New Continental Hotel, Millbay Road, Plymouth, PL1 3LD

Tel: 01752 276798

Welcome Back!

The New Continental has officially reopened!

Over the past few months, whilst being closed to the public we were transformed into a residential care hotel, New Continental Extra Care. This was commissioned by Plymouth City Council, with care provided by Livewell Southwest staff. Our Extra Care Hotel opened in April in response to the coronavirus pandemic and closed its doors on 30th June having bid farewell to the final patient.

It was an honour to help our local community during what has been challenging and unprecedented times. Now as we return to business as ‘usual’, we would like to give you further information on the precautions we are taking to look after you and our team.

We have looked at all our procedures from the time of your arrival to the moment of your departure, and we have adapted many aspects of our normal routines.

  • All our staff have had back to work meetings to ensure that they understand and comply with the new health and safety requirements
  • All staff will wear a mask or visor
  • Sanitising stations have been installed around public areas and next to each lift door on each floor
  • Screens at the reception desk
  • Track and trace – if you are staying with us as a guest we will already have your details however if you are visiting the hotel or you are a supplier we will require your contact details
  • Temperature checks for all staff at the beginning of each shift
  • The team are to sanitise hands before and after serving each guest
  • Steve’s Brasserie will be open on Monday to Saturday evenings from 5.30pm – 9pm (last orders 8.45pm). On Sundays, guests can order from the room service or bar menu and are welcome to dine in the bar area. We will be running one reduced menu across the brasserie, room service and in the bar
  • There will be no more than two chefs in the kitchen at any one time
  • We have removed welcome packs, cushions and all throws from bedrooms for the time being
  • Club Continental will remain closed until further guidelines have been announced by the government

One of the most important things, however, is that we still have comfortable rooms, a wonderful city centre location just a few moments from Plymouth’s waterfront and a fantastic team of staff who are dedicated to ensuring that you have a happy and relaxing stay with us.

Thank you all for your support and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Extra Care at the New Continental…

We are proud to be working with Livewell Southwest and Plymouth City Council to temporarily turn our family-owned hotel into an extra care facility. This will be for people who are ready to leave hospital but need extra care support before they can get home. This means vital hospital beds can be freed up to support those who really need them.

Our team will be supporting Livewell with the practical side of the operation including providing catering and cleaning services, working alongside dedicated healthcare staff who have been recruited and trained by Livewell. Volunteers recruited by Plymouth City Council who have given up their time to support others will also be part of the team. Members of our existing team will not be carrying out personal care with people and there are strict criteria around who is eligible for a bed.

People with confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis or those displaying symptoms will not be suitable for the Extra Care Hotel and will be cared for in more appropriate settings.

Bobbie Hajiyianni, Director at the New Continental Hotel said:

“As a family we are happy to be able to use our hospitality services in this supportive role to the wider community and local NHS. We look forward to the day where we can all leave these challenging times behind and we are able to re-open our doors to the public.”

Geoff Baines, Director of Safety and Quality at Livewell Southwest said:

“We are working closely with Plymouth City Council and other organisations to ensure that we can support people in whatever way we can. Importantly we want to ensure that we can relieve some of the pressure on our hospitals by providing somewhere safe for people to move to from hospital when they are well enough but when they are not quite ready to go home without support.”

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care at Plymouth City Council, said:

“It’s amazing how many people have come together across the system to help re-purpose this hotel and relieve some of the pressure placed on the hospital, to support our residents in the city and ensure that there are places for people to move to from hospital the moment they are well enough.”

Our hotel will be reopened and ready to take people if needed, from tomorrow (Wednesday 15th April).

Our team are still able to answer queries regarding any future accommodation or event bookings you have with us, please contact us by email on reservations@newcontinental.co.uk

Corporate Events; Looking Ahead…

2020; Our vision for the year ahead…

Every year, events shift and adapt depending on social, technological and economic trends. In the way they engage their audiences, and the lens through which they present and share their material.

As Plymouth’s largest independent hotel, our events team are passionate about having the right products to offer our corporate partners. They look closely at predicted trends; and use their vast knowledge and experience to decipher those they believe will take root.

