Iranian Caravanserais. The First Motels?

No one is really knows for certain when the first hotels or inns appeared, there are several biblical references to inns and we are all familiar with the story of the birth of Jesus when there was “no room in the inn” for Mary and Joseph. On a recent trip to Iran I visited a Caravanserai which defiantly wasn’t the oldest hotel in the world but it is almost certainly a forerunner of today’s motel.

For hundreds of years travellers, merchants and pilgrims stayed in inns called caravanserai, which were built along the roadside or on the outskirts of the major towns throughout Iran and the Middle East.

Throughout history Iran has been central to the flow of commerce between North Africa, Europe, India and China which in turn gave rise to the need for more trade routes and roadside caravanserais.
Most Caravanserais were square or rectangular buildings with a tall wide gate, to allow easy entrance for heavily laden camels.
The typical Caravanserai would be square or rectangular in shape with a open-roofed courtyard which was surrounded by rooms, stalls and storage bays to accommodate travellers along with their, animals, and merchandise.
They often doubled up as trading posts where merchants could haggle over their goods and stock up on supplies for what was often a long and arduous journey ahead
As with today’s hotels Caravanserai varied greatly in standard some where very basic whilst others where beautifully decorated with traditional Persian tile work and some even had elaborate bath houses where weary travellers could wash away the desert dust.
Whilst we at Sarova Hotels do not claim our three hotels, The Rembrandt in London’s Knightsbridge, The Bull in Gerrards Cross and The Abbey in Great Malvern have the same historical mysticism of the Caravanserai (although one could justifiably argue The Bull dating back 1688 may give them a run for their money), we are however proud to continue the tradition of excellent hospitality that has existed for thousands for years.

Submitted by When Ian Kingston is not travelling he is Assistant Financial Controller at The Rembrandt Hotel.

World Cup

So is it World Cup fever or are we just sick of it? The World Cup in our house is pretty much a foregone conclusion, with two teenage boys and my husband I am outnumbered and yes, I am in the garden typing while they watch ITA play NZL. The score by the way is 1-1.

So I got to thinking, after England’s inept performance the other night, is Capello for the chop and will the ‘Back the Beard’ campaign finish with the whole of England looking a little stubbly and not the Grizzly Adams look alike James Corden was hoping for.

I can’t believe how our lives change and how they play the world cup tune. Dinner has to be ready by 7.30 pm for the start of the match and there are no more leisurely dinners in the conservatory with lively debate about our days at work and school. Its now just a constant ohhh... yes.........aaah.. then after the match there’s the dissection with Gary Lineker in my opinion the best bit of eye candy all night. But do you know what; we have all seen this before and it doesn’t get any better a second time round.

They are blaming the weather, altitude, the manager but not the players with the exception of course of Robert Green who I think will find his world cup is over. So why are we so awful? Is it because we have a bunch of prima donnas that think they can do it alone, or is it the ball. Well let me tell you we did have a lively debate the other night about the ball. It started when Maicon for Brazil shot at goal or was it a cross? no one can really tell but the ball curved in to the net to every one’s surprise.

We started talking about the ball and its quirky qualities and the topic got to why only Germany had used the new ball in their league to practice prior to the World Cup. Of course it is all about sponsorship and money but I could not see why any England related World Cup games or friendlies could not use the new World Cup ball. Seeing I was losing the debate I turned off the footie and started to catch up with the Desperate Housewives a much more forgiving bunch. A ‘You cannot be serious’ cry went up from the crowd and they moved into the kitchen begrudgingly and I followed with ‘Don’t forget the dishwasher’ and harmony was restored, well in my world any way.

If I have to admit it, I am getting in to the regularity of the games and I am enjoying my book but I just feel that when it all ends we will wonder where the summer went and why we did not see any Wimbledon this year, which does start tomorrow Monday 21 June 2010. If you are wanting to get away from the World Cup why not book in to the Rembrandt Hotel and head off to Wimbledon for less debate on the balls and more on the shorts. Or better still come to Malvern and enjoy a wonder on the hills and take advantage of our body and sole offer.

