Ashdale Hotels

Hazlewood Castle on Welcome to Yorkshire

2012-02-10T17:01:00.002Z

Hazlewood Castle features on Welcome to Yorkshires Competition this week - why not try your luck and you could win a luxury stay? Click Here to enter & good luck !!!!!

Champagne Fridays

2012-02-03T16:35:00.003Z

As if we just got a mention on the radio !!! Thanks Stray FM, Champagne Fridays at Storm Steak House and our new addition The Mardy Cow Bar Not long to go now nearly 5pm hope they've got my Champers on ice ...

Oh yes - Nice one Ricky!!!!

Wedding fairs

2012-01-20T13:15:00.003Z

4 Of our hotels have wedding fairs & showcases approaching!

February 5th BW Dower House & Spa
February 19th Hazlewood Castle & BW Angel & Royal
March 4th Kings Head Hotel

Why not pop along and have a nosy?

Mardy Cow !

2012-01-20T13:13:00.002Z

Mmmmm what's this all about? click

Oyez Oyez

2011-11-17T18:49:00.001Z

The Angel & Royal Hotel welcome dignitaries from 30 different countries to Grantham, Lincolnshire with the help of a local town cryer!

Mooove your Rump!!

2011-11-03T18:34:00.005Z

Get yourself down to Grants Hotel in Harrogate, our new Storm Steak House opens this weekend so why not pop along and join us we are even throwing in a free bottle of house wine with your meal give us a call to book your table - 01423 560 666

Awards Night continued...

2011-10-25T11:45:00.003Z

As promised here is the list of this years award winners

Kings Head hotel- Employee of the Year

Julie McFarlane

Angel & Royal hotel-Employee of the Year

Les Mole

Hazlewood Castle hotel-Employee of the Year

Rhiannon Parsons

Grants hotel-Employee of the Year

Monika Snarska

Dower House hotel-Employee of the Year

Matt Spiers

Ashdale hotels-Employee of the Year

Elaine Long

Ashdale hotels-Department of the Year

Kitchen Hazlewood Castle

Ashdalehotels-Department of the Year

Kitchen Angel & Royal hotel

Ashdale hotels-Hotel of the Year

Angel & Royal hotel

Ashdale hotels-Special award

Jude Hudson

Ashdale Awards 2011

2011-10-24T19:05:00.003Z

The annual awards took place last night at the Old Swan in Harrogate, this years travel to the venue was a lot less hairy than last year when people risked life & limb to attend.
This year for some the journey home was down a much windier road than the one, that had brought them here, some say the hedges try to leap out on you after midnight- others say you've had one to many sherbets.

The evening began with a Champagne reception and tombola with some pretty impressive prices up for grabs. Followed by a three course meal then the important bit of the evening the awards presentations.

The award for the noisiest table- Best Western Dower House & Spa (whose vigurous drum rolls had the neighbours wondering if someone had just opened Jurassic park next door).

The award for best Wii dancing - Hazlewood Castle ...

The award for longest ever game of connect 4 ... anyway back to the awards- so who won?

Find Out tomorrow ....!

Christmas Break Eletter Launched

2011-10-11T23:15:00.001Z

Christmas is Fast approaching

2011-10-05T01:30:00.003Z

Hammy's ready! Are you????

After the recent heatwave Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind, but it's just around the corner- don't get caught out!

We have some fabulous breaks available over the festive period, if you would like to know more why not subscribe to our ashdale enewsletter- http://www.ashdalehotels.com/

Even if you've been landed with the responsibility of booking your work Christmas party, we have some great deals and benefits for the party organiser- plus there could be no better opportunity to ask for that ever elusive pay rise... (Really good deals on the booze as well ;-))

The Awards are Coming

2011-10-01T00:39:00.003Z

The annual ashdale awards night is getting ever closer the Gms are choosing their nominations, and the staff are getting their outfits planned.

There are two new awards up for grabs this year- The "ashdale hotel of the year" & the "Ashdale special award".

The awards night takes place in Harrogate on October 23rd, good luck all.

