Getting to know our Swansea Portfolio Manager, Laura Dommet!

Well as its the month of February, the blogger team thought they would show some love towards our Swansea team for a change, and give you a few (more) reasons why everyone should visit the historical Welsh city by the sea.

   Did you know?

   Swansea museum is Wales’ oldest public museums and the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea is one of Wales’s newest museums!

Or how about?

Swansea has 32 miles of stunning coast with over 50 named beaches and coves. That ‘s a beach for every day of the year!

And even!

Swansea was named the cleanest city in Wales! and is even considered the second cleanest city in the whole of the UK.

Its also interview time again in A Space in the City land, and this month's lucky participant is Laura Dommet, Swansea Portfolio Manager. Here she answers some questions about her time working for A Space in the City and even shares some of her (very crucial) sandwich and superhero opinions!

 So Laura,   How long have you worked for A Space in the City?

Well, I started 3^rd Aug 2009, so it’s been 2 ½ years.

Very specific! What background have you got in the hospitality industry?

I have worked in the hospitality industry since the age of 16 and have worked in many different departments and hotels around the UK . I started as a chamber maid, whilst also working overtime in the Banqueting and Restaurant departments. I was then promoted to Housekeeping supervisor, but got the ‘bug’ to expand my knowledge of the hospitality industry and went to work front of house on Reception. I soon decided to work as a relief receptionist / reservations for a company where I travelled all around the UK working for many different hotel chains.

I then decided to settle myself in Telford Golf and Country Club (West Midlands) as Reception Manager, which was where I realised I missed home-sweet-home in Swansea! I moved back to work as Night Duty Manager for a hotel covering the odd day shifts (when I wasn’t catching up on sleep!). And then finally after returning to work from maternity leave I applied for my current role with A Space in the City and have not looked back since!

Okay, lots of experience! What is your favourite thing about working for A Space in the City?

I enjoy every part of my job and the whole team are great to work with. Plus we get great staff outings on the MD ;-) 

Great! So during the time you have worked for A Space in the City, what’s been your favourite moment?

That is such a hard question to answer... from watching guests enjoy their stay to having fun and laughs at staff outings, no day is a dull day!

 Do you have a favourite apartment and why?

I have two... a 1 bed in The Meridian Tower and a 2 bed in Aurora because they are very modern, spacious apartments both with great views. One overlooks the Marina with all the boats and the other has a spectacular view over Swansea Bay.

Thanks Laura, but now for the silly ones!

What do you prefer beans on toast or cheese on toast and why?

Cheese on toast... because I don’t like the toast going soggy with beans on top!

Good answer! So who’s your favourite, Ant or Dec? And why?

That’s tough... urrmmm.. Dec? Only because most people say Ant.

Very important question, What’s your ideal sandwich?

In this order.... Mayo (instead of butter), cheese, salad,  Bernard Matthews Turkey Ham,  sweet chilli sauce with ready salted crisps!! Yummy!!

That sounds...erm...interesting! If you were invisible for the day what would you do?

I would wind my friend Dai Eaton up something rotten! I have never known someone to be so scared of ‘ghostly’ things but yet love it at the same time! I would most defiantly follow him around, move things about and all other kinds of funny things! (Laughs out loud!) 

Oookaaayy...Who would you rather be, Spiderman, Superman or Batman? And why?

Spiderman.. I watched it with my nephew the other day and he was bouncing around my living room! Looked fun... plus I could fly him around Swansea with my special web stuff!

Well and thats the end of our mini interview, thanks very much Laura for taking part and chattering on to the blogging team!



Cardiff is clearly the place to be!

Cardiff was recently voted in a Times survery as the Best City in the United Kingdom for Nightlife and Entertainment!


Now if thats not something to celebrate, we dont know what is!? (and being from Cardiff we are obviously in the know!)

So if you fancy joining in the year round fun we enjoy from living in Cardiff, why not try a short (or long!) break in one of our fantastic luxury Serviced Apartments! Rates start around £75 for a 1 bedroom apartment per night based on a 2 night stay.



You could even enter this competition:

Win a pair of tickets to see the remarkable Diversity perform at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff (31/03/2012) as well as 2 night's accommodation at the new Quayside Apartments in Cardiff Bay (30/03/2012 - 31/03/2012)

 

A Space in the city have teamed up with gigsandtours.com and
VisitCardiff to offer this fabulous prize.

