Archive for the ‘Hotels Torquay’ Category

We’re serious about your food safety.

Monday, March 8th, 2010

What do you get if you mix 2 head chefs, 2 sous chefs, a chef de partie, a second chef and a restaurant manager together with a food hygiene qualified trainer? The Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering, that’s what!

We take training very seriously here at TLH Leisure Resort to make sure we provide the very best levels of service for our guests both “on-stage” and “off-stage”. To this end in January seven members of our kitchen and restaurant management teams attended this 3-day course, which is a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health course for all managers within food handling areas. It covers everything they need to know about supervising food safety in their departments, thus ensuring that everyone takes all the practical measures involved in keeping food safe to eat and wholesome through all stages of handling.

I ran this course in-house and as it was the first time I had run it myself I was a little bit nervous. Well I shouldn’t have been! All 7 of the team were fantastic through the course and participated well and got involved. The culmination was to sit a 2-hour 60-question exam. If they scored 40 – 50 out of 60 they would get a pass and if they scored 51 or more they would get a merit. How would they do??

Well, the exam papers were sent away for marking on the 22 January and since then I, and them, have been nervously awaiting the results. Today the certificates came in and I am so pleased to be able to announce that they all achieved a merit grade! This is fantastic news, so a huge well done to Darryl Patrick (Restaurant Manager at the Carlton Hotel), Will Harborne (Sous Chef at the Toorak Hotel), Rob Hockridge (Junior Sous Chef at the Toorak Hotel), Andy Johnston (Head Chef at the Derwent Hotel), Dave Clifford (Head Chef at the Victoria Hotel) Patrick Stuchbury (Senior Chef de Partie at the Carlton Hotel) and John Kelly (Second Chef at the Victoria Hotel). I suppose now I will have to get you all the bottle of wine I promised!! The picture shows them all proudly showing off their certificates!

If you are interested in a career here at TLH Leisure Resort then take a look at our website to see the latest job vacancies on-line, or give us a call on 01803 400132.

Well done to the team for their achievement!

Torquay’s Top Karaoke Bar

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Albert’s is the perfect venue for a great karaoke night out. With its multi-screen layout, quality sound system and over 25,000 different songs to choose from it make for a fantastic night out in Torquay. We also welcome all parties, stag and hen nights and large groups as well as single or duo vocalists.   

 

Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson

Your regular host is Chris Jackson, who fronted the local soul band Joey The Lips for 10 years. Chris and alto sax player John George put the band together in 1993 and based it on the line-up and music from the film `The Commitments’, even taking the name from the trumpet player in the film, Joey `The Lips’ Fagan.

Joey The Lips travelled all over the country and Europe playing to ever growing crowds of Soul music fans. The band is still playing now, although John George is the only surviving member of the original band. You can check out the latest line-up at www.joeythelips.co.uk. 

In 1999, Joey The Lips played on local television chat show `Langsford Late’ with Ruth Langsford (who is now married to TV presenter Eamonn Holmes) and jammed with some very unusual guests including Patrick Moore (on vibraphone). Here’s a clip with Chris singing from one of the shows: http://www.youtube.com

Chris will be hosting our popular karaoke nights all year round check him out every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8.30pm till late. And if you missed out on last week’s Karaoke night – here is a pic of the winner and her friends. The competition was to find the best rendition of a Take That number and Steph blew everyone away with her version of “A Million Love Songs”

Steph & her mates

Steph & her mates


Don’t forget – Alberts is next to the Victoria Hotel – on the corner of Belgrave Road and Chestnut Avenue – so we look forward to seeing you soon.

Cheers for now

Chris B

Girls Just Want to Have Spa Party Fun

Monday, January 18th, 2010

It used to be a case of a quiet drink with some friends the night before the big day, or a meal out at the most. In fact pre-1980s it was practically unheard of for the bride-to-be to celebrate her last few days of singledom – now it’s very unusual not to.