Things to do over Easter

2011-04-06T22:21:00.002Z

Ashdales Business Development manager- Melissa Watson shares with you things to do around our hotels over the Easter holiday. www.ashdalehotels.wordpress.com

Royal Getaways

2011-03-25T17:02:00.005Z

Little Angels

2011-03-09T01:46:00.003Z

Little Angels Pudding Club at The Angel & Royal launches on April 23rd, the perfect chance to introduce your kids to baking.

Your children will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our Chefs to bake a variety of goodies to take home, as well as receiving a certicate at the end of their course to put on the fridge.

Dozy Parker !

2011-02-01T15:23:00.006Z

Interesting Approach, you can take a van to water...

Valentines Day

2011-01-26T03:01:00.005Z

Have you remembered the one you love?

Have you booked a dinner? Booked a romantic break? Or even ordered flowers?

Imagine the disappointment as your other half watches gifts or bouquets swamp in for their colleagues all day, ever expecting that one is is for them.
Imagine the trouble you'll be in when you get home, how many days you'll spend sleeping on the sofa or weekends putting up shelves that you don't need. Bad diddly bad, bad!

Imagine you remembered, Imagine the whirlpool & the steam room & the sauna, & the spa treatments, & the year ahead of guilt free crafty pints...

I'm not saying you have to book with us, (but it would be nice) just don't forget those who make you that little bit more perfect.

Jay Kay visits the Kings Head

2011-01-13T20:42:00.002Z

Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay recently stayed at the Kings head Richmond, where he chatted with fans before enjoying a drink.

Santa Snubs new chimney initiative

2010-12-17T21:56:00.004Z

The Best Western Dower House & Spa have installed a wood burning stove to keep the drinkers in the bar all nice & toasty, the guests are loving it but one vistor was not so keen, never mind Santa keep sipping the cider and watch out for the rozzers!!!!

2010-12-15T22:40:00.002Z

Overall Ashdale Employee of the year- Vengatachalam Aranganathan "Nathan" of the Kings Head

2010-12-15T22:37:00.002Z

Food & Beverage Department of the Year- Hazlewood Castle - Banqueting

2010-12-15T22:34:00.001Z

Front of House Department of the Year- Housekeeping- Grants Hotel

2010-12-15T22:31:00.002Z

Employee of the Year Angel & Royal- Katie Puk

2010-12-15T22:27:00.001Z

Employee of the Year Kings Head- Danielle Boyle

2010-12-15T22:26:00.001Z

Employee of the Year Hazlewood Castle- Lizzie Leahy

2010-12-15T22:23:00.003Z

Employee of the Year Dower House- Sarah Devaney

Awards Night the Winners are...

2010-12-15T21:54:00.004Z

Grants Hotel Employee of the year- Iwona Dorow- Collected by Stephen Brennan

Farewell our beloved feline friend

2010-12-08T01:17:00.004Z

Big Tom the eldest of Hazlewoods resident cats (pictured left with concierge Steve), unfortunately passed away last Friday.

A regular in the sales office, being the first to arrive in the morning and often the last to leave, his desk cat antics never failed to brighten the day.

Ever the optimist Big Tom often attempted to secure himself a buffet lunch, only to have his plans foiled by vigilant staff!

Goodbye Big Tom you will be sadly missed by all.

Soldiers March through Richmond

2010-11-22T15:03:00.005Z

Loyalty card members Paul & Elaine Brodie recently shot footage of soldiers marching through Richmond town centre, coming home.
They were kind enough to forward on their footage you can view their video below.

OK

2010-11-12T01:11:00.002Z

Bev Callard of Coronation street fame was married at Hazlewood Castle, this week the wedding is featured in OK magazine.

Ashdale Awards

2010-11-05T19:45:00.002Z

I am delighted to announce our Awards evening will take place on Sunday 28th November 2010 at the Rudding Park hotel

The purpose is to again recognise outstanding members of staff and to celebrate their success.

I look forward to a great night and good luck.