Looking at trends and analysing data means that we are not only able to offer the right products, but the best service too. Our analysis doesn’t only benefit future bookings; it also allows us to optimise success rates for the here and now.

Many corporate events aim to sell, educate or inspire. Organisers require a venue that works with them to optimise results, producing the very best ROI’s.

Being generous with findings and moving with the times is essential; this article shares three trends that we envisage taking ‘root’ in 2020…

Staying Sustainable…

Next year’s Sustainability Summit 2020 will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers from around the world to highlight the actions necessary to meet internationally agreed sustainability goals.

As yet delegates are not refusing to attend if there are paper handouts or literature on seats, but sustainability is a topic of debate and it’s getting louder.  Our hotel has a sustainability policy that empowers and enables our guests’ and our business partners to play an integral role in being greener, whilst not impacting on anyone’s experiences.

Going Digital…

In an age of connectivity, almost everyone on the planet is just one tap away from anything!

Like many cities, Plymouth’s digital scene is really gathering pace; more and more businesses are investing in innovative technology, transforming the way people interact. We see ‘Tech Experiences’ dominating the event landscape in 2020 more and more connectivity; global ‘live’ speakers and social media along with other digital platforms will continue to enhance and promote events.

Being Social…

Corporate events have always had a social aspect. Connecting and engaging with others offers real and purposeful outcomes; building partnerships not transactions.

We have seen a drive towards cross sector and community collaboration at events. We predict that this will increase and that there will be more social engagement and consultation style events in 2020, with drop-in style sessions, an increase in free inaugural advice workshops and open product and service Q&A’s.

New Continental Hotel; We Have It Covered…

Sustainability: Our sustainability policy is on our website. It not only tells you what we offer but has some great tips that we invite you to adopt in any venue you choose.

Digital: Offering Enterprise grade Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, access to some of the best tech and pro-active and engaged audiences on both social media and via our website, we can help you get better connected.

Social: Our five unique function rooms and break out spaces offer the perfect springboard to connect with the local community. With our city centre location, free parking and amazing coffee – we are the perfect choice for any event in Plymouth!

For more information: E:  events@newcontinental.co.uk T: 01752 276783 W: www.newcontinental.co.uk

Sure Hotel Collection…

New Continental Hotel Partners With Best Western Great Britain Brand…

It’s been an incredibly exciting two weeks for everyone at the New Continental Hotel.

On Tuesday 15th October 2019, the New Continental Hotel joined the Best Western Great Britain brand; to sit within their Sure Hotel Collection.

As a proudly independently operated hotel, Best Western was the perfect choice. The partnership enables the hotel to remain independent and keep complete autonomy over the running and direction of our growth; and allows the flexibility to maximise our independence…

“We are delighted to join Best Western’s new Sure Hotel Collection. We were looking for a brand that would allow us to continue operating independently but could give us access to all the benefits that come with being part of a global brand. With Best Western’s new range of soft brands, it makes the perfect fit.

Plymouth is a popular destination for leisure and business travellers alike and we look forward to welcoming new and regular guests to our property under the new Sure Hotel Collection umbrella.”

Bobbie Hajiyianni, New Continental Hotel 

 

As the hospitality sector becomes more venturesome and advanced, it affords more opportunities and opens more doors to exciting possibilities. If you have the right offering, one that is not only well executed but also led by passion, and you have access to the right support.

It’s the perfect formula…

The combination of our family hospitality, our knowledge and experience, our loyal and dedicated staff and our pride for Plymouth; fused with their distribution, access a global loyalty scheme and benefit from new sales, marketing and revenue technologies is a truly exciting collaboration. Not only for the hotel, but for Plymouth too.

The Best Western brand empowers independent hotel owners to take all the opportunities and really thrive; and we’re excited to see what the future holds…

Rob Paterson, CEO at Best Western Great Britain, added: “We’re delighted to welcome the New Continental Hotel, Sure Hotel Collection to our family of brands. Best Western now has brands to suit every guest, from economy to luxury, across over 260 locations in Great Britain. We look forward to working in partnership with the team at the hotel to showcase and celebrate their hotel both locally and globally.”

What we are perhaps most excited by is the access we will have to a range of tools and expertise to support in driving tourism to Plymouth.