We’re all aware of the bad press; the drunken parties, the male strippers, the cheap weekend in Barcelona (apparently one of the most popular hen and stag destinations) and latterly the even more extravagant holidays to Las Vegas or Dubai. But what if this isn’t your thing? More and more women are turning to spa treatments and pamper parties as a way of celebrating. They are a brilliant way of spending some quality time with close friends and getting some pre-wedding day relaxation and beautification in the process! Plus you can happily spend time with both your young, free and single friends and your Mum or Auntie – there’s something for everyone on a spa day.aztec_spa

An All About You spa day or overnight package at the Aztec Spa at TLH Leisure Resort is perfect for brides-to-be or, in fact any group of ladies looking for a get together and a spot of pampering. Who wouldn’t enjoy the chance to float around in a big fluffy bathrobe with nothing more strenuous to do than flick over the pages of a magazine? With tea, coffee and magazines on tap, the Aztec Spa could be your perfect party idea.

 Currently the Aztec Spa has a great offer, running until the 11th February – you can enjoy a Sun – Thurs 2 night spa break for just £129, saving £50!

 Call 01803 400190 for more details

Ready Steady Cook for the World Cup at Alberts

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Food and football are top of the priority list for many sports enthusiasts, and if you come to Alberts Bar you’ll get both.

2009 was a great year for pub food in Alberts, and we now have our sites set on making Summer 2010 the best in Alberts history. Last year we launched our new £5.95 menu which included such pub classics as sizzling steak and chips, hand made beef burgers from a local Torbay butcher, and everyone’s favourite, ham egg and chips. Our aim was to bring top class local produce to our menus at a mouth-watering price and we did. Head Chef Dave Clifford put together a new menu introducing new dishes and a great children’s menu featuring even healthier options.

Sizzling steak & chips

Sizzling steak & chips

This year we are expecting a fantastic Summer. We’ll be showing all of the top matches from the World Cup in South Africa, so we are sure to have a jam-packed pub full of people showing up to support England.

For the first time ever we will be designing a new football menu just for the World Cup with selected drinks and food items including top beef burgers, Devon pasties and much, much more. You’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing drink and a bite to eat without breaking the bank. This new and exciting menu will be available for the start of the summer and if there is anything you would like to see on this off our £5.95 main course menu write in or post your suggestions on-line.

Remember we are still showing all Sky Sports and ESPN Matches all year round on our big screen. Regular entertainment features talented singers plus two karaoke nighs per week, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Come and see us soon!

Come and see us soon!

You can find top Torquay Pub  Alberts on the corner of Belgrave Road next to the Victoria hotel Torquay. So from me Chris Brimicombe, Alberts Bar Supervisor, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Cheers!

Healthy Eating and Special Diets – new training at the Victoria Hotel

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Healthy eating and a special diet is something we are all aware of these days. We are constantly being bombarded by the media about what we should and should not eat, so it is important to the Food and Beverage teams here at TLH Leisure Resort that they are able to handle any special requests about diets that come their way.

When I was approached by the Food & Beverage Manager of the Victoria Hotel and asked to do some specialist training on the subject I was only too pleased to oblige. The CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) provide a Level 2 course called the Level 2 Award in Healthier Food and Special Diets, which I am qualified to deliver. So I got organised and ordered all the exam papers and handbooks. Over two Fridays I delivered the course to seven of the Food & Beverage team at the Victoria – Barrington, Reda, Beata & Aldona from the Restaurant, Bart & Lauren from the Kitchen and Nikki who is the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager. All of them passed the multiple-choice exam and our picture shows them celebrating with their certificates.

The Vic F & B Team show off their certificates.

The Vic F & B Team show off their certificates.

During the course of a year we serve a huge number of meals in our beautiful period restaurant in the Victoria Hotel. Special diets and healthy meal options are so important these days, so it is great that the team at the Victoria are prepared to handle any request that comes their way. Well done to all of them and hopefully the other hotels will follow suit soon!

