Stay in Shape with Hotel Synchronized Swimming!

With summer approaching, we tend to find ourselves back in the gym, yoga studio, or in the great outdoors trying to shed those extra pounds from the winter season.  Let’s face it, we all want to look good in a swimsuit.

So with the Olympic Summer Games commencement on July 27th, 2012, we recommend getting into your Speedo a bit early for London’s first synchronized swimming master classes taught by the award-winning British team, Aquabatix. Beginning July 4th for four consecutive weeks, the five-star luxury hotel, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London will host these 90-minute specialized courses, teaching several signature aquatic moves and getting you in slim shape.

So if you’re ready to master the classic ‘egg beater kick’ and the ‘sculling’ hand movements, you’re ready for synchronized swimming, Olympics style. To culminate the session, you will perform a choreographed routine in the chic hotel’s rooftop pool. Don’t miss your chance to be a London underwater ballerina! Seriously, exercise and swimming couldn’t be more fun.

Kick off Summer with Memorial Weekend Activities

The last weekend in May marks a day of remembrance and the start of the summer. So we thought of a few ways to spend the three days off that will have you out in the sun…

First celebrate on the East Coast with an American Revolution walking tour of Lower Manhattan. Absorb the patriotic history of the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn while marching across the Brooklyn Bridge.  It’s a truly memorable NYC experience… Check out Discovery Walking Tours for tours this Saturday and Sunday at 3:30pm.

Then consider one of the three most significant motorsport events in the world, the Indianapolis 500, aka Indy 500, which takes place this Sunday, May 27th along the great Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Thirty-three drivers, 200 laps, 500 miles… a race for glory.

If you are in the Chicago area or looking for an evening of fun with a group of friends or family, the Anita Dee Yacht Charters hosts individualized cruises for groups of 50–345 passengers along Chicago’s magnificent skyline. Be sure to catch some amazing Memorial Day fireworks on the Navy Pier this Saturday, May 26th at 10:15pm.  City Lights Cruises also has yachts to reserve in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and more.

So this weekend, whether you are watching the monumental National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. or relaxing on the San Diego coastal beaches, celebrate the start to a beautiful summer.

A Corpus Christi Hotel Crisis Averted!

On this week’s episode of the Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible, Professional Hotel-Fixer Anthony Melchiorri had his work cut out for him. Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront in Southeast Texas reeked not only of smell, but of filth and poor management.

The hotel make-over started with a deep cleaning of a tree riddled with dust mites. After Anthony measured the level of bacteria living in the sheets and hotel guest rooms, he requested additional training for the staff and a massive room exfoliation. The next task was re-instilling drive and passion into the hotel owner, Greg, by literally shooting (at the local gun range) each and every unappealing, ambiguous, and useless hotel items to make room for bigger, safer, and more stylish designs. The front awning came down easily, and the windows of the coffee shop downstairs turned into a blast from the hotel’s past, with colorful photos and drawings of the 1913 luxurious hotel lining the walls.

Cheers to Anthony and his team of hoteliers for bringing a bit of class and cleanliness to Corpus Christi. Mission Possible!

Celebrating Office Ninjas Everywhere!

Last week was Administrative Professionals Week, and GroupBookers had a blast!  We attended three events in Silicon Valley and met close to 500 outstanding Office Ninjas! These unsung workforce heroes are the engines that keep our businesses running… so it’s no surprise that we dedicate an entire week to celebrate them!

We kicked off the week to a sold-out crowd at the Club Auto Sport in San Jose. We were one of the handful of companies invited to join the afternoon festivities.   

The admins were treated to delicious food catered by PRST (check out their humongous wok filled with paella which feeds hundreds!), goody bags and treats provided by local companies, and an awesome comedic performance by Tim Pelley (original writer of SNL).  

The following day we partied with the Executive Assistants of the Silicon Valley, a LinkedIn Group with over 2,500 members and founded by the awesome EA herself, Trey Scarpa.

We were pumped to co-sponsor the event with Fahrenheit Ulta Lounge & Restaurant in San Jose, CA.   Though many of us rely on the virtual world for instant communication, nothing beats the chemistry of face-to-face interactions.  

How else would we have felt the laughter, joy and excitement that surrounded the room!?!  Not to mention the giveaway yummy treats! Mmm…

We ended the night with new friendships and a lot of support from the Silicon Valley community.  As a new company just shy of one year old, we very much appreciated the love. Thank you, EASV!

On Friday morning, we were up bright and early for the IAAP San Jose/Crossroads Chapter Event.  Although we only had a couple hours of sleep, it was the perfect way to end Administrative Professionals Week… with dedicated Office Ninjas by our side!

GroupBookers, along with dozens of other splendid companies, such as the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and LeBoulanger, mingled with admins from the South Bay and beyond… as someone came all the way from Maryland!

Even though APW has come to an end, we plan to continue celebrating admins with our new and exciting Rewards Program!  Earn one point for every dollar spent on hotel rooms, and redeem them for rewards starting with as little as 12,000 points.

From monthly deliveries of organic fruits & vegetables to a visit from the house cleaning fairy, GroupBookers will have a reward that you’ll love!  For a limited time, admin professionals will receive 2 points for every dollar spent.  For more info or to redeem points, please contact us.

We’ll be adding more pictures from the events, so please follow us on facebook to check them out!  Hooray for Office Ninjas :-)

Admins, The Pulse of the Office!

