funny complaints

We're still giggling from the complaint letter written by a Virgin customer about the food served on a Virgin Atlantic flight. The author has been revealed as advertising exec Oliver Beale and he's apparently received a call from Sir Richard Branson offering him a job selecting food and wine for Virgin Atlantic flights! We have yet to hear whether he's taken Sir Richard up on the offer.

If you haven't already read it - have a look here:

"Dear Mr Branson,
REF: Mumbai to Heathrow 7th December 2008

I love the Virgin brand, I really do which is why I continue to use it despite a series of unfortunate incidents over the last few years. This latest incident takes the biscuit.

Ironically, by the end of the flight I would have gladly paid over a thousand rupees for a single biscuit following the culinary journey of hell I was subjected to at the hands of your corporation.

Look at this Richard. Just look at it:

I imagine the same questions are racing through your brilliant mind as were racing through mine on that fateful day. What is this? Why have I been given it? What have I done to deserve this? And, which one is the starter, which one is the dessert?

You don’t get to a position like yours Richard with anything less than a generous sprinkling of observational power so I KNOW you will have spotted the tomato next to the two yellow shafts of sponge on the left. Yes, it’s next to the sponge shaft without the green paste. That’s got to be the clue hasn’t it. No sane person would serve a dessert with a tomato would they."

To read the rest check it out here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4383938/Virgin-complaint-letters-author-revealed-as-Oliver-Beale.html

So that got me remembering a few of our own complaints. Not that we get many - we're very proud of the fact we get so few complaints and on the rare occasion we do receive a gripe or grumble, our fanastic team Leila, Barry & Paula all sort them out quick smart.

However some of them do make us giggle - just a little. Here are our some of our favourites:

1. We had one lady who wanted to bring her animals to a hotel - the hotel were not best pleased when she turned up with an assortment of animals - the most extreme being a vulture!

2. On the subject of pets - one gentleman asked for room service for his poodle and was rather put out when they refused.

3. The British Embassy received a call from one customer who called them to say she didn't like her room.

4. Another customer asked the hotel for compensation for head injuries, having arrived back at his hotel drunk as a skunk, falling off the bed and jamming his head between the bed and wardrobe.....

5. My personal favourite - a lady who phoned up extremely angry because she had to wait for the traffic to stop before she could walk across the road to the beach.....

I'd quite like to meet some of these people! Maybe I'll bump into them on my travels....

Me and Barack? We've got a lot in common...

Not only are we powerful people who are loved by many.... not only do we tend to pose in a similar way for photos... we are winners!

Mr Obama won the presidency, and I, as you would have seen from my next blog post, won another award. He got a call from Gordon Brown, I got a call from another very powerful individual (thanks mum).

America is a buzzing place at the moment that's for sure. I nipped over to Chicago to see if I could blag/gatecrash talk my way into the Obama Party. I'm not sure whether it was the fact that I didn't have a ticket, they could tell that I wasn't American (I thought my accent was pretty good y'hear!), or simply that they were worried that I was going to overshadow the big O, but I didn't get in.

I did however manage to catch the vibe at the Fairmont Hotel in the heart of Chicago.

We partied at the Aria Bar and Sushi Club within the Hotel itself. I honestly was not interested in the fact that it was voted the best dating spot in Chicago by AOL.

Nor were the many women I tried to talk to.

Never mind that - what a glorious hotel! It's had a $50 million refit. Wow indeed - it's rooms are beautiful rooms with flatscreens and even Ipod docking stations.

Luckily for me the Fairmont Hotel is also nice and close to the Magnificent Mile so I could buy an Ipod!

Back to chilly London for me and my welcoming party!

Laters,

Secret Agent

It's all about the service...

We like top ten lists here at HotelConnect. Top ten feel good films, top ten ideal dinner guests, top ten sugary snacks... serious hunger here at HotelConnect Towers - must be the onset of Winter, but we're not preparing to hibernate just yet! There's far too much to tell you each week. But I digress... Anyway, top ten lists...

