Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Jewellery by Ghelli at Hotel Rafayel



We are proud to announce that Andrea Ghelli, one of Italy’s most sought-after jewellery designers, will have a permanent display at Hotel Rafayel. Visitors will be able to view and purchase some of his most desirable and alluring pieces. Often described as both status symbols and works of art, the jewellery of Andrea Ghelli is a “once seen never forgotten” phenomenon.

Ghelli’s style exudes a heady combination of seduction, mystery and magic. The use of exotic materials such as shimmering coral and luminescent turquoise transforms the artist’s jewellery into items of ethereal beauty. Pieces dusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds create an air of extravagant glamour.

Any modern woman who relishes the avant garde and believes in defining her own style will find these precious items irresistible.

Born to a long-established family of jewellers, Andrea Ghelli studied his craft at Florence’s legendary Accademia delle belle arti. The Accademia was founded in 1563 by Cosimo I de Medici, Duke of Florence and later Grand Duke of Tuscany. One of the great Florentine patrons of the arts, Cosimo I also created two of Florence’s most famous attractions: the Uffizi (one of the world’s premier art galleries) and the Bobboli Gardens. Over the years the Accademia has attracted such extraordinary talents as Michelangeo, Benvenuto Cellini and Il Bronzino and, since 1873, has housed Michelangelo’s original “David”.

Andrea Ghelli has remained true to his Florentine heritage and operates out of his workshop and store in the shadow of the dome of the city's most famous landmark, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Andrea also has a shop in Milan near Via Montenapoleane, and in the centre of beautiful and exclusive Forte dei Marmi (Marble Fort) in Northern Tuscany, which was once home to British sculptor Henry Moore.

With a demanding clientele that includes famous celebrities and Hollywood stars, Andrea Ghelli works hard to ensure that his work always remains cutting-edge, unique and desirable. He has recently travelled the world, seeking out new inspiration and new materials. His latest creations will be on display at Hotel Rafayel; we are proud to introduce them to London.

Monday, 9 November 2009

Rafayel profiled in the Sunday Observer

Hotel Rafayel on the Left Bank was featured in a prominent article in the Art & Design section of yesterday’s Sunday Observer. The author was Stephen Bayley, the noted design critic and writer who was formerly Chief Executive of the Design Museum. The article has been very well received and has generated many positive comments – for which we are most grateful.

Mr. Bayley wrote that: “Any hotel in this still neglected part of London is a prospect of wonder, but an ecologically intelligent hotel with aspirations to glamour is, to put it no higher, exceptionally noteworthy.... The story of the hotel Rafayel offers real-world insights into the business of architecture today....Iqbal Latif bought the top floors in this 145-room [Falcon Wharf] development and, sensing an interesting opportunity, acquired the freehold. Latif boldly reinstated the idea of a hotel and established the ambitious rhetoric of an "intellectual renaissance in Battersea"....Battersea cannot yet be confused with St Germain. But, for once, a developer is determined to do something interesting. At a time when other developers are pondering ugly, non-viable holes in the ground, this is inspirational."

To read the full article in the Observer please click HERE

Friday, 6 November 2009

British Travel Awards 2009 - winners announced in Battersea gala

The British Travel Awards 2009 were held yesterday at a gala ceremony in Battersea. The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry and are regarded as the benchmark for excellence. With over 90,000 votes cast in 2008, the British Travel Awards are the largest arbiter of public opinion on the UK travel industry.

This year's British Travel Awards winners include:

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CATEGORIES

Most Environmentally & Socially Responsible
Winner
Thomson Airways

Most Environmentally & Socially Responsible Budget Airline
Winner
Flybe

Most Environmentally & Socially Responsible Large Tour
Winner
First Choice Holidays

Most Environmentally & Socially Responsible Small Tour
Winner
Tribes Travel

________________________________________
BUSINESS TRAVEL CATEGORIES

Best Business/First Class Airline
Winner
Virgin Atlantic
Silver
British Airways

Best Business Car Hire Company
Winner
Avis
Silver
Hertz
________________________________________
AIRLINE & AIRPORT CATEGORIES

Best Economy Class Airline
Winner
Easyjet
Silver
Virgin Atlantic

Best No Frills / Charter Airline
Winner
Easyjet
Silver
Thomson Airways

Best Scheduled Airline - Europe
Winner
British Airways
Silver
Monarch

Best Scheduled Airline - Long Haul
Winner
Virgin Atlantic
Silver
British Airways

Best Overseas Airport
Winner
Singapore (SIN)
Silver
Dubai (DBX)
________________________________________
INTERNET TRAVEL CATEGORIES

Best Travel Information Website
Winner
TripAdvisor.co.uk
Silver
Expedia

Best Flight Booking Website
Winner
expedia.co.uk
Silver
easyjet.com

Best Accommodation Booking Website
Winner
expedia.co.uk
Silver
lastminute.com

________________________________________
DESTINATIONS

Best City Break Destination
Winner
Barcelona
Silver
Paris

Best UK Holliday Destination
Winner
Cornwall
Silver
London

Favourite Country to Visit
Winner
USA
Silver
Italy

________________________________________
TRAVEL TRADE CATEGORIES

Travel Recruitment Company of the Year
Winner
Travel Trade Recruitment (traveltradejobs.com)
Silver
Travelindustryjobs.co.uk

