Better with Jumeirah

Last month I had the pleasure of attending a FAM Trip hosted by the Jumeriah group, visiting the stunning island of Mallorca and the lovely town of Soller. The Jumeirah Port Soller is the groups only hotel in the Ballerics and what a gem it is.

I must say this was a fantastically planned trip and the other event planners and venue bookers agreed. Not only did we enjoy the hotel but we also discovered amazing venues close by that they recommend for clients looking for a multiple of spaces or something in particular.

Diving right into the heart of the trip… The Jumeirah Port Soller:

The hotel offers its guests amazing views of the port and the town. Offering 5 places to dine, 2 swimming pools, a spa & children’s club if needed.
We dined at the award winning fine dinning Es Fanals by Javier Soriano, to which I have to say exceed my expectations. We was served a few dishes which I do not usually eat such as Paella; however I always try a little out of respect for the host, but on this occasion I really enjoyed it. All the wait staff knew exactly what was being served and were incredibly attentive.

The rooms at the hotel were beautiful, having stayed in many of the Jumeriah hotels this one felt incredibly homely.

The event spaces on site are perfect for meetings, team building activities, small weddings and social celebrations. For larger events you are a stone throw away from some of Mallorca’s prettiest and versatile venues.

If views are your thing then you would not be disappointed. As you walk from your room to breakfast there are so many picturesque views. I think my favourite spot within the hotel had to be the Sunset Sushi Lounge, the views, the vibe the drinks. I was sold.

Outside of the hotel we visited a number of great venues:

Finca Son Termes

With 11 spaces correct 11 on offer we could create true experiences for clients at this venue. The history of this venue brings an air of richness and the variety of spaces had my creative juices going wild! The smallest of spaces can accommodate 20 reception style and the largest 1750 reception style. We would recommend this venue to a wide range of clients, MICE, Corporate & Social.

Finca Son Torgores

Is a simply stunning venue, a great space for meetings and small to medium social or corporate events and weddings. The beauty of this venue is the indoor/outdoor experience. The flow through the venue would allow you to have different locations on site offering a different experience.
The large outdoor space offers client the option to create their ideal wedding or engagement setting.

Sóller Botanic Garden
This had to be one of my favourite venues from the trip because it simply felt as though I was in the jungle in the middle of nowhere. This venue may not be for everyone but for those that love the outdoors or memorising backdrops this is for you. With so many little corners of beauty this venue would make a perfect wedding setting, photo shoot or fashion show location and social celebration spot. For brands launching a summer related product this would be a no brainer, lets get planning!

To top of a great trip we participated in some fabulously fun activities:

Cooking class at Gastroteca Mauricio
A lovely team that taught us the beauty in simplicity of Mallorcan dishes.

Site-seeing Segway Tours
We was lucky enough to site-see in style! Segways are not as easy as they look but they delivered the fun factor!
Starting off at the Cathedral and through the streets of the Old Town we really was able to see what Palma has to offer tourists, event hosts and its locals. An activity we would recommend to all our clients visiting the island especially if they love learning about history and cultures like I do.

To sum up the trip; I fell in love with the town of Soller and cannot wait to return to Jumeirah Port Soller.
I have already recommend the hotel to friends & clients both with children and without. A big thank you to Ester, Lucia & Agueda from the Jumeriah Group, Wendy from All about Flights and Ana from W2M.
A perfect spot for incentives, meetings, activation’s, weddings, large celebrations & simply a holiday; if you have any questions about the towns or interested hosting an event in Soller or Palma I can be reached at events@serenitylondon.co.uk.

Have a look at our instagram for more videos!

Until the next trip.

S x

IG @serenitylondon

The Event Trend of 2019!

Hello and welcome to the Serenity Blog if this is your first time visiting us. We have been super quiet this year but it ends here. We are back like we never left and better than ever! The Serenity Blog is a space covering all things events, hospitality and lifestyle with honest opinions and findings and hopefully an easy read for you all.

Jumping straight into today’s blog, I am sure you are all expecting me to discuss a new design or decor trend that has developed over the last couple of months or even a type of event that everyone is hosting. For all of those who like to jump in on the trends this may disappoint you.
2019 has been the year of the 4 week turn around; yes your read correctly, we have had at least 70% of our clients this year enquiring for events within 3-5 weeks of their preferred event date.