High on my personal Top Ten List of Top Ten Lists would be the HotelConnect Best Service Hotels. When people come back from staying in one of our hotels we ask them to fill in a little questionnaire. It's a very easy one. There aren't many questions, and they're multiple choice, and as its your own opinion, you can't get a question wrong. Why can't all tests be like that?

So, without further ado, and with much applause, drum rolling and general over-excitement, here are the Top Ten Hotels for Service, as voted for by HotelConnect customers:


1 venice - A La Commedia 5/5

2 paris - Sofitel Arc de Triomphe 5/5

3 hong kong - Langham Place (Kowloon) 5/5

4 venice - Colombina 5/5

5 munich - Kings Hotel First Class 5/5

6 cork - Maryborough 5/5

7 algarve - Globo (Portimao) 5/5

8 paris - K&K Cayre 5/5

9 berlin - Ku'Damm 101 5/5

10 budapest - Orion 5/5

Click here, or or any of the hotels above to learn more about them.

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Right, where was I? Well, as you know I've been jetting off around the world recently, planning and researching. And do you know what I did at the weekend? Well, I'll tell you! I had a little break of my own. How could I resist when the lovely Accademia Hotel Verona had a 5 nights for the price of 4 offer?!

And yes, I did take along a special person. And no, I'm not going to tell you who. Suffice to say she's someone who loves travel as much as I do. We dined at the hotel restaurant, Ristorante Accademia, which was as sparkling and elegant as my guest - pumpkin risotto... mmmmm! The traditional, cosy and spacious rooms were lovely to come back to after wandering the pretty streets and lanes. The museum at the castle is packed full of old masters - Tintoretto, Pisanello and Veronese.

Planning a romantic getaway? Head to the city of the greatest lovers ever (that would be Romeo and Juliet) and enjoy the atmosphere... No need to let on to your loved one how much of a bargain it was!

Accademia Hotel Verona 4 star from £204pp for 5 nights.

sunshine, sausages and socialising

here comes summer, here comes summer...

yes, as the nation breathes a sigh of relief (and as I inevitably jinx the rest of July and August - sorry!) we finally have hot weather.

And do you know what that means?

In the words of Martine McBride (the country-pop music singer-songwriter... c'mon keep up) - I aint goin' nowhere.

Some people hate cities in hot weather, but not London! So many parks to sunbathe in, ponds to swim in, and gardens to charcoal some sausages in (on the outside only - remember, the inside is to remain raw).

I've invited some friends to come to London this weekend, so i've been doing some research as for the best places for them to stay. Normally I'd put them up at my place, but my great auntie and her clan that are decamping at Secret Agent headquarters this weekend... more tea crazy than tea cosy believe me.

So - my lovely Parisian friend Nicolas is going to come over via the Eurostar. He's your typical student... a bit short of cash, but very very long on the knowledge. So I've suggested he stay at the Arriva Hotel which is just near the Eurostar terminal. It's unbelievable good value, and is nice and clean and he'll love the fact that there is a mini fridge in every room, AND WIFI access. Then he can continue to Facebook and tell people his status every second of the day.

Coming down from Glasgow is Bobby. Bobby is THE man about town. He's already selected where he wants to stay. He told me "I want to be in the centre of the action, where i can FEEL London all around me". I suggested the Northern Line at 8am, but instead he's chosen to stay at the Strand Palace which IS on the Strand. Just as Nico loves his mini fridge, Bobby loves the fact that the Strand Palace hotel has 2 restaurants and three bars.

And then, making up the rest of the crowd is Julian from Leeds. Or J-woah as we like to call him. He has some-what of the Keanu Reeves about him. J-woah is too cool. He's almost too cool for himself, stating that he likes something in one sentence then following it with a statement about how he's so over it already. It's the Crowne Plaza Shoreditch for him. The area is just perfect - loads of uber hip bars and venues, and then ultimately Brick Lane for the end of the evening when he's realised that he really is still Jules who loves a pint and a really hot curry.

