IHF HIGH COURT CHALLENGE SUCCESSFUL

JLC Order Quashed

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has been successful in its High Court challenge to have an Employer Regulation Order quashed. The IHF has stated its decision to take these legal proceedings has now been vindicated and that the case was never about challenging wage agreements but was about what was an unfair and unjust process at the Hotels Joint Labour Committee (HJLC) and the Labour Court. The IHF said that it is pleased that the State conceded that the IHF would have been successful on a procedural ground if the legal proceedings had continued.

According to John Power “The Irish Hotels Federation and Michael Vaughan of Vaughan Lodge, were compelled to take this action and the outcome today clearly vindicates our action and that we were correct to undertake this legal proceeding.” All costs were borne by the State, and the IHF concludes that it will re-engage with the HJLC which it has been a member of for some 40 years. “Our hope is that the HJLC procedures will result in an enlightened and transparent process as a result of the significant outcome today,” says John Power.

FROZEN MASH MAKES DELIA'S 'MUST HAVES'

Supermarkets are bracing themselves for a Delia Smith deluge, as shoppers rush to fill their cupboards with her latest recommendations. What Delia uses, we buy Her new book, Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking, lists several must-have ingredients. Stores have already ordered extra quantities because whatever Delia uses, we buy. Her tips are guaranteed to become best-sellers. Last time she put her name to products, supermarket shelves emptied.

The so-called 'Delia effect' started an egg obsession, boosting sales by an extra 54 million. Cranberries and capers were also mentioned, and both enjoyed similar success. Among the ingredients in her latest book are some unexpected entries. McCain oven-ready frozen chips and Aunt Bessie's frozen home-style mashed potato both make the menu. As do most of the main supermarkets, each with an own-brand product name-checked and endorsed. Delia has even produced a little orange sticker to help shoppers find the products.

"I'm not sure I'd buy frozen mash when you can make it so easily," one shopper told Sky News. But others were more impressed. "I probably will try what she says, of all the TV cooks she's the most straightforward and down to earth," another said. Delia sparked a rush on eggs in 1998 The book is already topping the best-seller lists, but her pick of products and name-dropping of supermarkets has been raising a few foodie eyebrows. Some smaller retailers are not impressed.

The Guild of Fine Foods represents independent, specialist food stores and producers. Its Chairman, Bob Farrand said: "The industry as a whole is slightly angered by some of the products she's chosen. Many of our members are asking what is she thinking of recommending people to buy mass produced food like this? She's clearly gone very commercial." Not all the ingredients are big-names, and there are several entries for local firms. One company which previously benefited from the Delia effect is Maldon Sea Salt. Managing Director Steven Osborne said: "Last time we completely ran out of stocks. This time Delia contacted us and gave us plenty of warning so we've been upping production. We've already got 200% more orders which is fantastic."

THE PERFECT SPA ESCAPE

The perfect spa escape is now only a click away with the launch of a new Irish website providing a one-stop shop for the most luxurious spa break options in Ireland. http://www.spa-ireland.com/.

Featuring over 1,400 treatments, Spa-Ireland.com is an independent guide and full service booking facility for over 25 of Ireland’s most sumptuous spas. The site also offers the latest news from the spa industry in Ireland, spa shopping with Nue Blue Eriu and gift vouchers which may be used to book stays in any of the properties featured.

Spa-Ireland.com offers complete information on all the treatments as well as accommodation at featured properties. The comprehensive and easy-to-use website lists international brands such as the new to Ireland Ritz Carlton, the Sheraton, Conrad and Radisson brands alongside independent, properties like Monart and The Park Hotel, Kenmare – leaders in putting Ireland on the map as a spa destination.

Spa-Ireland.com lists its treatments across 76 spa categories, from facials, massages and body wraps, to more bespoke services like Nutritional advice and reflexology. Users can search all the options through a variety of criteria; type of treatment, location, date and even product. Furthermore, visitors to the site can become members free of charge and will have access to seasonal special offers run by selected properties.

In a dynamic partnership, the online shop at Spa-Ireland.com comes in association with Nue Blue Eriu. The shop stocks the range of exclusive brands including Chantecaille, Dianne Brill, Three Custom Colour, Ole Henriksen, Institut Esthederm and Penhaligons, to name but a few!

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE POTATO 2008

This world-wide celebration is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the potato - and of agriculture in general - in addressing issues of global concern, including hunger, poverty and threats to the environment. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness at a national level of the benefits of potato in the Irish diet. Ireland’s involvement includes both an international and a national dimension. Through a series of activities held throughout the year.

