Who does the best food..?

Posted on November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 by Elinor Eaton

The question “Who does the best food?” is an easy one to answer…

Restaurants who care about their customers experiences and who have menus that are written with passion.

As restaurateurs, we are told by certain ‘marketing people’ not to use ‘classic’, ‘simple’, ‘homely’ ‘varied’ and ‘traditional’ as words to describe our menu. They say that these words are no longer ‘the in-words’ to be using!

But food is like fashion, it will always be dependent on trends and new craze’s.

Therefore when we describe our menu, we do use words like ‘classic and varied ’ because to us at Steve’s Brasserie. that doesn’t equate to boring, it simply introduces a menu packed with our good old favourites and some ‘Continental Classics’!

So, whether you are looking for old school comfort food in the form of Creamy Seafood pasta with parsley and parmesan; traditional local dishes like Beer battered fish and chips with our seaside treats; family favourites like pie, pizza and burgers or sensational seasonal salads…we have all the options and more!

We believe, with our hotel menus, that the art of a great menu is all about the ingredients; the talent but just as importantly the listening! Not for a snap crackle or pop, but to our valued guests. For many, this is a home from home when they are travelling for business; a family holiday or perhaps a romantic retreat.

We always listen to feedback and ensure our menus have everything that our discerning guests want to find, from the food being sourced locally, to plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, through to children’s menus and fine dining – we have it all and we will keep listening!

chefs handing cutting mean on a chopping board

knife and herbs on a wooden chopping board

Our Events Team …

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Elinor Eaton

Why have one events planner when you can have two?!

Here at the New Continental Hotel, we love it when there is a new addition to the ‘Conti’ family. Not only new members of staff; but when staff have new members of their own families!

Katie returned recently after her 10 months maternity leave. Not only has her family grown but the events team too!

We ask Katie all about her new role as Mum and Events Planning at the New Continental Hotel.

” I have enjoyed every moment of motherhood so far and spending time with my beautiful little boy, but my goodness it feels good to be back at The New Continental Hotel doing the job I feel so passionate and proud of! What’s also amazing is I’m no longer alone! My colleague Claire and I are now a wedding and events team!”

Katie & Claire…

“Many of you will have already met Claire as she has been running events solo in my absence on top of already being a well established member of the New Continental Hotel team for many years. Now we are a combined force! Our primary goal is to enable each guest to relax and enjoy their special event; ensuring all aspects of their occasion is executed with smooth timing and flawless detail.

We understand that each guest wants their event to showcase their individuality, making attention to detail so important. Being devoted to working together as a team is really important whilst helping customise each event down to the last detail. For both of us, the most important thing is making sure it’s the perfect day, no matter what the event.”

Wedding & Events Coordinators…

“We feel very privileged to be Wedding & Events coordinators at the New Continental Hotel. The best part of our job is the relationships we build with our clients, as some events, like weddings are planned years in advance, so you get to build great relationships.

Weddings…

“It is an absolute honour to be part of one of the most special days in a couple’s life. We look forward to every wedding we do at the New Continental Hotel and are proud to be part of the outstanding service all our team provides for our guests. We know that the “perfect wedding” is different for everyone. This is especially true as both Claire and I have each had a very different wedding experience of our own. Very different – but equally magical. Therefore we completely understand how important the planning process is on the build up to your special day. We want to develop a relationship with each couple and their families, discussing their vision whilst keeping a budget in mind.

No matter what the wedding size, we will work together to make each couple’s dreams come true.

Events…

In addition to weddings, we also help plan the social gatherings and events at the New Continental Hotel. No matter what type of event we are coordinating, we thoroughly enjoy being part of each stage of the process and we are especially pleased to see clients and guests enjoying a successful event. By having two of us working closely together – our guests receive twice the understanding, knowledge and guidance to support them in creating their unique event and making your vision a reality.”

Get in touch…

“We are both very excited to be working together and look forward to hearing from you, so please do not hesitate to contact us on 01752 276783 to let us help you plan your next event.”

cake stand full of cakes with strawberries

Table with glass jugs and glasses with flavoured water

black and white phot of people toasting at a wedding

man and lady stood with sign saying lets party

Club Continental

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Elinor Eaton

REFER A FRIEND AND YOU COULD WIN A 1 ONE YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP!

We are so excited about this great offer!

When any of our member ‘Refers a Friend’ they will not only feel like the best friend ever; but in addition they will also be entered into a prize draw!

The prize you ask? Their next year’s Fully Inclusive Membership…totally FREE!!

Here at Club Continental, we know that it can sometimes be hard to find the motivation. But even harder to find the right gym!

