Define Your VIP Experience

We all know that VIP stands for Very Important Person and I think we all have the same understanding of what it means to be classed as a VIP. But what happens when you use it in the context of a VIP experience? Does that mean the same to everyone? Somehow I doubt it.

Just stop for a moment and think. What, to you, would be a VIP experience? Is it a red carpet, no queues, or privileged access? Personally, I experienced my idea of a VIP experience in 2006 when my father was awarded an MBE for his work in local government. Our VIP day began when a Rolls Royce arrived at my parent’s house to collect us for the journey to London. After a brief site seeing tour we arrived at Buckingham Palace and were driven through to the inner courtyard. Once inside the Palace, my father was ushered off to be briefed with the other recipients whilst I and the rest of the family were shown through to the opulent Ballroom. After a short while the Queen entered escorted by the Lord Chamberlain flanked by two Ghurkha Orderly Officers. It was with great pride that I watched my father be presented to the Queen to receive his award. After the ceremony and photographs outside the Palace, we returned to our waiting Rolls Royce and were swept out through the Palace gates (as we waved to the crowds of tourists) and off for a delicious meal to celebrate. Now to me, that is VIP treatment.

Here are three other perspectives of a VIP Experience:

‘A VIP experience for me is when I call at the last minute for a reservation at a good restaurant, they already know my name (from a circulated VIP list) and can accommodate me – this I can get in nearly any major city I travel to in Western Europe and some of South East Asia. I call a number and ask what shows are in town that evening and what do they suggest I see, I get my ticket delivered to my hotel or restaurant and a cab picks me up to get me there on time. I have details of my travel plans uploaded to my web page and virtual network, and before I arrive I have a text/email telling me where and when there is a social event that I may find interesting and if I want an invite just let them know, they give a snap shot of the guest list and advise dress etiquette. To sum it up, a VIP experience for me is to know that the folks you are talking with care and want to help you make the best choice for the best price. I have confidence in their ability to meet my requirements and feel valued and not pressurised.’

Gordon Whyte

‘VIP treatment to me is when a staff member of a hotel or restaurant provides exceptional service. I enjoy the small touches that make a visit memorable. Whether it is an individualised hand written welcome back note from the General Manager of a hotel or the staff remembering I can’t sleep with hard pillows and replacing them before I arrive such as the service at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.’

Linda Ruck
LR Communications, Singapore

‘I think being treated as a VIP invariable means paying for extra privilege. Frequently it is seen as an exceptional level of customer service which unfortunately comes at a price, usually only accessible by those who can afford to pay for it. However, in my personal opinion, this type of treatment can be experienced by everyone in one form or another. In essence, being treated like a VIP is being made to feel special, looked after, cared for. It’s about the personal care and attention that one receives. It is attention not just before, but during and after.’

Kim Rix
CEO – http://www.savvyclub.co.uk

So what does a VIP experience mean to you?

www.savvyclub.co.uk – London’s first Boutique social events club offering stylish, exclusive & memorable events

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How did you spend your May bank holiday weekend?

How did you spend your bank holiday weekend? Relaxing with the family? Generally switching off from work and indulging a bit of ‘me’ time?

When you run a high-end social events club in London, switching off is never that easy.  Married for nearly 2 years, my husband has become accustomed to the fact that every meal in a London restaurant, luxury holiday, dinner party or any celebration we attend is an opportunity for research and to learn something new. I am always on the look out for ideas, useful information and ways to bring my members the very best stylish and memorable events to ensure that they have a packed and varied social events calendar to enjoy.

 

Taking the express train from Paddington, our weekend started half an hour later when we arrived at the African Queen (a cruising hotel and restaurant), moored alongside Mapledurham House and Water Mill, near Reading. Apparently the house was the inspiration behind Wind in the Willows.  ‘Toad Hall’ is Mapledurham House and ‘The Wild Wood’ behind the house is where Badger used to live.

 

  

 

Our hosts, from South Africa, Andy and Bonny were very welcoming and introduced us to our fellow shipmates (8 other couples) before setting sail on our sunset cruise.

Our cruise itinerary took us through Mapledurham Lock, Whitchurch Bridge (for Panbone), Reading, Sonning and Marsh Lock (for Henley-on-Thames) where Local MP Boris Johnson was not in evidence – too busy becoming Mayor!

 

Moored up outside Uri Geller’s house (famous for his claim to be able to bend spoons and keys with his mind) we stopped to look at The Mill at Sonning – an 18^th Century flour mill that has been converted into a Dinner Theatre. Guests enjoy a home-cooked meal before watching a performance and after the show can enjoy drinks in the bar. The locals told us that before the existence of the Theatre, Sonning was just a sleepy little village. Now in its 26^th year, a lot of well-known actors (eg Dame Judi Dench) have performed at the theatre, putting Sonning well and truly on the map – and tickets sell like hotcakes for every show.

