Swallow Churchgate hotel - Old Harlow

Last week I visited a town called old Harlow for work purposes.

I am still chocked that there are still some towns so close to London that have such a small villagy feel to them. That is how I felt landing in Old Harlow.

As my train arrived at the station called Harrow Mill, it was so deserted that I am sure I heard  tumbleweeds rolling from afar… having worked out where the exit was, I walked upward towards what looked like a main road where there seem to be no soul to ask where the nearest taxi rank was.

To my left was a “hotel”, that I would call it a shelter. But what was written on the wall was Oasis Hotel… well, I walked in and asked if could get a cab number so I could go to another hotel about 10 minutes ride away.

As we rode through some zigzagging, deserted roads, I noted that some are of the road did not even have sidewalks… where am I?

As arrived to the hotel, it seem to be the only one in town and I also noted that there was a lot of movement. It is then that I worked out that some locals used the hotel as a restaurant, gym club, swimming pool and pub.

The entrance of the hotel was really well decorated and the reception area had a home living room feel to it.

As I collected my keys and walked to my room, I noted that the “good Impression” was limited to the reception area.

The walk from the reception to my room was unimpressive and things looked really old from the carpet on the floor to the rusty door handles.

My room looked really old too and desperately needs refreshing. The curtain reminded me of a granny front rooms curtain and the TV looked like what the same granny would have in her bedroom with 6-7 channels.

One good thing about the bedroom is that the bathroom was really clean, but I noted that the bath taps were really really rusty and also need changing. The hair dryer which seem to come from the 80s was the same colour as the floor.

As there was nowhere else nearby to have dinner, my only choice was to have dinner in the hotel restaurant; the menu card wasn’t inspiring and given how empty the restaurant was on this evening, I doubtfully ordered a safe dish for main… a Mediterranean salad with Halloumi cheese. I skipped the starter and to finish, I had a cheese platter that came with grapes… having taken a look at those grapes I became really suspicious of the rest on the content of my plate. The grapes where not presented as a bunch or still attached to their peduncles… closer examination told me that they had started to spoil. Needless to say that I left them and the softer cheeses untouched and didn’t ask for coffee.
I went to my room to make the coffee, and notice that the coffee making area must have not been cleaned for a while. I had to clean the cup and spoon with boiling water before using them.

I usually also look forward to the full English the next morning, but decided to skip it all together in this hotel… I couldn’t afford to be sick as I still have to put in a full day’s work.

I did have a good night sleep though and the shower jet was great too… Really appreciated that. Both were greatly needed.

If you are going to stay here I recommend you make some prior arrangements for food and drinks have minimum interaction with the staff and be ready to clean before using the following: remote, kettle, mug & toilet seat…

Up on speaking to the some locals, I was told that the hotel does change hand quiet often… this explains that!

1 out of 5 for this hotel. I don’t think I will willingly use it in the future. £75.00 for a single room with dinner, I think they should review their prices.

Don’t take my word for it, try it and let me know what you think!
Fancy checking it out visit the website here

The Wifi in the area isn't the best and I also lost the use of my cam-phone. Hence no pics taken. Sorry.

The Reviewer.

SquareMeal event - London

 

For the second time I have attended the SquareMeal event for events coordinator.
I must say, both times – last year and this year- I have been blown away by the whole thing.
If you are an events organiser, no matter what kind of events you organise, you will need to be in contact with SquareMeal and attend this yearly event.

At the SquareMeal event which is held in the Old Billingsgate building, you will get to meet and chat to people from all types of venues from hotel to restaurants. You will get to sample at times food or baked goods from the venue’s own chef. You will get invitations to tour some venues. Other venues will even put on a 3 meals courses during your visit to give you a full view of what they can do for you.

View of the outside lunch area - 2011 picture

Visiting those venues do at time help you to determine your style and what kind of things you would like to show your guests during the event that you are hosting.

Last year after my visit to the SquareMeal event I made so many contacts and had so many invitations to come sample food and champagnes at so many venues that I could have filled my social calendar for a whole 6 months after visiting those stands.

The other great thing about this event is that it is a free event. Both times I visited I have had to book it as a day holiday from work. This is just because it is the only way can guaranty that I would attend without the pressure of thinking that I have to report back to the office. I use this to open my horizons and find how I can be better at what I do.

Sometimes we have to invest our own time into what we are getting paid for and for me this is the way I do it. Besides. I think my job gives me already the privilege to tour the UK and try hotels and food in places I would not think of visiting of my own. It also gives me the freedom to choose the venue and therefore the privilege to enter in some private clubs. Which I would not otherwise enter without a good excuse.

Food from Hatfileds venues

Other things you get to do at the SquareMeal event is, being educated about wines, fizzy drinks and cocktails during present seminar. This year I also had the privilege to be a judge for a food completion on the first day of the event. We also had the privilege to hear the creator of the Green & Blacks chocolates… One of my friends got a boat ride to the venue and I missed out on the free taxi ride.

As I went home at the end of my day at the SquareMeal event, I was reinvigorated and excited about the new venues I might be using and visiting in the next 12 months… and my bag was full of chocolates collected from various stands. My colleagues at work thought I was too I give it to them the next day… free stuff are much easier to give… ah!

One down side is that there is too much sweet stuff on display… stands should consider bringing some savoury give away.

If you are into events, I really really recommend that you head to the Squaremeal website and register your details to receive not only the free high gloss magazine, but also be au fait with what is hot in your industry.

Hopefully, I will see you at the event next year. In the meantime, thank you so much SquareMeal for such a fabulous day! You get 9/10 from me.

Voila.

Nota Bene: none of the image here were taken by me as I didn't think I was going to write about my day. here is the only photo I took that is worth sharing:

YMCA B&B - Guildford Surrey



YMCA view from the train Station side

  Did you know YMCA offered B&B for overnight stay? Me either.


View of my room from the entrance

Last week I had to stay overnight in Guildford and given how unconventional my check in and check out were, I didn’t really want to be very far away from the train station. So, I google-mapped the train station and asked the search engine to find me the closest B&B. Up pops Guildford YMCA barely a 500 metres away from the station. Bingo!
So, I checked in late Thursday night. Not impressed. At this point, I was thinking about B & B not hostel. This, I did not realise until I stated to hear some over animated youths while I was trying try to wind down and recharge my batteries.

View of the storage in the single bed room

The check in was old school… nothing pre-printed, no computer involved as far as I could see when I was checking in. I got my keys and took the lift up. I wasn’t impresses by the smells… school dorm smell.

I booked an en-suite as I couldn’t stand sharing the bathroom for the sake of £10 or less.


A very clean shower and loos area

The bedroom although very Ikea like was very nice, basic and clean. With a flat TV and telephone… and no end of storage. That reminded me of the A Board I saw outside. At YMCA a student can stay for £146.00 a week. My night there actually cost me £55 including breakfast… I’d say I’ve had better for the same in other places I’ve visited.

I’d actually recommend this place for someone with a small budget. But for comfort and for a professional looking to rest before a long day, I’d say find somewhere else as those noisy students will drive you crackers all night.  Don’t take my word for it, give it a try.
The Reviewer