Deadly Dinos: Dino stories, sing-a-long fun and Jurassic crafts!
At room2 our guests safety and well-being, and that of our team during these unprecedented times remains our absolute priority. We are remaining open to serve the front line and key workers who are assisting in the national effort to combat this virus, however have introduced a number of measures and steps to limit the potential spread, and we ask you to please respect and abide by them. They are as follows:
Opening hours
The building remains open to guests 24hrs a day. A member of our team will be based in the Living room / lobby area the whole day, and you can reach them or our duty manager by calling 07916220022 should you require anything. However when communicating face to face with the team please respect the advised 2m distancing as mapped out on the floor of the lobby.
The Living room and bar
Unfortunately to limit interaction the Living room and bar is closed to all guests. We will not be serving food or drinks, the Co-operative supermarket just 3 minutes walk away should you wish to buy and food or drink to consume in your room.
Breakfast
Unfortunately we will not be serving breakfast in any capacity during the lock down period, however there is a Co-operative supermarket just 3 minutes walk away should you require any breakfast supplies.
Gym
Our studio gym is closed until further notice, however we do recommend exercising once per day in line with UK Government guidelines, and can recommend walking or jogging routes nearby.
Smoking
The smoking area is around the rear of the building with an ashtray to the left of the ramp. Please do not congregate outside the front of the building. Please also respect social distancing while smoking.
Housekeeping
Cleans – We are no longer providing a daily housekeeping service, however we will of course be continuing our elevated levels of room cleaning upon departure.
Dirty linen – To minimise contact with guests we are no longer changing linen during guest stays. Should you require a change of linen please contact the duty manager on the number above and we will deliver a fresh set outside your room.
To protect our team please can you deposit your dirty linen in the plastic bag your clean linen was provided in and leave this outside your room. Our team will collect this.
Lift Usage
In light of recommended social distancing guidelines, please can we ask that only 1 guest use the lifts at any time unless you are already sharing a room together.
Takeaway deliveries
Only guests are allowed in the building – however we do encourage you to use food delivery services. Should you make a take away order please ensure the driver does not come into the building but is met outside.
Cooking
Please refrain from using the hobbs after 9pm. This is to reduce the likelihood of setting off the fire alarm causing a building evacuation late at night.
Keys
These are yours to keep – please do not return the keys when you check out.
Note should you find that you are experiencing Coronavirus symptoms, please communicate this with our front of house team and self isolate accordingly in your room.
Thank you again for your cooperation in adhering to these measures, and your understanding through this period. It is a tough time for all but together we can prevent the spread of this virus.
We will be assessing policies regarding Covid-19 on April 13th.
Stay safe
From the room 2 team
We just wanted to let you know that we are still open to essential and frontline workers or those needing temporary accommodation if your normal accommodation or abode is unavailable.
If this is the case, we’d love to do what we can to help you during this challenging period, so please contact us directly to discuss this at hello@room2.com or call +44 208 748 2645
In line with government guidelines on the 21st March we closed our co-working space the Living Room at room2 Southampton to all external customers. We hope to welcome you back for a post-covid coffee or beer soon.
We will be assessing policies regarding Covid-19 on April 13th.
At room2 hometels, we are committed to ensuring the long-term wellbeing of our staff and guests whilst providing flexibility regarding guest travel plans. We are continuing to closely monitor events and follow the advice of the UK Government and World Health Organisation (WHO).
We are aware that many of our guests and travelers are being impacted by this evolving situation and are doing what we can to assist through this tough and unprecedented period.
We would like to remind all guests who have booked or would like to book directly with us on our Fully Flexible rate(s) that these can be canceled or amended free of charge up until the period mentioned in the booking terms (property specific).
Furthermore, we would like to inform guests who have booked directly with us, or would like to on our non-refundable, advance purchase rates that we have increased the flexibility on these rates and guests can now amend these bookings free of charge, for any future date until the end of December 2020. (Rate changes may apply, amendments must be made at least 24hrs prior to arrival)
Guests booking via third parties are advised to contact their booking provider.
Additional cancellation policy changes apply to guests who have specifically booked Cruise Travel departing from Southampton. Please contact us directly to discuss this further.
If you have made a group reservation with us, or are a corporate booking agent who have guests booked with us, and would like to make cancellations or amendments to current or future stays, please contact us directly to discuss this further on (+44)20 8748 2645 or hello@room2.com.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates where relevant.
London’s drinking scene has definitely been shaken up this year and here’s our handpicked ‘best of’ London’s bars and pubs. From wine to spirits to craft beer. Whether you’re looking for a quirky themed bar or instagrammable tipples, there should be one to tickle your fancy.
Aviary– Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace Bar
We start off with a bar that has reached for the skies in its attempt to be unique. Aviary has a breath-taking city view. You can choose to go outside and sip your cocktail on the terrace or dine at the restaurant inside. Skilled bartenders will make you a drink that fits your preferences or you can try the classical recipes of well-known drinks. Something tells us that you will soon be back for another margarita at Aviary.
