Hand Picked Hotels champions the UK holiday with new tailormade experiences and specially curated stays for guests
Hand Picked Hotels' chairman and CEO Julia Hands announced this week the re-opening of the hotel group on 4th July with the introduction of a new offering of custom-designed and curated stays for guests. This is great news for those that are desperate to venture beyond the four walls of their home but are still mindful of safety and social distancing measures.
A home-away-from-home country house hotel experience, Hand Picked is inviting couples, groups of friends and family, colleagues and individuals to have their ideal break tailor-made as lockdown eases. Each party will have a dedicated 'Hand Picked Host' looking after them throughout their stay, adhering to the highest standards of service, safety, cleanliness and comfort possible.
In contrast to the traditional dinner, bed and breakfast stay, stays at Hand Picked will be completely bespoke in all areas of hospitality. From the type of food guests desire to the recreational activities they want to pursue and whatever the makeup of their party Hand Picked will cater for all tastes, ages and group sizes to enjoy any length of stay - from a two-night romantic weekend to a month-long tour of the historic highlights of the British Isles.
Guests will be able to enjoy their choice of dining, from à la carte menus to more informal options served in the restaurant, on the terrace, in their bedrooms, in designated lounges or their own private dining room. Cinemas and lounge areas will be available for film screenings, and activities such as walking, yoga and Pilates will be offered alongside the use of pools and fitness centres once open.
As each of the 16 historic hotels in the UK and three Channel Island resorts are unique, the offering will be tailored to each destination, and proposals delivered to best match the guest requirements in their desired location. At the same time, Hand Picked is introducing "In Safe Hands" - an enhanced set of stringent health, safety and security measures designed in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, yet without compromising the service quality guests have come to expect. These include enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing measures, contactless check in and check out, dedicated dining areas, certification from experts in health and safety plus a fully-flexible full refund booking policy should customers need to cancel due to Covid-19 concerns or issues.
Julia Hands, Chairman & CEO of Hand Picked Hotels commented: "I am looking forward to re-opening Hand Picked Hotels in a way that provides our guests with the freedom and the space to enjoy a truly memorable time within the beautiful countryside of the United Kingdom and the seascapes of the Channel Islands, knowing they are in safe hands whilst staying with us. "As we re-open our doors, we aim to raise the bar with regard to what country house hotels can provide through delivering a personalised service that makes guests really feel at home." Hand Picked Hotels will be launching custom-made guest experiences at all of its hotels from for stays up until December 2021. For more information visit https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk
With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.
READ ARTICLE
Claire Hill Designs offers stunning bridal party gifts
This year, bridal party gifting is undergoing a quiet revolution. Gone are the days of throwaway trinkets and overly branded keepsakes, today's bride is choosing pieces with permanence, intention and emotional resonance. Enter Claire Hill Designs, the British jewellery brand based in Cardiff redefining what it means to say thank you. At the heart of this shift is a move towards symbolic jewellery, pieces that carry meaning beyond the wedding day. Claire Hill's signature coin necklaces, including the Brave Gold Coin Necklace, Love is Love Gold Coin Necklace and Hope Silver Coin Necklace, offer a deeply personal way to honour each member of the bridal party. Each design is engraved in shorthand symbolism, a modern talisman intended to be worn daily.
READ ARTICLE
Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials
"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.
READ ARTICLE
Win an Engaged Couple a Dublin Minimoon with GoHen & StagWeb
Leading UK stag and hen party providers, StagWeb and GoHen, have launched a brand-new competition offering one lucky engaged couple the chance to win a Dublin minimoon - completely free. Whether it's a little pre-wedding trip to escape the planning stress or a post-wedding adventure before the honeymoon, it could be the perfect little wedding gift for the happy couple - read here now!