Awards

The awards are for:

Ashdale hotels overall outstanding employee

Each hotel’s outstanding employee

Ashdale hotels Food and Beverage department of the year

Ashdale hotels Front Office department of the year

Nominations and selections are based on:

• Performance in your work area
• Customer and staff feedback
• Sick record and time keeping
• Contributions to the hotels success/improvements/customer care
• Team work

Each hotel GM will nominate three employees and one department

• You must have worked with us for a minimum of 4 months
• Your GM will write a 250 word summary for all nominees including the department nomination as to why you / your department have been selected which will be submitted to me. This must be detailed and specific.
• All nominees will attend the awards dinner
• A minimum of 3 to attend from the nominated department
• From the three nominees from each hotel I will select one winner from each hotel, one overall outstanding Ashdale employee and one department winner

Each GM, can invite a maximum of 12 and a minimum of 8 to attend the awards evening

Nominations must be submitted by General Managers to me 7th November 2010

Prizes

Overall outstanding Ashdale employee

• Plaque (engraved)
• £300
• Extra days holiday each year on your birthday
• Press release and featured on website
• Certificate
• W/E in any Ashdale hotel

Hotel outstanding employee

• Plaque (engraved)
• £150
• Press release and featured on website
• Certificate
• W/E in any Ashdale hotel

Ashdale hotels Department of the Year

• Plaque
• Press release
• Certificate
• Night out as a team

Martin Wicks
Director

Calling all Artists

2010-08-17T23:22:00.002Z

Hazlewoods Painting breaks with Anita Bowerman are part of our new Special Interest Breaks brochure launched recently.
Fancy yourself as a budding Monet, Turner or Whistler? pop along and improve your skills if you're just starting out with complete tuition or just enjoy the serene surroundings of this historic castle with a few pointers to help you improve your technique, if you are a bit more advanced.
Our next classes begin on September 20th .
Learn More

Ken Hardy's Hard Hat Tours

2010-08-17T22:57:00.003Z

"Lord Ken of the Dower" (he's the one in the suit) was delighted to show these lovely folks around his bulding site, which will very soon be Imagine health & Spa offering a large range of facilities and features including an adventure shower, and "temple of doom" ( I jest).

But seriously there will be a herb sauna, spa bath, aroma steam room & aromatherapy bath, a large range of treatments to help you chill out and relax in style.

Check out the progress so far

White Rose Finalists

2010-08-17T22:47:00.003Z

Hazlewood Castle have been shortlisted for the White Rose award for the Small Hotel / Townhouse of the year category.

Fingers crossed for October 4th !!!

Mad as a Hatter !

2010-07-21T20:08:00.002Z

The Kings Head hosted a mad hatters tea party last Thursday for the local Georgian Royal.

The children of the cast donned their rabbit outfits and bounced around the lounge being chased by 5 Alices' no less. Even the mad hatter joined them for a cup of tea before the opening performance.

Hazlewood is Football Widow Haven

2010-05-27T22:38:00.007Z

During the world cup season Hazlewood is offering relaxing girlie breaks, including pampering, movies & popcorn.

Escape the lads, stray beer cans and minimal conversation to hang out with your friends, watch what you want to watch, and talk til you can talk no more. Then you can maybe give his credit card a battering in York or Leeds, and still be back before his socks walk themselves to the laundry basket.

http://www.hazlewood-castle.co.uk/pages/offers.php

Storm brewing in pictures

2010-05-27T22:33:00.001Z

2010-05-27T22:14:00.006Z

Head Chef Victoria - Storm brewing

Join us at the races

2010-05-12T23:09:00.003Z

It's not too late to reserve your place on our first exclusive race day package at Hazlewood castle, May 21st 2010.

Not only do you get to posh it up at the races with tickets to the county stand, but you get to see what goes on behind the scenes, including a visit to the stables of the top trainer Mr Tom Tate.

You also get a luxury package including private dinner, accommodation in one of our gorgeeous rooms (honeysuckle is the best) and a hearty breakfast to set up for your journey home.

If you want to really push the boat out you can even travel to the races by helicopter or be chaffeur driven!!! Oooooh get you

Storm Brewing launch week

2010-05-10T17:47:00.002Z

This week is Storm brewings launch week. We released balloons over Harrogate on Friday with invitations attached including a free gift- if you were lucky enough to find one pop along to claim your prize if not keep your eyes peeled...

There's a Storm Brewing

2010-05-04T21:45:00.003Z

Our new addition to Grants hotel- "Storm brewing" will be launched next week.
Between 8th & 15th May you can enjoy being amongst the first to enjoy our light bites and extensive coffee menu, between 9am & 6pm daily.
Check the skies around Harrogate in the next few days and you could be lucky enough to receive a special invitation...