 

There is another little gem in Sonning though, The Bull Inn which is mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome’s ‘Three Men in a Boat’. This traditional English 16^th Century inn offers friendly hospitality, an excellent selection of real ale, and first class bedroom facilities – the perfect place to rest after a night at The Mill.

 

After stopping for a wonderful lunch we indulged in a very relaxing horse and cart ride. Led by Ian Smith of Country Ways, our journey started at Darkwood Farm in Nettlebed. Four burly Suffolk Punches were shackled up and took us through the beautiful countryside passing Antony Worrall Thompson’s gourmet Restaurant, The Greyhound Pub, along the way. 

Having already organised a river cruise for the final day of Henley Regatta on July 6^th, I was keen to investigate what other vessel charters are available for comparison.  Hobbs of Henley offer a range of boats catering for parties of 12 to 200, but the magnificent beauty that really caught my eye was the luxury motor yacht owned by Thames Executive Charters – lush leather and mahogany interior, seats 12 and probably more suited to the tastes of The SaVVy Club members.

 

Of course, all this research does have its perks. As well as generating some ideas for more stylish and memorable events for The SaVVy Club, our bank holiday weekend was relaxing and really helped to re-charge the batteries. Whoever said “a change is as good as a rest” was spot on. It was wonderful to have a change of scenery; to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City for a while and to have the opportunity to slow down and enjoy our beautiful countryside. 

 

Written by Kim Rix – CEO – www.savvyclub.co.uk

London Social Events Club – The SaVVy Club^® is London’s First Boutique Events Club offering Stylish, Exclusive, Memorable Events for professional individuals.

 

 

 

 

 

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Experience a VIP Social Theatre Event – Marguerite – Friday 9th May, 2008

It is time to indulge in a little ‘me’ time. Switch off the phone, relax and treat yourself to a very memorable evening at the theatre.

 

But this isn’t just any theatrical performance; this is a new musical – Marguerite. A love story set in Paris during the Second World War, Marguerite draws inspiration from one of the greatest of romantic novels, La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas. Ruthie Henshall, the award-winning West End and Broadway actress, returns to the London stage to play the title role.  

 

Your VIP experience includes champagne on arrival, a complimentary programme, superb stall seats (Row F) and interval hospitality. As the final curtain falls we shall make our way to Mint Leaf restaurant for the authentic flavours of India fused exotically with a unique ethnic edge to round off this perfect evening.

 

Book your seats today – don’t delay or you could be too late.

 

London Social Events Club – The SaVVy Club^® is London’s First Boutique Events Club offering Stylish, Exclusive, Memorable Events for professional individuals.

 

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How much would you pay for a purrrrfect cup of coffee?

It is official. The world has gone mad for coffee. You only have to look down your average high street and count the number of coffee shops to see that we have embraced the concept of caffeine on tap. There is something to suit everyone – from espresso to latte and just about every flavour imaginable.

 

The rather excess price of our favourite tipple has even become accepted. We used to baulk at the thought of paying in excess of £2 for a cup of coffee – or at times, a cup of froth with a hint of coffee flavoured brown liquid hidden below. But not anymore.

 

So what would you consider expensive for a coffee? How much would you be prepared to satisfy those caffeine cravings? How about £50? What?! I hear you cry as you choke on your steaming mug of instant. But I kid you not.

 

A cup of coffee, claimed to be the most expensive in the world, as just gone on sale for £50 a cup. It is brewed with a blend of Jamaican Blue Mountain and the exclusive Kopi Luwak bean. If you think the cost is unpalatable read on, it gets worse. The Kopi Luwak bean is collected from cat droppings and sells for a reported £324 a kilo. No, don’t look at your calendar, it’s not April Fools Day, this is for real.

 

The coffee has been blended by coffee expert David Cooper. The Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is made from beans eaten and expelled by the Indonesian civet cat that lives on plantations across south-east Asia. Workers collect expelled beans from the plantation floor, wash away the dung and roast them.

 

Has that got the taste buds going? If you are tempted to try it out pop down to the Peter Jones department store in London’s Sloane Square during April. You will be able to choose from the usual range of coffees, including espresso, which also sells for £50 a shot.  All proceeds are being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

 

Sally Ormond

Editor

The SaVVy Club^®

 

 

London Social Events Club – The SaVVy Club is London‘s First Boutique Events Club offering Stylish, Exclusive, Memorable Events for professional individuals.

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