The Crafters Conservatory: Adventures in Sweden. Part I

Monday, 3 September 2012

Adventures in Sweden. Part I

SWEDEN IS AMAZING.

Here's why;

Thursday 30th August.

I met the group I was to travel with (Gabriel from Visit Sweden, Andrew from Scandinavian Airlines, and 4 girls from other agencies like mine around the country) we checked in and made our way to the business class lounge where we drank Prosecco and had our first taste of Swedish food in the form of a cold cuts selection. We boarded and 1 and a half hours (and a few more gins) later we arrived at Gothenburg Airport.

We drove for about 25 minutes before arriving at the Clarion Post Hotel, it's one of Gothenburg's oldest buildings and was the main post and sorting office for hundreds of years. The hotel bar was absolutely packed and it was immediately clear that we were in the hottest spot in the city judging by the beautiful people and amazing looking cocktails. We went into the restaurant and had salami and cheese sandwiches with beer and met Anthony from the Gothenburg tourist board who was our local guide for the rest of the trip. As it was now about 11pm and we had all done a days work before the journey to Heathrow we retired to our rooms.

Friday 31st August

We woke and met the group in the hotel lobby at 9am, and had our first proper look around the hotel. The history of the building has been really nicely retained, with exposed walls, original features and quirky elements that remind you of the original purpose of the building - every where you turn there is something post related!

We wandered around the hotel and saw all of the different bedrooms, suites, meeting rooms and public areas which are all amazing. The hotels in this area all have a real focus on design, not just comfort. Everything has to be efficient and luxurious, but also slightly unusual and eye catching - so I was in interiors heaven.