and it’s farewell from marty pants (he said whimpering)

Regrets? Iiiiii’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.

Wise words there from Frankie, wise words.

So, this is it from me writing relentlessly like a dog (calm it marty pants, easy now). I’ve written, or at least ensured, there was a post on this site every day since its conception way back at the end of March, just so you lovely people out there (you are lovely, yes you are, well most of you, some of you, alright one of you, you know who y’arrr, ohh shucks, I need to get some more tissues, back in a tick….).

I felt the need to keep whoever the 500/600 daily readers are absolutely amused, and kept up to date on the shenanigans of the daily life of a lowly london lastminute.com destination manager. Whilst writing this each day it really emphasised the fact that this is not just any other job (this is M&S duck l’orange covered in baby oil)… wait, I’ve gone again….. ok….. the role of a London monkey, is truly special, there I said it…. boss – I want my old job back….

As for the blog, who knew it would be so popular? not me, I just wanted to do something a bit different (I know, a 40 mile run wasn’t enough), and am thrilled therefore that tadddddddddaaaaaaaa it has paved the way for a further 4 blogs….. going live July 1st….

www.IrelandHotelExperts.com now, NOW, you may have heard of a fella, goes by the name of John Gavin?, what dya mean you’ve never heard of him? impossible - fifty pressups now soldier….. if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat, this no doubt will be a blog that gives insight into the library-that-has-no-bounds that is John’s mind.

www.EnglandHotelExperts.com guess who is the chief writer there!!!! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE and you thought you were getting rid of me!  mwwwhhwhahahahahahahahhahahahtheWorldIsNotEnuffMeeesterrrrBondaahh) I can’t wait to get started writing about the rest of England!!!

www.ScotlandHotelExperts.com och yes, I mean aye, I mean a oui, I mean wee, oh I dunno lassy, there can be only one highlander

www.ParisHotelExperts.com sacre bleu, mon dieu, et zut alors, I am living for this blog….. LIVING FOR THE ASHTON….. you do not know excitement until you’ve known that this day is coming, seriously. Cancel your plans, disconnect everything, get the kids to bed, lock up your daughters (no wait, am getting confused) nay matter, for the legend of legends, Chris Ashton takes the mic for this blog, hang on…… had to change my trousers…..

So there you have it

onwards, upwards, and everythingelsewards, it’s all good.

So, see you on  some other blogs (did I mention the www.EnglandHotelExperts.com?) hahahhhh you canne get rid of me that easily cap’n!! Hopefully those crazy cats in London will let me guest-post a couple of ditties here n’ there, but until then my little beauties, big big big love to you all, you’ve been great, you got the whoooole world on a plate, startin here, startin there, everythingggssss coming up rosesssssssss (who said I didn’t like showbiz?).

Peace & thanks for the monkeys.
Marty Pants, a.k.a Martin Kleinman (he typed crying).

and the winner is…. London hotels again!

I’ve won soooo many awards recently I’ve had to move desks (I won the award for best desk-move in fact), which reminded me that last week was the annual Acorn Awards, where the top 30 under 30s (I know – it’s downhill from here guys trust me) get awarded for hotel industry excellence (from alllll areas of hospitality from GMs to M&Ms). I just happened to be glancing at the Caterer (boss look away) when cor-blimey I said to myself, if I didn’t know a few of these wonderful peeps who won……

The below is copied from the Caterer’s website… CatererSearch.com, congrats to the below, speaking from award-winning experience, my advice is be modest

Steve Lowy
Age 29
Position Founder, umi hotels
Nominated by Rachel Dines
Proudest career moment Apart from the Acorns, achieving a place in The Sunday Telegraph Top 50 Budget Hotels in the World for umi London and winning the North and West London Business Person of the Year award in 2008
Greatest inspiration My parents, who both worked in hospitality, taught me that you don’t get anywhere without hard work
Ambition I would love to open a hotel school in the UK and inspire young people to choose hospitality as a career

Steve Lowy is the founder, owner and managing director of umi hotels, a “luxury budget” hotel group.

Steve came up with the idea for the business while travelling after university, where he studied hospitality and tourism management at Salford University.

On returning to the UK Steve was general manager of a backpackers’ hostel in London, before launching umi in 2007 in the former Westminster hotel.