Awards venue announced

2010-05-04T21:44:00.002Z

This years awards night will be held at the Kings Head Richmond on November 21st

This blog has moved

2010-04-30T13:12:00.001Z

This blog is now located at http://ashdalehotels.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://ashdalehotels.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Awards Night 2010

2010-04-20T21:33:00.002Z

The venue for Ashdale 2010 awards night has been announced ...

The Kings Head, Richmond will be hosting the event this year, I know Kay & Myckala will put on a right good do, girls it's over to you!

2009-11-26T23:28:00.000Z

Angel & Royal

2009-11-26T23:27:00.000Z

Dower House

2009-11-26T23:12:00.000Z

Hazlewood Castle

2009-11-26T23:07:00.000Z

Kings Head

2009-11-26T23:05:00.000Z

Grants Hotel

2009-11-26T22:54:00.004Z

So you didn't win... get over it !

2009-11-26T22:51:00.001Z

Winner - Ashdale - Sylvia McCormack

2009-11-26T22:49:00.000Z

Winner- Kings Head- Jackie McGee

2009-11-26T22:47:00.000Z

Winner Angel & Royal- Tibor Antal

2009-11-26T22:46:00.000Z

Winner Hazlewood Castle- Jamie Clinton

Winners gallery

2009-11-26T22:43:00.001Z

Winner Dower House- Miklos Annus

Winners gallery

2009-11-26T22:34:00.003Z

Winner Grants Hotel- Peter O'Brien- who also won the flatscreen TV !!!

And the winners are...

2009-11-19T18:41:00.004Z

The awards do was every bit as good as last year with Hazlewood again hosting a wonderful evening.

The winners of awards this year

Hazlewood Castle- Jamie Clinton
Kings Head- Jackie McGee
Dower House- Miklos Annus
Grants-Peter O'Brien
Angel and Royal- Tibor Antal

Over all Ashdale employee of the year- Sylvia McCormack- Angel and Royal

Next year will see the introduction of two new awards- for front of house & food and beverage

Attending the awards night are...

2009-10-26T12:38:00.002Z

Kings Head

Nigel Alexander
Lisa Scott
Adele Hockney
Adele Salonga
Danielle Boyle
Amy Bennison
Dee smith
Jackie McGee
Matthew Nursey
Sean Monoghan
Aaron Hoskins
Pat cooper
Myckala
Kay

Angel&Royal

Sylvia McCormack.
Issey Kime
Adam Kilpin
Lee Dilloway
Tibor Antal
Alison Wright
Katie Puk
Dean Carroll
Julie Gwyther
Michael Wright
Angela Warton
Tony Greenwell

Dower House Hotel

Miklos Annus
Shelagh Holloway
Cath Glennon
Ben Fairhirst –
Morney Thomas Mills
Claire Harrington
Hannah Palmer
Sarah Devaney
Elizabeth Macpherson
Bernadette Hunyak
Aimee Burrows

Hazlewood Castle

Steve trueman - linen porter
Helen young - reception
jenny cannon - sales office
brain Henry - maintenance
Andy ward - banqueting
Jamie Clinton,
Barbara Stone,
Ryszard Potempa
Jordan Hunter

Grants Hotel

Iwona Dorow - Reception
Jill Norton - Housekeeping
Polina Bozhinova – Bar/Restaurant
Monica Snarski - Restaurant
Sarah Clinton – Assistant Manager
Elaine Long
Victoria Vallasso
Amy Stockdale
Natalie Davy
Peter O'Brien

Hazlewood Babies

2009-09-29T19:22:00.002Z

Hazlewoods babies were recently celebrated at a garden party hosted by the castle.

A worldwide search was conducted to discover Hazlewoods babies from the castles time as a maternity hospital between 1939 & 1953- over 2,500 babies were born here, and over 1500 returned here to meet their fellow Kings & Queens of the castle at the garden party.

We are pleased to announce the imminent arrival of our "Hazlewood Babies" microsite with a feature to allow the babies to share their stories with each other and the rest of the world.

Ashdale awards 2009

2009-09-16T21:59:00.002Z

As the awards night approaches the staff eagerly await the nominations for this years top employees.

Too late for butt kissing chaps....!