6 Spa breaks South West of the MOON

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Spa breaks should be more holistic and less ecliptic

When you think of a spa break, you might think of walking around a beautifully therapeutic environment, with waterfalls and singing tropical birds. You might imagine being wrapped in a huge fluffy dressing gown, that feels like it have been hand woven by angels. Why? Because a Spa is all about having your body pampered by experts intent on making sure ever inch of you as relaxed and stress free as possible.


What you might not imagine is the opening scene to Ridley Scott’s Alien, your fluffy dressing gown is a cold space suit and you’re running through corridors avoiding aliens to find your 4.00pm pedicure.

Ellen Ripley in the First Alien movie

Ellen Ripley in the First Alien movie


OK, well maybe it’s not that bad, but as technology becomes more emboldened., are we in fact in danger of loosing the very sanctity of what a spa treatment really is. Here is our pick of some of the most bizarre space age treatments and Spa’s online.

1) High tech body spa machines

This spa in Skopje has high tech body work machines that look just mini space pods from some sixties movie B movie.

Spa high tech body work machine

Spa high tech body work machine


2) The 3D pluri-sensorial dimension Spa

This is the galactic Exedra Nice Hotel Wellness Centre in Nice. It is said to offer a “3D pluri-sensorial dimension never seen before,” I have no idea what that means, but it does look very nice.

Simone Micheli Space Spa

Simone Micheli Space Spa

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

Simone Micheli Space Spa design

3) The space age salon

This is a design concept for a new space age salon by designer Vizitiu Eduard, filled with transparent glass partitions, retro graphic art designs and walls that curve in on themselves.

New space age salon by designer Vizitiu Eduard

New space age salon by designer Vizitiu Eduard

4) Takeaway Spa hydro-fusion

This is a futurist spa that you can have in your home; it is basically a huge bathing tube where the user gets; a hydrotherapy spa treatment with inbuilt hydro-fusion, aromatherapy and musical technology (it has nozzles that spray water, play music and smell nice).

Spa hydro massage chamber

Spa hydro massage chamber

spa jet hydro massage

spa jet hydro massage

5) The Spa shower system

This is the kind of phone booth that even superman wouldn’t have minded changing in. OK, you got me, it’s a shower, but it is very pretty.

Spa shower

Spa shower

6) Futuristic head massager

If you wish to look like one of the original battlestar galactica’s cylon’s while you get your massage then this futuristic head gear is for you.

healthcare head spa massager

healthcare head spa massager

Original battlestar galactica cylon

Original battlestar galactica cylon

So, should spa breaks be a holistic experience or a step into the Twilight Zone?

New Year Breaks – Toorak is the top choice on the English Riviera

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Does New Year on the English Riviera in Torquay, Devon sounds appealing?? Take an easy drive down the M5 with no need to worry about a British Airways strike and join us for a New Year Break.

The Toorak Hotel,  part of TLH Leisure Resort, that stylish hotel with the host of leisure and entertainment is the place to be this New Year.  Have you realised it’s 10 years since we celebrated the big Millennium bash,so it’s time to do it again in style!!  On New Year’s Eve there is a drinks reception, a blini or two, and the piece de resistance – as befits a Taste of the West member – is a delicious 5 course dinner produced by head chef Nick Coombes and his team. During dinner a traditional piper adds to the atmosphere as he plays out the old year.  After dinner there’s a full programme of entertainment with dancing and cabaret and at midnight a glass of bubbly to welcome in 2010.

Nick & his team

Nick & his team

New Year’s day is a relaxed affair with brunch served from 9.00 until 1.00pm, then take in the sea air on the prom of the English Riviera – complete with palm trees, or if you are feeling energetic the Aztec Gym and Pool are open. Or just relax in the spa and treat yourself  - ahhh!!

Nick’s Gala Buffet is the highlight of the evening on New Year’s day with an impressive array of food from the Toorak kitchen, followed by dancing the evening away. 

Not a bad way to start the new year so if you have not made plans yet, don’t miss out on the best party around and  give us a call for the last few remaining places on 01083 400400

New Year Buffet

New Year Buffet

Dressed salmon

Dressed salmon

Customer Service Training…Done!

