The Real Weekend

As part of its 'Campaign for the Real Weekend' a nationally representative survey (1,000 people) commissioned by purplehotels and carried out by BMRB* has revealed fascinating statistics about 'weekend break ' habits amongst people in the UK. Purplehotels have launched a 'Campaign for the Real Weekend' to promote 'weekends not workends'.

purplehotels questioned the need to escape from the stress of life to which the great majority of people (74%) revealed they hoped to grab a "chance to relax", 58% felt a break away would enable them "to feel better about work, life and family" whilst over a third (35%) of people wanted to "learn something new about a different part of Britain". Interestingly 38% of males and females questioned believed that a weekend break would improve the intimacy of their relationship.

A weekend away also has a marked effect on returning home. Some 45% of women and 39% of men claimed it made them 'feel more able to cope with life' but 37% of respondents 'immediately yearned for another break'. (For some, once wasn't enough!)

When asked 'How long after your return does the good feeling last?' 41% felt the 'benefits lasted a few days' whilst 20% of men declared ecstatically the 'good feeling lasted for at least a week'.

Mike Prager, CEO explains: "Who says the weekend should be limited to Saturday and Sunday? Have you counted the number of 12hour+ days you've put in recently? Show some dedication to your time, too. At purplehotels we believe that the weekend is any time between Thursday & Monday & we price it that way too. My final tip is try calling in well to work. Most people at some time call in sick. Call in well and say 'I'm having a couple of days off and I feel great'. Then take off and visit this lovely island of ours!"

*The survey was commissioned by purplehotels and carried out by BMRB via online Omnibus across 1,000 adults aged 16-64.

Real Recognition - The Real Hotel Company announces its top employees for 2007

The Real Hotel Company has recently had their annual award ceremony congratulating those who have improved or performed beyond expectations - offering customers real quality and real hotels staffed by real people.

purplehotel Derby - including the general manager Neil Parks and his team walked away with hotel of the year. The hotel was nominated for its best-improved customer service satisfaction, profitability, customer service as well as all key audit criteria including food and health and safety. To thank the team for their outstanding performance the head office at the Real Hotel Company put on a party for the team.

Helen Angus, general manager of the Scotch Corner won the title General Manager of the Year 2007. She wins the award before leaving the hotel to go on maternity leave and Jane Mercer will be managing the hotel in Helen's absence.

Bridget Adams, Sales Manager for purplehotel Doncaster was awarded with the Sales Manager of the Year award. Adams was given the award based on the amount of both new and existing business she generated through out the year. She was given the award also based on the great feedback the Real Hotel Company had received from clients.

Other award winners included: David Preston from the Quality Hotel Hull, Employee for the Year 2007 (front of House), Ann Waters from the Comfort Inn Thetford, Employee of the year (back of house) and Amanda Hollinshead was chosen as Sales Specialist of the Year and were all nominated by their colleagues.

Apart from the purplehotel Derby all the awardees received a trophy, certificate and bottle of champagne and a cheque for £100 as a form of recognition for all their hard work.

New management team at the New Connaught Rooms

The New Connaught Rooms takes on a fresh management team with General Manager, Russell Bodycomb, Operations Manager, Taoufik Achour and Sales Manager Peter McLoughlin.

Bodycomb joins from Carlson Wagonlit Travel where he was Meeting and Events Director with particular responsibility for raising the agency's profile within the industry. Prior to working at Carlson Wagonlit Travel Bodycomb spent three years as Group Director of Meeting & Events for Thistle Hotels having started his career at Forte Hotels.

Out on the road and bringing in the business is Sales Manager Peter McLoughlin. McLoughlin brings with him four years of conference and events sales experience followed by four years of working in events sales. In addition he has also spent 14 years within the hotel industry. During his career McLoughlin has worked at the Marriott both in the UK and the US as well as the Intercontinental and Hilton London Metropole.

Completing the management team is Operations Manager, Taoufik Achour who will be assisting Bodycomb in driving improvements in the guest experience front of house. Achour joins from the Millennium Conference Centre and brings with him over thirty years of experience within the hospitality industry.