The Bull and The World Cup

With the World Cup underway, the Jack Shrimpton Bar at The Bull Hotel is the perfect place to watch the matches. With the large plasma screen showing all of the games, you can also take advantage of some fantastic promotions. Make sure you get there early to take full advantage of ‘World Cup Hour’, which offers ‘Buy one get one free’ on all drinks for an entire hour before each game. There is also a fantastic BBQ menu available for selected games.
For those of you who would rather avoid the sound of the vuvuzela’s, you can still enjoy the BBQ from the peace and tranquility of our Conservatory Lounge which is a football free zone.
Whichever way you plan on spending the next month, make sure you make time to visit The Bull.

Grace Kelly Style

The Exhibition

Erwin Blumenfeld, Portrait of Grace Kelly, New York, 1955. © The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld 2009

The thing that made her stand out is what we call 'style'. McCall's magazine, 1955
When people think of Grace Kelly (1929-82), one of the most photographed women of the 20th century, what they usually recall is her beauty and elegance. She rose to fame as an actress in the 1950s, starring in films by Hitchcock and others. Her image was cultivated by the movie industry, which fed cinema-goers' growing appetite for pictures of glamorous stars through magazines and newspapers. The types varied, from voluptuous sirens and 'sweater girls' to the girl next door. The young Grace Kelly seemed to combine both qualities: wholesome, but distinctly glamorous at the same time.
She came to symbolise the classic, understated look she wore both on and off screen. Grace Kelly became known for her impeccable dress sense. This exhibition explores, through her surviving clothes, the story of her transformation from Hollywood actress to a princess of one of Europe's oldest royal families. Examining her enduring appeal as a style icon, it features her film costumes, the much-publicised dresses made for her trousseau and wedding, and the French haute couture - a different kind of costume - that she required for her subsequent role as Princess of Monaco.

• Actress

After training in New York, Grace Kelly intended to be a stage actress. But her cool beauty, subtle sex appeal and professionalism attracted the attention of Hollywood directors. From 1951 to 1956, she made eleven films, from High Noon with Gary Cooper to High Society.

• Bride

A working trip to the south of France for the Cannes Film Festival in May 1955 changed the course of Grace Kelly's life. Although arranged as a photo opportunity for the French magazine Paris Match, her meeting with Prince Rainier III of Monaco initiated a brief courtship, and a year later, the couple were married.

• Princess

As Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly devoted herself to her new life, focusing on her husband and family, but also using her celebrity and considerable drive to support the principality, and many charities and cultural causes.

• Enduring Icon

Princess Grace remained faithful to the classic, streamlined style she had favoured as an actress. But she adapted it to the changing silhouette of the 1960s and 1970s, developing a suave look incorporating fine jewellery and elaborate hairstyles.

For any Grace Kelly fans why not come and stay at the stylish Rembrandt Hotel
Let the Rembrandt make you feel like a princess or why not treat your princess. Upgrade to a celebration package for only £50 and we will arrange for flowers, champagne and chocolates to be placed in the room

Submitted by House Keeping at The Rembrandt

Farnborough Airshow

The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) is one of the world's most iconic global aviation events. FIA holds a prominent position within the aerospace calendar taking place once every two years over one week in July. The first five days of the show are traditionally trade days only, followed by a weekend where the exhibition is opened up to the public. 2008’s event featured 165 aircraft in static displays and spectacular flying displays and the public weekend attracted a staggering 153,000 visitors.

