Monday 30 November 2015

Just Got Engaged..? Look No Further..!

wedding
Many congratulations on your engagement, we are here and ready to help your wedding dreams come true at our independently owned, family run hotel.  Over looking Plymouth, the New Continental Hotel creates a truly romantic setting for your wedding day. We have three beautiful function rooms and are licensed to hold civil ceremonies, allowing your entire day to run smoothly under one elegant roof!

Wedding celebrations become unforgettable against the unmatched care and consideration taken to ensure your day is the special moment upon which you start the rest of your lives together. Majestic architecture, sweeping rooms and ultra-accommodating staff make this landmark building a top pick in Plymouth. Our romantic hotel with its Grade II listing and 150 year history is an iconic building; set within the heart of Plymouth, it not only offers a great location, but also family owners and staff whose hospitality is legendary.  



Wedding oracle

With our mouth-watering menus and excellent service we will leave your guests delighted, ensuring your big day is an event to remember. Our talented Chefs will work with you to develop delicious menus that suit your needs and your budget – from a wedding breakfast, to canapés, to meals for special dietary requirements. We’ll get to know your taste and style and deliver a menu and day that will wow you and your guests.

It is true to say that the romantic possibilities are endless at the New Continental Hotel! For over 30 years, we have been ensuring that brides and grooms have relaxed as we have helped them create memories they can cherish for a lifetime. We believe every wedding should be different, so our Wedding Coordinator is available to arrange all the extras for you too.




KW6


As an independent, family run hotel, we pride ourselves on our ability to be truly flexible, to offer a bespoke and tailor made package that will cater for your dreams; be they for large and lavish, or intimate and close – or anywhere in between.


Located in the heart of Plymouth, with ample parking, we cater for all ceremonies and celebrations. With 99 en-suite bedrooms, four-poster and deluxe suites and a health and leisure club we can also accommodate your friends and family in style.








Hotel_Exterior (2)

You will find the link to our Wedding Brochure; designed to give you a glimpse into our hotel and a taste of what we can offer. Nothing beats coming in and seeing for yourselves though, so do contact us as we would love to meet you.

Thursday 29 October 2015





Is this a story about love; or is it about losing yourself to love. .?


On Tuesday 6th August 1907, a dreadful tragedy occurred at the Albion Hotel near Millbay Train station.  
For some time Mr and Mrs MacLoughlin had been separated, due to Mr MacLoughlin’s love of whiskey; not allowed to live as a single women Mrs Macloughlin could only leave her husband if she was to be provided with a live in place of employment. In February 1907, Mary Ann MacLoughlin gained this employment as a live in housekeeper at the Albion Hotel, here she was happy and loved her new found freedom and profession, working amongst people she now called her friends.

William MacLoughlin remained in the family home in Compton with his two young children, the elder two siblings were in employment at nearby farms in both Tavistock and Callington.

On this dry, clear Tuesday in August something came about William; an uncontrollable urge to claim his wife once again. He strode in, uninvited to the hotel and found his way to the still-room.

Into the still-room William marched; with alcohol on his breath and passion in his heart.  He waited, crouched in silence in the corner of the room waiting for Mary Ann to arrive.  

With the sound of a gun firing, Mathew, the page boy, ran to the still-room from the lobby; through the archway and down the narrow stairs with only a dim light to guide his way. He could hear nothing but deep breaths and felt a cold chill in the air. With his heart pounding, Mathew discovered the tragedy, his colleague Mary Ann on the floor and the stranger with the smoking gun standing near her limp body.

He screamed and sobbed and then saw William proceed to shoot himself.

A letter was found on the man when the police came,  in it he wrote in affectionate terms to his wife; promising he would find a way to give up the drink and that they would have a future together, somehow, someway, sometime.


Could this really be true..?


Tuesday 6 October 2015

June 1922 At The Albion Hotel...



Hearing-Aids


On June 14th, 1922 at the Albion Hotel (the hotel to the rear of the Continental Hotel when it was two separate dwellings) a new and exciting appliance was introduced to the people of Plymouth! 

Just placed on the market the Ardente Acoustique was recommended by Doctors and used by Royalty. This small, light, portable and 'quite inconspicuous' devise; 'leaving the hands free with no heavy battery' was demonstrated, with tests given and without consultative fees at the hotel.


Albion Hotel
An article found from the British Newspaper Archives, written in the Western Morning News in May 1922.


Reports say that there were people waiting along the street to gain entry, with people saying it was 'a miracle, I can hear even a whisper'. 

Sound for many was a revelation that day in Plymouth, and all from the platform of the Albion Hotel! 




Capture

Our History Tells A Beautiful Tale...






Once two hotels; the Albion and the Continental Hotel, they were once owned by Mr George Fowler.  No matter who the owners have been throughout history, these hotels were always striving to offer the city the very best in accommodation,  banqueting and leisure.

In February 1936 the construction was completed for the 'new, spacious banqueting and ball-room, equipped in the most up-to-date fashion at the Continental Hotel, Plymouth'. The largest banqueting room in the city and for miles around at the time, capable of seating 350 people!

This ballroom also offered the largest clear space for ballroom dancing in Plymouth, with up to four dances a week being held for the community.

Also home to the first sprung floor in a hotel in Plymouth, overlaid with fine maple wood set on springs, the evenings spent gliding around the ballroom were moments that created memories that would last a lifetime. 