They are giving away 2 tickets to see 2009 winner's of Britain's Got Talent Diversity perform at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Saturday 31st March 2012.

As well as this, A Space in the City are offering 2 nights accommodation at Quayside Apartments in cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st March, giving you plenty of time to make the most of your stay in Cardiff.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, just go to http://www.visitcardiff.com/competitions and answer a simple question. The competition closes midnight Monday 19th March 2012 and the winner will be drawn on Tuesday 20th March 2012 and will be contacted by phone and email.

Come and explore the most exciting city in the UK!

Good luck!

Feedback for A Space in the City...

Here in A Space in the City world, we pride ourselves on being the best. And how do we know we're the best? Because of the fantastic reviews we receive week after week from our satisfied customers!

So if you find yourself weighing up the pros and cons between a boring old hotel in Cardiff or a stylish, modern serviced apartment, look no further than here for some feedback straight from the horses mouth!

"We've stayed in Century Wharf before and once again we were not disappointed. The apartment we stayed in was immaculate and the kitchen had every thing one would expect and want. We had a gorgeous terrace overlooking the river and as it was the sunniest week, we eat outside. The children loved the pool and the proximity to Techniquest, even better.

Our future stays will definitely be with A Space in the City."

Stayed in April 2011 travelling with family.

"The location was great, right in Cardiff Bay, which is either a very short taxi ride or 20-30 minute walk into Cardiff city centre. We'd taken things like washing up liquid, kitchen roll, tea bags - but needn't have bothered! We were pleasantly surprised with what was supplied, a real home from home. Furnishings and fittings were of a high quality inc freeview, TV and DVD in the lounge."

Stayed in February 2011, travelled with friends.

"I can honestly say, we were all amazed at what we had rented considering we were all going to try and get into one family room in a hotel and pay £500.00 for this. The spacious apartment allowed us all to have our own space, bedrooms and plug sockets! Some of us could go to bed early and leave others chatting in the kitchen without being heard.

We will never book a hotel room in Cardiff again."

Stayed in August 2011, travelled with friends.

We've also conducted an interview with a long term guest of ours who stays regularly in our Century Wharf Apartments. Clive Fleming travels to Cardiff for work around twice a month and has stayed with us since January 2009!

1) What do you think is the benefit of using Serviced Apartments over hotels?
When you stay away every week, as I do, hotel rooms can be monotonous and constraining - you end up feeling imprisoned, whereas with the various rooms in the flats it is much more like a normal existence.


2) Why do you choose A Space in the city over our competitors week after week?
I suppose it is partly familiarity and knowing that you maintain a good standard overall.

3) What is your favourite place to eat in Cardiff?
The Italian Restaurant in the Red Dragon centre - but I don't eat out much so I am not an expert. I bring my food with me because eating out also gets monotonous when on your own.

4) What's the one travel item you can't live without?
My laptop and your broadband.

5)If you could do anything on a sunny afternoon in Cardiff, What would you do?
Wander around the bay area, have an ice-cream by the Norwegian church and then perhaps a beer where all the bars and restaurants are.

Now for the standard silly questions!

6) What's your favourite cheese and why?
Cambozola because it is creamy like Brie/Camembert but has some 'bleu' bite to it as well.

7) As a pet, would you rather have a giant hamster or a tiny rhino?
Tiny Rhino - a giant hamster would be scary!

8) If you were given £1000 right now, how would you spend it?
A long weekend in one of the great European Cities.

Thanks Clive! This just proves we keep providing the service and the high standards that keep our customers coming back again and again. Why would you ever think of staying in a boring hotel again!?

   



Interview with A Space in the City Accounts and Administration team - Vicki Jones!

Its that time again in A Space in the City world! Vicki Jones, who very deftly handles our accounts and administration has agreed to give the blogger team an exclusive interview! So whilst taking a break from her busy day, we managed to slip in a few questions about her time at A Space in the City and her interests away from the office.

So first things first, the work stuff:

How long have you worked for A Space in the City?
- Well I was one of the first, so to be exact, 4 years, 2 months and 5 days!

And what would you say is your favourite thing about your job?
-As we're only a small company I really enjoy the camaraderie of the office and the close knit team spirit. We all try our best to help each other and we get along great!

Whats your previous background in accounts?
- I started working for the company doing admin and reservations, but then moved over to Accounts as the company expanded and we started taking on more team members.

