Monday 1st October saw the opening of the new build Holiday Inn Southend in Essex. The £10 million investment provides luxury 4* accommodation and services conveniently located at the entrance to Southend Airport and railway station sector.Reception is immediately visible from the entrance with a reception lounge to the right and lifts to the five floors on the left. Further to the left of the lift lobby is the Lounge – a café option for a quick bite to eat. Through the Lounge is the Laker Suite, a conference and banqueting facility that holds up to 150 guests. The name was apparently selected as a tribute to Sir Freddie Laker, the airline entrepreneur who operated from Southend Airport in the 1950’s. Smaller meeting rooms are available and are named Ambassador, Britannia and Carvair in honour of those planes that featured in Southend Airport’s history.
Similar décor and furnishings are used seamlessly through reception, the Lounge and into the conference area with large floor to ceiling windows veiled with voile curtains. This still allows natural light into the areas whilst keeping the slightly disappointing views of the main road and car park to a minimum. There are incredible views of Southend and the airport, cleverly reserved for the 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar.
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