What will not be changing is our determination to provide a consistent and reliable experience to ALL of our guests…

As a Grade II Listed hotel, full of charm and centrally located, the hotel has always been popular with  business travellers and leisure guests alike, but with the support of Best Western we are certain that not only will more guests connect with the hotel, but with Plymouth as a destination too.

 

International Men’s Day Conference | Plymouth 2019

At the New Continental Hotel, we are all about days that celebrate people. People who do amazing things; people that support amazing things to happen and people who form part of the amazing community in which we live.

That’s why we are so very proud to be one of the sponsors of the International Men’s Day Conference 2019 on Tuesday 19th November 2019.

A good ‘International’ day of recognition is exactly what we love. To celebrate and to acknowledge; to guide and support and to bring together all the great people that surround us.

International Men’s Day (IMD) is far from being an antithesis to International Women’s Day. In fact, the day marks ways we can all work together. Ways in which we can change gender stereotyping and discrimination – just this time, the lens is on men!

This annual day of recognition was started in 1992. It has grown each year exponentially and is now being celebrated in over 70 countries around the world. Proving that it’s a really powerful day -and a day that has really powerful outcomes.

Our Difference Is What Makes A Difference…

This is not only a day that celebrates positive role models in Plymouth. It’s also a day that puts narrative over some of the issues that affect men; whilst helping to raise awareness of some very real challenges.

There are some incredible topics that will be covered during the conference. Even if they aren’t topics that affect us directly – they are topics that most definitely will impact all of us indirectly.

This is a day that talks inclusively about topics. Topics such as men’s health; diversity; toxic masculinity; coping with bereavement and the prevalence of male suicide.  The biggest killer in young men here in the UK is sadly suicide. So, it’s vitally important that we ensure boys and men are supported and given the tools they need to ask for help.

Your attendance on November 19th is the most important and powerful way that you can show those that need it most, that they are not alone. That there are positive role models, that there are success stories and many people waiting to listen. The visual sign of togetherness is what will show everyone the very tangible signs of the support they have in the city.

Centre Stage…

There is a tremendous line up of inspirational speakers, sensational exhibitors and there will be amazing opportunities to create new friendships, to mingle and meet new people and new contacts. What’s more, the opportunity to learn and grow from each other’s experiences and from the various organisations supporting the conference.

It is so important that everyone feels supported, empowered and enabled. We may have separate days to recognise and support individuals, but knowing that everyone has a time and a space to feel that they have a moment to breath, to feel supported is an essential element of a strong community.

The Plymouth conference aims to celebrate positive male role models, provide a forum for open discussion and provide access to health care support.

Throughout the afternoon there will not only be time to hear from local and national speakers, but also time to step off the treadmill and take a moment to connect, or perhaps reconnect with others in Plymouth

Further information can be found on the website https://plymouthimd.co.uk and by following Plymouth International Men’s Day on Facebook and Twitter

We look forward to welcoming you to Plymouth’s inaugural International Men’s Day Conference 2019

Please share this great occasion with friends and family on social media.

 

Does A New Decade Bring New Business Trends..?

2020 Corporate Bookings; what we think the landscape may look like …

What an interesting year 2019 has been!

In recent years there have been some massive shifts in how we do business. The social and economic landscape can empower and enable some settings to shine; and sometimes can cause businesses to remodel, resize and in some cases close their trading doors. What we have seen is a vast and varied rhythm governed by many factors. And let’s face it, that isn’t about to change anytime soon!

The one thing that hasn’t changed is the tangible evidence that no matter how the landscape changes or how we progress with our tech and digital abilities – we humans are social creatures!

We like to do business in person wherever possible…

Here at the New Continental Hotel we couldn’t agree more! We believe that true hospitality is found in the nurturing and building of strong relationships. Relationships with each other, our guests and our communities. We do this by recognising and valuing each other. Understanding individuality and respecting any differences. ultimately great hospitality is all about great relationships. However it’s not just hospitality businesses that see the value of a personal touch; in a report from Harvard Business Review it states that ‘face-to -face’ requests are 34 times more powerful that a business request via email.

That single fact tells us so much…

If we know that great business is done best when it is done via face to face meetings and cultivation, then it tells us that our corporate business (our ‘Road Warriors’) will keep doning the motorways to visit their clients … and they will always need somewhere great to stay! 

