Celebrate romance in the UK with Red Carnation

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The Red Carnation hotel group is rolling out the red carpet for Valentine’s Day. At all its UK properties, romance will be shaped by luxury, leaving you to focus on the person with you. You’ll be greeted with a bottle of pink champagne, and every evening will be punctuated with a unique romantic turndown service. Enjoy chocolate covered strawberries at any time in your room, and dine on culinary creations tailored to your taste. You can even arrange for a midnight lover’s feast and sleep it off with a late checkout on Sunday. Oh, and you don’t need to use that time sleeping off a food coma … I’m sure you can find other ways to put that bed to good use!

Whether you prefer the quiet intimacy of The Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge or the Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa or any of the other properties in the Red Carnation portfolio, you’ll be sure to have a luxurious stay that will make your significant other the envy of all who hear the appropriately edited stories from your getaway.

A full list of properties at which the Valentine’s Day package is available can be found here.

“Hi. We’re celebrating!” – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Whenever I travel, I make sure the hotel knows ahead of time that I’m celebrating!

I tell them that my husband and I are celebrating either our honeymoon, anniversary or birthday. Most nicer hotels, resorts or B&B’s will leave a little surprise in your room to make you feel special. I’ve had champagne, chocolates, baskets, fruit and even complimentary spa services awaiting our arrival. I’ve never had anyone ask for proof of the event so book away and celebrate!

[Ed’s note: this practice may involve some duplicitousness. Consider yourself warned.]

Ask for the upgrade – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When checking in, always ask for an upgrade. That question costs nothing and may result in a great room.

Always smile and never appear demanding. Asking the simple question of a room upgrade — and letting them know you understand it may not be possible — keeps the clerk in an accommodating mode.

Just a simple request of an upper floor or a room with a great view is a request the clerk can easily arrange. Alternatively, you may end up in a suite.

Upgrading guests costs management nothing (assuming the hotel is not at capacity) and creates goodwill.

Ask for “out of service” rooms – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

No vacancy? Not always. If the hotel you really want to stay at is completely booked, try discretely asking whether or not they have any “out of service rooms” they could rent to you.

“Out of service” is the industry term for a room that, while vacant, has been set aside for repair. Hotels won’t offer this up front, so you’ll have to inquire politely.

Obviously you’ll want to determine exactly what the problem is — but minor things like a carpet tear or stain can be overlooked easily for a reduced fee and a comfortable night in the hotel of your choosing … particularly if the location is prime.

Warm your sheets – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve turned up the thermostat and called hotel management but your room still won’t get warm. A chilly hotel room can make for an unpleasant night’s sleep but there’s a simple — albeit goofy — solution to this frustrating problem: Find the iron, and warm the sheets.

Right before crawling into bed, pull back the comforter and iron the sheets. Set the iron on its lowest setting to avoid potential scorching.

The sheets and mattress pad will lock in the iron’s heat for several hours, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep in a cold hotel room!