Travel Industry Training Programme/Company of the Year
Winner
TUI UK & Ireland Agent Training (Thomson and First Choice)
Silver
Training For Travel

Best Trade Support Website (product support and info)
Winner
Gazetteers
Silver

Best Trade Booking Website - Accommodation
Winner
Superbreak
Silver
Gold Medal

Best Trade Booking Website - Flights
Winner
Gold Medal
Silver
Jet2

Best Trade Booking Website - Tickets, Attractions & Holiday Add Ons
Winner
Attraction World
Silver
Holiday Extras

Best Supplier Networking Travel Event or Conference (>150 delegates)
Winner
World Travel Market
Silver
UK Cruise Convention

Best Travel Agent Event or Conference (>150 delegates)
Winner
ABTA
Silver
World Travel Market

Best B2B Industry Communication
Winner
Travel Weekly
Silver
TTG

Suppliers Sales Team of the Year
Winner
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Silver
Virgin Holidays

Hotel Rafayel congratulates all winners of this coveted award.

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

Urban Junkies looks to Battersea and Rafayel

Urban Junkies, the hip, daily e-magazine, which provides London's trendy and savvy readership with bite sized information about arts, fashion, design, shopping and other London and Barcelona tidbits has turned its gaze on Battersea and Hotel Rafayel. They think Battersea's being rejuvenated and they include Rafayel as one of the agents driving this change. Read the article here.

Rafayel - spreading the word

The buzz around Rafayel on the Left Bank has been increasing at a phenomenal rate in recent weeks. We are delighted by the interest that we are generating and, as our launch draws ever nearer, we are excited to introduce our first guests to the Rafayel experience.

Recent coverage includes articles in various leading publications and on-line resources, including Business Traveller Magazine, Hotel Chatter, Hotel Blogs, Sleeper Magazine and Hotel Briefing as well as local publications such as Urban Junkies.

Our Blog has also been receiving some very supportive and positive reviews and our posts are already being cross-posted and published elsewhere. We have been congratulated on our water policy by Tap Top (part of the drinking water campaign supported by the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority) and Thames Water is among our Twitter followers.

There is more to come!

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Our Website is Live!! www.hotelrafayel.com


It is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of the official web site for Hotel Rafayel on the Left Bank: www.hotelrafayel.com

Please take a moment to visit and look around.

Sunday, 1 November 2009

Rafayel’s Restaurants and Bars

At Hotel Rafayel we believe a happy guest is a contented guest. We have taken great care to ensure that every conceivable need is catered to -- and our restaurants and bars are no exception. Whether you want a lazy brunch, a quick lunch, a cake and coffee, a funky cocktail, a sophisticated dinner, a late night snack or anything in between we have something for everyone.

We are pleased to introduce our range of restaurants and bars:

• Banyan on the Thames
• Left Bank Brasserie
• MyChelle’s Baketique
• Afternoon Tea
• Crystal Bar
• Lobby Lounge


Banyan on the Thames

Banyan on the Thames provides superior formal and casual dining with magnificent riverside views. For a special experience, dine alfresco on the restaurant’s riverside roof terrace and watch the world go by. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea and weekend brunches, Banyan on the Thames is a gastronomic delight not to be missed.

We understand the expectations of the modern-day health-conscious generation and our extensive grill-based menu is sensitive to all palates. We have endeavoured to tempt all of our diners with an assortment of delicious culinary innovations that caters to their varied lifestyles.


Left Bank Brasserie

Enjoy snacks and light meals at our trendy brasserie, soaking up the international atmosphere. Relaxed and laid-back, the brasserie is the perfect venue for informal get-togethers, drinks and casual dining.


Mychelle’s Baketique

Mychelle’s Baketique offers a full range of pastries and sweets for any occasion. Located in the lobby of Hotel Rafayel, the Baketique will be an irresistible diversion for anyone who passes its appetising window display.
The Baketique will also offer a gastronomic tasting menu that offers an array of cheeses, meats and wines to tantalise even the most discerning palate.


Afternoon Tea

Arguably the most civilised and refined of meals, traditional Afternoon Tea has finally arrived in Battersea. Enjoy the sophisticated surroundings of our lobby as we serve you savoury sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of teas and cakes, freshly prepared in our own Baketique. Afternoon Tea at Rafayel – treat yourself!


Crystal Bar

The Crystal Bar is our idea of the perfect bar: stunningly designed, beautifully situated with an extensive selection of cocktails, drinks and snacks. Let our cocktail mixologist mix you your favourite cocktail, or let him recommend something new. Either way, you’ll be coming back for more! Modern and stylish with an international vibe, the Crystal Bar provides the perfect antidote to a stressful week.


Lobby Lounge

Fancy a quiet drink alone or with friends? Want to people watch or read in peace? Take a seat in our elegant Lobby Lounge and let us serve you the drink of your choice.