GinTonica – The Distillery
If gin is your lifeblood, save this Notting Hill bar in your Citymapper favourites. There’s no surprise that the gin menu is extensive, with spirits from Alicante, Brooklyn, Hamburg, Perth, Camden and more, all served in a traditional copa de balon. Make sure to take a sip of the classic Portobello Road Gin 171! GinTonica is definitely one for the instagram too.
Located on 157B Commercial Street in London, Spitalfields Bar is a combination of everything you can want in London. The bar was opened in the basement of a steak restaurant, so you’ve got an element of mystery. Their bar manager is a winner of the UK World Class Bartender of the Year award, so the staff are trained to mix to perfection. Expect something different each time you visit the bar as the menu gets switched up pretty often.
Welcome to a place with a great atmosphere that is designed to satisfy the need of every bar lover. The leather booths along the bricked wall give it a cool feel and leave enough standing space for people to be able to chat and walk around. At the Original Sin you will find a pool table created in American style where people can play for free. Their cocktail menu will make the night last longer because you will just want to try everything.
Unlike many other bars out there, a Hong Kong-style speakeasy-bar-meets-tea-room below Soho’s Bun House. Enormous chairs, luminous red and green Chinese symbols and traditional Chinese music from the 60s will greet you as soon as you enter. If you’re up for a journey on the vodtrain, ease yourself in with a Mango & Chilli cocktail, which features baiju in the background of a bold fruitiness and heat that builds and tingles.
First-timer on a cruise and wondering what to pack? Here’s a quick guide of essentials that need to make their way into your suitcase.
Carry-on
Make sure to have all your essentials and important documents in your carry-0n. Pop in a change of outfit too, that way you’ll get the chance for an outfit change while you wait for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin.
Your passport
Goes without saying, this one’s crucial to any form of travel. Definitely another one to pop into your carry-on as well and do make sure it’s in easy reach, just to save you from unpacking your whole bag before being able to find it.
Swimsuit
You are going on a vacation after all, so taking a swimsuit was probably the first thing on your mind. Since they’re very light, throw in a couple of extra pairs! Nothing wrong with a different bikini for each day 😉
Sunscreen
As much as you’ll be enjoying the sunshine and getting that tan on, you’ll also want to keep your skin protected from those sun rays. Take a travel size bottle with you wherever you go on the ship just in case!
Formal attire
Although the days are relaxing and you can spend a whole day by the pool, at night you will want to dress to impress. Most cruises have a dress code at night so make sure to consider this. A cocktail dress or a suit is essential for any cruise.
Proper shoes
Cruise ships make regular stops to allow for guests to explore, so make sure to pack some comfortable walking shoes for when you have a lot of walking planned in the day.
Portable charger
Pack portable chargers because they are a lifesaver for your technology on board. You’ll be snap happy with that camera of yours! Wouldn’t want to miss out on that instaworthy shot now, would you?
Hats, caps, aloe vera
Protect that face and head of yours whilst staying stylish! There’s plenty of caps and sun hats out there to suit everyone’s fashion sense. And in case all else fails after-sun skincare should be at the ready to keep that tan glowy.
This is your complete guide to events happening in the UK to keep an eye on for the rest of the year. We have reviewed many exhibitions, festivals and fashion events to gather the most interesting ones for you to mark on your calendar. Take a look and make sure you’re not missing out on anything good.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships
1 July – 14 July, London
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship is held in London and the tickets are going fast. It is known as the longest-running tennis tournament in the world and one of 4 annual Grand Slam tennis events held around the globe. Guests of the event will be able to enjoy world-class tennis right in the middle of the event. Buy your tickets in advance from the public ballot.
19 – 21 July, Woolwich, London
This year we celebrate 50 years since the first landing of the man on the moon. Hollywood already contributed by making the movie ‘First Man’, exploring the life of Neil Armstrong and the first ever space mission that allowed a man to walk on the moon. Now its London’s turn to celebrate the anniversary. Head to Woolwich and take part in music performances, art exhibitions, moonlit film screenings and science lectures, all hosted by The Moon Festival.
27 March – 11 August, Tate Britain, London
The lifetime work of Van Gogh comes to life before our eyes. The Tate Museum has organized an exhibition to honour the impressionists. Over 45 exhibits are planned to be presented to the public. Visitors will be able to see iconic paintings – Starry Night Over the Rhône and Sunflowers to name a few.
August 2019, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh
The National Theatre Scotland is organizing a performance based on the best-selling Jackie Kay’s memoir Red Dusty Roads. Directed by Dawn Walton, the storyline mirrors the book, where we follow the poet on her journey down memory lane. The story is focused on her decision to leave the home of her parents who adopted her and to start looking for her birth parents all the way from Scotland to Lagos. The stage adaptation is a co-production of Manchester’s HOME and The National Theatre Scotland. If you are in Edinburgh, make sure to book your tickets.