Here at the New Continental Hotel we believe that even with all the digital advances planned for 2020, we predict that our business travellers will continue to choose the more personal approach. Both in how they do their own business, but also what they expect from their hotel provider.

We know that Plymouth will be alive with leisure guests in 2020.  Visiting Plymouth for the Mayflower400 celebrations. Yet we also know that many businesses will also want to maximise the business potential of 2020 and so join us here in Plymouth too.

What are business guests going to be looking for..?

Sustainability, personalisation and the transition onto the 5G superhighway will be a few new trends that will change the landscape in 2020. As well as these changes, we feel that there are two other areas that will have a magnifying lens placed over them. We think that with the new decade will be a new outlook on both CSR and the Food & Beverage offer for Business travellers.

Corporate Social Responsibility | Our Thoughts …

Doing good business and collaborating with other businesses that follow your same ethical, sustainable and environmental compass, we believe will matter more and more.

Not only does having strong policies in place mean we can contribute to positive change; it also leads to a better, stronger more kind society. The narrative around how a business, especially within hospitality, is taking responsibility for the impact they have on the environment, will become increasingly important.

Much like a Social Enterprise who reports on a triple bottom line, we believe that hotels will have to be more proactive when reporting too. Making sure they report on how they are working towards a more sustainable future. We think that business customers will want to make choices based on more than just their rates and services offered.

We believe that one of the key trends for 2020 is sustainability.

More and more hotels will be looking sustainability, from an environmental, economic, and social perspective.  In the past there have been some hotels that have been driven by their own passion and desire to do more and be better. Yet not all of them, and so when the drive is from customers, the masses tend to make change happen more rapidly.

There’s a massive focus on social responsibility in the hospitality sector around the world. We saw in France the PACTE law, plus more hotels with green credentials popping up and celebrating their successes. We believe that this trend will  seep into events and corporate functions. With the idea that events should do more than just educate or have a business development opportunity; but  also create good and positive outcomes for the planet and for people.

Corporate Food & Beverage Offerings | Our Thoughts …

We have seen tremendous changes in the Food & Beverage offer within our hotel over the last 5 years. What’s more we are certain that there are more changes to come! Not least due to October 31st!

Our Food & Beverage and our Kitchen Brigade noted in the last 18 months that there has been a significant rise in delegates requesting gluten-free, vegan and locally sourced products. With a steady increase in buffets being purely vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Others wanting to know the traceability of the food on their plates.

All positive changes as it means we are getting more seasoned in the sector at reacting to changing trends and customer requirements. Plus it’s a powerful thing to think that more and more people are increasingly more interested in the ingredients we use.

We feel that in the future more event organisers will also be as concerned about the wastage, as well as the journey of their food to their plate.  As we have seen an increase over the years in the ‘grab & go’ style food outlets, we believe delegates will be looking for these ‘street food’ style stations, that are more controlled and less harmful on the environment. We also believe that healthy choices with trends towards both natural and organic food will definitely not slow down but in fact speed up!

Working With You …

The one thing that we know for certain will not change is our desire to make sure we offer you the perfect service. Trends change, they come and they go, but our passion and motivation to ensure you have the best experience is here to stay.

If you’re a business looking to plan your 2020 stays, functions or events then contact us today. We have amazing corporate rates and delegate offers. Our hotel caters handsomely for business travellers with on-site parking, enterprise grade WI-FI, leisure complex and in-house restaurant. Our Superior Rooms make remote office work not only practical, but comfortable and enticing.

Join us for 2020 and beyond and let us look after your business needs.

Happy Birthday Club Continental …

Spot me Bro – It’s My Birthday!

One of Plymouth’s most celebrated and friendly City Centre Gyms has a VERY special Birthday …

We are always grateful to Adam and his amazing team for all their hard work, passion and dedication; but this September we say an extra special THANK YOU, as Club Continental celebrates 30 unbelievable years.

Does Time Change Things..?

Like with fashion, music and art; in today’s fast-paced leisure sector trends seemingly come out of nowhere … and then evaporate just as quickly!

So, in such a changing landscape, it can be hard to play the long game, which begs the question:

“What is the secret to the success of our hotels leisure complex?”

