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!

Top 5 Smart phone Applications for the Business Traveller.

Traveling to another city or a different country? Well, locating quality nearby attractions just got easier!

These travel apps are designed to help those traveling find the best deals, the best restaurants and everything they need to enjoy the best travel experience. Here are 5 of the top apps that no business traveler should be without:

1. WikiHood Guidebook App

This free travel guidebook is one of the most consistently top-rated apps in the entire iTunes store. WikiHood uses GPS technology to display local attractions and historic information for destinations around the world. Use this app at home and abroad to locate popular tourist attractions and historic sites. The WikiHood app makes it easy to sort by distance, relevance and user rating. WikiHood has data on everything from the best pizza place in the city to where the nearest bus or train station is located.

2. The Phone Book App from YellowBook

The free smart phone app from YellowBook is like having a phone book for the world complete the store hours, phone numbers and integrated maps. The YellowBook app uses technology from Google Maps to locate nearby businesses in a virtual reality format. Users can also use the automated voice search feature to access data on millions of restaurants, hotels and businesses around the world.

3. TripIt Travel Organizer

Now available as a free app and a premium, ad-free app for $1.99, TripIt consolidates travel data and itineraries for multiple trips. TripIt stores flight information along with maps and directions. Users can check-in for flights, verify flight status and check local weather from one location. TripIt is consistently recommended for jetsetters and anyone who needs to organize travel plans for themselves or the entire family.

4. The XE Currency Converter App

This mobile currency conversion tool makes it easy to tell how much you really spent on lunch at the cafe or how much that four-star hotel room will cost at the discounted rate. The XE Currency Converter app is available for free with download options for all phone platforms. This handy app automatically updates conversion rates for 190 international currencies.

5. The Packing pro

The perfect app for the disorganised traveller, Packing Pro comes pre-populated with lists of things to put in your suitcase. It can also be customised with your own list so you don’t forget your essentials. £1.79 for iPhone and iPad

'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!

Meet the team!

Here at A Space in the City, we're a small (but very important) group. Introductions are needed so all you readers of our blog know who's who.


So first things first, its probably best to mention our boss; Mr Richard Godfrey (The Godfather). Who recently invested in his first pair of wellies since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.

Next we have Matthew Hayward, our Operations Manager. Who's mainly to be found answering to the cries of 'Maaaat!?' in the office to sort out all big and (sometimes very) small emergencies.

 

Then there's Vicki Jones, who handles Accounts and Administration. She's usually to be found buried underneath a pile of invoices (secretly reading the latest fashion mags).

Lettings manager Kathryn Hancock goes by many alias's, 'Bird's Nest Head' being one of them.

Next we have Beccy Newton, Head of Reservations who's entire diet can be summed up by one song; 'Mcdonalds, Mcdonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut.'

Reservations consultant Stacey 'St Tropez' Laye (Laymondo) never to be caught with any white bits.

Guest Services coordinater Stacey Bourge is often to be found pounding the pavements of the Diff. She also loves dealing with all customer queries and quibbles (anything to get her off the streets).

Laura Dommet, Swansea portfolio manager is lucky twice over to only be required in the office once a week and to have the beach on her doorstep!

Keith Voisey, our Maintenance Manager (Mr Fix it) Is the man in the know.

Vivian Espie, (Head of housekeeping) and her housekeeping team are forever carting strange lost property back to the office.

Then we have the newbies who dont have a photo yet (hence being relegated to the bottom).
Richard Griffiths, Guest Services coordinator who unfortunately has the same initals as our MD so has been given the (unwanted) nickname of 'Neil'.




And Reservations consultant Angharad (Blog Queen) Price who occasionally gets mistaken for a man called 'Howard' with a high pitched voice.

A Space in the City: Our first blog!

A Space in the City: Our first blog!

Our first blog!

Click to go to the Space in the City website. 

Ever thought about a weekend away in the fantastic city of Cardiff? We really do have something for everyone. If its shopping you want, our brand new St David's 2 complex and bustling Queen street are every shoppers heaven. Craving fantastic scenery? we have the newly developed Cardiff Bay with beautiful walks and breathtaking views to enjoy! If it's sports you're after, the Millennium Stadium, situated slap-bang in the middle of our compact city will enthral any sports mad fan. And finally, clubbers galore! our city hosts some of the UK's finest clubs and bars.

So if these ideas get your attention, how about a serviced apartment over a hotel for your special weekend away? As it's our very first blog, we thought we'd give all followers wishing to stay with us throughout August our new offer of £59 per night for any of our stylish studio apartments, Here’s some pictures to tempt you!

And as an added bonus, for the first 5 bookings made we'll throw in a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival! Just call 02920473830 or email info@aspaceinthecity.co.uk and quote BLOG0101 to take full advantage.

Keep an eye out for more stunning apartment deals via our blog in the future!