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A HANDBOOK

ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS – pg2 BENEFITS– pg 4

APPLY TO SPY - pg 6 AMBASSADORS – pg 7

EVENTS– pg 10 RULES - pg 12

CONTACT SPIES HQ - pg 13  

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What is SPIES Society? SPIES is in no way linked to secret government operatives, sorry to disappoint. A history of spy activity in Moorgate is part of the lore and legend of South Place Hotel, and we have thus adopted SPIES as an acronym for our Society. SPIES is a member’s society, a community that celebrates genius and likes having a good time – not to be smug or exclusive. The team behind SPIES has collected a posse of outstanding sorts to act as Ambassadors, and we’re giving each of them the keys to the house for the weekend. The result? A calendar of intimate, exceptional events. Sometimes we’ll reveal what’s happening; sometimes the Ambassador will wish to be mysterious. Why become a member, what are benefits? Invitations to Society events, access to secret networks, keys to the house, and privileges. Please refer to page 3 for specifics, friend. What does SPIES stand for? Many different things over the course of our days, for example: Supremely Perfumed Individuals Eating Sashimi Sophisticated People Interactively Expressing Selves How can we get involved in the underground network for our own benefit? We are building a virtual lounge for the family. What is the criteria for membership? Our inspiration for SPIES comes from the Latin motto: Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, a quote from Hippocrates which roughly translated means – art endures, life is brief, and opportunity fleeting. We believe in culture, community and legacy. For our members we are looking for personality beyond profession; SPIES is after your secret persona, your inner child. SPIES are curious people with something to give. Are you one of us?

ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS  

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How to join? Existing members of The Club at South Place Hotel are being granted free membership until April 2015. Prospective SPIES are encouraged to apply through this online form: http://www.southplacehotel.com/members/apply From April the membership fee will be £500 or £45 per month. A limited group of early birds confirming membership before April will pay £400 or £35 per month. Gym memberships (which include steam and sauna) are available to members for an additional £250 per annum. Is SPIES still looking for Ambassadors? Our 2015 roster is filling up, but we are always interested in recommendations of exceptional talent for future ambassadorship, or as collaborators on upcoming events. Please do share, and tell us also about the events that your heart desires – we are listening: matahari@spies.london.

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BENEFITS: Aces & Bases  

BASES - SPIES share a base with heated garden and stylish parlour, both with fully stocked and staffed bars. At South Place Hotel you’ll have access to complimentary Wi-Fi and their award-winning (LINK) Concierge (LINK) team. A good Concierge is hard to find. * The Secret Garden at South Place Hotel: Imagine cascading waterfalls and swaying palms, a retractable roof, heaters, twinkling lights and a bar stocked with cult champagnes. Keep an eye out for the wicked Afternoon C menu (C is for Champagne) and Magnum Mondays. Did we mention smoking is permitted? * Le Chiffre at South Place Hotel: This cocktail lounge focuses on cleverly crafted cocktails and rare spirits. The room is full of entertaining diversions - a record collection, books, games, pool table, and appearances from cult DJs, magicians and more. ACES – Discounts and special privileges, with more perks in the works. * FIVE STAR BOLTHOLES: There is a special SPIES rate for stays at South Place Hotel: £175 per night (inc. VAT) for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The rate includes a complimentary upgrade and welcome drink for you and your guest in the Secret Garden or Le Chiffre. * A CHELSEA CONNECTION: Booking privileges for the Bluebird Terrace, part of

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Bluebird Cafe on the King’s Road. This privilege is available exclusively to SPIES and Bluebird Club members. * PRIORITY bookings in 34 D&D restaurants – just phone the SPIES hotline. D&D has restaurants in London, New York, Paris and Leeds. * DISOUNTS: 50% off dinners in 3 South Place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday when dining from the a la carte menu (tables of up to 6). * COMPLIMENTARY bottle of bubbly on your birthday (min table for two, no lone drinkers) when you dine a la carte in 3SP. * COMPLIMENTARY glass of bubbly and priority booking when dining in Angler (tables of up to 4). * INVIGORATIONS: SPIES has a busy calendar of weekly, fortnightly and monthly cultural, culinary and social events, both free and ticketed, at SPH, other restaurants in the D&D family, and occasionally abroad. Phew… First come first served, all events are collaborations between SPIES and Ambassadors to ensure original, inspiring and engaging content *All benefits are subject to availability and may be changed at any time. Bookings must be made in advance.

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APPLY TO SPY  

http://www.southplacehotel.com/club/apply

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AMBASSADORS   DECEMBER Veera Markkanen (aka Veera Sofia); Singer, songwriter (Helsinki) Veera is a London-based Finnish artist. She moved to London in 2011 to do a Master’s Degree in music at Goldsmiths, University of London. As her final project she wrote and recorded a concept album, which became the basis for her recent EP, ‘Measures of Distance.’ The EP explores the space and distance between two people and is inspired by and dedicated to her mother, who passed away, a day before recording began.