We ask Club Continental Manager Adam that very question …

“Trends, or ‘fads’, will always come and go; but we commend everyone that joins us in the club because they are choosing the healthy and sustainable way – and we know that that is no easy feat.

It’s made especially harder with promises from magazines and celebrity endorsed ‘diets’ offering ‘quick and easy’ weight loss secrets!

Yet there really are no secrets; there is just one very special ingredient; and that special ingredient has been a constant in the Club for 30 years.

The ingredient is … we genuinely care…

The main reason people cannot follow through and accomplish sustainable and long-term results is that they become discouraged because they’re doing it alone.

If people lack the support network necessary to realise a goal, then the path to results is a really long and lonely one. Club Continental, along with our community of members and amazing staff offer support, in a welcoming and motivating gym, and we have done for 30 years and will do for 30 more!

I am so proud of what the Club and staff have done over the last 30 years; despite all the crazes we have always concentrated on the person that is stood in front of us. The person who has had the courage to make that first step, and who is on the path to a better tomorrow.

Whether you have been hitting the gym for years or you have just made a promise to yourself to a make change happen; Club Continental supports you.”

So, from ‘The Grapefruit Diet’ of the 70’s to the ‘Special K Diet’ of 2010; from the ‘Aerobics’ craze in the 80’s to ‘Spinning’ in the 90’s; this September, as we celebrate 30 amazing years, we also delve into the history of health and well-being. We look at best practice in the sector and we pick Adams brains with his news, views and reviews. You know this is going to be one very happy birthday month and we hope you help us celebrate!

Hopes & Dreams Ball | 26th October 2019 …

Diaries At The Ready!

Plymouth is a city packed full of businesses and individuals all striving to make tomorrow better than today for everyone. Threaded through our city are charities and organisations all awakening everyday with an ethos, passion and commitment to transform the lives of so many people living in our beautiful city.

Working in collaboration is a sensational way for charities to gain support. Not only the financial support that will help empower and enable them to deliver their objectives; but also an opportunity to raise their profile and connect with others who want to help make positive change happen.

A Night Of Hopes And Dreams Ball…

On Saturday 26th October, here at the New Continental Hotel; Plymouth Quality Roofing and Glam Rooms are collaborating to do just that! They will be co-hosting an exceptionally special evening.  

A Night of Hopes and Dreams Ball will be a truly heartfelt evening, giving those who join them the opportunity to really help two incredible charities; CLIC Sargent and Shekinah.

This will be an exceptional evening supporting two amazing charities…

CLIC Sargent is a charity that fights tirelessly to stop cancer destroying young lives. There vision is to give everyone with cancer who is under 25, and their families, the support and help they need during their cancer treatment and beyond, including bereaved families living with emotional pain. 

Shekinah is a Devon and Cornwall based charity that provides sensational opportunities for people in recovery or seeking recovery. There are so many magnificent things that they do daily to achieve this which includes programmes and initiatives that offer very real and tangible support to homeless people; those living with drug and alcohol issues; mental ill health and so much more.

Two amazing charities, one sensational evening awaits you…

There will be fabulous food, exceptional entertainment plus of course amazing company!

This wonderful Black Tie event welcomes you at 7pm for drinks before the evening begins. Tickets are £45 each and tables of 10 are £425.

There will not only be a three course meal and entertainment – but an amazing raffle and auction too! Club Continental is one of the many companies that have donated to the raffle. There will be a 12 months complete membership on offer; so you can enjoy the sauna and steam room, relax in the heated pool or work out in the gyms – 7 days a week for an entire year!

Make a stay of it…

The New Continental Hotel are also offering an extra spacial room rate for those attending the Ball. This means that not only can you get ready with ease, but slip down to the Ballroom in all your glamour and then not have to worry about waiting for a taxi home!  You can also sample what the Club Continental Membership might be like with complementary access during your stay.

The support of people that attend this brilliant evening will mean so much to these charities. What’s more it will really enable them to cause and create the change that is needed.

To find out more about the event or to purchase your tickets and pledge your support email: plymouthqualityroofing@hotmail.co.uk or hello@glamrooms.co.uk

 

To book your stay and take up the room rate call 01752 276798 and quote: Hopes & Dreams Ball.

