An award winning Newcastle hotel is celebrating its first birthday by transforming a historic railway arch into a contemporary modern arts space.

Art in the Arch@Sleeperz, an exhibition of light-based art and urban city-scape photography, opens at Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle later this month marking a successful first year’s trading in the North East Capital.

The exhibition has been installed in a passageway beneath an original railway arch of the East Coast Edinburgh to London rail line that is now part of the hotel.

Sleeperz Hotels, an innovative UK budget hotel operator, transforms unusual pieces of land close to mainline rail stations into modern design-led city centre hotels.

Javeed Anwar, marketing director of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “You will find art work in almost every hotel, hanging on walls or sitting on side tables.

Art in the Arch@Sleeperz is different entirely. We are working with local artists to transform this archway into an exhibition space, giving the hotel a completely new dimension for guests, and featuring work that shares our passion for modern contemporary design and architecture.”

The company opened Sleeperz Newcastle, a 99-bedroom premium budget hotel, in January 2012, on the site of a former derelict parcel works next to Newcastle Central Station.

Six months later it was recognised by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) with a Hadrian Award for architectural excellence, and described by the Architect’s Journal as Newcastle’s “Hip Hotel.”

Sleeperz Cardiff Hotel also won a RIBA Award for architecture after it opened in the Welsh Capital in 2008.

In 2012, Sleeperz Newcastle welcomed more than 34,000 guests to the hotel.

“Newcastle has quickly established itself as the highest performing hotel in the group. Our focus on providing an affordable and elegant city living experience has helped us stand out in Newcastle’s ultra-competitive hospitality industry,” added Mr. Anwar.

Art in the Arch@Sleeperz is being curated by Carlo Viglianisi and Nick Maylan of Empty Shop, an independent not-for-profit arts organisation, based in Durham.

Empty Shop regenerates empty and disused spaces, turning them into art studios and holds events, exhibitions and workshops for a network of North East artists.

The exhibition features a photo-essay curated by architectural photographer Steve Mayes telling the story of how disused parcel works sheds were transformed into an architecturally striking and award-winning hotel.

Durham based light artist Mick Stephenson will also be showing light-based sculptures inspired by building, architecture and design.

Mick spent 20 years as a sound and lighting technician in the music business and 15 years as a builder. Stephenson’s Fusion installation featured 4,000 pieces of everyday materials lit with LED lighting, and was commissioned for Lumiere 2011 – Durham’s bi-annual winter festival of light.

Art in the Arch@Sleeperz will be open to the public from Thursday February 21st, for hotel guests and the general public to view.

To find out more about Sleeperz Newcastle and Art in the Arch@Sleeperz, visit: www.sleeperz.com

Javeed Anwar Sleeperz Hotels Head of Marketing at launch of Art in the Arch at Sleeperz Hotels

Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle, a 99-bedroom six storey hotel close to the city’s Central Station, was top rated in the family friendly hotels category of LateRooms.com’s Simply the Guest Awards 2012.

The awards are voted for by customers of the travel booking website and are based on reviews by guests who stayed at the hotel.

Javeed Anwar, head of marketing for Sleeperz Hotels, said: “It’s extremely pleasing when a hotel wins an award voted for by its customers rather than a panel of industry experts. It shows that you are meeting the needs of your customers and providing the kind of service that helps people enjoy a pleasurable and memorable hotel stay.”

91 per cent of LateRooms.com customers said they would recommend the hotel to a friend and 92 per cent said they would definitely stay again.

Sleeperz Newcastle has ten family rooms, all featuring a queen sized double bed and spacious bunk beds.

Innovative space saving furniture, including a pull-out luggage rack, floating shelving and open wardrobes on the walls make great use of space and are designed to exceed the expectations of a family staying in a modern city centre hotel. Children under 15 also eat free at the breakfast buffet which serves hot and continental style food.

One Laterooms.com customer wrote:

“The hotel lived up to the description; clean, modern and functional. Surprisingly, given the location in the city centre it was very quiet in respect of both traffic noise and other guests. Breakfast was well presented with a wide choice of both hot and cold items. Good value for money, friendly helpful staff, central location; would definitely stay here again.”

This latest award adds to an impressive year for the innovative budget hotel business which opened its Newcastle hotel in January 2012.

In June, Sleeperz Newcastle won a RIBA Hardian Award for architectural excellence from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architect’s Journal described it as “Newcastle’s Hip Hotel.” Sleeperz Cardiff hotel previously won a RIBA Award in 2010.

The hotel was built on the site of a former derelict parcel works and is just two minutes’ walk from Newcastle Central Station. Sleeperz Hotels has plans to expand and build new hotels with sites under consideration in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

For more about Sleeperz, visit: www.sleeperz.com and Laterooms.com Simply the Guest Awards 2012.