So a weekend of sunbathing, shopping and bar hopping. As long as I haven't jinxed the weather... I can feel those clouds coming over now...

Laters

Secret Agent

Want a free night in a hotel?

We prove that there's no better way to get a free night in a hotel....




To celebrate the launch of HotelConnect's fabulous Summer of Free Nights I went along to the Ambassadors Bloomsbury hotel to see if it was possible to sneak into a hotel to get a free night's stay. I took along my friend Michelle from our sales department, and Natalie and Sarah - our mates from Flight Centre - to see if they were able to spot me.

First of all I tried hiding in a laundry basket. I have to confess it's not the first time I've tried this, but that's a different story that's best told over a drink or three. However, our intrepid seekers, Natalie and Sarah were holding no prisoners, and soon sniffed me out - might have been my socks, which, on reflection, should have stayed in that laundry basket.

Next was the failsafe-behind-the-bed-looking-sheepish technique, which again, failed miserably as Natalie, Sarah and Michelle all found me within minutes. It was quite cosy sandwiched between 3 lovely ladies, but I digress....

By that point I was exhausted, but had scientifically* proven that the best way of getting a free night in a great hotel in top destinations is to visit HotelConnect's ...

There are great free night offers in destinations such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, Dublin, Berlin, Bruges, Paris, Prague, Rome, Venice... There are bargain breaks and city breaks. Oodles of bargains to be snapped up. You can stay in a gorgeous 4* hotel in the beautiful city of Ghent for 3 nights just £96pp!

click here for more





Many thanks to Carolin and the great staff at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury hotel for letting us run amok in their gorgeous establishment. We had a look around the rooms, which are lovely, and the triple glazing is like some magical sound-stopper - the busy street below is completely blocked out. I for one was very impressed. I like gadgets. But please, no more kitchen gadgets for Christmas - that avocado slicer almost took my fingers off!

And for all my loyal fans out there, here's a quick peek at me in the shower at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury! Naughty!







*ish!

Italy celebrates its past

It doesn't get much more historical in Europe than Rome's Birthday - hundreds of candles flickering over the Aventine Hill, a huge fireworks display over the River Tiber and a history that spans millennia. I couldn't miss it, I've been a few times before and every time I am reminded that this city has so much history.

I went last weekend and was lucky enough to catch most of the celebrations. From the traditional and solemn Palilia ritual ceremony to a mock gladiator show. I was even invited to The Convivium - a Roman style banquet with ballet performances. The following day's parade had hundreds of participants including soldiers, Vestal Virgins, emperors, and senators.

You could spend months in Rome and still have plenty to see and do. As weekend destinations go, you can't go wrong with Rome. Just don't try and pack too much sightseeing in - remember... Rome wasn't built in a day... (well, yes, ok, that was terrible...). What I mean to say is, take it slowly and enjoy it. You can always go back. I do, frequently!

So, if you are thinking of taking a city break, soaking up some historical culture and fancy Rome, have a look at our great Rome hotels here.

And don't forget we have great special offers, including lots of lovely free nights, in Rome here.

I especially like the Adriano for its location alone - right in the heart of the old town a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps. Ideal for a "Roman Holiday" (groan...) this summer, with 4 nights for the price of 3 for £162pp.

Also coming up in Italy is the historic football tournament held in Florence every year on the 24th June. Going back centuries, this tournament was even played during the siege of Florence, when the locals nonchalantly continued playing whilst soldiers entered the city. As a football fan I have to admire that level of commitment! These days the game is played in traditional costume and somewhat resembles rugby! Live it up in style in Florence for the tournament with 5 nights for the price of 4 at the prestigious Westin Excelsior for £648pp. Or check out the other special offers for Florence here.

