It’s been ten years since Drake London was founded, and after another busy year representing some of the best hotels around the world, we thought we would share what we have been up to! So here’s a look back at Drake London’s tenth year – with a dash of what’s to come.
We Founded Drake London Ten Years Ago
January
Launching our new website www.drakelondon.com and blog chased away the winter blues and has provided a wonderful platform for updating everyone on what we’ve been up to. We have covered secret gardens in and around Venice, the fabulous Villa F, Venice Film Festival at the Bauers, the parks and gardens of Seville and Casa de Carmona, autumn in Lausanne and the Beau-Rivage Palace, the launch of a Venetian inspired recipe book, and unique Spa experiences at Cinq Mondes Spa Watch this space for more to come!
February
We were delighted to start working with The Bauers of Venice, and February was spent putting everything in place to promote the recently opened Villa F on Venice’s Guidecca Island. We prepared and targeted press packs and press releases, and enjoyed full attendance at our press launch in Claridge’s to showcase Villa F, resulting in numerous press enquiries and follow-up coverage. Guests included Tatler, Harpers Bazaar, FT, The Times, Tempus, Telegraph and Brides Magazine.
March We were asked to launch the Bauers cookery book “Celebrate in Venice”. Over sixty press and guests attended, including journalists from Tatler, Country and Town House Magazine, House & Garden, World of Interiors, The Evening Standard, Conde Nast Traveller, and renowned photographers Uli Weber, David Brook and Chris Caldicott all attended the fun evening. The evening’s icing on the cake was the entrance of our favourite actor, Jeremy Irons.
April
With spring well and truly sprung, we launched Town and Country Experiences in and around Seville and the gorgeous Casa de Carmona. The Moorish architecture, Arabian gardens and warm hospitality make Casa de Carmona an impressive and luxurious location for experiencing the best of traditional Andalucian hospitality, culture and history. Take drawing classes, cookery lessons or olive oil and tapas trails, to name just a few! The Casa is now available for exclusive use and it’s the perfect place to party as the owner, Felipe Guardiola Medina also has a catering company which is the toast of the city!
May
To celebrate ten years of Drake London, we set off to one of our favourite events of the season; the Concours d’Elegance. Packing a picnic for ten, we arrived in a vintage car and picnicked beneath the stars on the lawns of the Club. After dancing and vintage fairground rides we ended the evening in a wonderful spin – and all set for another year of Drake London!
June
Arranging a two day press event at The Pelham hotel, we invited a selection of lifestyle press to a showcase of the hotel’s breakfast, a vintage tea-time theme and the new cocktail menu in the evening. Photographers, designers, hotels, castles and palaces were all in attendance. Harpers Bazaar, The Times, Conde Nast Publications, Country and Townhouse Magazine and London bloggers were just a few of the publications attending the events.
We also visited Venice with the Bauers. We were all looking forward to a photo shoot of the city with seasoned Italian photographer Massimo (we have also been improving our own photographic skills this year with our new camera which was a Drake London birthday present, most images we use are our own photographs) . Handpicking five fantastic locations to photograph, we suggest:
- St Marks Square at Dawn (Well worth the 3 am Wake-Up Call)
- The Rialto Fish, Fruit and Vegetable Market on the Campo de la Pescheria
- The private gardens of the Bauers Villa F
- Boats to the surrounding islands
- The craftsmen and artisans of Venice
July
July found us at the stunning Beau-Rivage Palace on the shores of Lake Geneva, a peek at their newly refurbished suites, still being prepared for their autumn launch. Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the area, exploring the old town and markets, cycling around the lake, visiting the vineyards or just soaking up the incredible views from the hotel’s balcony.
August
We used the month of August to brainstorm and prepare our social media plans for the remainder of the year planning new creative tours for 2014 at some of the hotels (watch this space for news). Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for luxury travel news and information, and join in by sharing your own travel experiences.
September
London’s prestigious members only RAC Club (Pall Mall) was the venue for an incredible five course lunch, cooked by our very own Beau-Rivage Palace chefs. The Beau-Rivage Palace’s executive chef and team flew in to cook for a group of journalists that we arranged, representing publications from The Times to private jet lifestyle magazine, NetJets. The cod fillet a la plancha, wild duckling breast, figs and smoked tea marmalade showcased the innovative menu on offer at the Beau-Rivage Palace, along with a superb selection of accompanying wines chosen by the palace’s award winning sommelier.
October
Busy organising press events at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Paris, we enjoyed meeting with some top contacts for our client. We breakfasted and dined with journalists at the Four Seasons, and hosted a press lunch at the exclusive Le Relais Boccador in the eighth arrondissement. Air France Madame, Challenge Magazine, Vanity Fair and key Parisian bloggers all attended.
November
In November we launched the new Spa Suites at the Beau-Rivage Palace to nationals, glossy, health and well-being press, lifestyle magazines, and a social media campaign.
December
Preparing press releases for Christmas celebrations at The Bauers and Beau-Rivage Palace. A stay in a luxury hotel makes the ideal present for anyone. We have been writing about Christmas markets, decorating the trees with Venetian glass and delicious winter menus at all our properties. We are all set to celebrate Christmas and a new year at Drake London! There are too many people to thank, but Justin and Nina, who have both been with Drake London for over five years, Daisy on social media and a big welcome to our new team member, Sarah.