Infotel Magazine | Edition 12 | January 2017

Dates for the Diary
What to do, where to stay
2017 Edition 12
The Guest Book
This month’s top picks
Burns
Night
and
the
Scottish
Highlands
There’s only one place to
be this January!
The
Padbrook
Burger!
Jane
Austen
200 : UK
Celebrations

DISCOUNTED RATES & AMAZING OFFERS ON BUDGET TO
LUXURIOUS HOTELS, SERVICED APARTMENTS & OVER
867,908
PROPERTIES WORLDWIDE
FOR YOUR NEXT WORK OR LEISURE NIGHT AWAY
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
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Inside Cover: Humber Bridge by FreeImages.com/Martin Gregory
CONTENTS
Burns
Night
Scottish
Highlands
4 10
The Guest Book
Holiday Inn Express
London Golders Green
22
Top Picks in the
Scottish Highlands
5 11
Dates for the Diary
Burns Night
Stays
23
Smithton Hotel
6 16
7 18
8 20
Park Broom Lodge
Citystay Serviced
Apartments
Infotel Business
Let the Food
do the Talking
Jane Austen 200
A Postcard from...
Scottish Highlands
24
26
Featured
28
The Infotel
Specials
Surya Hotels
Group
Chef’s Corner
9
Lincoln Self
Catering
3

This month’s collection of Infotel properties to check-in to
Lakeside Lodge Golf
Centre Huntingdon
Hillingdon Prince
Reading
Walnut Tree Hotel
South Bridgwater
Appleby Inn Hotel
Swadlincote
Forest View Hotel
London
Nethybridge Hotel
Nethy Bridge
The Winchester Hotel
& Spa Winchester
Cairn Hotel
Harrogate
Headingley Lodge Hotel
Leeds
Aztec Hotel & Spa
Bristol
4

DATES FOR THE DIARY
What’s On?
January
2017
1 January
London’s New Year’s
Day Parade
London >>
1 - 8 January
Made in Hull
Opening Event
Hull >>
2 January
Liverpool
International Horse
Show Echo Arena
Liverpool >>
Until 8 January
Leonardo da Vinci:
Ten drawings from the
Royal Collection, Glynn
Vivien Art Gallery
Swansea >>
7 & 8 January
Hammer & Tongue
UK Poetry Slam
Finals, Albert Hall
London >>
When?
23 - 28 January
Dirty Dancing
Theatre Royal
Newcastle >>
25 January
Donny Osmond
Bournemouth
International Centre
Bournemouth >>
25 & 26 January
Strictly Come Dancing
- The Live Tour
Sheffield >>
Where?
5

FEATURE
Park Broom Lodge
Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 4QH
From
£45
£55
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
This guest house is about 20
miles from Hadrian’s Wall and
less than 12 miles from Gretna,
just over the Scottish border,
and conveniently located for
Northumberland’s Kielder Water
and Forest Park which are only
20 minutes away.
Generously sized comfortable
twin, triple and family en-suite
rooms are available, all with
new bathrooms, fluffy white
towels and views over open
countryside or the pretty
one acre garden.
“From the moment we entered we were made
to feel like honoured guests and nothing
during our stay changed that opinion.”
A Trip Advisor Review
Each bedroom is stylishly
furnished with carefully chosen
statement pieces, flat screen
TV and tea and coffee making
facilities.
6
40 On-site Free WiFi Restaurant Bar Wedding
Receptions
Private
Parties
Airport
Parking
Great for
Hiking
Golf
Nearby
Check In
4.00pm
Check Out
10.30am

FEATURE
Citystay Serviced Apartments
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB4 1SS
From
£126
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Citystay is the one of the
best providers of serviced
accommodation in Cambridge,
offering one, two and three
bedroom self-catering apartments
across the City Centre.
Guests have all the benefits of
a hotel in a serviced apartment;
large, modern and furnished
to a high standard, with
complimentary WiFi, a welcome
pack and parking included in
the price.
The luxury welcome pack
includes cereals, breads,
preserves, milk, tea, coffee,
sugar, mineral water, fresh fruit,
juice, designer toiletries, washing
powder and dishwater tablets.
“A home away from home.
Would recommend to everyone.”
A Trip Advisor Review
1 Space
On-site
Free WiFi Kitchen Serviced CCTV Indoor Pool Laundry
Apartments
Service
Check In
3.00pm
Check Out
10.00am
7

