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Classic Versus Quirky

Aspire Executive Lounges, Swissport's global airport hospitality brand, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality, the world’s leading and award-winning membership body for hospitality professionals. Aspire Executive Lounges becomes the first business partner from the airport lounge hospitality sector to join the Institute of Hospitality. Aspire Executive Lounges, the fast-growing Swiss brand in the airport hospitality business, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the world’s leading membership body for professionals working and studying in the hospitality leisure and tourism industry. Aspire Executive Lounges is the first business from the airport lounge sector to become a member of IoH. The collaboration will foster an exchange of expertise and insights: IoH will benefit from Aspire's expertise in airport hospitality, while Aspire, by sharing its wealth of experience with IoH members, can extend its professional network to the hotel and catering sectors and hospitality management schools. “Our vision for Aspire Executive Lounges is clear and simple: We want to deliver a guest experience that is similar to what our guests are used to from their preferred hotels, meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of today’s travelers,” says David Collyer, Global Vice President of Executive Lounges at Swissport International AG. “We strive to deliver an unparalleled experience and set a benchmark that transcends our industry, redefining excellence across the hospitality sector. The Institute of Hospitality is a great network to exchange insights and experiences, and to learn from others in the hospitality sector, which will help us bring our vision to life.” Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality: “Our aspiration at the Institute of Hospitality has been to develop and grow our membership, the number of countries we operate in, and the number of hospitality sectors represented within our organization. With that in mind, it is a natural partnership for us to welcome Aspire into our family, and to learn from their teams, who serve travelers with passion and dedication. As two organizations with similar values, we look forward to collaborating in promoting high levels of excellence within our profession.” With over 30 years of experience, Aspire Executive Lounges is Europe’s largest brand in the airport lounges sector. In 2023, Swissport welcomed more than five million customers worldwide at over 69 lounges in 20 countries. The airport hospitality brand recently opened new lounges at Toronto City Airport in Canada, and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland. Aspire Executive Lounges recently created a new lounge concept in partnership with the airline alliance oneworld. The first oneworld branded lounge was launched at Incheon Airport in Seoul, Korea, in December 2023. Aspire Executive Lounges is owned by Swissport International AG, the global leader in aviation services, serving airlines at 286 airports in 44 countries across 6 continents
Written by Amy

 

When looking for a hotel, many points are factored in; location, cost, style, to name but a few. But, ultimately if guests are searching for the ultimate getaway, indulgence is at the forefront of their decision.  We take a look at two contrasting hotels in the North West, united by their air of luxury.

Classic Versus QuirkyBoasting Cheshire’s only Michelin starred restaurant, The Chester Grosvenor Hotel it is a must see when visiting the region and a foodie’s best kept secret. Its distinctive black and white timbered façade typifies much of Chester’s Tudor revival architecture, which is what makes Chester one of the most picturesque cities in the UK.

From the restaurants to the rooms, a traditional air of luxury is maintained throughout, bringing guests back time and time again. The hotel boasts two varying styles of hotel room; the first a classic style with elegant décor and beautiful marble bathroom, the second a more contemporary style, with sleek finishings and even USB charging ports to suit the more tech savvy guest.  ‘The Gallery’ on the first floor landing boasts the original staircase where the grandeur of the 28,000 piece crystal chandelier offers the most memorable of settings, perfect for any photo opportunities that may arise.

‘Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor’ has a retained a Michelin star since 1990 – a feat which no other restaurant in the north of England has achieved.  Guests can indulge in an eight-course tasting menu, featuring such delectable dishes as Cushion of halibut and Caramelised veal sweetbreads.  Alternatively, the hotel’s alternative restaurant, La Brasserie, offers diners a taste of Parisian dining.  Home to an original 1920s style hand-painted glass skylight, the restaurant oozes a feeling of French sophistication and offers comprehensive A la Carte and Light Bites menus, featuring such dishes as Corn Fed Poussin, En gelèe and Louis XV dessert.

On the other end of the spectrum is Manchester’s quirky Hotel Gotham.  The building dates back to 1928, having been painstakingly restored and transformed from its previous banking life into the impressive 60-room hotel it is today. Internal restoration includes the reincarnation of the main staircase, the brass handrail, its balustrades, mouldings and terrazzo flooring. The Art Deco influence can be seen in the striking bespoke geometric carpets running throughout the corridors and bedrooms.  Beautifully rich wall finishes of metal, wood, leather and ceramic are used extensively and provide a richness and decadence that evokes emotions of the past.

Gotham_by_night (1)However, the Art Deco backdrop is accented with mementos designed to add drama and create talking points; from bowler hats in display cabinets to money bags for laundry and typewriters on the walls, references to the building’s banking past, Hotel Gotham holds a surprise around every corner.

Guests can immerse themselves in Manchester’s industrial views in Club Brass, an exclusive VIP rooftop retreat. Beautifully clad geometric tin tiled walls provide the perfect backdrop to the sleek leather booths and cut-glass decanter lights.  Cocktails, liquors and spirits created exclusively by Sipsmith Independent Spirits.

The ‘Honey’ restaurant, serves guests a modern twist on brasserie classics.  Menus and cocktails reflect the hotel’s art deco heritage and heavily feature local suppliers and tastes, such as Beetroot Gradvalax, Lamb Hotpot, Manchester Tart and Gotham Kirsch Cake.

The Chester Grosvenor and Hotel Gotham are sister properties within the ‘deluxe’ section of the Bespoke Hotel Group.

For more information on both The Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Hotel Gotham, please contact lottie@thesourcepartnership.com.

About the author

Amy