The annual marine trade extravaganza that is METS is underway in its usual location in the Rai on the outskirts of Amsterdam. METS 2009 incorporating SuperYacht Pavilion is taking place in Amsterdam from 7-19 November 2009. www.mets.metstrade.com.
It is one of the essential shows of the year and as you might expect we are here. The hotel we have stayed in over past years has been sold on and the owners have recreated their own quirky brand in what was a former down market supermarket in the central area close by the Pijp a trendy area much loved by the young set seeking good food and fun drinking bars.
The hotel is V and we describe as quirky because it is like no other hotel. To call it no frills would be insulting but do not expect grand bathrooms packed with Jo Malone, ours is so small it is definitely one person at a time! It is however clean, tidy, very up to date and unlike all to many establishments has light airy bedrooms with extremely comfortable beds with good quality linens. Sparse furniture, in early 1970s style, sets the theme with long black and silver painted corridors and glass globe ceiling lights. The hotel has the smallest elevator known to mankind that is far from kind to men of ample girth! But best of all for the visitor seeking to work it has free wifi, unlimited free coffee and tea at the bar and even has work stations equipped with iMacs for those who do not bring their laptops. Oh and the staff are really great, friendly and helpful.
New products we have seen at METS are presented on our alternative blog site at Super Yacht News