Meet the
team
Babs
It’s our business
to look after you!
We provide the perfect partnership for finding
your work and leisure accommodation
Becky
Bespoke Service
We search, secure and book
your accommodation so you’re
free to do your job.
Accommodation
We have access to over 867,000
properties, including major hotel
chains, serviced apartments and
independent B&B’s.
Clear Pricing
We offer a completely FREE service
so there’s no hidden charges to worry
about at the end of the month.
Jackie
Travel
We use the latest technology to
secure the lowest rates on rail,
air and ferry fares.
Savings
We save our clients on
average 20% off all bookings.
Flexible
We offer FREE cancellation on
thousands of properties and we will
make all the changes for you.
How to use our services
Jade
Rosie
Step 1: Get in touch!
+44 (0)1775 841184
hotels@infotel.co.uk
www.infotel.co.uk
Step 2: Your Enquiry
Working with your agreed budget and
location, an Infotel specialist will locate
the best hotel at the best rate or source
the best travel itinerary to get you to
your destination on time.
Step 3: Our Proposal
Once you’re happy with the
options provided, your Infotel
specialist will make the booking
and you will receive confirmation
via email or SMS.
Sue
Tanya
Step 4: Confirm Payment
The booking can be secured to a card of your choice,
with payment taken at the time of confirmation or on
arrival. For clients using our billback service, we will
settle your bill and issue a fortnightly invoice
consolidating all of your billing.
Ready to book?
Step 5: Live Booking Portal
We can provide access to online management
tools and information so you can monitor travel and
accommodation bookings. We can also supply a
bespoke online booking portal so you can enter
your requirements on any internet enabled device.
01775 841184
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

FEATURE
Lincoln Self Catering
Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 1QF
From
£60
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
High quality accommodation at low
prices and located within a conveniently
short walk from Lincoln Castle, the
railway and coach stations, supermarkets
and restaurants.
Each apartment has a kitchenette fitted
with a fridge, ceramic hob, microwave,
toaster and kettle. Bed linen, toiletries
and towels are supplied and there’s a
flat screen TV with Sky Sports and
Movies, plus complimentary WiFi.
If you don’t wish to eat in, there’s an
excellent choice of restaurants on the
Marina waterfront, just a four minute
walk away.
“Simply brilliant and
a great location”
A Booking.com review
4 Spaces
On-site
Free WiFi Kitchen Serviced
Apartments
Check In
1.00pm
Check Out
10.30am
9

FEATURE
Holiday Inn Express
London Golders Green
Golders Green, London N3 3JN
From
£77
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Situated by the A406 North
Circular with direct access
to the M1, M4 and M25
motorways, 19 miles from
London City Airport and
only five minutes drive from
Golders Green and Finchley
Central Tube stations for
central London.
“Rooms were spotlessly clean and comfortable,
a large choice for breakfast with enough to
suit all tastes”
A Trip Advisor review
The recently renovated
bedrooms are modern and
spacious, simply furnished
and have flat screen TV
and desks with some rooms
providing seating areas with
sofabeds.
A free continental or hot
breakfast (and kosher
breakfast) and parking is
available plus a relaxed
lounge bar and a business
centre.
10
50 Spaces
On-site £1
Free WiFi Restaurant Bar CCTV 24hr Wedding
Reception Receptions
Private
Parties
Air
Conditioned
Luggage
Storage
Check In
10.00am
Check Out
2.00pm

Burns
Night
Dust off your tartan
and get the party
started as Scotland
raises a patriotic
glass and recites
the Ode to the Haggis
in celebration of the
country’s national
bard, Robert Burns.
Tuck into a
traditional Burns
Night supper with
neeps and tatties
alongside the haggis
and don’t forget the
dram or two of
single malt!
And when
you’re ready to
rest your head
we have a canny
collection for a
super Scottish
slumber!