Help make life better for people whilst having a sensational time, let’s all come together and showcase the power of people in Plymouth and demonstrate what  a truly wonderful city by the sea we live in.

 

History & A Hotel Bar…

The Roma Bar…

It stands to reason that some of Plymouth’s best bars are located inside our amazing hotels.

At the New Continental Hotel our sophisticated Roma Bar holds echos of Art Deco styling. It has high ceilings; a mirrored bar fascia; marbled style tiles and gold finishes. It creates a destination of style and escapism … all in the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.

The Roma Bar at the New Continental Hotel provides a relaxed and open environment. It really is the perfect place for an informal drink; a catch-up with friends or a debrief with colleagues after work. What’s more, EVERYONE is welcome!

The History…

Unwittingly, at first glance it might seem that our chic little bar has taken inspiration from the hotels rich history.

In 1936 Richard, an influential London business man, reported as friend with Mr Selfridge himself, was part of the Trust House Ltd. The company who owned the hotel at the time. Richard designed and developed many areas within the hotel that you see today, and some that have since passed. One of his passed creations being the American Cocktail Bar, which was located near the Ballroom.

It was the first of its kind outside of London; equipped in the latest style of the times. It was furnished with chrome stools and chrome tables. It had a semi-circular bar and was a place that women were welcome – even when unaccompanied by a man!

The toilet-rooms also sounded like they paid homage to the decadence of 1930s Shanghai! They were decorated in a scheme of primrose and pink glazed tiles with plush gold finishes. There was also a separate cloakroom and ladies powder-room; with a full-time assistant on hand for your every whim!

The cocktails were named after the best-known authors of the time. Guests were offered an unsurpassed range of hand-rolled cigars that came with ‘the full service’! There were staff on hand for the cutting and lighting of your cigar; either at the bar or at your table!

The experience did not end there!

For the VIP’s, they were offered a space in the heated indoor car park! Also the first of its kind outside of London!! The parking was a service reported at being ‘very acceptable’ to many. It offered spacious underground parking for 50 cars which was beneath the Ballroom (also Richards creation) and it meant that access could be granted to the Cocktail Bar and hotel via a private stairway. So, there was no need to go outside of the building in all your evening finery!

The Central Location…

The Cocktail Bar was a hideaway which was popular for many. There are reports of customers sipping on the many whiskeys on offer and botanical cocktails as they ‘escape reality with pure fantasy’.

It would also seem there was a great working relationship between Mrs. Hoyle and the Trust House Ltd. Mrs. Hoyle was in charge of The Palace Theatre at the time and it would seem that collaboration was in the air even back then! They would share patrons and market shows for each other. Partly due to location no doubt, but also after the Ballrooms completion in February 1936, when it became heavily programmed for weekly live music events and dances.

The dream was to have as much live music as possible to lift spirits in Plymouth, with a large dance floor ‘on springs’, concealed lighting, air purifiers and enough space to seat comfortably 350 people in one sitting. Under the Ballroom was the heated indoor car park, now Club Continental.

The Roma Bar Today…

Although many features of the American Cocktail Bar are now only in the words of historical documents and newspaper articles, the Roma Bar has echoes of the  relaxing and welcoming old world bar.

It is still a perfect destination to meet friends or colleagues; perhaps meeting before a show or an evening meal at Steve’s Brasserie. Open to all, not only yo residents, the Roma Bar is open daily from 5.30pm and is in the perfect city centre location. Perhaps to take a breather after shopping, work or sightseeing and to step away from the bustle of Plymouth, yet being close enough to step right back into it again.

So, make some time to perhaps enjoy one (or two) of the 13 Gins on offer (including of course Plymouth Gin) and soak up the history that is hidden within the DNA of our beautiful, historic city centre hotel.

The Most Common Hotel Misconceptions…

EIGHT Misconceptions In Hospitality…

We all have misconceptions in life: Long distance relationships never work; Men are better drivers than women; A good holiday is a foreign holiday; Girls are easier than Boys…the list is possibly endless!

In most cases a misconception is based on hearsay.  If someone tells you something enough times, it’s like water dripping onto granite, it will eventually wear a hole!  Or having one bad experience; that we then take as a given; ‘I ate out in France and it was terrible, I hate French Food!’