The opening track ‘Silence’ takes the listener to the quietness of the Scandinavian landscape. The title track builds the sound up toward a more electronic direction without losing the subtleness of the vocals. ‘Near’ brings the mood down with repetitive piano patterns and flowing guitars. Crunchy electronic sounds build up again in ‘Behind the Mist’ before coming to the final track ‘The Day I Crossed a Mountain’ that feels almost like a hymn; very pure and simple. www.veerasofia.com

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AMBASSADORS   JANUARY Jessica Skye: DJ and Yoga Instructor (London) Jess has spun her way around the UK and Europe, supporting artists such as Terry Farley, Joey Negro, Rich Medina, Tough Love and Tensnake as well as holding DJ residencies at some of London’s top spots. In 2012 she combined her passions for music and yoga, launching Fat Buddha Yoga – a modern approach to an ancient art and science, for a new generation of urban yogis.

She now holds yoga residencies at venues ranging from Google Campus HQ to nightclub basements, sunny rooftops and 5-start hotels. Her mission is to uncloak the mystery surrounding yoga and provide an accessible and fun approach for all levels of practitioners. To make her approach even more unique, Jess crafts bespoke mixes for her four types of sessions: Yoga Virgins, Release, Fire, and Sunday Rehab (exclusive to South Place Hotel). Full information for her classes, to listen and download her mixes, DJ bookings appear below:

Web: www.fatbuddhayoga.com Facebook: facebook.com/fatbuddhayoga Twitter @fatbuddhayoga Instagram @fatbuddhayoga Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/fatbuddhamusic

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AMBASSADORS   FEBRUARY Dara Vandor: Artist, Model, And Accidental Foodie Dara Vandor is an artist born in Ottowa, currently based between Toronto and NYC; her specialty is pen on canvas. As a self-taught artist (her degree is in Art History) she marshalls tens of thousands of tiny strokes en masse. A massive Francophile, she’s journeying to London in February to showcase her new work at South Place Hotel, work largely depicting lingerie, and inspired by the thin surface that divides the lover from her beloved, private from public, subject and object.

http://instagram.com/daravandor www.daravandor.com

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EVENTS  

DECEMBER 5th – Scandi Sauna Social, SPH Wellness Wing, from 6pm 5th - Andy Smith DJ (ex Portishead, The Document), Le Chiffre, from 7pm 6th – Brendan Rodrigues Makes Magic, Le Chiffre, from 2pm 6th - Teamy, DJing from 7pm in Le Chiffre 12th - DJ in Le Chiffre 13th – DJ, Neil Quigley, in Le Chiffre: 19th - DJ, Horton Jupiter, in Le Chiffre 20th - House DJ, Teamy, in Le Chiffre 31st – NYE Party: special members rate for tickets, 10pm – 3am JANUARY 9th – DJ in Le Chiffre 10th – DJ in Le Chiffre 12th – Cigar Tasting, Secret Garden, click for tix 16th – DJ in Le Chiffre 17th – Scandi Sauna Social (facials & detox version) 17th – DJ in Le Chiffre 19th – Makers Master class with Kamm & Sons (free for members, email to book) 23rd – DJ, Matt Bennett (Clash magazine), in Le Chiffre, from 7pm 24th – Jessica Skye party + dinner

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EVENTS   JANUARY 24th – DJ in Le Chiffre 25th – Jessica Skye special yoga session 30th – DJ in Le Chiffre FEBRUARY 4th – Wine Tasting - How to taste wine 5th – Dara Vandor exhibition opening launch party 6th – DJ in Le Chiffre, TBC 7th – Dara Vandor – PARTY DINNER 7th – DJ in Le Chiffre 14th - DJ, Matt Bennett (Clash magazine), in Le Chiffre, from 7pm 16th – Cigar Tasting, Secret Garden, more details coming soon 20th – DJ in Le Chiffre 21st – DJ in Le Chiffre 22nd – Scandi Sauna Social (getting ready for the week ahead version) 23rd – Makers Masterclass, more details coming soon

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RULES   Please keep picnics and pets for the park. Believe in the holy contour of life.* Settle thy bill before departure. Children are most welcome before 6pm. Have fun, keep it legal, and no annoying drunks. Please phone or email ahead if you’d like to be certain of seating. Bring thy membership card and look after your things. Any membership cards found in the possession of an impersonator shall be confiscated. If you must dress up, be it bowties by night. Neckties are for the boardroom. Love thy neighbour, and intermingle with your fellow spies. Respect privacy and anonymity at all times. A three guest entourage is allowed per member in the society spaces, unless by prior arrangement. Host gatherings by all means! Just work with us and we’ll plan accordingly. *Guests should not arrive before their member host. Mobile phones should be kept on silent, and any mobile phone conversations should take place at a respectable level during the day, in the corridor in the evening. SPIES are subtle sorts, after all. * Rule contributed by Mr. Jack Kerouac, from his ‘Rules of Spontaneous Prose’

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CONTACT SPIES HQ Mata Hari’s hotline: 07437915064 Email: matahari@spies.london Web: www.spies.london Social: www.spieslondon.tumblr.com