BURNS NIGHT STAYS
Royal Highland Hotel
Inverness, Inverness-shire IV1 1LG
A friendly, welcoming, Scottish
hotel of magnetic character and
charm awaits guests staying at
this grand hotel, which along with
superb hospitality, offers a classical
culinary experience certain to leave
a lasting impression, with locally
caught fish and seafood taking a
starring role on delicious menu.
Maryculter House Hotel
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB12 5GB
Located on the banks of the River
Dee and overlooking the Petercutler
Golf Course, Maryculter House
Hotel is one of the most famous
and historic hotels in Aberdeen.
With a classic reputation for
hospitality, from the building’s
founding in 1227 by the Knights
Templar, this location has been
offering hospitality to travellers
from far and wide for many years.
12

BURNS NIGHT STAYS
Huntly Arms Hotel
Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5HS
You’ll be following in the footsteps
of Queen Victoria with a stay at the
Huntly Arms Hotel, one of the oldest
coaching inns in Scotland.
Dating back to 1432, this charming
property has been host to Jacobite
leaders as well as royalty.
Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa
Carnoustie, Angus DD7 7JE
From royal footsteps to a stay scoring
famously with championship golfers
such as Padraig Harrington and
Colin Montgomery, The Carnoustie
Golf Hotel and Spa offers 81 luxury
en-suite rooms with stunning views
over the championship course, the
sea and the local town.
13

BURNS NIGHT STAYS
Murrayshall House Hotel
Perth, Perthshire PH2 7PH
Hundreds of acres of woodland
and parkland with deer, hares
and wild birds greet guests at
the award-winning Murrayshall
House Hotel. With spectacular
mountains providing a dramatic
backdrop and the beautiful
Perthshire countryside pleading
to be explored, guests can enjoy
horse riding, fishing, tennis and two
championship golf courses at this
17th century stylish stunner.
Standing Stones Hotel
Stromness, Orkney Islands KW16 3JX
Orkney lies only a few miles off the
north coast of Scotland, yet this
archipelago of 70 islands has an
otherworldly quality and magnetism
that will captivate visitors.
Overlooking the Loch of Stenness,
the Standing Stones Hotel is the
perfect place to begin an Orkney
exploration. Set back from the
main Stormness to Kirkwall Road,
the views of the loch never fail to
impress, from midsummer sunsets
to exciting winter horizons of drama.
14

BURNS NIGHT STAYS
Sumburgh Hotel
Shetland, Shetland Islands ZE3 9JN
Built in 1867 and a former laird’s
home, guests can enjoy traditional
Scottish fare at Sumburgh Hotel on
the South Mainland of Shetland.
Just a three minute walk from the
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse
Settlement, less than a mile from
the ferry terminal and just over a mile
from the airport, it’s ideally located for
a Shetland stay, whether business
or leisure.
Airth Castle Hotel & Spa
Falkirk, Stirlingshire FK2 8JF
For a legendary stay, the Airth Castle
Hotel & Spa was once owned by the
family of Robert the Bruce and dates
back to the 14th century. It offers
plush en-suite rooms and suites,
some with ancient four-poster beds,
marble bathrooms, arched windows
and exposed stone walls along with
a new Velocity Fitness and Leisure
Club, indoor pool and spa facilities.
15

FEATURE
Padbrook Park Hotel
Golf & Country Club
Cullompton, Devon EX15 1RU
From
£90
£65
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Let the
food do the
talking
Barry Lyness is Head Chef at
Padbrook Park Hotel Golf and
Country Club in Devon. With 40
bedrooms and the very best
sporting, conference and leisure
facilities, the hotel is the perfect
place for business and leisure
stays and only 15 minutes from
Exeter International Airport.
16

