional Emirati gifts (and a huge variety of restaurants) or down to the spice markets to experience ‘Old Dubai’.

4. Sunset dinner in the desert

Exclusive dune areas can be transformed into stunning banquet spaces whatever your group size. Traditional rugs and cushions can be brought in for drinks at sunset too.

5. Sky Diving

For adrenaline-seekers this is another great way to get a good view of The Palm – sky dive over it!

6. Spa relaxation

Famed for it’s high-end hotels and resorts, Dubai has also become one of the world’s top spa destinations. A great way to unwind post event!

7. Be a ‘HOG’ for the day

The Harley Owners Group of Dubai will pick your group up with their ‘fleet’ of incredible Harley Davidson motorbikes, cruise down the highway as a transfer between venues or take a longer trip out sightseeing!

8. Boat-Life

Take a short trip across Dubai Creek in an authentic Abra (the best way to get to the Spice and Gold markets) or hire a traditional Dhow boat for an evening dinner cruise.

9. Formula 1 Thrills

Ok so not technically in Dubai, but just an hour away by road (or quicker by air!) is Abu Dhabi’s famous Yas Marina F1 circuit. Tours and track days can be arranged as well as helicopter and seaplane aerial trips over Yas Island.

10. Cocktails with a view

As you may have guessed from it’s skyline, Dubai is spoilt for choice when it comes to dining with a view. Many buildings and hotels have devoted their top floors to sumptuous bars and sophisticated restaurants.

Whilst these are some of our favourites there are also many more group activities in Dubai; Camel Polo, Golf and Watersports to name just a few.

If you’re interested in taking an incentive group out or holding an event in Dubai, then get in touch for a FREE proposal via Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com 

London venue made famous by Michael Bublé

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Whilst getting ourselves in the festive mood (by playing cheesy Christmas songs in the office – naturally) we were excited to notice that the back-drop for Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel’s new video is none other than The Banking Hall!

Bublé and Menzel’s rendition of the classic ‘Baby it’s cold outside’ features two adorable mini-mes singing and dancing around one of our favourite London venues. Watch them in action here.

Banking Hall is a recent addition to the city’s event ‘portfolio’, formerly Lloyd’s bank, the grade II listed main hall was designed in the 1930s and retains it’s Art Deco inspired style to this day. Huge marble columns line the sides of the room and provide real ‘wow-factor’ for everything from corporate conferences to Christmas parties.

The mezzanine level ‘counting room’ has views over the Bank of England to one side and a birds eye view of the main hall to the other.

From 150 to 800 guests, whatever event you are planning, Banking Hall is the perfect venue to impress your guests.

If you’re interested in finding out more or holding your next event at this venue please contact our team on Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com for a FREE proposal.

 

New Year’s Eve by the London Eye

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Want to see in 2015 with a bang? London is full of fabulous and decadent party nights but if you like to be at the heart of the action there is only one place to be: The Thames Rooms.

Run by the team from the London Eye, The Thames Rooms are located within County Hall just next to the iconic wheel, meaning you are right in the middle of the action on the city’s South Bank!

Tickets priced at £340 inc. VAT include all your food and drink to see in the new year in style! And they’re selling fast so get in quick!

For events in 2015 and beyond contact us for more information about the possibilities at The London Eye Thames Rooms. Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com

The Art of Champagne Events

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You’ve probably been to plenty of events where you were met with a nice chilled glass of bubbly, but were any of those drinks particularly memorable?

Champagne (or even sparkling wine) has become a standard ‘welcome drink’, you will find it included in many catering packages, and most certainly at package Christmas parties! A classic for sure, but would you miss it?

For those of you not brave (or adventurous) enough to do away with the fizz completely, here are a few ways to liven up the traditional event welcome drink:

Sabrage

At most champagne events the bottles are opened quietly behind the bar and glasses filled in advance of guest arrival, whilst this is necessary when welcoming large numbers you can still inject a little showmanship by slicing the top off the bottles using the traditional art of Sabrage. Check out this video from Difford’s Guide to see how it’s done.

Walking Tables

Whatever your event theme there is a human table costume to suit it! The Olympic torch, a comedy granny and classic Union Jack are just a few examples. Experienced staff don extravagant costumes to serve everything from champagne and canapes to cupcakes and finger food to your guests.

Aerial Service

Trained acrobats wow your guests by pouring champagne from the air as they arrive at your venue! Choreographed acts can be produced with multiple acrobats on rigged hoops or a stunning ‘champagne’ chandelier. Ceiling height and rigging restrictions are dependent on the venue though.

Historic Champagne Cocktails

Possibly the most famous cocktail recipe selection of all time; ‘The Savoy Cocktail Book’ by Harry Craddock (first published in 1930) contains some divine creations. Our absolute favourite is the French 75.
Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple sugar syrup and of course Champagne, the inspiration for the name was apparently due as a tribute to the 75mm Howitzer field gun that the French and Americans used in World War 1 – the French 75 cocktail was said to have such a kick that it felt like being hit by that piece of weaponry.

Contemporary Champagne Cocktails

Classic champagne cocktails such as the bellini and mimosa are being updated with contemporary flavours like blood orange or lavender.

Glassware

A flute or a coupette (pictured)? Legend has it that the first 18th century coupe was modeled on the breast of Marie Antoinette, more recently supermodel Kate Moss celebrated 25 years in fashion in the same style – read more about that here.
Your choice may depend on the setting for your event; flutes are thin and tall thus more can be displayed for events with large numbers, but coupettes have a more glamorous feel for smaller intimate events (as proved by Ms Moss!)

Talk to our team for more champagne events ideas that will make your event stand out! For a FREE proposal contact us on Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com

New Hotel Launch in London – New Event Spaces 2015!

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When looking for venues or hotels in London you are spoiled for choice – unless that is you are looking for something ‘totally brand new’, somewhere your guests or delegates will have never been before …

Which is why we are so excited to tell you about the new M by Montcalm hotel! Due to open in March, 2015 this property is located in trendy Shoreditch, East London just off the newly dubbed ‘silicon roundabout’.

This new hotel launch in London will see 269 deluxe bedrooms and suites along with meeting facilities from 2 to 250 people open up for events. With a unique location, modern design, state of the art amenities and an exceptional roof top bar overlooking London, M by Montcalm Shoreditch London Tech City is the perfect venue for your next event or group incentive!

Be the first to enjoy these stunning new facilities; contact us on Sales@EffectiveEventSolutions.com for a FREE proposal for your next event!