In life, we should never deny a bad occurrence. Yet what we don’t want to do is turn that single event into our overall perception; a perception that then becomes our perspective. Instead we should take a step back. Ask a few more questions and then make our decision on a fully rounded observation. BUT IT’S HARD! It’s just so easy for our perception to become our reality…

But why does it matter what our perceptions are?

Well! When it comes to misconceptions, they could cause us to miss out on some amazing adventures and making terrific memories. All thanks to either the words of others, or a single experience.

We need to try and have an open mind; easier said than done!  We need to try and look through another lens and we always need to find out more, just to be sure!

So what are the common misconceptions when it comes to hotels?

That all depends on what stories have we told ourselves through past experiences or what we have let filter into our consciousness by others!

But here we look at some of the most common misconceptions that we hear within our industry, to hopefully help you make the most of new adventures near and far…

  1. Weekend stays are always more expensive.

While it is true that some hotels charge higher rates on weekends, this is not always the case for every hotel.

It largely depends on the clientele that it serves. For example, there will be some hotels in a city that cater handsomely for business travellers. So they will have high demand Monday-Friday. With this higher demand during the week days, their rate card will be higher compared to weekends. Therefore this will push up prices for those busier times.

In any one city there could be numerous hotels, some much cheaper on the weekend than others purely because their main demographic is a business traveller. Other hotels may be more expensive at the weekend because their main guests are leisure guests. All of these hotels could be offering a similar location; and of course a bed for the night; but perhaps different facilities or services which attract different kinds of guests.

GOOD TIP | Many hotels would say that there quieter day is Sunday. It sees the back of the weekend, but the working week has yet begun. You can therefore find many amazing offers for weekend stays that have a heavily discounted Sunday night rate included – or perhaps even a free Sunday stay.

Here at the New Continental Hotel, we have a great many weekend offers to take advantage of – even in the Summer months.

  1. Hotels charge for everything and you have lots of additional costs.

This is NOT always true at all; especially here at the New Continental Hotel. We have a huge amount of added value that we don’t charge our guests for. Included in the room price is of course tea, coffee and biscuits in every room and (divine) hair and body washes.

We also offer guests complimentary use of Club Continental (our in-house leisure complex with indoor pool, gyms, sauna and steam room) as well a FREE enterprise grade Wi-Fi. We do have a small charge for parking at just £3 for 24 hours. Other parking for that duration in the city ranges from £6 – £50. Plus with many there is lots of walking!

GOOD TIP | If you book direct, you can usually get more value and also more information on any additional costs that you may incur.

  1. Your identity and credit card information is stored on your electronic room key card.

No, it isn’t. Not at the New Continental Hotel anyway.

When new technologies and room card keys were first used, there were rumours that hotels were encoding room key cards with guests’ personal information, including credit card numbers.

A prospective identity thief with a card reader could gain access to ALL of your private data by fishing your discarded room key card out of your wastebasket, your wallet or your tab holder.

The fact is that most hotel cards are like ours, simply encoded to get you into a certain room on the days of your stay. There is no room number on our key cards itself either, so if it is lost we simply deactivate the lost card remotely and with your ID activate a new one for you.

Some hotel room key cards do have an internal guest profile number and an indicator that suggests if you have a credit card on file to authorise purchases to your room. If that is the case it is always worth treating that card like you would a voucher card, and taking the hotel number with you when you go out for the day.

GOOD TIP | If you do loose you room key card call the hotel can deactivate it immediately.

  1. A hotel uses all of your personal information to bombard you with marketing.

This is simply a VERY BIG NO!

Like all businesses, charities and organisations that take any of your data, we must all have Data accountability and be fully compliant with all GDPR laws and regulations. We use methods and practises to keep your data safe and be transparent with how and why we use and store it.

Putting all the jargon to one side, we do need to take and store some personal information on our guests for legal reasons. Also to ensure we are able to deliver a good service. BUT WE DO NOT use this information to push products or services their way.

We will send an email before a guest stays, with their confirmation. Then one post stay, to make sure everything was as they expected and hoped for. BUT we DO NOT market to them unless they have explicitly agreed to receiving our discounts and offers for future stays.

