The Scarlet

We must be getting closer to the opening day. The F&B team met last week for training what a great day! Meeting, laughter and generally getting to know one another was mixed up with some team building. Our team building exercise was to create a sand sculpture on Mawgan Porth beach. We took Jasper, the hotel dog, with us too and had very good intentions of giving him a nice walk and some fresh air. Jasper led the way to the beach dragging Christine behind and the rest following hastily. Jasper was ready for some serious fun but little did we know how much! We made the short walk and the team started to think about the task ahead, shoes off trousers rolled up and digging straight into the sand. Right before our eyes a mini creation was afoot!

Paul decided to let Jasper off his lead to play with his favourite frisbee. The frisbee went high and far and so did Jasper leaving a cloud of dust as he scampered into the dunes. The excitement had struck Jasper…he was gone and there was no way of catching up with him unless you were superman! Screams could be heard echoing around the beach as Paul called into Jasper’s owner, Nikki, to break the news whilst Kate and Mike were hot footing across the dunes and up the deadly hill! Passers by directed them to the path that Jasper had taken and fear took over that he wouldn’t be seen again. Aloft Anchorage, a house up the hill, there was Jasper basking in his victory of escapism.

Finally the exhausted three had caught up and the lead was put back on Jasper before heading back to the beach. Nikki could be seen traipsing through the dunes holding a box of treats. Loads of fuss was made of Jasper and Nikki showed us how it should of been done!! A happy Jasper reunited with his frisbee. On returning to the team an almost life size car had been made in the sand. Scarlet 09 our dream car had been created, eco friendly and what a superb beast it was!! What a great day for team building, even if it didn’t quite go to plan!

Our dutch hot tubs have been loaded onto the lorry that will carry them from Holland to their new home here at the Scarlet.  The hot tubs will be positioned just by the natural pool with an uninterrupted view of the beach and the ocean.  The Scarlet spa will offer seaweed soaks in the hot tub - imagine - relaxing in the warm revitalising water in a totally stunning and tranquil place looking out to sea with a glass of champagne in your hand - bliss!

Inspired by our philospohy and as an amateur potter I really wanted to create something that could be used in the hotel.  Starting last September a number of new ideas were tried out in my little studio at the back of the garage.  A bud vase, tea light holders and tea bag saucers were all in the running, but as a beginner I needed something simple that I could throw quite cionsistently and reasonable quickly. 

In the end it was agreed that I make these little salt pots, especially when we found some really cute spoons to go with them.  I fired that last batch yesterday (Sunday 26th July) and am looking forward to seeing them in use shortly.

Nikki Broom - General Manager

On the day we moved the crane we all had to evacuate the building at midday for safety reasons, so that one MASSIVE crane could lift and move the HUGE crane that has been in place for approximately 12 months off the site.  ‘A significant milestone in our project manager’s diary’.  Quote from the site Project Manager, Andy Cook. 

So folks one gigantic step closer to a finished, awe inspiring hotel with many wonderful features - exciting stuff!

Forgive us, Chris, for seeing the funny side but yes, you’re quite right the plan to receive your delivery of woodchip straight into the store by cleverly reversing the lorry into position did not quite work out!!  We’re sure the next delivery of woodchips for the boiler will run smoothly…..!

The copper wall in the hotel is an integral part of the concept of the building.

On a dramatic cliff top it visually and physically anchors the building back to the solidity of the rock beneath and the road behind. It visually establishes the boundaries of the space it occupies, providing a strong element that separates the functions of the hotel, the public private, the tranquil and the social. The wall also has a technical purpose; it is a supporting spine providing structural support.

Walls are solid, honest structures, powerful and captivating providing a sense of place and comfort, ease and security. And yet walls can hide secrets, they ‘have ears’, they can be mysterious. They can unite and divide at the same time.

“Two prisoners whose cells adjoin communicate with each other by knocking on the wall. The wall is the thing which separates them but is also their means of communication.” Simone Weil, Philosopher

Hello!  We have taken online social networking by storm and have joined twitter!  For those of you who are unsure what Twitter is exactly here is a definition from Wikipedia ‘Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others’ updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to other users - known as followers - who have subscribed to them’.  It is actually really fun and you can follow your favourite celebs as well as friends and of course the minute by minute updates on the Scarlet.  To follow us search for theScarletHotel.

We have also got more info and photos as well as a place for you to ask us questions or let us know what you think of the Scarlet on our Facebook pages http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Newquay-United-Kingdom/The-Scarlet/51370355215?ref=ts and http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=36472144939&ref=ts.  Look forward to seeing you online!

Wooden groynes are used for various reasons in engineering - especially marine engineering.  We have managed to source the wooden groynes used in the outdoor areas of The Scarlet from Plymouth Harbour.  The groynes were no longer needed in the harbour and were looking for a new home.  The idea fits in perfectly with our sustainability policy as well as allowing the exterior to meld itself with the surrounding environment.

We think the groyne above ‘2 persons only’ must have come from a ferry dock - it is now separating the outside area of a few of our rooms.  The second image shows the groynes sheltering the hot tub area - quite a view!

Have you often dreamt of swimming in your own garden?  Have you ever sat in the evening dreaming of being at one with nature?  Well now you can when you come to the Scarlet and swim in our natural pool! Whereas swimming pools are often artificial in appearance and cleaned with chemicals, our swimming pool is in harmony with the rest of our luxury garden and, all importantly, is cleaned naturally.  The build of our pond is a complex, but natural system and by careful planning, the natural biological balance of water, plant and animal life will be achieved.  Our finished pool will be a balance between what you require and what we can provide, all highlighting your stay at the Scarlet.  If you too want to plan your own unique swimming pool, we have the knowhow so please get in touch.

Click here to read more on what the experts say about the benefits of natural swimming pools

The Scarlet Team so far took a couple of days out to learn a few new skills and get to know each other that little bit better.  We headed to Woodland Valley, an organic farm in a small village called Ladock not far from us here in Mawgan Porth.
We weren’t quite sure what we were in for when, on arrival, we were introduced to our instructor for the next two days, an ex military man named ‘Spanner’.
As it turned out ‘Spanner’ was an encyclopaedia of all things survival based and had prepared some very interesting tasks for us to complete.  The training culminated in a boys vs. girls relay of tasks that had to be finished to his satisfaction before moving on to the next.  It was lots of fun and the fact that the BOYS WON is really not important!!!!
We can all now build a shelter, catch our own food, and if necessary light a fire using nothing but a mobile phone and some wire wool.  As Sustainable Property Manager I can assure you the Hotel will always be warm and cosy but should the worst happen we’ve got you covered.
Chris Brown