Hoxton Pony hosts tea parties and Hilton hotels honour loyal guests

08-Apr-2010 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 22:55 GMT

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The Hoxton Pony's cocktail infusion jar

Restaurants, hotels and pubs tell us what they're doing to make their business more appealing and draw in more trade

The hospitality industry may be about providing food, drink, accommodation and service, but sometimes you have to do that little bit more to pull customers in. If you’re stuck for ideas on building excitement at your restaurant, pub or hotel, check out what these businesses are doing for inspiration.

Boozy tea parties

East End cocktail bar The Hoxton Pony has created a range of tea-party style cocktails and an accompanying menu to appeal to fans of the book and film Alice in Wonderland. The venue is allowing customers to book a tea party for two to five people where they can drink cocktails in tea cups served from an Infusion Jar which keep drinks cool and mixed while they dine. Cocktails are designed to be shared, are changed seasonally and include Gin'n'Roses (£40), Cherry's Cup (£40) and Spring & Belvedere (£75). An accompanying menu, including cucumber and salt beef sandwiches, home-made scones with jam and cream and ginger pudding are served alongside the cocktails on a silver afternoon tea stand.

Kids eat free

The Marylebone Hotel in London is running a 'Kids Eat Free' deal to families staying there throughout April. Children up to the age of 12 are being offered the chance to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hotel's 108 Marylebone Lane Restaurant & Bar when accompanied by an adult who has requested the discount on check-in.

Sex and the City

Von Essen's Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath and St James' Hotel & Spa in London are both offering Sex and the City-themed packages to appeal to female guests this spring to tie-in with the release of the latest film. The Royal Crescent hotel's £275 per room, per night SATC package includes free transfers to and from Bath Spa station, use of the hotel's spa, a beauty treatment, a 'fashionista' afternoon tea and a 10 per cent discount at some of the city's designer stores. St James's £325 Sex and The City Chic package allows two people an overnight stay, a Cosmopolitan each, a two course meal at the hotel's Bar & Bistro and a full English breakfast.

Hilton honours

Hilton is giving away a free night or double points to reward club members who complete four stays at their hotels, including Doubletree and Waldorf Astoria hotels, anytime between 6 April and 30 June. Members just register at hhonors.com/freestays and stay at participating Hilton brands in order to redeem the free stay or extra points for use at any of the 3,500 hotels in 81 countries within a year of collecting them.