In October 2008, umi London was included in The Sunday Telegraph’s Top 50 Budget Hotels in the World.

Christopher Ball
Age 30
Position National account director – e‑commerce, Guoman Hotel Management
Nominated by Richard Bantock, head of leisure sales, Guoman Hotel Management
Proudest career moment Going for my current role was a risk – it proves that if you are passionate and driven, you will succeed
Greatest inspiration Jerry Keyes, my general manager when I worked in Chicago. He showed me that whatever happens, the guest comes first. And my current manager, Richard Bantock. It’s a joy to work with someone so driven and passionate, and follow in his footsteps.
Ambition Simply to keep on going and be successful through my career. I have no end goal – you have to keep progressing and challenging yourself. I want to be known as someone who tries to make life easier for people, whether they are colleagues or clients. I always try and get the best result for all involved.

Does hospitality do enough to attract young people into the industry? No – because unfortunately some people are afraid of hard work. We are still portrayed as a low-paying industry where you have to work hard for little gain. It shouldn’t be all about the money – the majority of people working in our industry love it. The current spate of TV shows does help, but people do need to be aware that to get to that stage it will take a lot of work and dedication – you need to be in hospitality for the long haul, and you need to love what you do. We need to show people that working in the industry isn’t just a job, it is a career.

As part of his hospitality management with tourism degree at Lancaster University, Christopher Ball spent a year as revenue manager at the Hilton Garden Inn in Chicago.

After returning to the UK in 2003, Christopher was room sales manager at Jarvis Piccadilly hotel in Manchester.

Last year, he joined Guoman Hotel Management as national account director responsible for e‑commerce and leisure sales.

Chris has changed the way Guoman’s hotels work with the short-break market and introduced a forward planning system for the online travel market.

Siobhan Walker
Age 30
Position London director of sales and marketing, the Doyle Collection
Nominated by Bill Walshe, CEO, the Doyle Collection
Proudest career moment Being awarded Manager of the Year at the London Hilton on Park Lane Annual Award Ceremony in 2007
Greatest inspiration I originally trained in ballet and danced with The English National Ballet until 1999. My mentor has always been my dance tutor, who taught me the importance of discipline, tenacity and dedication
Ambition My ambition is to see the Doyle Collection brand grow to one of the most recognised brands in the hotel arena

After Siobhan Walker’s career as a professional ballet dancer was cut cruelly short when she was 19 due to an illness, she started her career in hospitality, becoming a management trainee at Galileo International. She then moved to Hilton where she managed the sales relaunch of the Hilton London Green Park Hotel. In 2006, Siobhan was promoted to director of sales at London Hilton on Park Lane.

She then joined the Doyle Collection as director of sales and marketing for the Marylebone Hotel in 2008. In 2009 she was promoted to London director of sales and marketing.

yes! its mystery tube sunday!

I know, you literally couldn’t wait for this week’s quizzical brainteaser, to push you to the limits of your london tube,  before settling down later for the England game.

Testing your london chooob knowledge, it is juuuust the kind of thing at the london hotel experts that we like to bore people to death with!

SO!

Which tube station is this!?!? I took it earlier in the year, but it is still going through a major facelift! Click on ‘comments’ to leave your answers!

Happy Sunday & Enjoy the game!

COME ON ENGLAND!

“Fête de la Musique” @ le magnifique Sofitel London St James

There is always something going on at the Sofitel London St James, all at the london hotel experts agree it is surely one of the most exciting and adventurous hotels when it comes to hosting unique events (previously they become home to the actual cafe table of Vincent Van Gogh, where he would sit and be inspired for many long evenings.

So now, for an event on June 21st….

“Fête de la Musique” was born in France in 1982, and has since taken place every June 21st. For the first time Sofitel London St James is taking part in this major cultural milestone.

From 6pm, go tap your feet to the rhythm of “Ménage à Trois – A French Gypsy Jazz band, whilst putting your taste buds to the test with our exclusive selection of summer wines and Champagnes. Through the course of the evening, travel from Champagne region through to Italy, hop across to South America and finish your fine wine journey in South Africa.

If you wish to attend please RSVP to Joao Da Costa on: H3144-sb4@sofitel.com (don’t forget to mention you read this at the london hotel experts )