But here at hotelconnect we're all about the bargains - just check out our special offers page!

glug glug, chugga chugga, ooh la la

I'm not going to try and glamorise it...





it's a shameless bit of self promotion.


it's for my employers, HotelConnect.



but if I were you, i'd be wanting me to tell you about my exciting news. and then I'd be thanking me so much.

Let me continue before I have more personalities than Sylvia...


You can not only get addicted to this game ...click here.. it's lots of fun and the music cracks me up.... >


you can also win a trip to Paris, travelling FIRST CLASS on the Eurostar (don't mind if I do), with a bottle of champagne at the Champagne Bar in St Pancras first (pop! fizz...), staying in a luxury hotel for 3 nights!!


Sigh....



just play it and try and beat my fastest time of 31.23 seconds!!

Laters,

with RSI

Secret Agent

a bit of Hoff hankering going on

It's all going a bit crazy in the office here at the moment.

Everyone has suddenly caught on to the fact that Easter is REALLY early this year. Good Friday is March 21st, so there's a bit of a scrabble on to book some holidays.

It's not that we don't like London. We love London. We love its fast pace, its hip lifestyle and amazing shopping. In fact, we love it so much we've just been talking to lots of people about the best places to stay in London. Let's face it - no-one does luxury like this city

Of all the hotels we do,
the Sanderson is the one I lust after. Not just for its beautiful rooms and incredible Long Bar. It's the clientele that I could rub shoulders with if I stay there.

Who, you might ask? Nope, it's not the fact that Amy Winehouse has stayed here (no, no, no), or that Jessica Alba has graced the sheets of this hotel... uh-uh!

It's the one and only, the Hoff! It's one of my dreams to meet this man, have a chat, listen to him sing and really try and get some good tips about dress sense.

Check him out - hooga hooga ooga chakka indeed!!

I try and watch this each morning, it really puts me in a good mood! My colleagues think that I'm really funny, they really laugh with me when I'm singing along to this, trying to get some of those fabulous Hoff moves down pat. Now who's Strictly Come Dancing, huh?

I've got to say, after careful deliberation, that Venice for under £100 for 3 nights is really pushing my buttons.


I've got to admit though, if I did happen to get to Venice, and if I did manage to go large with my Hoff repertoire, the Jessica Alba's of Venice in Easter might be some lucky, lucky ladies.

(i think i can hear laughing again)



laters

Secret Agent

the thunderclap of tables and chairs

Sometimes I don't mind sitting in the office here in London when it's raining outside and I hear the gentle pounding and crashing of the outdoor furniture blowing around on the roof (hmm.. was it my responsibility to put that away at the end of the summer?).

Why don't I mind?

We've just brought on Santorini as a new destination. And I've been doing some daydreaming research. Amazing history, funky beaches, and beautiful landscapes that will make you have to sit for a while longer and experience a legendary sunset with just one more glass of the local vinsanto. Sigh....

Looking at my holiday chart I reckon I might go in April - it'll be nice and warm - I don't like it overly hot, as the tuxedo leaves pretty interesting tan lines, but I'm definitely up for grabbing a few rays.

So the next question is, which hotel?

I was chatting to our Santorini hotel expert Andrew about it. I call him Super (short for Mr Superlative, but he doesn't know that yet), as he gives the most detailed report of the hotels EVER. And you can be sure that any he chooses are definitely worth staying in. Super's got style, you know what I mean?

Anyway, I was picturing myself here: in the pool at the Cosmpolitan Suites

or maybe here: at Icons, where the rooms that HotelConnect sell all have their own jacuzzis.

But, you know, Valentine's Day is coming up and there's nothing like a place that gives you your own private balcony to watch the sunset from.

So at the moment, Cliffside is the winner.

I've got a feeling I wont be going anywhere unless I put that outdoor furniture away though... Maybe instead of doing a drowned rat impression I could borrow that nice girl from the IT department's umbrella?

Hmm... maybe she'd like to go to Santorini?


laters

Secret Agent