DELEGATES heading to London for The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary international congress in July are reminded that the deadline for booking accommodation at preferential rates through the Boundless2015.org website is 11pm GMT on Tuesday 31 March.
The dates of Boundless – The Whole World Redeeming (1–5 July) coincide with the Wimbledon lawn tennis championships as well as several other high profile events in London. Accommodation is, therefore, in high demand and prices are climbing by the day. To help congress delegates, hotel-booking partner HelmsBriscoe has negotiated with industry partners to ensure that 16,000 hotel rooms have been made available, with prices set several months ago. All rooms booked through the congress site have en-suite bath or shower facilities and prices are inclusive of all applicable taxes and – unusually for London – breakfast.
Thanks to HelmsBriscoe’s bulk booking power, the rates – guaranteed until 31 March – are in many cases cheaper than booking direct with the hotel or via price comparison websites.
For example, the exclusive rate for Boundless delegates in the Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath – just a 20-minute bus ride away from The O2 – is £119 per night (compared with a nightly rate of £169 when buying direct from the hotel or £167 via booking.com).
Significant savings can be made by booking a £105-a-night stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Dartford via the Boundless website (the best rate direct from the hotel is £112 per night).
And HelmsBriscoe has secured a £20-per-night saving at the ibis budget hotel in London Whitechapel, close to where William and Catherine Booth began the work of The Salvation Army in 1865. (Boundless delegates can take advantage of a £125-per-night rate, which would be £145 if booked direct.)
Good deals are also available for family groups booking apartments via the Boundless2015.org portal. A two-bedroom apartment for four people complete with fully-equipped kitchen at the Go Native property in Earl’s Court is available at £176.40 per night. The same accommodation would cost £319 per night if bought direct.
Meanwhile, a similar apartment at the prestigious Fraser Place development in London’s Docklands – one stop away from The O2 on the Jubilee Line – is available for £216 per night for Boundless delegates booking via the HelmsBriscoe service (compared with £271 on booking.com).
International Congress Delegate Affairs Coordinator Louise Rutterford’s clear advice to delegates is ‘act soon’. She explains: ‘there is no better time to book – don’t leave it too late. The rooms that have been reserved for delegates will be opened up to the wider public once the 31 March deadline has passed, after which there is no guarantee that sufficient accommodation will remain for Salvationists and friends attending this landmark congress.’
Hotel prices in London are only likely to rise between now and July, so delegates are advised to act quickly.
All prices and availability are correct as of 4pm on 10 March 2015.
Feature by IHQ Communications
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