Now we are not saying this is a terrible thing for us event planners although I can only speak on behalf of Serenity London however we thrive with working under pressure when we have clients who are ready to make decisions and get things done. The challenge we have found with short turn around clients is managing their expectations of availability.
We cannot express enough how busy our fantastic suppliers or London, Essex and Hertfordshire venue are throughout the year. The event season as it once was is no longer, venues are booked all year round for all types of events which means short turn around clients may not get their first venue of choice or the entertainment they hoped for due to the last minute enquiry.

Luckily this year we have always found a way to make our clients happy even if they did not get the venue they thought they wanted, we will always find a like for like or a better alternative.
Depending on the event we always suggest 7-12 months a great period of time to plan an event to ensure you get the Venue or Photographer of your choice.

We also strongly advise to those who are planning an event in a short turn around to follow these key points:

Avoid too many cooks in the kitchen.
This applies to planning events in general, even more so when you are working in a short time frame. Having to many people involved without clear roles can cause more mayhem that results. We suggest hiring an event planner who will coordinate the mayhem and have direct contact with you.
Be open to suggestions
This is key to get the ball rolling and the papers sign sealed and delivered.
Decisions Decisions
Be prepared to make decisions promptly, time is everything. Taking 5 days to decide on the font of your invite is TIME WASTING when we have 3 weeks to plan an engagement party for 150 guests.
Is it too late?
Although you may be planning an event in a short time, it is a waste of time messaging your event planner at 1am. We too tend to sleep and you may become anxious, concerned or frustrated waiting for a response.
Have a clear budget in mind
This is important as it will help your event planner piece together your perfect event and minimise back and forth negotiations because elements are out of budget.

We hope this has been a little insightful read and prepares any readers planning an event to get their ducks in a row and check lists ready. Should you make the right decision and want to hire a reliable and trusted event planning we can be reached at events@serenitylondon.co.uk or weddings@serenitylondon.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you back her soon!

S xo

The first time festival-goer survival guide!

Festival season is upon us.. Even if the sunshine isn’t! Survival for a first-time festival goer isn’t always easy or natural. For those who have been a few times, they know the little things that can improve your experience by a million to ensure you have the best time enjoying the best music! So here are our main survival tips to ensure the best weekend ahead...

Whatever the weather

We all know how unpredictable British weather can be, which is why it’s crucial you make sure you are prepared for the sun and the rain - no matter what the weather forecast! This means bringing along waterproofs and wellies as well as suntan lotion and sunglasses!

Staying hygienic

Hand sanitiser, loo roll, wet wipes and dry shampoo will be your best friends over the weekend, but make sure you share with your friends to avoid bringing any more luggage than necessary, remember, you’ll be carrying it all to and from the campsite! Spare clothes are also a good idea in case of a mud attack, however don’t overdo it; be sure to use your packing space wisely!

Essentials

they’re easy to forget! - keys, camera, toothbrush, tickets and ID, cash and cards are all very important, so make sure you set a reminder, or you may not even get in!

Sleeping tight

Fluffy socks will save you at night time when the temperature drops. Hoodies and tracksuit bottoms would be best, because after all, you’re camping outside! With that being said, don’t forget your sleeping bag!

Looking the part

Festival looks go from one extreme to the other, but the one thing most people have in common is.. GLITTER! So make sure you’re well equipped, they will probably be selling it inside the festival but for high prices! Other little bits such as stick on tattoos or flowers won’t go amiss either. As silly as it may sound, a fanny pack is almost essential when walking around the festival. You’ll be able to keep all your valuable belongings safe on you at all times; won’t regret it! Another hack when packing your garms is mix & match clothes. This will help you to save space, so see which outfits you can swap around to create more glam looks! This will allow you more space for spare underwear and socks - you’ll need them!

Helpful extras

We all know how little time it takes for phones to run out, especially when you’re snapping the whole day, so a portable phone charger can be a lifesaver. Keeping your phone on airplane mode whilst it’s charging or you’re not using it will also save you valuable percentage. Ear plugs may also be a clever idea for those who value their extra winks like I do! And a torch can also help you navigate your way round after dark, saving you from tripping over those sneaky tent ropes! Padlocks for your tent will also give you a little extra peace of mind throughout the day when you leave your stuff. Tying a flag or balloon to your tent may also be worth your time when hunting through the thousands on your campsite, or maybe even tie one to your friend that gets lost often!

We hope these handy tips make your festival a little more carefree and fun-filled! Enjoy x