INTERVIEW
How did you get into cooking?
As a child I always enjoyed baking
and decided to expand on it as an
adult. I’ve now been a chef for 11
years, and for the last two months
I’ve been at Padbrook Park.
If you were stranded on a desert
island and allowed one item or
ingredient from your kitchen,
what would it be and why?
I’d take the thickest recipe book
I could find so I’d always have
something to read!
Picture courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org
What’s proving to be the most
popular dish on your menu this
month and why do you think
that is?
Seared pork medallions. They’re
sourced locally and are a brand new
dish on our new menu.
Who or what inspires your
cooking?
I don’t really have any particular
favourite chefs so I tend to take my
inspiration from my family, my team
and former colleagues.
Which famous person, dead or
alive, would you love to cook for
and what would you serve them?
I would love to cook for Roald Dahl.
I’d serve him warm shell on shrimp,
with garlic butter and crusty bread.
What’s your favourite cuisine
and why?
I will try anything once and then a
second time if I like it - my favourite
though is European food.
The #shelfie - a chef’s five must
have herbs and spices always
available on the shelf! What are
yours and why?
Salt, pepper, thyme, sage and cumin
are all essential because of their
great flavours.
What recipe have you chosen
to share?
I’ve chosen our homemade Padbrook
Burger because they can be cooked
to a guest’s specification and by
making them fresh, as we do, they
are consistently good on quality,
texture and taste.
For the Padbrook Burger recipe
in Chef’s Corner, turn to page 28
17

JANE AUSTEN 200
Sitting with Jane
Jane
Austen
200
2017 marks the 200th
anniversary of the death
of Jane Austen. Buried
in Winchester Cathedral,
the English novelist’s
life and works will be
celebrated and
remembered with
events and exhibitions
across the world.
The Bank of England
is issuing a new £10 note
bearing her portrait and
a quote from Pride and
Prejudice:
“I declare after all there is
no enjoyment like reading.”
In Winchester, a trail of
discovery using 12 of the
writer’s quotes from her
novels and correspondence
will magically appear
across the city centre
when it rains!
Running until the end of
May, copies of the trail
can be downloaded here
or pick up a hard copy
from Winchester Tourist
Information Centre.
Make the most of
18

JANE AUSTEN 200
Winchester’s celebrations
and book a break at the
sparkling 4 star boutique
style Winchester Hotel
& Spa. It’s only a 15 minute
walk from the Cathedral,
five minutes from the
Railway Station and is
perfectly placed for City
exploration…come rain
or shine!
For the complete Winchester Collection >>
Sitting with Jane takes
place in Basingstoke from
17 June to 31 August.
The Jane Austen Regency
Week (17 - 25 June) in Alton
and Chawton in Hampshire
includes workshops, tours,
walks, discussions and
plenty of cream teas!
If you’re looking for
somewhere local to stay,
the Swan Hotel in Alton
is less than two miles from
Jane Austen’s Cottage
in Chawton.
Stay nearby Jane Austen’s
House Museum >>
It’s a trail of sculptures of
benches connecting visitors
to the area where she grew
up and her writing career
began. Shaped liked an
open book, each bench is
uniquely designed and
painted by a professional
artist in a style inspired by
the author’s life and times
in Basingstoke, Steventon
and the surrounding area.
Basing yourself in Basingstoke couldn’t be easier.
Audleys Wood Hotel has enjoyed a colourful history
with owners and visitors, including the rich and famous!
Today it is a 72 bedroom, 4 star hotel surrounded by
woodlands and seven acres of private grounds…
perfect for finding Mr Darcy!
For a chapter in bed in Basingstoke >>
19