The awards night will be held again at Hazlewood Castle on November 15th which if it is anything as good as last year will be well worth attending.

Watch our collection site for this years winners.

The story of the Kings Head Hero

2009-07-22T18:30:00.005Z

One calm ordinary evening in the Kings Head hotel, Andy & Gemma took on the heroic task of cleaning the fish are golden finned friends who have been swimming amongst us for the past 4 years. Everthing was going along swimmingly, the bowl was sparkling and all ready for the fish to return home, olga, Adele, Dawn & little Adele.
Into their fresh new home they dive, straight to the bottom, Andy was very impressed by the way they all dived into the bowl,'hey Gemma look at this the fish are sycronised swimming' they then swam to the surface all did a back flip and floated on the top. 'oh my god' cried Gemma I don' t think they are meant to do that.' Sh......i shi.....t shi.....t' crys Andy we've killed the fish. After a desperate telephone call to Kay at home at 10.30pm the concern was then where to bury them & who was going to tell the rest of the reception team. At that moment through the doors, shrouded in mist, and wearing his underpants over his trousers came Graham the night porter, after calling Andy & Gemma a few choice words he scooped up the bowl containing the demised fish, prepared a drinking straw entered the management office & closed the door!!!!! All his paramedic training came flooding back Graham performed CPR , and against all the odds he revived Adele, out he rushed and placed Adele into the bowl. Our hero!!!! what can we say? who would beleive it. We now have renamed Adele Graham ( JC to his friends)

But lest we foreget our thoughts now turn to the others who sadly never recovered, and our buried in an undisclosed grave to avoid the onset of morbid fascination (toilet).

Dower House Head Housekeeper shares top ten tips for the Best western group

2009-01-08T13:39:00.002Z

Head Housekeeper of the Dower house Hotel Knaresborough shares her top ten tips of where to check hotel rooms for cleanliness, Elizabeth MacPherson has over 40 years experience during which she has trained hundreds of chambermaids, to carry on her high standards.

Bizarre finds are all in a days work from false arms to mascara tubes stuck in the plughole, nothing gets in the way of Elizabeth and her dedicated team. We celebrate the Ashdale groups very own Mrs Immaculate!

Another royal vistor to the Angel

2008-12-15T12:28:00.000Z

2008-12-02T11:41:00.001Z

2008-12-02T11:34:00.000Z

2008-12-02T11:08:00.001Z

2008-12-02T11:02:00.001Z

2008-12-02T10:51:00.001Z

2008-12-02T10:43:00.001Z

The Storm has arrived

2008-12-02T10:37:00.002Z

The Storm bar and restaurant is now open after a successful launch on Thursday 27th November, up to a 100 folk turned up for the event munched on a fab dinner and sipped Champagne.

Ashdale Awards Night 2008

2008-11-17T16:38:00.004Z

I am delighted that the first Awards evening that that took place on Sunday 9th November 2008, was a great success.
The purpose was to recognise outstanding members of staff and to celebrate their success.
Nominations and selections were based on:

Performance in your work area
Customer and staff feedback
Sick record and time keeping
Contributions to the hotels success/improvements/customer care

Each hotel GM nominated four employees:

You must have worked with us for a minimum of 6 months
Your GM will write a 250 word summary for all nominees as to why you have been selected which will be submitted to me
All nominees will attend the awards dinner
From the four nominees from each hotel I will select one winner from each hotel, and one overall outstanding Ashdale employee.

Prizes
Overall outstanding Ashdale employee-winner- Adele-Kings Head- Receptionist

Plaque (engraved)
£300
Extra days holiday each year on your birthday
Press release and featured on website
Certificate
W/E in any Ashdale hotel

Hotel outstanding employee - Winners - Kings Head- Lisa- Receptionist, Grants - Elaine- Housekeeping - Hazlewood Castle - Steve - Concierge, Angel & Royal- Mark- Night Porter, Dower House Hotel- Amanda- Maintenance

Plaque (engraved)
£150
Press release and featured on website
Certificate
W/E in any Ashdale hotel

Overall outstanding Ashdale employee - winner - Adele - Kings Head - Receptionist with Martin Wicks, Ashdale Hotels Director

Elaine from Grants Hotel - Housekeeping

Lisa from Kings Head - Receptionist

Steve from Hazlewood Castle - Concierge

Mark from Angel & Royal - Night Porter

Amanda from Dower House Hotel - Maintenance

More photos from the Awards

Sharpshooters!