Capt. Stephen Healey, from Rumney Cardiff, died serving with the 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh in Afghanistan and was the 415^th British soldier to die during combat operations.

Staff from Sleeperz Hotels Cardiff pledged the funds to support Capt. Healey’s partner Thea Davies, who is raising money for a military veterans charity by running 415 miles over the next year by entering marathons and half marathons.

Ms. Davies is running for Blind Veterans UK, a charity set up to help veterans recover from sight loss and regain a sense of independence in their lives.

It was a charity close to the Capt. Healey’s heart and one which has helped many wounded members of 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh Guards.

She has already raised more than £3,500 since she started running in October and is heading to Bermuda in January to run the Bermuda Marathon.

Laura Peeroo, general manager of Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff, said: “Christmas is a party season but more importantly it’s a time for giving.

Members of the armed forces make the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe and sacrificing our Christmas party kitty is the least we could do to show our support for Thea and to honour a true Welsh hero.

We wish her every success in clocking up those miles and applaud her determination to help our wounded veterans.”

The hotel staff donated its £200 party kitty, which was made up to £400 by Sleeperz Hotels, a fast growing innovative budget hotel operator, with hotels in Newcastle and Cardiff.

David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “I’m so proud of our Cardiff team for making this generous donation and bringing Thea’s fundraising efforts to our attention. We wish her well and there will always be a bed waiting for her to recover in whenever she runs in Cardiff and Newcastle.”

You can find out more about Thea’s 415-mile fundraiser at: www.facebook.com/415miles and donate at: http://www.justgiving.com/415miles

For more about Sleeperz Hotels, visit www.sleeperz.com

Tess Campbell, 23, from Darlington, has been promoted to Deputy General Manager at Sleeperz Hotels Newcastle, just one year after joining the company to work at its premium budget hotel near Newcastle Central Station.

Sleeperz Hotels is a fast growing innovative budget hotel operator with hotels in Cardiff and Newcastle and plans to expand into Manchester, Birmingham and London by 2015.

It specialises in building stylish design-led hotels on unusual pieces of land near mainline railway stations in the centre of major UK cities.

Ms. Campbell studied International Tourism Management at Leeds Metropolitan University and worked at Hotel Bannatyne, Darlington and at MalMaison in Leeds before being recruited by Sleeperz as reception manager at its first North East Hotel.

Mark Armstrong, general manager of Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle, said: “Every once in a while you find someone who has all the personal qualities you look for in a future leader and in Tess’ case her age was irrelevant, she was ready and willing to take on management responsibility and she is already making a major impact on the business.”

Campbell’s rise up the management chain has mirrored the success of the Newcastle hotel, which opened in January 2012, on the site of a derelict parcel works near St Nicholas’ Cathedral and the city’s historic Castle keep.

In its first year, Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle won a RIBA Hadrian Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects for architectural excellence and was described by The Guardian’s hotel critic as a “trendier version of a Premier Inn.”

Ms. Campbell, said: “Sleeperz Hotels has an innovative business model where staff work across all departments of the hotel, learning to excel in everything from housekeeping to food and beverage and customer relations.

I’m thrilled to have secured my first management role with the company because we all muck in together and I get stuck into every aspect of the hotel operation. I am learning the business of hotel management in a truly rounded way that can only make me a better hospitality professional in the long term.”

Sleeperz Hotels demonstrated its confidence in Campbell’s ability by making her acting general manager of the Newcastle Hotel just days after she was promoted.

She ran the hotel and its staff for two weeks while her general manager took annual leave.

David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “Tess is an excellent example of how Sleeperz aims to develop and inspire its staff.

She has the warmth and charm that people expect when they come to Newcastle and our customers inspire her to work hard and provide a first class service. We strongly believe in the idea that if you’re good enough you are old enough.”

For more visit www.sleeperz.com

(Newcastle, June 21 – 2012) A landmark city centre hotel in Newcastle is celebrating after winning a prestigious award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Sleeperz Newcastle – the 98-bedroom premium budget hotel near Newcastle Central Station – was recognised by judges for architectural excellence at the RIBA Hadrian Awards in Leeds last night.
The award means the hotel joins a list of elite buildings in the UK that RIBA recognise as having achieved the highest architectural standards and which make a substantial contribution to the local environment.

The sleek glass fronted hotel opened in January and was built in a heritage conservation area on the site of a derelict former Parcel Works on Westgate Road.
This is the second time RIBA has recognised Sleeperz Hotels for the quality and appearance of its hotel build and design.
In 2010, its Cardiff hotel won the RIBA Wales Award.

David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “We believe in acquiring land that is unusual and extraordinary in shape and transforming it into stylish landmark city centre hotels offering every modern convenience and comfort at affordable rates to leisure and business travellers.
To win two RIBA Awards for our first two properties is a monumental achievement and worthy recognition for our vision of creating beautiful budget hotels in Britain’s leading cities.”

