The Clerembeax Palace Hotel and Spa – Martini Moments

The beautiful Downshire village of Clerembeax St Giles was situated to the west of Abbeyvale located between Grace Hill and Bushy Down and on the outskirts was the Clerembeax Palace Hotel and Spa.

It was once the home The Clerembeax’s, who arrived in Downshire following the Norman conquests and stayed for a thousand years before the name died out following the death of the reclusive Marcus Clerembeax at the age of 96.

The current owner was Yvonne Labuschagne, who decided to open it as a Hotel and Spa.

The Spa was a good attraction, but it was crucial for them to maintain a high occupancy rate, however things were tough in the Hotel trade with the success of Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express and so places like the Palace needed to offer something extra to attract the guests, apart from the Spa. 

So, they put on novelty weekends, such as “Murder Mysteries” and in addition, they had a sizable Ballroom which was used for special occasions, high days and holidays, which boosted occupancy and Spa numbers at the same time.

On the 19th of June the Ballroom was booked for National Martini Day, on which there were awards for Gin, Vodka and Vermouth producers, Cocktail exponent’s and there were Martini related merchandise for sale to the aficionados.

There was also live music before and after the awards and one of the Bands performing were local to the Village, The Saracens, and it was two of their number, Connor MacDonald and Andy Tapp, that waitresses Claire Paddon and Lauren Rhodes were attracted to.

 

Connor and Andy had been keeping a watchful eye on the waitresses all during their sets and during one of their breaks they were at the side of the stage chatting when they noticed Claire head off in the direction of the kitchen, and they nodded to each other and Andy went in search of Claire while Connor walked briskly over to where Lauren was standing. 

 

Ten minutes later Connor walked to the stage just as Claire returned from the kitchen, accompanied by Andy who then joined the rest of the band.

“Well?” Claire asked when she returned to her friend.

“Well what?” Lauren replied

“Did Connor ask you?” Claire asked

“Yes” she said excitedly, and they hugged

“But how did you know?”

“Andy told me” she replied

“But how did he know?”

“Connor told him?” Claire said

“Oh”

“Anyway, Andy told me” she said “and then he kissed me”

“Where?” asked Lauren, wide eyed with curiosity

“On the lips stupid”

“No, I mean, where?” she explained “Where were you when he kissed you”

“Oh outside” Claire clarified

“What were you doing outside?” Lauren asked “Apart from being kissed”

“Well I went to the kitchen” Claire explained “and when I came out Andy was there waiting for me and he told me not to go back to the table because Connor was asking you out”

She paused for breath and then continued

“Which was taking forever by the way, and we were blocking the door, so he suggested we went outside and that was when he kissed me, in the moonlight, it was very romantic”

“Wow” Lauren responded “And did he ask you out as well?

“Yes” she said excitedly, and they hugged again

“Who’d of thought it, I have a date with a musician”

Lauren said

“Me too” Claire squealed just as the boys started to play again.