Christmas has come early for Birmingham’s premier boutique hotel as sales figures report a record December. Malmaison’s revenue is up 10% year on year, with last Saturday being the hotel’s most successful in its history.
The Mailbox-based hotel has welcomed over 1,300 guests to its Fire & Ice themed Christmas parties, as well as hundreds of revellers every weekend to the Bar, which has become one of the city’s festive hotspots thanks to guest DJs and themed cocktail menus. Malmaison’s Brasserie has also been oversubscribed throughout December and the newly-launched Afternoon Tea offering is bringing in shoppers from across the city. Festive cheer has reached the hotel’s Reservations team, with every Friday and Saturday seeing record bookings.
Damian Goom, Malmaison’s General Manager, commented:
“December really has been a record-breaking month for us; we have beaten our sales record three weekends in a row and last Saturday saw our revenue hit £57,000. Our rooms are running at over 90% occupancy, which is a real achievement given the number of hotels and serviced apartments in the city centre alone.
“The team has worked tirelessly to deliver some great group business and bring in bookings from German Market visitors as well as party-goers attending our Fire & Ice parties. We’ve held 11 events, including fire-eaters, themed rooms, a vodka luge and festive menu. Added to this, we’ve had some fantastic private events from businesses and charities. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved; I think it’s safe to say that 2015 really is going to big for us, particularly with The Mailbox re-launch.”
These sales figures come just in time for the New Year, which will see big changes at the city centre hotel. The first week of January sees work start on over 30 Club rooms that will receive complete makeovers. The refurbishment includes the introduction of coffee machines and Eames Chairs, as well as interior design overhauls of exposed brick walls, luxurious carpets and faux fur soft furnishings.
Towards the end of January, the hotel’s first floor will receive its own transformation, starting with the Brasserie. A brand new dining area, complete with booths, will be created and the Private Dining Room revamped. The new-look Chez Mal will welcome a new French-inspired menu, whilst also serving signature dishes like the New York Strip Steak and Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Following this, the Bar will get a makeover, starting with the removal of the existing red columns and raised seating area. The main change will be an entrance direct from The Mailbox Mall, making it even easier to stop by for a cocktail whilst enjoying some designer retail therapy. The outside entrance will remain, and the patio will undergo a slight makeover in the hope of some early spring sun.
The hotel will remain open during the work, and the Bar and Brasserie will continue to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; with some events moved to the Mezzanine floor during crucial construction times. Work is due to complete in February, with the main launch ready for The Mailbox’s re-opening in Spring 2015.