The UK’s first hotel video podcast, which enables guests to check out their hotel’s history, facilities and surrounding area launches today. 

Hand Picked Hotels, Julia Hands’ unique collection of 14 luxury country hotels across the UK and Jersey, is launching the free service in response to recent industry figures that show over half of all hotel users* go online when researching hotel bookings.

The video podcast or vodcast – a first for the hotel industry – features a seven-minute video of Rhinefield House Hotel, a luxurious country mansion dating back to the 1890s. It includes commentary, Impressive aerial and close up footage of the hotel’s history, architecture, ornate carvings and grounds set in the heart of the New Forest.

Julia Hands, Chairperson and CEO of Hand Picked Hotels, comments: “With over half of all hotel bookings made online and an increasing number of broadband users, this new service will appeal to more tech-savvy travellers.

The new vodcast will give our guests a great taster of Hand Picked Hotels, enhancing their experience so they can view and listen to the house’s fascinating history as they explore the hotel. It also allows people to know exactly what they can expect when they book with us.”< /span>

The video podcast is available online from www.handpicked.co.uk and can be downloaded onto video iPods and any video based mp3 players

The vodcast is a key feature of the all new Hand Picked Hotels website, which was redesigned, incorporating customer feedback, to enhance usability and to reflect the stylish look and feel of the collection of hotels, which have undergone a £40 million refurbishment over the last five years.

The service will be rolled out to the other hotels in Hand Picked’s luxury collection in the near future, depending on its reception with guests.

– ENDS –

For further information or to request an image, please contact Stephen Callis (T) 01732 471 036 (E) scallis@handpicked.co.uk

• 52% of hotel business users and 57% of hotel leisure users – BRDC British Hotel Guest Survey 2006

• Select Hand Picked Hotels also feature an iPod ‘plug and play’ facility in rooms so that guests can listen to their favourite tunes

• Created by former City lawyer Julia Hands, the exclusive Hand Picked Hotels collection are 14 architecturally splendid former country houses, renowned for stunning interiors, exquisite food, fine wines and excellent service in a relaxing atmosphere.  The hotels are conveniently located across the UK, from Surrey, Kent and East Sussex, to the New Forest, Jersey and Edinburgh

• Rhinefield House Hotel received the AA’s Red Star status in September in recognition of superior quality of accommodation and customer service.  This was in addition to three other hotels: Ettington Park Hotel near Stratford Upon Avon and Wood Hall Hotel & Spa in Wetherby

• Rhinefield House Hotel received Hampshire Life’s Restaurant of the Year 2006 for its Armada Restaurant