If asked we will always delete all data belonging to a guest as soon as the reason for storage no longer applies.

We ask for an email address to access our Wi-Fi, but only to verify users and guests as legitimate users.  This is not automatically used for marketing unless guests have again authorised and requested that we do so.

        5. All hotel rooms in a certain price range are the same.

Regardless of whether it’s a big brand or an independent hotel like ours, no two rooms are exactly the same in almost any hotel. Of course, that doesn’t mean that a hotel is lying to you when it just shows a handful of rooms on their website, it just means it is nion impossible for a hotel to show every single room – unless it is small enough to do so.

For example here at the hotel we have 99 rooms. All different and in some cases extremely so. In the extreme cases we do show these in different room types such as; Standard Double, Standard Twin, Standard Single, Superior, Four-Poster, Family. But not every room can be shown as there are just too many!

As a listed Victorian hotel, every floor has structural differences, thanks to stairways and an elevator shaft and just quirky uniqueness’s! There are different room sizes and obviously different views, but we just can’t show them all.

GOOD TIP | If you want to know what your room looks like, just ask! It may be a room on their website that they can direct you to, or they could have a picture on their booking system that they can send. If they don’t have either of these, most hotels would be happy to take a picture and send to you. We find that for some guests who suffer from anxiety they really need this, in order to know what they are arriving to.

         6.All hotels have rooms with good views.

Sadly this isn’t the case.

As a city centre hotel that was built in the 1800’s, we have had many buildings pop up around us!  So not every room in the hotel has a jaw dropping view anymore!

From some windows around the hotel you may see bits of our large car park or of our rooftop, others have the beautiful curve of the crescent and the south end of town. Yet what we lack in every room having a divine view, we make up for in our amazing city centre location.

With Plymouth’s breathtaking vista – you are never far from a great view. The New Continental Hotel will give you the perfect setting to explore our beautiful city by the sea.

          7. Staff working in hospitality expect tip top tips.

We have all read recently that the big-name restaurants and hotel chains have come under attack for their unfair tipping policies. Ranging from allegations that management take a percentage of tips, to service charges that never make it to the waiting staff’s pockets.

Reading this opened up a big debate among staff here at the New Continental Hotel and among many settings in the sector.

Many of the staff who have worked at the hotel for years noted that they remembered a time when the tips they made enabled them to live a better lifestyle. As these tips made up a large percentage of their wages. Therefore you had staff competing on service to get the best tips possible.

Wages in hospitality are on the rise and certainly on par with many other professions now.  Plus we also have a different ethos, one which is naturally more driven by passion; which together has led to things changing.

Staff want to ensure everyone gets the best possible service and experience, not driven by a cash tip, but by their own passion and purpose in a profession they love.

Within our small (but perfectly formed) teams, we concluded that there is no longer an expectation for tips. Although obviously heartening when a tip is given, staff who were asked said that they actually find a hand written note or a mention on Trip Advisor just as rewarding.

             8. Hotels use white linen because they have to.

This was a real statement given by a real customer, just last week.

He was talking to a chambermaid who was wheeling her trolley full of beautifully white linens down the corridor. He stopped for a brief conversation about servicing his room. Within the conversation he mentioned how happy he was that hotels now had to use white linen!

Although we do not have to, white sheets are one of the most effective ways for hotels to prove their standards of cleanliness. White linens also make other colours in the room pop; such as cushions and throws, art work and vases.  Also, when you have to buy as much linen as we do here at the New Continental Hotel, white is just about the easiest colour to match!

Our chambermaids and housekeeping staff work tirelessly to make stays for our guests the best they can possibly be. Having all the same size, and the exact same appearance, means they don’t need to worry about matching the mattress sheets with the top sheets, pillow cases and duvets. Because there are no patterns or shades to match up – it makes it a little easier on them!

Also, you can just throw them all in the same giant washer and wash them all, then make up the beds as needed, from the same giant pile of beautifully clean sheets!

 

 

Steve's Brasserie will be closed from the 20th December 2024, re-opening on the 6th January 2025 (Room Service and Bar Snacks will still be available)Click here for Club Continental's Christmas and New Year Opening Times