Watch the International Year of the Potato Video

GET COOKING AT PONTOON BRIDGE

Cookery classes recently recommenced at the Pontoon Bridge Hotel Cookery School allowing guests to enjoy one day courses and cookery demonstrations with a line up of talented chefs. The school is headed by Mary Geary, who is also the founding member of the successful ‘Chefs of Mayo’ organisation. Chef Mary Geary at a recent cookery demonstration at the Pontoon Bridge Hotel Cookery School.

CALL TO END THE BOTTLED WATER 'RIP-OFF'

Out to make a quick profit? Most restaurants push diners to buy expensive bottled water instead of serving free tap water, a consumer group has claimed. A fifth of customers are shy about asking for tap water when eating out, the National Consumer Council in UK has found.

The group is calling for an end to what it calls the mineral water rip-off. Seven out of 10 people questioned thought mineral water in restaurants was too expensive and wanted free tap water to be readily available.

Only one in 100 restaurants in north west England and London always offer free tap water over the bottled variety, according to the survey of 1,000 people. NCC senior policy advocate Carl Belgrove said: "Some restaurants are willing to offer tap water to their customers, but the majority push mineral water just to make a quick profit." Serving free tap water at restaurants would also reduce the number of plastic bottles thrown away, the NCC added.

Bottled Water Information Office spokesman Richard Laming said: "We agree that people should always have a choice of bottled water or tap water and the vast majority of restaurants are only too happy offer that choice. But people often prefer to choose bottled water for a number of reasons. They like the taste of different bottled waters and the assurance that they know exactly what source they come from, as well as having the choice of still and sparkling water."

IRISH PROPERTY GROUP ACQUIRE 4 US HOTEL PORTFOLIO

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Forms Joint Venture with Harte Holdings of Ireland, Signs Agreement to Acquire Four-hotel Portfolio from Blackstone for $208 Million

Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:IHR) , a leading hotel real estate investor and one of the nation's largest independent operators of full and select-service hotels, today announced that it had formed a joint venture with Harte Holdings of Cork, Ireland.

The joint venture signed a definitive agreement to acquire four hotels from affiliates of The Blackstone Group for an aggregate price of $207.8 million. Interstate will invest approximately $11 million for a 20 percent equity interest in the four hotels. Interstate will fund the acquisition with available cash and capacity under its senior revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008. The four properties included in the joint venture acquisition are:

Property Rooms Location
Sheraton Frazer Great Valley 198 Frazer, PA
Sheraton Mahwah 225 Mahwah, NJ
Latham Hotel Georgetown 142 Washington, DC
Hilton Lafayette 327 Lafayette, LA
Total: 892

Interstate currently manages three of the properties and previously managed the Latham hotel for the Blackstone Group and MeriStar Hospitality. Upon closing, Interstate will manage all four hotels under new management agreements. The partnership plans to invest more than $30 million of additional funds for renovations on the hotels over the 24 months following the acquisition, with Interstate's contribution expected to be approximately $2 million. "This joint venture represents a continuation of our hotel real estate ownership strategy and expands our JV partner universe," said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate's chief executive officer. "The four-hotel portfolio was attractively priced, at or below replacement costs, and aligns well with our portfolio of wholly owned and JV real estate holdings."

"The hotel package includes two key upscale, full-service brands, Hilton and Sheraton, and a well-recognized independent boutique hotel in Georgetown that offers significant repositioning opportunity," Hewitt added. "Three of the properties are located in key urban and major suburban markets with strong barriers to entry-Washington, D.C., northern New Jersey, and the Philadelphia area. The fourth property, the Hilton in Lafayette, La., is having an exceptional year with RevPAR growth in excess of 20 percent, and we expect the hotel to provide strong, stable cash flow going forward. With the anticipated capital investment, this entire portfolio has considerable upside operating potential."

"As one of the few management/ownership companies with a strong and growing international presence, we will continue to seek global opportunities and relationships," said Leslie Ng, Interstate's chief investment officer. "Harte Holdings is a highly regarded Irish investment and development company which owns a wide variety of real estate projects in the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe, and we look forward to exploring other opportunities together, both domestically and abroad."

"This is our first hotel joint venture in the U.S., and Interstate, with its successful track record, its management expertise, and the advantages afforded by its size, represents a very strong partner," said Donal Kelleher, investment director of Harte Holdings. "We look forward to expanding our relationship with other similar opportunities."