Sleeperz Newcastle is only the second hotel built by the fast growing UK budget hotel operator. It has plans to open new hotels in Birmingham, London and Manchester by 2015.
Both the Cardiff and Newcastle hotels were designed by award-winning London based architects Clash Associates, who have succeeded in making the hotels into modern, highly-visible and instantly recognisable buildings.

Peter Clash, of Clash Associates Ltd, said: “This award is extremely pleasing. Sleeperz Newcastle is an innovative building made with quality materials and constructed on a difficult city centre site in the central conservation area.”

Newcastle based Metnor Construction Ltd was hired to build the hotel with around 90 local jobs created during the construction.

The RIBA Hadrian Awards are the regional awards for the North East from which the winners are put forward for the national RIBA Awards. The winners of those awards are considered for the RIBA Stirling Prize.

For more about Sleeperz, visit: www.sleeperz.com

The 98-bedroom glass fronted hotel near Newcastle Central Station was recognised by judges for architectural excellence at the RIBA Hadrian Awards in Leeds last month.

The award means Sleeperz Hotels Newcastle joins a list of elite buildings in the UK that RIBA recognises as having achieved the highest architectural standards and which make a substantial contribution to the local environment.

The hotel opened in January and was built in a heritage conservation area on the site of a derelict former Parcel Works on the city’s Westgate Road.

This is the second time RIBA has recognised Sleeperz Hotels for the quality and appearance of its hotel build and design.

In 2010, Sleeperz Cardiff Hotel won the RIBA Wales Award.

David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “We believe in acquiring land that is unusual and extraordinary in shape and transforming it into stylish landmark city centre hotels offering every modern convenience and comfort at affordable rates to leisure and business travellers.

To win two RIBA Awards for our first two properties is a monumental achievement and worthy recognition for our vision of creating beautiful budget hotels in Britain’s leading cities.”

Sleeperz Newcastle is only the second hotel built by the company. We have plans to open new hotels in Birmingham, London and Manchester by 2015.

Both the Cardiff and Newcastle hotels were designed by award-winning London based architects Clash Associates, who have succeeded in making the hotels into modern, highly-visible and instantly recognisable buildings.

Peter Clash, of Clash Associates Ltd, said: “This award is extremely pleasing. Sleeperz Newcastle is an innovative building made with quality materials and constructed on a difficult city centre site in the central conservation area.”.

The RIBA Hadrian Awards are the regional awards for the North East from which the winners are put forward for the national RIBA Awards. The winners of those awards are considered for the RIBA Stirling Prize.

Newcastle launches its Olympics activity with a men’s game on July 26 and hosts a further eight matches culminating in a men’s quarter-final on August 4.
Sleeperz staff in our two great cities are looking forward greatly to welcoming Olympics guests from around the world. Best book your room now!
For more on the London 2012 football tournament, click here (http://www.london2012.com/football)

Pick up a map of Newcastle at Sleeperz reception and start this walking tour to the best free and family friendly attractions in the city.

Start the day at Great North Museum: Hancock where you can enjoy everything from Ancient Egyptian mummies to a large-scale model of Hadrian’s Wall; the diversity of the animal and plant kingdoms to a life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton.

From here it’s a short walk through Newcastle University’s historic arches to The Hatton Gallery, where Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbarn, considered by many to be one of the seminal artworks of the twentieth century, is on permanent display alongside a highly-regarded programme of historical, modern and contemporary art exhibitions.

Wander past Cath Campbell’s cascading ‘Escapology’ – Northern Stage’s crowning glory – on your way to the Civic Centre. Here in the spring and summer you’ll find ducklings and rabbits wild in the heart of the city, and plenty of perfect picnic spots. While you’re here, look out for David Wynne’s beautiful bronze sculptures – Swans in Flight  and River God of the Tyne, as well as John William Goscombe’s The Response, which shows soldiers responding to the call to arms in 1914.

From here it’s a short walk down Northumberland Street to Tyneside Cinema, a jewel of an independent cinema, recently renovated to reveal its original art-nouveau fixtures and fittings, where you can watch a free old-fashioned newsreel film most mornings at around 11.30am. Check their website for full details of what’s on.

Admire the scale and grandeur of Grey’s Monument as you wander below, and on the way don’t forget to look down – on each side of the eminent Earl Grey you’ll find one of four perspex cubes sunk into the ground, containing an eerie casting of the Earl’s head. The artist, Simon Watkinson, was inspired by the story of the statue’s head being knocked off the Monument by a bolt of lightning.