In all the time you have worked for A Space in the City, what has been your favourite moment?
- A few years ago, we had our first team outing on a speed boat across Cardiff bay which was a bit scary but so much fun!

Well that's enough of work info! What's your favourite food and favourite place to eat it?
-I love a nice curry, and it has to be the amazing mango and chicken curry from the Raj Kinara in Rhoose, yum!

So its a lazy Sunday afternoon, what would you most like to be doing?
- Lazy Sundays are just made for curling up on the sofa in front of the Eastenders omnibus.

Good call! next question; If I handed over £1000 to you right now, how would you spend it?
- I'd put it towards my favourite holiday destination of Mexico. I went for two weeks recently and it was heaven!

What's the strangest dream you've ever had?
- I had some very strange dreams in Mexico. I dreamt my husband had a huge Daffy duck tattooed all the way down his arm as a joke!

And finally, as its such a wonderful city, what would you say is your favourite spot in Cardiff?
-On a sunny day I love to walk across the barrage from Penarth to Cardiff bay and then have a drink outside the Millennium centre. Its a really good place for people watching!

'Stace' in the City.

Greetings from A Space in the City on this lovely Tuesday afternoon, we have some good news! Our very own Stacey Bourge has offered to provide another dimension to our 'Space in the City' family by providing a 'tour guide' service to guests. Being our guest services representative, shes often to be found pounding the streets of Cardiff and is definitely the girl in the know when it comes to fun events, exciting new openings and interesting tourism ideas.

Here's a few short ideas from Stacey, but for any more info on 'Stace in the City' email her direct at staceyb@aspaceinthecity.co.uk.


Favourite Restaurant in Cardiff Bay?


Has to be Bellini’s so far-especially their awesome Bellini cocktails!



Favourite Bar in Cardiff town centre?


The Live Lounge and O’Neill’s for its great live music!


Best place to go for large families?

Why not sign up to Voucher Cloud and take advantage of fantastic offers on 2 4 1 on tours at the Millennium Stadium, Welsh Hawking Centre and many more.

If you could only visit one place in Cardiff where would it be?

I would definitely recommend Cardiff Castle and Bute Park on a nice sunny summers day and also Mermaid Quay as there is so many different places all in one location

Best nightclub in Cardiff town centre?


Retro’s for its cheesy 80’s tunes and free entry before 11pm.

Best place for a family to go with young children?

How about Techniquest-the science museum, or St Fagan’s for some traditional Welsh Heritage or when the weather is wet-The Red Dragon Centre for some bowling/eating/cinema and Dr Who fanatics!

Favourite thing to do on a sunny day in Cardiff?



Get  myself down to Mermaid Quay for some people watching, then all day 241 cocktails at Las Iguanas, and get on a powerboat ride to blow the cobwebs outta your hair!

Why choose a serviced apartment?

So the big question on everyones lips, Why stay in a serviced apartment over the traditional (boring) hotel option?

Well like the well known author Jane Austen once said: "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort"

At A Space in the City, you can enjoy home like comforts in central locations with good transportation links and abundant choices of dining, shopping and entertainment ideas
.
Following are the top 5 reasons to choose an A Space in the City Apartment over a Hotel room.

1. Home Away from Home - A Space in the City's Apartments offer luxury serviced apartments, which are not just rooms but fully furnished living spaces with separate living rooms and bedrooms, suitable for both short and long stays.

2. Superior facilities- A Space in the City Serviced Apartments provide you with a very high standard of modern furnishings including First-class home entertainment facilities like TV, DVD, CD, washing machines and close proximity to local amenities such as  Banks, ATMs, supermarkets and medical facilities

3. Cost-effective- A Space in the City Apartments offer excellent value for money. We give you cost-effective accommodation options with flexible, transferable contracts. Business travelers can also save money by hosting meetings within our apartments instead of renting a separate meeting room.

4. The Feel Good Factor - The first few weeks or months in a new country can be hard but our apartments give you comfort, quality and all leading facilities to let you feel the Feel Good Factor.

5. Privacy- Unlike a hotel, where you have to share your lobby with other guests, serviced apartments offer a greater amount of privacy with your very own apartment.

Luxury serviced apartments are growing in popularity as more and more people realise the benefits over a conventional hotel.

If these reasons rock your boat, give our office a call on 02920 473 830 or check out our company website http://www.aspaceinthecity.co.uk/ for information on rates and special monthly deals!