Issue date - July 15th 2010

THE ALBUS in AMSTERDAM ENHANCES GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH SENSIQ COMMUNICATIONS PORTAL 

The Albus, a four star Hotel in Amsterdam has taken the step to move beyond offering just pay TV to its guests by installing Quadriga's guest communications portal Sensiq, and using the TV as a vehicle to improve guest communications and provide potential new revenue streams.

The portal will provide the hotel with a communications channel to push information about the local area - including shopping, culture and entertainment - as well as inform guests about services and special promotions within the hotel across its leisure and dining facilities. As part of this new initiative, the hotel has also updated all 74 rooms with new Philips 32-inch flat screen LCDs, to provide a state of the art system to add to the luxurious feel of the hotel and enhance the overall guest experience.

Taco van der Meer, director of The Albus, comments: "We needed a solution which provided a return on investment and additional revenue generation opportunities. Sensiq offers this capability and much more. The system still allows us to offer a great range of entertainment content, but it also enables us to use it as a true portal to communicate with leisure and business guests, providing additional information to help them make the most of their stay in Amsterdam."

"Quadriga's Sensiq also enables us to promote our hotel services and facilities directly to our guests in their rooms, which provides us with potential new revenue streams." he adds.

Marc Budie, technology director at Quadriga, adds: "We have developed Sensiq to give hoteliers an opportunity to generate additional business value, whilst enhancing communication with guests and bringing relevant information to them. By tailoring the in-room experience to meet the needs of its guests, The Albus Hotel is leading the way in using technology to enable the provision of enhanced services and optimise guest satisfaction and loyalty." 

Beside hotels the guide provides information on more than 500 addresses supplied over 23 categories. These all show you the possibilities to enjoy city life for full 100%, taking health of people and environment into serious account.

Get a taste of Amsterdam, get to the Albus.
Check www.albushotel.com for the latest offers.

 

THE ALBUS HOTEL GETS ITS FOURTH STAR

Amsterdam, May 3d, 2010

The Albus Hotel, at de Vijzelstraat in the very heart of Amsterdam, has been selected by the 'Nederlandse Hotel Classificatie' (Dutch Hotel Classification) as a 4 star Hotel. Before, the hotel had 3 stars.

To candidate for the 4 star rating, a hotel has to meet all 4 star regulations and requirements. Apart from that, a minimum of 73 points has to be earned regarding 4 star requirements.  The Albus Hotel got even 92 of these; way over par!!

Becoming a 4 star hotel was celebrated within the hotel organization, with bubbles and speeches. The plate with the indication of a 4 star hotel was proudly placed at the entrance of the hotel.

General Manager Taco van der Meer of the Albus Hotel showed great pride in obtaining the fourth star.

"This means a lot to us. We all worked hard to achieve this. For instance, we now offer room service from 07.00-23.00 hours and every room is equipped with a laptop safe and charger. The official acknowledgement to be a 4 star hotel confirms our goal to offer top service. Add to that, the fact that our staff are more than 100% committed to please the guest, and you will find that our underline ´ the pearl of Amsterdam' is very valid.  Soon our hotel will be officially re-opened after total refurbishment.  The many reservations we receive prove that there are high expectations", says Van der Meer.

On April 1st the lounge and lobby have completely been renovated, with a splendid result...

Beside this, all 68 of 74 rooms have been finished. From now on there will not be any form of nuisance. Do not hesitate and visit us to taste the new atmosphere! 

By this coming Monday, the 15th of March, we will already have finished floor 4- 8! In total 35 rooms ....

Beside the rooms, the reception desk will be replaced and upgraded with designer furniture, a lounge-bar and a business corner. The metamorphose of the ground floor will be realized within 2 weeks.

We look forward to a flexible continuation of the renovation and we will assure that you and your guests will be pleasantly surprised by the new style of the Albus Grand Hotel!

From April 1^st you will enjoy a newly renovated 4**** Albus Hotel!

All 74 deluxe rooms are decorated to the latest design trends and have a private bathroom. Do you wish to be spoiled even better? Simply choose one of the deluxe junior suites.

The design lounge offers all comfort to relax with a cold glass of prosecco and exclusive bites. In addition, in the restaurant you can enjoy an extensive a la carte dinner or just a surprise menu from our chef de cuisine. Room service will be available between 07:00 and 22:00.

In the morning you are able to enjoy an extensive breakfast buffet. A take-away coffee is also possible and available in the specially equipped coffee corner, where you can read your newspaper and follow the latest international news. Internet can be used on payment in the lobby, restaurant, or in the business center.

Curious? Do not hesitate and please come along to have a look!

Vincent van Dijk has spend his second night in The Albus Grand Hotel. Are you also curious how he experienced this adventure? Take a look on his website (www.amsterdamslaapt.nl) and find out what he thought about the hotel. After a total renovation of The Albus Grand Hotel, Vincent van Dijk will share his second night in the hotel with you! We will keep you informed about the date...

 

Assorti of Oysters and mussels: 3 Creuses oysters, differently prepared; raw with lemon, the other one is deep fried in sesame oil and the third is au gratin with Champagne sabayon. The mussels are prepared in the traditional Dutch way, cooked in broth of wine, combined with herbs and vegetables.

Mini Dover Sole: 2 in butter sauteed mini Dover soles with lemon juice and served with vegetables and potatoes.

The Car Free Day is a moment of reflection. Cars are not allowed in the city between 10.00 and 17.00 hours. It has to bring attention to the fact that air quality must be improved and that environment is a shared responsibility of government and citizens. Cars are the biggest polluters by the emission of fine dust. So join us and leave your car at home! Experience the alternatives to travel into the city: walking, cycling, public transport and P + R. Get the taste of Amsterdam and stay at The Albus Grand Hotel in Amsterdam! Visit www.iamsterdam.com for more information and events during this special day in Amsterdam.

We will serve a delicious 3-course menu for only € 25,00 per person.

The Restaurantweek is an ideal opportunity to discover our restaurant for a more than reasonable price. Reservations can be made from the 5th of August via www.diningcity.com. More information about restaurant get toGether please visit our website, www.restaurantgettogether.com

We are looking forward welcoming you in our restaurant!

Kind regards, Team get toGether.

The number of conferences in the Dutch capital rose by 9 percent, according to the annual rankings published by the international Congress & Convention Association (ICCA).

With 89 international congresses, Amsterdam leaves cities like Stockholm, Seoul and Lisbon behind. The Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board (ATCB) is particularly pleased with this growth.

For a number of years, the ATCB has been organising a range of special activities to promote Amsterdam as an international congress city, partly thanks to the investment of the Department of Economic Affairs of Amsterdam City Council. These efforts have clearly paid off.

We also arrange you lunch, diner or drinks on location. Many companies already found us.

For more information please contact: sales@albusgrandhotel.com or call +31 (0) 20-5306210.

www.restaurantgettogether.com

More information on The Green Key can be found on our website or www.greenkey.org

Hermitage Amsterdam Hotel Package

One of the new features on the website is an overview of Amsterdam City Highlights. This special page, with integrated Google Maps, shows guests whats on in Amsterdam and the surroundings of the hotel. The new 'quick reservation panel' makes it easier to directly book your room.

The website is created by BeCurious internet & hospitality in Amsterdam, in cooperation with Brave Design in Oisterwijk, The Netherlands.