With our ‘Refer a Friend’ offer, members of Club Continental can offer their friends a free insight into our city centre gym community – for FREE!

What’s more, you will automatically get entered into a prize draw to win yourself a free 1 Year Fully Inclusive Membership.

Here are our TOP TIPS ‘Refer a Friend’ for your chance to win:

Shout about Club Continental – share a picture, check in to the Club or leave a review and tell all your friends!
For every friend that signs up, your name gets entered in our prize draw
Every 6 months a winner will be announced (first prize draw will take place December 2018)

Don’t forget – the more friends that sign up the more your name is entered in our prize draw! You’ve got to be in it to win it!!!

T&C’s: For every referral each member makes, the members name will be entered into the prize draw. In the first 6 month period Club Continental requires a minimum of 20 new members to be referred in order for the prize draw to take place. However, you don’t need to worry – if this number is not reached your name will just automatically roll over in to the next prize draw.

swimming pool with glass of orange juice and book

Being Dependably Independent…

Posted on November 1, 2018November 1, 2018 by Elinor Eaton

We ask an important question to hopefully discover the truth behind the differences in an independent Vs a chain hotel…

“In a world full of choices and when everything feels possible; what is it that we really want and why..?”

There is one thing for certain; Plymouth is a city destination like no other. Thousands of holiday makers, business travellers and guests visit our ocean city each year. Each choosing (for varying reasons) the best place for them to lay their sleepy heads.

According to figures from STR almost 40% of the hotel rooms in the UK are independent. Whereas more than 60% of hotel properties are chain hotels.

a red and white lighthouse with wisps of clouds and blue sky

railings in front of the sea with a clear blue sky

red and white lighthouse in the distance

What has Plymouth got..?

Plymouth has a good number of hotels and accommodation providers to choose from, both chains and independents. If with all this choice you are still struggling to decide where will be your home whilst visiting our spectacular city, let us perhaps help. Here is our little insight into why we love being Plymouth’s largest, independent hotel.

We know that in and around the city there are some fantastic chain hotels. For some travellers this is exactly what they are looking for. Knowing that having stayed and enjoyed their time in one hotel in say Manchester, they can expect the exact same experience here in Plymouth. As independent hotels, we have the autonomy and creative freedom to offer our guests originality over uniformity, which for some is an important difference.

Is it about cost..?

When it comes to cost, hotels are governed more by seasonality and city events rather than simply independent Vs chain. Rates per night in most cities vary only mildly. This is in some cases due to the increase in the supply chain, with a huge investment being made in new developments. Competition dictates your rates. Both independent and chains alike are feeling the current struggle to strengthen their direct bookings, and what really helps independent hotels is that they can give more value and incentives to their guests. This is due to there being no rules imposed from the top, no strict framework included in any agreements. So by booking direct with many independent hotels, you are getting much more but for less.

What about management..?

A big topic of conversation for many of our Managers is the differences managing within an independent hotel verses that of a chain. You would imagine it could be easier to manage within a chain hotel. It feels as if everything you have to do is following strict patterns. You would also think that you would have access to stronger commercial tools and assets. Yet what we love more than anything here at the New Continental Hotel is the autonomy we have, This autonomy ensures we can take each guests experience as an individual, making it personal, bespoke and all with a warm family welcome.

The strategy and management plan within a chain hotel is very often the same, regardless of their location. Independent hotels are different; which means managing such a hotel can requires much more discipline, creativity and lots of innovative thinking! We truly believe that our guests appreciate the effort invested in creating an original strategy, with the small touches making a big difference.

Is loyalty about a card..?

With corporate and business travellers, many are attracted to the larger hotel chains with the loyalty schemes and national corporate partnerships. It’s much harder for an independent hotel, yet what we are so proud of is the amount of loyal guests, guests that have been staying with us for 20 years in some cases!

We stand tall and proud as an independent hotel…

Supporting our staff, community and guests to have the very best experiences in Plymouth. We have worked hard to create a brand that is professional, friendly and unique. When all of these elements are together in harmony, a coherent image of the hotel is born, be that for a chain or an independent hotel.

The independent hotel market in Europe has a massive impact in terms of employment, tourism and contribution to local economies. It can be easy to feel like a lesser hotel when compared to the big chains, but for us, what’s truly important is that no matter which hotel a guests chooses, they have a warm welcome, to a fabulous city and make memories that last a lifetime.

Who knows what the ongoing deadlock on Brexit negotiations will unfold, but one thing we do know, we will carry on regardless!

The New Continental Hotel – Plymouth

Month / November 2018