Nearby you’ll find the Grainger Market housed in a Grade 1 listed building. This is a great place to pick up a light snack or just wander around taking in the variety of sights, sounds and smells. Have a look around and you’ll find the Marks and Spencer Original Penny Bazaar – the world’s smallest Marks and Spencer store.

Head towards Gallowgate Street and wander through the ornate archway, constructed by a team of craftsmen from China, marking the entrance of China Town, towards a section of Newcastle’s surviving ancient walls at the end of Stowell Street.

From here the Discovery Museum is just a short walk away.

Inside you’ll find displays about life on Tyneside through history as well as interactive exhibitions that are a hit with kids and grownups alike.

Head towards Newcastle Central Station and you’ll pass Sean Henry’s Man with Potential Selves sculptures at the corner of Grainger and Neville Street on your way to The Castle Keep – one of the finest Norman stone castles surviving in Britain today. Stand beneath its imposing walls and feel the weight of thousands of years of history.

Next, make your way along the Quayside towards Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the world’s only tilting bridge, on your way to BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art – the world’s biggest gallery of its kind.

While you’re at Gateshead Quays, pop into The Sage Gateshead to admire this amazing glass structure from the inside and take in the stunning views of the river.

After the museums and galleries close the best way to end a thrifty day is with a walk along the Quayside after sunset to enjoy the stunning views of the beautifully lit bridges and the reflections of the twinkling lights in the River Tyne.

Alternatively, if you’re here on a week night and still hungry for culture, make yourself comfortable at The Lit & Phil – the largest independent library outside London which stays open later Monday – Thursday. Check their website for full details.

Our other recommendations for FREE things to do include:

• The Laing Art Gallery
• The Outsiders Gallery
• University Gallery at Northumbria University
• Art Walks
• Globe Gallery
• A Day at the Coast
• Jesmond Dene
• Shipley Art Gallery
• Angel of the North

(Newcastle, April 12 – 2012) Before the internet, a satisfied traveller might write some comments in a hotel’s guest book or tell a friend, now customers go online to tell the world what they thought of their hotel stay.

The popular and growing trend in hotel customers reviewing their stay using online travel websites and booking engines is proving to be a make or break factor for businesses operating in the hospitality industry.

Sleeperz Hotels, the innovative budget hotel business, is one company that is experiencing the benefits of the trend called “word of mouse”.

Sleeperz opened its latest design-led premium budget hotel in Newcastle in January and says strong trading and higher than expected sales in its first three months have been boosted by positive customer reviews on three major travel websites and booking engines.

Sleeperz Newcastle is currently:

www.booking.com –The highest ranked hotel in Newcastle
www.laterooms.co.uk -The only 5/5 ranked hotel in Newcastle
www.tripadvisor.com -The No. 1 Budget Hotel in Newcastle

Javeed Anwar, Head of Marketing and Sales for Sleeperz Hotels, said: “Word of mouse is something that hoteliers and hospitality professionals ignore at their peril.

More and more people are using the internet to book short breaks, hotel rooms and holidays these days and customer reviews can make or break a brand.

The excellent reviews and rankings on three of the most influential websites in the travel industry are a strong indicator of consumer confidence in Sleeperz Hotels, especially as we are a relatively new brand.

We are so confident about this we carry a link on our website homepage direct to TripAdvisor reviews.”

Sleeperz entered the budget hotel sector in November 2008 when it opened its first hotel in the Welsh capital Cardiff. It recorded average occupancy figures of 66% for its first year, well above the city and national averages.

Sleeperz Newcastle is on track to do even better

Mark Armstrong, general manager of Sleeperz Newcastle, said: “We have easily exceeded the occupancy and sales targets we set for ourselves for the first quarter and have found that we are regularly fully booked on weekends.

A lot of this success has been due to internet bookings and positive reviews but it all comes back to a simple truth, did the customer like the hotel and enjoy their stay.”

Sleeperz’s philosophy of creating stylish hotel properties with modern cutting edge architectural design sets the brand apart from other larger competitors in the budget hotel sector such as Premier Inn and Travelodge.

Boutique hotel owner and interior design expert Janine Powell was hired as a consultant to create an air of sophisticated vibrancy at Sleeperz Newcastle.

Newcastle’s glass fronted hotel has compact rooms with fresh, colourful and contemporary interiors.

Aston Bowles, Head of Digital at Newcastle marketing agency Adessi, said: “Sleeperz is a new and interesting brand and they are showing what can be achieved when you combine a good operational product with an engaging online presence, creative use of social media networks and a willingness to interact with customers, whether they are satisfied or complaining.

As in the real world, having a good strategy, listening to people and engaging properly are the cornerstones of being successful in online business.”

The company has plans to expand and Sleeperz has earmarked major UK cities, including Liverpool, Manchester and London as potential venues for hotels in the next phase of the company’s development.

For more visit www.sleeperz.com