Hazlewood Castle girls

Musical statues or dancing - you decide

I wonder if that's Elaine's number

Amanda from Hazlewood deep in concentration

Timea, Jenny, David and Amanda

The guys and girls from Hazlewood

The folk from the Angel and Royal

Ladies and Gents from the Dower House Hotel

The girls from the Kings Head

Ashdale Awards night

2008-11-14T18:15:00.004Z

So the Ashdale Awards took place on Sunday at Hazlewood Castle Hotel, (A black tie do no less...) we started the evening playing with toy cars, and shooting things with plastic guns, next a bit of gambling- roulette & black jack to be precise where much play money was lost.
We then went through to the old hall, where we settled down for a most excellent dinner, even though Adam stole my pudding.
Then with the tension building the nominees and winners were read out for each hotel, so excited were some folk that they clapped in the wrong places and had to be silenced by a bit of mangerial scowling.
All the winners got a nice plaque and some money, and the rest of us had a right good knees up to the in house disco, drank some pop and cheated on the quiz.

A good night was definitely had by all thanks to all involved in organising the night.

Two new additions to our family

2008-07-27T21:11:00.003Z

Breaking news!!!

The Ashdale Hotel collection has just got bigger.......................................We have taken on two new properties in North Yorkshire which will increase our little collection to five!!!!

So busy and exciting times to follow, so where are they?

Firstly Grants Hotel, Harrogate - a 42 bedroom town house situated in a lovely leafy street, minutes walk from all the boutiques, gardens, restaurants and bars that Harrogate has to offer.

www.grantshotel-harrogate.com

Secondly, a castle!!!

Hazlewood Castle, nr Tadcaster set in over 70 acres of landscape grounds and woodlands, steeped in History, with 21 individual rooms, lounges. The perfect place for weddings and family celebrations - It even has its own chapel!!

www.hazlewood-castle.co.uk

Take a look at the individual hotel's website to see what you are missing.....

New Staff Awards Scheme!

2008-05-29T13:41:00.001Z

Ashdale hotels have introduced an awards scheme, for all us outstanding employees. 4 staff from each hotel are to be nominated to be treated to an awards evening, with great prizes and trophies, on Sunday 9th November.

Visit the Jobs section on the Hotel website for further information.

Angel & Royal
Kings Head Hotel
Dower House Hotel

Ashdale awards night

2008-05-21T21:23:00.005Z

Reference spidermania

2007-10-31T10:49:00.000Z

If the spiders at Dower House are hugh, I would be more worried about the size of the creature that has ate the other 2 legs. I'm sure spiders start off with 8 legs.

Spidermania

2007-10-29T13:40:00.000Z

With the days getting shorter and the nights longer the Dower House is becoming a haven for our 6 legged friends.

We have decided that the children who have been staying over the half term have been feeding them steroids as they are huge!!!! even the squirrels are scared!!

Watch this space for further developments......................

kay

2007-09-26T11:36:00.000Z

NO TIME TO THINK

As if we all don't have enough to do over the summer, we have managed to sit down for 5 mins and look back at what went on at The Kings Head apart from the usual day to day

We've had..........................
HATCH x 6, new staff, welcome to you all, rosey cheeked & raring to go!!!!
MATCH x 3, weddings of the year . GM with head chef, 2nd chef with waitress, and waitress with her holiday romance
DESPATCH x 6, 3 gone to university, 1 gone to college & 2 to pastures new

Another big event coming up is a birthday party
Olga will be 85 our most senior memeber of staff, longest serving 39 years and probably the fittest.
Party invites going out soon

No more hiding

2007-09-14T11:24:00.000Z

In a recent opinion poll conducted by rare pig breeding cult executives, the clour pink was voted in the top ten all time influences of the 21st century.
It was determined that pink:
never clashes
speaks up for itself
crosses all cultural boundaries
Has royal connections ( Lady Penelope)
Encourages happiness
Is a newspaper
Is money
Is your little finger
Is Barbie
So we are all deep in the pink!