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Guests want the best when they take hotel breaks. Clearly first class customer service is vital to our success as a business and is always top of our list of priorities, and I am delighted to tell you that we have completed Level 4 of our TLH STARS training with our Restaurant, Housekeeping, Bars and Front of House teams.

Lost at Sea

Lost at Sea

It has been a long haul but it is fab that all of the teams in these vital areas have now had the training and development they need to provide exceptional service to all of our guests here at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay. These sessions were department specific and very interactive. During the 2 hour sessions they worked together as teams to survive being ‘Lost at Sea’, went out and about to increase their product knowledge and went through how to deal with difficult situations and internal customers.

The Bars teams also covered licensing and dealing with conflict and abusive behaviour, whilst the Front of House teams were introduced to the new TLH Accommodation Brochure and Breaks Diary. The sessions were really involved and everyone contributed well.

The New Year will see the launch of the Level 4 programme for other departments, including kitchens, offices and Aztec Spa and Gym. Watch this space for more info as and when they are complete!

More news soon
Jenny

Christmas Sparkle Spa Packages

Friday, December 4th, 2009

It’s Christmas party season! You’ve got a new frock, shoes and sparkly party-animalshandbag so all that’s left is a spot of pre-party pampering. We all know that whipping on some nail polish 10 minutes before you’re due to leave is not a good idea and come on own up, you’ve only painted the few toe nails on show in those new peep toe shoes haven’t you? Why not do it in style instead and treat yourself to a professional manicure and pedicure at the Aztec Spa?

Not only can you have your toenails and hands attended to, but you can also get your eyebrows tidied up as part of their Christmas Sparkle package – all for just £34. And if you have a really special event to go to, or just want to splash out, then the Ultimate Christmas Cracker will give you an upgraded Replenishing Manicure, an Aztec Feet Treat plus an Elemis Taster facial.

opi-lacquer-displayBoth packages will also make great Christmas gifts, as they are available until the end of January 2010. Of course there are a whole range of other treatments and gifts available at Aztec Spa, including spa vouchers.

 Call 01803 400190

Do Vampires need Spa Breaks?

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

True Blood, New Moon, Being Human – it seems we can’t get enough of vampires at the moment.

The Mythical World of Vampires

The phenomenal success of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series has introduced the mythical world of vampires and werewolves to a new generation. Has this fascination with the dark side ever gone away though? We had the Hammer House of Horror and Christopher Lee, my daughter has New Moon and Robert Pattinson – same topic but much better looking actors and sexier plot lines.

Beauty Products for Vampires

Female vampires, Rosalie and Alice Cullen take note, have no shortage of appropriate beauty products out there – all things vampiric have taken off in the world of fashion and beauty too. Just look at the rise in black and inky nail polishes – all cosmetic lines now have at least one dangerously dark shade amongst them. With names like Bogota Blackberry, Malaga Wine and Merry Midnight, from OPI, we can all bring out our inner Goth.

New Moon

New Moon

Edward Cullen at TLH?

So do these glamorous bloodsuckers ever need spa treatments? Judging by the latest box office hit, New Moon, then I would say they’re rarely far from some pampering. This generation of vampires are groomed, glossy and gorgeous. Even though immortal, they surely need some help after all that voracious hunting? Those cool marble-like muscles of stone could do with a firm Swedish back massage and those ghostly pale complexions – have they never heard of blusher?

I’m pretty confident that if Edward and the rest of the Cullen family was to take a spa break at TLH we’d have Twilight fans queuing round the block at The Toorak, Carlton, Victoria and Derwent Hotels to share the Aztec Spa with these very popular characters from the books and films.

Why our perennial fascination with vampires? It seems they have always been portrayed in a sensual way, remember the heaving bosoms and milky white exposed necks of the Hammer House movies? And they are dangerous – we know women love a bit of danger -but they are also somewhat vulnerable. They can’t help themselves after all. New Moon has taken the cinemas by storm, with teenage girls being the target audience. Look closely though and you will see a fair share of Mums in the audience too – it seems we never truly grow out of the vampire thing. Now where’s my garlic?

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