This year the Airshow will be held from 19-25 July and is certain to be the most exciting to date. With its existing exhibition halls, flying displays and UAV pavilion, FIA 2010 will evolve its business theme to include a number of new networking initiatives such as a themed conference and seminar programme, a ‘Meet Your Buyer’ event and a day dedicated to International Futures for Youth. Additionally, FIA 2010 will feature a dedicated ‘Space Zone’ and enhanced UAV presence. The Farnborough International Airshow is a World of Opportunities and the Rembrandt Hotel is honoured to welcome visitors of the Airshow to enjoy a memorable stay in July.
London is a hub of activity throughout the calendar year, with the Rembrandt being an ideally located hotel to rest your head after visiting the eclectic range of London events. The Rembrandt Hotel was originally commissioned as luxury hotel for Harrods department store at the end of the 19th Century. Since than, The Rembrandt had a major refurbishment but still maintains that contemporary feel into its Edwardian architecture.

On the borders of both South Kensington and Knightsbridge, it is in an excellent location for visitors to London, be it on a business trip or for pleasure. Located closely to the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum with Harrods a 5 minute walk away, there is always something new to discover during a Rembrandt stay.

I have been living and working in London for over 6 years now and everyday I find myself discovering a new side to London, it really is a city that never sleeps and to visit the capital city for any length of time, you will never be disappointed!

Submitted by Carmella Rubenchik, Sales Executive at The Rembrandt

London Cabs

All of us who live in London and those of you that are visiting London have most probably used a London Black Taxi for a journey in London. Those Black Taxis are part of tradition in London and they are known all over world by people visiting London. Have you ever wondered how did it all started or since when they are operation in London.

The first Black Taxi in London was the Hackney Coach in 17th Centaury; the name comes from hacquenee, French term for a general purpose horse. In 1625 there were around 20 available for hire. The first taxi Rank appear when in 1636 the owner of four hackney coaches brought them to Strand and he had established tariffs for various parts of London. The drivers wore livery so that they can be easily notices on streets. In 1636 Charles 1 made act that allowed maximum of 50 hackney carriages for be available for hire in London. Year 1654 is very important for London Taxis as it was then that Oliver Cromwell set up the Fellowship of Master Hackney Carriages by Act of Parliament and it was then that Taxi driving became profession. Over the years new acts were set up allowing more and more of them to be available in London but it was not until 1833 when this trade became unregulated and no longer there were any limits on number of taxis available for hire in London, the only regulation left was that both the driver and the vehicle had to “be fit and proper”, that regulation even after all this years still applies.

From the middle of the 19th century two types of cab began to dominate, the two-wheeled hansom, a fast and elegant carriage and the ponderous four-wheeled ‘growler’ which, with its luggage carrying ability was to be found mostly at railway stations. The first London’s motor cabs were electrically powered. They were called Berseys and were nicknamed ‘Hummingbirds’ from the sound that they made. 25 were introduced in August 1897 and by 1898 a further fifty of them were at work. Unfortunately, they proved unreliable and there were a number of accidents, including one fatality. Public confidence in them evaporated and they were withdrawn by 1900.
Year 1903 was the year that the first petrol powered taxis were introduced in London, they were French build and called Prunel. The early versions of mechanical taxis were made by variety of manufactures but after Austin brought their High Lot cabs into the market, they gradually took over. They brought to the market the Low Loader, the Flash Lot, the FX3 and then the FX4. The FX4 (better known as the Fairway) is what many people today think of when Black Taxis are mentioned and it was one of the longest lived of taxis designs. The TX1 followed the FX4 when cabs needed to wheelchair accessible

The taxis had moved a long way since its early years but the principle behind them remains; carrying people around London. Hope you will find this story interesting and to finish let me tell you few fascinating facts about London Black Taxis;

Taxi drivers are not legally obliged to give change. If a large note is offered the driver is entitled to take the cash, and offers to post the change to the passenger's home address.

The 'Knowledge of London' was introduced in 1851 by Sir Richard Mayne after complaints that cab drivers did not know where they were going. Passing the Knowledge involves detailed recall of 25,000 streets within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross station. The locations of clubs, hospitals, hotels, railway stations, parks, theatres, courts, restaurants, colleges, government buildings and places of worship are also required. It can take three years to pass the test, including the six months it takes to be tested.

