We still laugh when we remember an anecdote that happened 17 years ago. The hotel was fully booked that evening, the restaurant was busy and plenty of guests were sitting in the bar and lobby.
The barman who wanted to tease the new receptionist had a perfect plan. He called from his bar to the reception through an outside line with a different voice…
Barman: “A client of mine is somewhere in the lobby or bar waiting for me; could you please ask Mr. G to come on the phone? His name is Mr. G.Raf.”
Receptionist through the intercom: “May I have your attention please; there is a telephone call for MR. G.Raf at the reception. Mr. G.Raf is requested at the reception.”
As nobody came to the reception, the receptionist thought that she did not speak enough loud and she repeated: “MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE, THERE IS A TELEPHONE CALL FOR MR G.RAF AT THE RECEPTION!”
Some people in the restaurant lobby and bar start laughing, who has a name like giraffe???
The barman made it even worse! He called again and asked for Mr. Fant. He wanted to speak to Mr. Eli Fant.
Receptionist through the intercom: “May I have your attention please; there is a telephone call for MR. Eli Fant. I repeat, there is a telephone call for Mr. Eli Fant at the reception.”
When more than 100 people were laughing so much the receptionist understood the joke!
The Christmas Market in Antwerp (Kerstmarkt Antwerpen) runs this year from December 8 until January 6 through several streets. Starting from the famous Groenplaats to the Handschoenmarkt, the Grand Place and from the Suikerrui to the Steenplein.
The Christmas Market in Antwerp is always a friendly place to get together on a winter evening in December. There are many stalls, heated terraces, animation, an old carousel, fire systems etc. Something we all look forward to enjoy!
The Christmas Market is opens on weekdays at noon until 9 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays the market is already open at 11 AM and closes at 11 PM
There are some special opening hours too: on following days:
- Monday, December 24: closes at 6 PM
- Tuesday, December 25: open from noon until 9 PM
- Monday, December 31, 2012: closes at 6 PM
If you would miss it this year… in January we have Sales 2013 starting on the 3th!
If you have followed our hotel’s Facebook page you will know that many friends were talking about me before I arrived. There were free nights to win for the person who could guess my name and for the person who could guess my date and hour of birth. 2 people are very happy with their FREE NIGHT at Astoria Hotel, the hotel where later I will work first as a trainee and later as the big boss.
My mother Deborah and my father Yannick are very proud of me because I already know how to scream in the baby phone and how to express myself when there is something I want. Let me tell you, when I want something, I want it now! You better hurry up when I say so.
This morning a woman came to my home, put me on her scale and she said I’m fine with my 3.330 kg. (As if this woman knows what’s good for me)
Friends from Facebook told me to be very sweet and quiet for the coming weeks because Santa Claus is coming in December with lots of presents. I promise to do my best to get the maximum on presents! After Santa Claus I’ll open my mouth again… that’s also a promise! 
Warm regards,
Liam
(Future General Manager)