Historic hotel re-opens with new name and new vibe

Cambridge is a very pretty small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

There is now a new reason to visit with the the opening this week of Cambridge’s new high-end boutique accommodation The Clements Hotel, named after Archibald Clements, who built the original hotel on the site in 1866.

Following a multi-million-dollar transformation of the town’s original 1866 beaux-arts Masonic Hotel, the 29-room property aims to offer "refined luxury and soulful charm".

General manager Cameron Kellow, who joins Capstone Hotel Management from Scotland, leads the team.

"I'm thrilled to bring my passion for hospitality to The Clements and lead this exciting opening," Kellow says.

"We're positioned to elevate Cambridge's accommodation offering at the premium end of the market, while becoming a destination for exceptional dining, memorable events, and genuine community connection.

"Owners Gerry Westenberg and Jo Pannell have created something truly special here - their meticulous restoration of this heritage building, inspired by London's prestigious Claridge's, honours the past while embracing the future."

Accommodation options range from Deluxe rooms to the luxurious Clements Suite, and include two accessible rooms.

The Gallery Restaurant overlooks the gardens and terrace, while The Clements Café & Wine Bar will evolve throughout the day, from morning coffee and pastries to relaxed daytime fare and evening aperitivos.

The Clements also offers a range of flexible event and meeting spaces and is just 15 minutes from Hamilton International Airport and 1.5 hours from Auckland International Airport.

Opening Late October:, the former century-old horse stables have been transformed into three interlinked private suites with a luxury cottage aesthetic.

Adding a local twist to the story, The Cambridge Distillery Co., located at the rear of the hotel, has crafted a bespoke gin for The Clements.

Room rates start from $NZ415 for a deluxe king room but The Clements is offering an opening special with 20% off room only rates plus a $25 dining credit for stays until October 31,

For more info visit clements.co.nz

Australian hotel group to test UK market

Australian-based hotel group TFE Hotels is set to launch its first properties in the UK later this year, making its debut in the British Isles.

TFE is to open two Adina-branded apartment-hotels, The Hobson Cambridge by Adina and The Wellington Glasgow by Adina in Scotland.

Both properties are set to open in the northern hemisphere autumn, news portal Travel Mole reported.

TFE Hotels was established in 2013 as a joint venture between Australia’s Toga Group (1963), and Singapore’s Far East Hospitality Holdings.

Asli Kutlucan, CEO of TFE Hotels Europe, said: “Our arrival in Cambridge and Glasgow signals a confident step forward for TFE Hotels’ European strategy.

“These two properties align with our vision of offering flexible, design-led apartment-hotel experiences.”

TFE has grown its presence across Europe with existing Adina apartment-hotels in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and Hungary.

Hobson Cambridge by Adina is housed in a former police station which retains heritage architecture. It will also feature a bar and restaurant.

The Wellington Glasgow by Adina is situated in central Glasgow within easy reach of the city’s conference hubs, shopping and nightlife.

Moritz Klein, head of operations EU & UK at TFE Hotels Europe, said: “Launching Adina Apartment Hotels in the UK is a significant operational milestone for TFE Hotels.

"Our teams have been working closely to ensure a seamless brand introduction.”

TFE Hotels brands include Adina Hotels, A by Adina, Vibe Hotels, Quincy Hotels, Travelodge and Rendezvous Hotels.

Image: The Hobson Cambridge by Adina

Meet the famous English city that wants to gouge tourists

Most cities see tourism as a positive factor; helping local businesses by providing extra income.

But some cities in the UK, which have long promoted themselves as being tourist friendly, now see visitors as a cash cow.

One example is the university city of Cambridge, which is considering imposing a tourist tax at hotels.

Cambridge City Council is looking at a £2 per night hotel tax per room per night for properties with at least 10 rooms.

It would then increase £3 nightly in the third year.

A feasibility study commissioned by the council, the tax could raise up £2.6 million per year. And lose goodness knows how much more in goodwill. Many tourists hate being nickled and dimed.

The city would apparently set up a special organisation that would would manage the collection of the hotel tax. At a cost goodness knows how much cost.

The proposed tax would not affect short-term rentals or colleges which rent out rooms outside of term times, Travel Mole and the BBC report.

“In order for the [organisation] to be established, there needs to be a ballot of the hotels within that catchment area. It’s not something the council can decide,” said Jemma Little, economic development manager at Cambridge City Council.

Manchester recently announced a £1 plus VAT per room, per night hotel tax.

If proposals are approved, the new Cambridge system could start as soon as next year.

Labour councillor Cameron Holloway said: "I think it's a great initiative and one that would be really positive for the city."

So there it is. Cambridge is ready to gouge tourists. It is hard to see two quid a night discouraging anyone from visiting, but it is probably enough to annoy visitors.  

Fortunately, there are lots of alternative places to stay. 

Where tourists are made welcome. 

  

Wine auction rakes in millions

King's College - part of the University of Cambridge - has a history that dates back to 1441.

The college sits beside the River Cam in the centre of the city and was founded by King Henry VI.

Alumni include poet Rupert Brooke. mathematician Alan Turing and writers EM Forster, Salman Rushdie and Patrick White, along with famous wine writer Hugh Johnson. 

The lucky folk who study here also have access to one of the most extraordinary wine cellars in Britain.

A collection of rare Burgundies from the cellars fetched £1,365,125 in a Christie’s auction this week - that is over $AU 2 million.

The ‘Generations of Jayer’ collection included 42 lots from the Burgundy vineyards of Henri Jayer and his nephew Emmanuel Rouget.

A 12-bottle case of Grand Cru Henri Jayer for Georges Jayer, Echézeaux 1999 from the Côte de Nuits led the way, selling for £100,000 at the London auction, Decanter reported.

The cellars lie deep inside a labyrinth of dark, cold vaults beneath King’s College. They are said to contain more than 50,000 bottles.

King Henry VI granted its students an annuity of "one tun of French wine", the equivalent of 256 gallons.

Jayer was dubbed the ‘godfather of Burgundy’ after pioneering a range of key innovations in the region. He believed that low yields were the foundation of truly great wines, and resisted the use of chemicals in vineyards.

Christie’s international director of wine, Tim Tiptreee MW, once described Jayer's wines as "certainly among the finest I have ever tasted, particularly the Richebourg, Echézeaux and Cros Parantoux".