24, 25 and 26 August, London
Europe’s biggest street carnival comes to life once again to celebrate in true Caribbean style. The celebrations seem to only grow larger, brighter and better each year. Costumed performers entertain the public under the sounds of typical Caribbean beats. The carnival was first organized in 1966 to celebrate the Caribbean traditions and culture in London, and ever since it has just become a yearly festival be attend.
13-22 September, across England
If you are interested in history and culture, put those days down on your calendar. England’s largest history and culture festival starts in September to mark the 25th anniversary of the event. The festival is a combination of 5,000 events so that everybody can find something for themselves. Choose between music performances, workshops, exhibitions and much more. This year the theme of the festival is ‘People Power’ to mark the important way through which people have changed the world over time.
5 November, London
Bonfire Night, also known as the Guy Fawkes Night, is celebrated each year to mark the anniversary of 5 November 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his team tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I in the Gunpowder Plot. Bonfires are lit to symbolize ‘burning’ the guys and a huge celebration is thrown with food and music. Buy your tickets in advance as they sell fast.
It’s time to sit down and pick the brain of our founder, Robert Godwin. Here’s what he has to say about his inspiration to open the world’s first hometel and his future aspirations.
It was a sunny afternoon in Southampton and the light was breaking through the window into the Living Room. Rob was sitting in front of me having his first flat white of the day and enjoying the relaxed start of the morning. For a busy man running a unique business he doesn’t get to experience many slow mornings like this – he’s usually rushing around to meetings, travelling between Southampton, Hammersmith and potential sites, all to develop the hometel brand.
How did the idea of room2 came about?
RG: room2 was born from understanding people and their accommodation needs. Guests are flocking to Airbnb, it gives people flexibility, comfort and routine. However, it lacks the security, services and the quality assurance of a hotel. There was a gap in the market in the real estate sector for a place between Airbnb and a hotel. We wanted to change this, to give people more options and create a space that suits the needs of the modern-day traveller.
Where did you get your inspiration from for the design of room2?
RG: The design inspiration behind room2 came from design-led hotels, such as Ace and Soho House, which I was inspired by as they stand out not just with their aesthetics, but with the different approach of established hotel perceptions. The core of room2 is to create a community and to give guests the opportunity to connect with the brand. We wanted to expand the concept of the modern traveller by thinking about what millennials will expect to find in an accommodation that has been created to be both comfortable and functional.
What did you have to do to make sure room2 was different to other hotels?
RG: We created a place for guests to live in instead of treating it as a room they are only temporary staying at. In order to do this, we had to have a different approach to any of our competitors. It is important for us to be flexible and open so that the guests can make the most out of their stay and know that they can talk to us about anything. As being a part of a community, we wanted to make sure that we work with local businesses and our guests know this. We are all a big family – this is what we want our visitors to feel when they book a room with us.
Why did you pick Southampton as the location of the second room2 site?
RG: We see opportunities to invest in locations where other hotel owners underinvest. The guests of room2 appreciate the alternative we offer of a creative space, which opens the way they think. As Southampton is a place that supports communities, we decided that it was the perfect location for a brand with family value. We are currently considering as well as inviting purchase and partnership opportunities across the country and are already working on plans to open room2 sited in other UK locations such as Manchester and Chiswick.
At just 30, this is your second business, following a successful leadership undertaking the role of MD for Lamington Group. What did you do before getting into the real estate sector?
RG: For 10 year my brother Stu and I travelled and raced boats for Great Britain. I competed at the highest international level but have always been interested in the real estate sector. Part of my racing experience was staying in different accommodations that began to feel soulless to me after a while. This is when I first started thinking about the concept of a hometel. I wanted to create a space where design and personality meet and the only rules about the stay are the ones that the guests make so that travellers can feel at home whilst being away from it.
What can we expect to see you achieving in the future?
RG: I am focused on working to expand the growth of design-led hotels across the country. As a subcategory, I believe that room2 has the potential to shift the perceptions of the real estate sector and give travellers more options to choose from. We currently have plans set in place to work on a pipeline of 200+ units over three sites and after that increase to 1000 in the next eight years.
Looking for May half-term activities to keep the kiddies off the sofa? From Plaster Casting to Deadly Dinos, there’s plenty to do at each venue for all ages.
Garden Fairies and Elves (5-12yrs)
Tudor House & Garden
Tuesday, May 28th 10:30pm – 1:00pm
Have you ever wondered where fairies and elves come from? Join the Tudor House team to find out about their history and create some magical artwork.
£8.00 // Pre-book on: 023 8083 4536
Wizard School! (5-12yrs)
Tudor House & Garden
May 29 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Head on over to the Tudor House and Garden for this spellbinding Harry Potter-inspired workshop! Experiment with potion-making and make a magical wand to take home with you. Fancy dress welcome.
Morning Session: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Afternoon Session: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
£7.00 // Pre-book on: 023 8083 4536
Deadly Dinos: Dino stories, sing-a-long fun and Jurassic crafts!
£4.50 // Pre-book on: 023 8083 4536