Ever wonder what life would be like without the millions of administrative professionals in and out of the office?

Probably something like this…

This Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Administrative Professionals Day will celebrate its 60th anniversary.  Formerly known as Professional Secretaries Day, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has been sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week since 1952.

So, this April 22nd-28th, celebrate the millions of hardworking employees, secret code name: Office Ninjas, whose specialties range from coordination and organization to communication and project management.  And don’t forget multitasking!

We at GroupBookers will be celebrating this honorable holiday with events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow us, and stay posted on the events and rewards program we plan to roll out in the next few days!

Viceroy Hotel Group to Manage Hotel Milano

The 108-room Hotel Milano situated just three blocks from the Moscone Convention Center and Union Square in San Francisco will be undergoing renovation later this year only to be revamped into one of the Viceroy Hotel Group’s many “Urban Retreat” hotels.

With more than 20 properties under its hotel belt, the Viceroy Hotel Group provides luxurious comfort and a boutique-chic atmosphere for business travelers and those wishing to embody the essence of style and hospitality.

Whether you spend time relaxing on the water in your own private villa in Maldives or host an international conference on the rooftop of the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, make it a Viceroy experience worth remembering.

Other locations include Snowmass Mountain, Colorado, San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs, and Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Planning a Memorable Social Gathering? Make Your Planning Fun and Hassle-Free!

Finding an ideal engagement party and wedding venue can be time-consuming and draining. Waiting for party guests to RSVP for the large event can certainly be frustrating and stressful. And don’t forget about the potential hazards of organizing a compatible seating chart!

Now group organizing can be simultaneously easy, collaborative, and fun! Learn to plan smarter and stress-free with the following social gathering resources:

Try this application for creating group seating charts. Guaranteed to save you time and end awkward conversations for your guests. Not to mention ideal for conferences.

Use this tool if you are planning an ultimate party bash. This includes a reunion or getaway vacation with friends.

Searching for the perfect event and party venue in a beautiful, exciting city? Whether renting a theatre or a lighthouse, a museum or a cafe, this resource provides a simple and organized way to locate a venue, pricing, and property details.

Ever wonder who will actually show up to an event? You can flake-proof your event and access all your social media in one locale with True RSVP. In three easy steps, you can control the before, during, and after event.

Researching and event planning has never been more fun.

Spring Breakers, ¡Bienvenidos a Miami!

Here I am in the place where I come let go

Miami the base and the sunset low

It’s just about that time! Spring just arrived, and the Breakers are ready to put on their swimsuits and bathe under the sun. We suggest a vacation locale that has all the fixings for a week-long fiesta: palm trees, sunsets, and tropical drinks.

South Beach, bringing the heat…

Known as a beachfront oasis in the heart of Miami’s nightlife, the W South Beach hotel has it all—comfortable and stylish guestrooms, spacious indoor and outdoor venues for events, six hip bars on the sizzling Miami strip illuminated by a colorful W cocktail menu, two pools by the ocean for diving and dipping, a blissful spa for meditation and relaxation, and the glorious white sands of the beach right outside your door.   

In the heart of South Beach and seated directly on the ocean, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel houses 790 rooms and suites with a scenic view guaranteed. Stroll down the palm tree-lined promenade, and take a dip in the oceanfront sparkling pool. The 2012 Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend is the perfect time to relax and revisit with friends with all of the special amenities Loews has to offer: poolside beauty services, complimentary Happy Hours, fitness classes, and health and beauty presentations.

And there’s plenty more Miami where that came from… Welcome to Miami!

Dine in Your Own Private Oasis, San Francisco Style

Looking for a place to eat and hold events for groups of up to 1200 guests? San Francisco Private Dining Venues (SFPDV) represents some of San Francisco’s premiere restaurants and venues.

Located in the heart of Union Square, E&O Trading Company offers 3 levels of private dining options for up to 300 people.  Home to exciting and innovative modern Asian cuisine and walking distance from some of the best downtown hotels, E&O is the perfect ambiance and tasty spot for a business luncheon or end-of-day celebration.  If you’re dining after dark, try the Thai Basil Lemon Martini in the Cinnabar Room with leather and velvet seating!

Part of the Hotel Palomar, Fifth Floor has a Cuisine and Wine Spectator Grand Award-Winning Wine list and hosts a slew of private dining spaces, including private breakfasts, wine seminars, and team building events. Located in the downtown area within walking distance of the Yerba Buena Gardens, Moscone Center, and SFMOMA, experience elevated dining with art surrounding. You can even reserve the MOMA or DeYoung rooms with local art hanging on the walls.

Named after the 19th century whaling ship excavated in 2006, the Prospect’s Candace room features a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows framing the outside cityscape and pre-dinner reception area with a full bar, Ipod & WiFi connectivity. The Candace, which seats up to 50 people, tailors the menu specifically to the tastes of your group. The warm, convivial atmosphere will have you dining on green goddess salads, white prawns, and lobster aioli for a truly earthy experience.

Planning a Spring Wedding? Consider Marriage in the Sky!

Fireworks in Finland. Dinner in Dubai. New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Soar over oceans and landscapes and golf courses. Fly high above stadiums and concerts with the Eiffel Tower and other breathtaking sights as surrounding scenery.

Select your venue, dine, and listen to music 180 feet in the air! Perfect for a magical wedding in the sky and or lounging w friends.  Dinner in the Sky is currently in over 35 countries, with U.S. locations in Florida and Las Vegas.