Costing over £17,000, this ballroom had air purifiers, hot and cold running water and the ‘finest ladies powder rooms’ in Plymouth!  That investment equates to over £850,000 in today’s money!

These hidden gems of our history create the rhythm you feel in there today, one of life and wonder, future and possibilities, fun and laughter. If this ballroom could talk, it would tell many a fabulous tale!

We want to keep these memories alive; do you remember a time in our ballroom, have you heard other peoples memories that you can share with us?  We want to mark it's 80th birthday in style and would love to hear from anyone who can help us build a bank of memories!

Email: elinor.eaton@newcontinenetal.co.uk with your memories or the memories of others. We can't wait to hear from you. 

Thursday 1 October 2015

Leaner Living; Nutrition Seminar






For many years now, nutrition has become the most important lens for looking after your body and its health and well-being; and although we all know our bodies are our temples; do we really know how to fuel them in the right way..?

No matter what your level of fitness or your knowledge of nutrition, the ‘Leaner Living’ seminar, presented by James Buckingham of PFP Exeter, is the perfect no-nonsense guide. Aimed at anyone looking to lose weight, become ‘leaner’ and increase their physical well-being and health.

Being held at the New Continental Hotel on Saturday 10th October, this is the perfect chance to join like-minded individuals all looking to gain from James’ knowledge and experience. Tickets are just £10 and availability is already limited.

So hurry, join us between 09:45 and 12:00 in the Green Room at the New Continental Hotel and be at the hottest Nutrition Seminar in town!


For more information or to book your space, call Adam on 07957877974


Friday 11 September 2015

Join Us...



Join our friendly reception team...

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a passionate and committed Receptionist at the New Continental Hotel who will be taking responsibility for welcoming and supporting our guests in a friendly and helpful manner.

The New Continental Hotel is a stunning Grade II listed, independent hotel with 99 bedrooms. The building itself is steeped in history and is situated in the heart of Britain’s Ocean City. It is a popular choice for tourists due to its convenient location in the centre of town, with parking and easy access to local amenities and attractions. Visited by guests from all over the world, the hotel is held in high regard by people from many countries that have been visiting Plymouth and staying in our Family run hotel for over 20 years.  The hotel is also a platform for a great number of conferences and meetings each week; boasting many fine function spaces and bars threaded throughout the building.

This all combined with being a well known wedding venue, having Steve’s Brasserie, our in-house restaurant and Club Continental, our leisure complex, the hotel has a great deal on offer with a constantly friendly and lively atmosphere.

The role: 
We are looking for an individual to join our busy Reception team. The role requires you to check guests in and out of the hotel and to take reservations and input them onto our computerised booking system. There will be cash handling, answering the telephones, responding to emails, communicating with other departments and interacting with our quests to assist them with the question. 

This role is all about service excellence, we are looking for an enthusiastic individual who wants to do everything superbly well and where nothing is too much trouble for our guests.

This is a full-time position; working hours are on a shift basis covering 7am to 3pm or 3pm-11pm five days out of seven. The role is to be started as soon as possible, experience is preferred but full training will be given.

Key competencies you will require:  
Professional presentation 
Excellent communication and organisational skills 
A high degree of flexibility with regards to working hours 
Most important of all is a person to deliver a truly excellent service every time 

Required Skills:
Basic computer knowledge 
Well organsied with good planning skills
Presentable, approachable and with a friendly personality 
Able to work individually and as part of a team  

Benefits included for a Receptionist:
Competitive Salary
28 days holidays including bank holidays
Contributory Pension Scheme
Meals on duty
Free use of the entire Leisure Complex, including sauna and steam room
 
The New Continental Hotel is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

To send your CV, or for further information please email: nikkif@newcontinental.co.uk
Closing Date: 18th September 1:00pm 




Wednesday 19 August 2015

Planning Dinner And A Show? Choose Pre-Theatre Dining At Steve's...





Steve’s Brasserie at the New Continental Hotel caters handsomely to diners on the go, offering a good value pre-theatre menu that should see you fully sated and safely in your seats before curtain call, irons up or show time!  Dining at Steve’s is a show of its own. There is so much to admire even before dinner arrives: with an open kitchen and local art hanging on the walls. As for the cuisine, this Brasserie,  sat inside the 150 year old Grade II listed building, is the perfect fusion of old meeting new and the perfect spot to contemplate your night of culture and look forward to the treats that await you, both on and off the stage!


The pre-theatre guests at Steve’sBrasserie can expect well-judged dishes, made by chefs who not only have a passion for their art, but come with an impressive array of experience. Even the noise is enticing – gently lilting chatter, the sound of the kitchen in full swing, whilst the waiters are impeccably smart and attentive.

This added to a menu that houses a thoughtful wine selection, by the glass or bottle, is the perfect start to what will be a sensational cultural evening in Plymouth. With great service, and food to match, your meal in Steve’s can play centre stage and be just as much a highlight as your night at the theatre.



Pre-theatre menu: served Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm to 7pm. It costs £12.95 for two courses, or £15.95 for three.
Theatres within a 5 and 10-minute walk: Pavilions, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Drum Theatre and Barbican Theatre.


Booking is highly recommended. Steve’s can be open at 5pm upon request; call 01752 276798 to make your reservation. You could also try our sister company; Morgan’s