A New Feature

2007-06-16T17:12:00.000Z

A new feature THE KINGS HEAD HOTEL..........

is proud to announce the opening of our our new water feature.relax in one of our newly refurbished rooms, and listen to the gentle trickle of water as it ambles down the wall, nesteling under the bed in a tranquil puddle. The Atlantis upgrade is available, wet suit, with flippers, snorkle, arm bands, & rubber duck, only (£6.00, sick squid). Also available water beds, however these are limited please book in advance. quote this reference Mermaid! ! !

Good luck

Christmas has come to the Angel

2007-05-30T10:01:00.000Z

The summer courtyard is not yet finished and we have Christmas chasing our tails.

Should we put in the Christmas trees and fairy lights to save time?

The new festive event brochure and residential packages have arrived and bookings are already coming in.

Who thinks of Christmas in May !!!!!

If you would like a copy please let the hotel in question know or come along and see the outdoor activities unfold.

Captain Gardner Strikes Again

2007-05-22T11:53:00.000Z

Thank God for some activity!!!

The planters for my courtyard garden are being finished off just as I blog and the plants will arrive later.

The triffids are coming - no longer will the little oiks of Grantham be able to bike through the trees without being swallowed whole.

Before this though they will have to contend with the 2 tonne of top soil which currently resides at the bottom of the courtyard built up by the moles of olde Grantham town currently visiting relatives from Planet Zon.

Please note that Room 115 must ensure that all emergency exits are kept free for further burrowing.

Third time lucky?

2007-05-22T11:12:00.000Z

A little (south African) bird has told me there has been another passing away at the Dower House.

I feel like a Monty Python sketch, they are demised, no more, gone to meet their maker, dead.

Is it something in the water? like an apple ?r

Is it internal sabatage? a case for Ace Venturer.

Shall we cancel the Glass bowl? or will it be third time lucky

Ghoul Runnings

2007-05-06T17:01:00.000Z

We would like to apologise on Jasper's behalf for the inproper use of bathroom taps at 3am Saturday morning.

He did switch them off as soon as he realised that the guests were asleep in bed...( But not before he had woken them up)

He has promised to check the host sheet prior to entering bedrooms for his morning wash.

Thank you

Welcome

2007-05-03T13:14:00.000Z

Good to see that the internet and IT revolution has just hit Richmond !!
I will send you a cake with loads of little sparklers on it.

Woth Waiting For

2007-05-03T08:37:00.000Z

AT LAST!!!! I'M HERE! It's Like the second coming - thank the lord - ALLELUIA!!! Can you tell I'm pleased. Watch this space - at last I'm a blogger - yes I've been called worse. Hello to all my fellow bloggers.

At last

2007-05-02T15:07:00.001Z

With all the fuss about fish I thoughtCraig you would like some advice on how to stop them from croaking. They need T.L.C. and a big bowl, just the same as all of us, not sure about the big bowl.

2 New arrivals

2007-04-30T18:28:00.000Z

We have two new arrivals at the Dower House . They are called 'King 'and 'Angel'. Martin wants to do a tote to see how long they will last. With this in mind I feel 24hr security will be required to safeguard these two young goldfish.
Tina will be in charge of security and Bob will be incharge of the mission impossible type laser. There will be an alarm fitted at my home address also.
These fish are here to stay ......

PS .We had a quiet funeral today for our previous two goldfish...the hotel cats enjoyed them .......

A fishy tail part 2

2007-04-28T18:08:00.000Z

The swabbing is complete. Steve Ray has concluded , it was poison. The question is who.
Was is Tricia, who welcomed the fish so well but secretly was jealous . Or was it Tina who forgot that fish don't like Brown sauce. Or was it the hotel cats !!

Craig

Something Fishy

2007-04-28T09:00:00.000Z

The fish are dead. Long live the fish.
Inspector Steve Ray is on the homicide case. Foul play is suspected and the CSI has uncovered a web of underwater crime.
We are awaiting forensics and are secretlty swabbing all suspects

The Fish Have Arrived

2007-04-26T13:32:00.000Z

Yesterday was a great day for The Dower House hotel. We now have two hotel goldfish . The pensioners who arrived for our regular pensioners lunch on a Wednesday were smitten. They have been named Bob and Craig, the rather fat one is Bob!
Tricia extended her usual hospitality to them when they arrived , fed and watered them , unfortunately the same cannot be said for Tina . The fish were upset with Tina and started to show signs of fatigue when Tina came on duty. Tina was adament she wanted her apples back on reception.
Craig intervened and got Tina a large bacon sandwich with plentiful supplies of Brown and Red sauce (from a bottle) .
Craig and Bob regained there composure and are starting to swim again .

