leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Sept 27, 2021 16:22:30 GMT
It needs to be asked… Is the Imperial Crown hotel still the correct choice of venue for our meetings? It has many plus points: - It’s affordable for most - It’s pretty much central for our membership (is that still the case?) - They give us a pretty free rein to do what we want - the staff are friendly - it’s accessible by road and rail This year has problems - no hot water and no food. I’m not sure either of those had a massive impact: I’m happy to stink and there were plenty of places to eat out. But the hotel is affordable for a reason (not just due to Martin’s negotiating skills) and the beer (I’m told) wasn’t great. So, is it time to look elsewhere? There are a number of pre-requisites: 1. Reasonable cost 2. Accessible location (or equally inaccessible for all!) 3. A big function room to which we can have sole access 4. A relaxed atmosphere - we don’t want management/guests telling us we need to stop playing at a certain time 5. Food - or ability to dine out close by 6. Ability to accommodate us all When we moved from Hebden Bridge to The Wool Merchant, and again when we moved from there to the Imperial Crown, Martin did 99% of the footwork - research, visiting to do an assessment, and negotiations with the hotel. If we’re thinking that somewhere else might be more suitable, I suggest it’s down to us to do all (or most) of that for any potential new venue. But I thought I’d ask the question and see if anyone had any thoughts… over to you all.
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Sept 27, 2021 17:49:31 GMT
I think it's still a fairly good choice. As someone who travels by train the nearness to the station is a big plus. I think the function room is pretty much ideal for our purposes. The rooms are ok - admittedly, they're no more than ok - but I think we'd struggle to get much better without significantly pushing up the cost. We definitely don't want to price anyone out of coming.
I did miss the breakfasts, for the conversation as much as the food. Hopefully they might have a functioning kitchen again by next year. If it looks like the lack of food might be a long-term issue then I could see a case for looking elsewhere. If they get that sorted though I'm happy enough where we are.
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Post by cgb on Sept 27, 2021 18:08:49 GMT
As a 'local', I'd be happy to help out should any foot work need doing in Halifax or the surrounding area, to save people travelling more than needed.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 27, 2021 18:42:19 GMT
Imperial Crown can't be judged on facilities this year really - hopefully the shortcomings are temporary. Provided that the breakfasts are back on next year then it is pretty much ideal for our needs I reckon.
keith
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Post by Cams on Sept 28, 2021 11:28:20 GMT
I'm with Simon and Keith on this. Even the food wasn't really a biggie for me as the dining options in the vicinity are many and varied, except for breakfast on the Sunday and the 'pie situation' at the Ring o'Bells. I guess that's temporary too, at least I hope so!
The Crown has beds, a function room, parking and is affordable. The affordability could change though, given the amount of money that needs to be spent on the building to bring it up to spec. I was somewhat disheartened when I learned that Richard left early after a disturbed sleep caused by street noise. Closable windows could certainly be a plus! I didn't try to close mine, but I know some of you did and couldn't!
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leoroberts
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HB13
Sept 28, 2021 11:39:41 GMT
Post by leoroberts on Sept 28, 2021 11:39:41 GMT
Good points made so far - and, personally, I agree with all of 'em. The Imperial Crown is not exactly our spiritual home but, so far, has met the (my) 6 pre-requisites. Cams is on point - if they spend the money that needs spending to raise it above 'low-volume sales rep' standard, that cost is likely to be passed on to the guests. However, there can't be that many hotels in provincial towns that would get a block-booking of 30 rooms at the end of September so we ( Martin!) have that on our side I'm interested to hear if there are any dissenting voices or alternative proposals.
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Post by lavaman on Sept 28, 2021 13:08:31 GMT
I agree with most of the points raised earlier. Stick with the Imperial for next year - it meets all of Leo's 6 pre-requisites. The function room is excellent; its size and the deep pile carpet ensure that two or three people can play at once away from each other. Definitley worth taking up cgb's offer to check them out prior to next year's gathering. Iain
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 28, 2021 17:04:17 GMT
Train station = great asset.
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Post by robmc on Sept 28, 2021 19:41:35 GMT
We chatted about this whilst having a curry on Saturday night (I also had a curry on Friday night which together with the amount of whiskey consumed may explain my stomach cramps following curry number 2!). I like the hotel and staff... Quite a funny moment when a side door to the function room opened and a young member of staff poked his head out because he couldn't breathe in the side room he was in due to the smell for some reason. The continuously running hand dryer in the ladies loos was a little annoying but now that Paul knows how to remove the fuse that is that sorted. I had an eggy pint but switched to bottled beer. Sorted. My bedroom windows wouldn't shut but the whiskey took care of that on Friday and on Saturday I drifted off listening to the revellers. Shame the pie lady at the bells has not returned from furlough but hopefully she will have by next year. I didn't know what furlough meant until March 2020. My bed was very comfy and clean, I was one of the lucky ones who had hot water... Not sure why I still smelt! It might be worth having a contingency plan for worst case scenarios but otherwise the imperial is my kind of hotel
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HB13
Sept 28, 2021 22:08:05 GMT
Post by andy3sheds on Sept 28, 2021 22:08:05 GMT
I really was disappointed with my room. The tv was hanging off the wall ,The bathroom sink wouldn’t hold water, it would drain away in the time it took boil a kettle for a morning shave just a total lack of maintenance . The mattress seemed to have a rubber sheet on top which meant I woke up in a sweated up bed. The bar had had a similar lack of maintenance some seriously dodgy pints. Fortunately they were helpful about bringing drink in. I felt sorry for the staff who I found to be helpful and apologetic. However parking was no problem and the hotels location has a lot to commend it and the function room fulfilled all our needs. So if if it’s going to be next years venue I’d give it the benefit despite my doubts. Having said that, it is obvious that it is in need of a major overhaul so there is the possibility it might not be available next year so exploring other options,I think is worthwhile
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Post by ianlp59 on Sept 29, 2021 14:52:30 GMT
The hotel continues its long(ish) slide into decay. However, we got a good discount and ended up paying 45 a night for a suite; we even had hot water. The function room is more than adequate size-wise and I'm guessing it would be hard to find an alternative venue without prices increasing very significantly for all concerned. As has been mentioned there are a fair number of venues in town for grabbing an evening meal, and breakfast too, if you want it. We have always brought our own vino to the hotel as even when the hotel actually stocked wine, the choices were very poor.
On balance, we would be happy to continue using the IPC unless things change significantly over the next 12 months or so.
Cheers,
Ian
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Oct 1, 2021 9:31:24 GMT
I was lucky to have plenty of hot water, and my window did close with some force. The room itself was clean and the bed was really comfy. I was rarely in my room so the dated or broken decor didn't bother me, it felt like home away from home My only concern has already been mentioned in previous posts - a nicer place would probably bring a higher price tag, which might mean some of us could no longer attend. Having the train station directly across the street from the IC was wonderful.
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Post by scorpiodog on Oct 1, 2021 10:20:42 GMT
On the assumption it's still there for HB13, I think the Imperial Crown is just about fit for purpose. I can't see us finding a better function room, the staff are pretty laid back and pleasant and it's easy to get to from the M62.
For me, the rooms aren't an issue. I hardly spend any time there anyway. I coped OK with the lack of hot water, although I felt the need to have a bath when I checked into my hotel in Lincoln on Sunday afternoon.
I vote to stay at the IC, if we can.
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Oct 6, 2021 20:33:35 GMT
I thought this was a reference to a very soft pencil...
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 6, 2021 21:17:52 GMT
I thought this was a reference to a very soft pencil... ... is that a euphemism?
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