The London Taxi Drivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children was started in 1928 when 12 London taxi drivers took children from a local orphanage to London Zoo. Now the charity takes the children to Disney Land, Paris, France for a few days.

Submitted by Sylwester Sobilo, Front Office Manager at The Rembrandt

Royal Ascot

There are few sporting venues that can match the rich heritage and history of Ascot Racecourse. Over the past 300 years Royal Ascot has established itself as a national institution and the centrepiece of the British social calendar as well as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world.It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot, which in those days was called East Cote. Whilst out riding in 1711, she came upon an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.”The first race meeting ever held at Ascot took place on Saturday 11 August 1711. Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six, was the inaugural event. Each horse was required to carry a weight of 12st and seven runners took part.This contest bore little resemblance to racing seen at Ascot today. The seven horses were all English Hunters, quite different to the speedy thoroughbreds that race on the flat now. The race consisted of three separate heats which were four miles long (each heat was about the length of the Grand National course), so the winner would have been a horse with tremendous stamina. Sadly, there is no record of the winner of the first Plate.Today the tradition does not change – the Queen Anne Stakes continues to be run in memory of the monarch who founded the course nearly three centuries ago. The racecourse was laid out by William Lowen, who was assisted by a team of helpers, William Erlybrown, a carpenter, Benjamin Cluchett, a painter, and John Grape, who prepared the paper work for racing. The first permanent building was erected in about 1794 by George Slingsby, a Windsor builder. It held 1,650 people and was used until 1838.In 1813, Parliament passed an Act of Enclosure. This Act ensured that Ascot Heath, although the property of the Crown, would be kept and used as a racecourse for the public in the future. Racing at Ascot was now secure.The precise origin of the Royal Meeting is unclear, it was an event that evolved perhaps, rather than was introduced at a specific time but the first four day meeting took place in 1768. Arguably, the meeting as we know it today started to take shape with the introduction of the Gold Cup in 1807. Royal Ascot was the only race meeting held at Ascot until 1939.

Gold Cup day remains the feature race of the third day of Royal Ascot and is traditionally the busiest day of the week. It is colloquially known as “Ladies’ Day” as, in the formative years, it was the dominant day in terms of the racing, attracting the largest crowds and, it must be assumed from the emergence of the term “Ladies’ Day,” more ladies!Although founded by a Queen and located on Crown property, the administration of Ascot has always been handled on behalf of the Crown by a representative appointed by the Monarch. The racecourse was run on behalf of the Sovereign by the Master of the Royal Buckhounds up until 1901 when Lord Churchill was appointed as His Majesty’s Representative. He was responsible for running the course and determining entrance to the Royal Enclosure.

In 1913, the Ascot Authority was established by an Act of Parliament. His Majesty’s Representative became Chairman of the Authority with the Clerk of the Course acting as Secretary. Today, as Ascot Authority (Holdings) Limited, Ascot retains both these positions, but with the additional appointment of trustees and non-executive directors, a Chief Executive and departmental directors, of which the Clerk of the Course, who is also Racing Director, is one.

Until 2001 Ascot Racecourse was a private company – no accounts published. In January 2002, as part of our preparation for the redevelopment of the Racecourse, Ascot incorporated. Ascot Racecourse Ltd. is now established as the organisation responsible for running the Racecourse.Her Majesty The Queen, as an owner and breeder of racehorses takes a keen interest in the races. Over the years The Queen has had great success with her own horses. The Jockeys riding Her Majesty's horses can be distinguished because they wear The Queen's racing colours. These are the same as those of King Edward VII and George IV as Prince Regent - purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and black velvet cap with gold fringe.The Queen traditionally presents the Gold Cup, which, along with the Royal Hunt Cup and The Queen's Vase. These three trophies are made every year and presented to winners to keep. Challenge Trophies, many of which are antique, are presented to the winners of the remaining 27 races, and are returned after the year to be presented to the next winners.

Submitted by Mark Gibbons, Revenue Manager at The Bull