A POSTCARD FROM...
Scottish
The
Highlands
A mythical monster in Loch Ness, dolphins in the
Moray Firth and the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis; just
three of the many highlights this natural playground
of adventure and discovery has to offer.
Follow in the footsteps of Britain’s most
suave secret agent with a visit to some
iconic Scottish film locations. Marvel at
the splendour of Glen Coe’s rugged peaks
as you follow the same road 007 travelled
along in Skyfall or visit Eilean Donan Castle,
the Scottish headquarters of MI6 in
The World is Not Enough.
Recognised across the world, Eilean Donan has
to be one of the most iconic images of Scotland.
Situated on an island at the point where three great
sea lochs meet, and surrounded by majestic scenery,
it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the
most visited and important attractions in the
Scottish highlands.
20

A POSTCARD FROM...
Equally impressive, the Dunrobin
Castle (pictured right) is Scotland’s
most northerly, largest and oldest
continually inhabited house, dating
back the early 1300s and home to
the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland.
Forbidding mountains, thundering
waterfalls and sparkling lochs set
the dramatic scene for Scotland’s
most famous glen. With millions
of years fashioning the wild
landscape, Glencoe is famous
for its movie scenes, myths and
menacing massacres.
Start the day with a trip to the
visitors’ centre to discover the
history and take advice on suitable
walks, from gentle rambles to more
challenging ascents and descents,
plus guidance on local weather
conditions so you can keep safe.
Resembling a French chateau with
its towering conical spires, the
castle has seen the architectural
influences of Sir Charles Barry, who
designed the Houses of Parliament,
and Sir Robert Lorimer. During
WWI the castle was used as a naval
hospital and as a boys boarding
school from 1965 to 1972.
Open from April to October, tour
the castle and the Versailles inspired
formal gardens before watching the
fabulous falconry displays.
Send a postcard from Scotland’s
highest highland post box! But first
you’ll need to take a mountain ride
in Britain’s only gondolas! (pictured
left) The journey takes you up 650m
onto the slopes of Aonach Mor where
you can walk along the mountain
trails and enjoy panoramic vistas from
the Snowgoose Restaurant and Bar or
the Pinemartin Café.
The Famous Grouse Experience
at Glenturret Distillery is a unique
experience blending the popularity
of one of the UK’s most successful
whiskies, The Famous Grouse,
with Scotland’s oldest single malt
whisky, The Glenturret, which is
still hand crafted as it was over
two centuries ago.
There’s a range of tour experiences
available; Tasting Experience,
Warehouse Experience,
Blending Experience and
don’t forget to Bottle your Own
straight from the cask!
It originates in the Highlands so
there’s simply no excuse to leave
without a piece of tartan! Found
on the banks of the picturesque
Loch Carron in Wester Ross,
Lochcarron Weavers has a
wonderful range of tartans, kilts
and tweeds in the finest fibres,
from cashmere, lamora, mohair
and lambswool.
All aboard the Dolphin Spirit
Wildlife Cruise for a trip around
the inner Moray Firth to spot seals
and dolphins or for something
more fast and furious the Dolphin
Mischief RIB Experience is an
adrenaline fuelled ride around the
Moray Firth for two hours of thrills!
Whatever you chose to do, wherever your begin
your adventure, our Scottish Highland Collection
provides an extensive range of accommodation
to suit all budgets.
21

TOP PICKS
Visiting the Scottish Highlands?
Here’s our top picks for a place to stay >>
Covenanters Inn,
Nairn >>
Invergarry Hotel,
Invergarry >>
Kinkell House Hotel, Dingwall >>
Raigmore Motel,
Inverness >>
Macdonald Drumossie
Hotel, Inverness >>
Glen Mhor Hotel,
Inverness >>
Ulbster Arms Hotel,
Halkirk >>
Muckrach Country
House Hotel,
Grantown on Spey >>
Coul House Hotel, Contin >>
Mercure Inverness
Hotel, Inverness >>
22
View more >>