Stay tuned for more fish tales from The Dower House

puffing billies

2007-04-24T09:13:00.000Z

Now the smoking ban is imminent many staff are left with the real conundrum of whether to stubb the butt or become a smoking wet leper.
What will happen to the traditional industry smoking break? Even non smokers faked smoking for this benefit- "Any smoke will do."
What about the serious puffers and the addicts?
Maybe the Gecko smokes. Who will police him? One of the smoked fish family?
I don't know but maybe we will see a return of the sneaky fag behind the back/ smoked holed hands/ overwhelming mint whiff and of course the " you stink of smoke "quip and the "Do I? It was a really smoky pub" response"!!!!

Update on the A&R garden

2007-04-23T18:13:00.000Z

The General Manger has employed the expertise of 'Captain Gardner' to assist in the task of renovating the courtyard.

The Clingons and the 'Captain' will be aiming to build the Angel's own Crystal Maze with a variety of shrubs and trees.

See the regular progress report posted on this blogger for more details.

Thank you

2007-04-21T20:47:00.000Z

Thank you for those kind words from the chocoholic of Grantham.
Watch out for my next instalment . The diary of a reception goldfish .

Craig

Yipee Another Contributor comes to the fold

2007-04-21T17:40:00.000Z

Craig Adams, General Manager at the Dower House has eventually managed to get on the Blogger (with assistance!!!)

We look forward to reading his idle rantings from the North.

Best wishes

XXXX

Melissa Watson
General Manager from the South

Golden Apples to gold fish

2007-04-21T17:39:00.000Z

After much deliberation we have decided to remove the apples from our recetion desk . Too healthy was the common cry.
So on Monday we will take delivery of two goldfish. The question is what will we call them.
Please email me with your suggestions. craig. adams@dowerhouse-hotel.co.uk

Craig

The Angel on the look out for its own Alan Titchmarsh

2007-04-19T21:13:00.000Z

The Angel and Royal are in need of a garden makeover team as it has been proven that although Patrick aka the 'starfish' has 5 Arms and Legs, he has been next to useless in the renovation of the courtyard.

This task has urgency attached to it. (Deadline 10th May)

Management are looking for several gnomes to work with the seven dwarfs already working at the hotel, good rates of pay, accommodation and board included. If you match the bill, please contact the hotel.

Subsitute for the Gecko has arrived

2007-04-02T15:16:00.000Z

As there has been some hassle over the appointment of 'the Gecko' we have now a substitute on the desk. Patrick aka 'the starfish' has grown well within the team and brought a smile to the team's faces. Very affordable to run, only requiring a top up of water on a weekly basis.

The hotel has also installed a high tech surveillance team in the form of Easter Chicks with over twelve of these on site they have assisted in the reduction of crime, boredom and acted as decoys for the Foxes Fruits.

Dedication's what you need

2007-03-20T14:42:00.000Z

While Roy does not curently possess a voice box he is looking into "going under the knife" such is his dedication to the hotel, rest assured he will not be allowed to man the phone until his recovery period is complete.
We have purchased a booster seat in order to allow him to see over the computer monitor and he is never without a smile. As for his keyboard skills they are second to none, making him a valued member of the reception team, who else would work for a few live crickets a week!

Does the Gecko contribute

2007-03-19T11:58:00.000Z

I have had numerous calls asking if the Gecko will be working in reception .
Can he do "end of day", print arrival lists, check in guests with style, answer the phone to the required standard and have a good gossip?

Receptionists campaign for pet lizard

2007-03-14T12:22:00.000Z

The receptionists at The Angel and Royal Hotel are rallying for support in their campaign for a pet lizard for the reception desk.
Little Gecko Fauntleroy or "Roy" the leopard gecko would entertain guests with his little lizardly antics as well as fascinating all with his eyeball licking skills.
If you would like to show your support please email us with "gecko" as the subject on enquires@angelandroyal.co.uk