FEATURE
Smithton Hotel
Inverness, Inverness-shire IV2 7NN
“Our room was comfortable.
Breakfasts were very good and
made to order. Very nice stay”
A Trip Advisor Review
From
£50
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Ideally located for business and
leisure guests, with the commercial and
industrial heart of Inverness town centre
just over three miles away, five miles to
Inverness Airport and less than two miles
from the historic Culloden Battlefield.
The hotel has 16 stylish, spacious
and comfortable bedrooms ranging
from twin rooms, family rooms and an
executive suite on the third floor which
has uninterrupted views of the
Moray Firth.
Free Wifi and on-site parking for 40 cars
is available and the bar and restaurant
provide a relaxing place for breakfast,
afternoon tea and a delicious menu of
locally sourced and traditional Scottish
dishes in the evenings.
40 Spaces
On-site
Free WiFi Restaurant Bar 24hr CCTV Private Games
Parties Room
Check In
3.00pm
Check Out
10.30am
23

SPECIALS
Queensberry Hotel &
Olive Tree Restaurant
Gourmet dining package >>
Ruxley Rooms
Save £25 on stays before
31 Jan’17 >>
Surya Hotels Group
£50 room offers at selected
hotels throughout the UK >>
Coul House Hotel
Log Fire Breaks with free tea
when you stay 3 nights >>
Enquire now 01775 843413
24
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

SPECIALS
Crowne Plaza
Nottingham
Sky TV now available in all 8th
floor executive bedrooms >>
Hotel Port Dinorwic
Discounted breaks
up to 20% off >>
Chy An Albany Hotel
Stay with Dinner >>
Burnett Arms Hotel
Save £20 on stays before
29 Jan’17 >>
Enquire now
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
25

GROUP
Surya Hotels Ltd
One of the UK’s leading niche hotel groups with a rapidly expanding
portfolio of outstanding properties, situated in some of the nation’s most idyllic
settings, from historic towns and coastal resorts to picturesque villages.
Thatchers Hotel Guildford Leatherhead >>
Dukes Head Hotel >>
Mill Hill >>
Dragonfly Hotel Bury
St Edmunds >>
Dragonfly Hotel
Colchester >>
View Collection >>
26

GROUP
Surya Hotels Ltd
Whether your trip is for pleasure or business, the group’s hotels have
everything you need, at excellent value, together with the kind of warm
welcome a family run business delivers.
Kingscliff Hotel >>
Dragonfly Hotel
Peterborough >>
Farnham Hogs
Back Hotel >>
George Hotel >>
Dragonfly Hotel
Kings Lynn >>
Great Hallingbury
Manor Hotel >>
View Collection >>
27

28
CHEF’S CORNER

The
Padbrook
Burger
Serves six
From Head Chef Barry Lyness
Ingredients Method
CHEF’S CORNER GROUP
• 1kg minced beef
• 1 medium onion finely diced
• Fresh sage and thyme, finely
shredded, to taste
• ¼ tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 50ml white wine vinegar
• 1 tube tomato puree
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 50gm breadcrumbs
Sweat the onions in a pan with a
little oil.
When cooked out, add the herbs,
seasoning and spices.
Add the white wine vinegar and
reduce until dry.
Stir in the tomato puree and allow
to cool.
In a large mixing bowl add the beef,
eggs and breadcrumbs, followed by
the cooled onion mix and thoroughly
combine the ingredients together.
Divide into six equal pieces; form into
a ball shape and press flat.
These can be fried in a pan, grilled
or barbequed.
Padbrook burgers can be topped
off in different ways, try melted blue
cheese, smoked cheddar, bacon,
gherkins, chutney, fried onions or
pulled pork!
To enjoy all of Barry’s menu, book a stay at
Padbrook Park Hotel Golf and Country Club >>
29

FOR YOUR NEXT WORK OR LEISURE NIGHT AWAY
DISCOUNTED RATES & AMAZING
OFFERS ON BUDGET TO LUXURIOUS
HOTELS, SERVICED APARTMENTS & OVER
867,908
PROPERTIES WORLDWIDE
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm,
Monday to Friday
NOTTINGHAM >>
OXFORD >>
READING >>
infotel.co.uk
In Next Month’s Edition...
COLLECTIONS
Top 10 Romantic Cities & Yorkshire Pudding Day!