Villa & Hut Blog

Since 1999, villa & hut has remained true to our vision, a passion for what we do, a belief in our people and commitment to serving great coffee & hot beverages.  This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting journey that takes us to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world Shanghai, China.  The timing is just perfect.

Guests can relax and experience a villa & hut kafe, which is sure to make you feel like a vacation from everyday life. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by a relaxed atmosphere, with stunning furniture and friendly courteous staff.

Shanghai is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world and we look forward to serving our new guests our award winning coffee and word famous chai latte.  villa & hut kafe  believes in simple pleasures, and we are delighted to share with you our version of it; healthy on-the-go breakfasts, grab & go snacks & wholesome meals.

villa & hut shanghai is located at:

1^st floor of China Merchants Tower

No.161, Lujiazui east road, Pudong new area, Shanghai, China

上海市浦东新区陆家嘴东路161号,上海招商局大厦1层

Wow what an amazing weekend!  I’ve been sitting at my computer, editing the endless stacks of photos on my camera from the Villa & Hut Sandy Point Half and just about to embark on a huge blogpost about the event.  Then I received from Lynda, the winner of the “Why You Love to Run?” Contest from Stafford & Rowse, this amazing note in my inbox.  I just had to share it with you, because it reminds me, that as much as running is a personal challenge, it is also very much about community.  We would like to thank everyone who helped make this the most spectacular fun run in Melbourne!

This is from Lynda:

Wow, what a fantastic run yesterday. We were all so lucky with nice warm weather, a great course and fabulous organisers and sponsors who work so hard behind the scene to make days like yesterday run so smoothly. Having been fortunate to be selected as the winner of the “what running means to me” competition I would like to thank Villa and Hut, Stanford and Rowse and the team at Start to Finish for all their hard work and generosity. I would also like to thank all other entrants, who so beautifully expressed the many positive benefits of running on our physical and mental health. Being new to the world of running I have been so lucky to meet people who encourage you to achieve your goals, regardless of your level of fitness or running experience.

Six months ago I wouldn’t have run to catch as bus, now I’d rather run everywhere. I love the feeling of my fitness improving and the strength in my legs as I move up hills and along the banks of the Yarra. I can remember running up a hill one night looking at my shadow on a wall and thinking who is this person, look at that powerful stride, go girl go. Running transforms you both physically and mentally to be a healthier person. Running clears the mind; it gets you outdoors into our many wonderful parks and gardens and it’s great to run in a group or solo. All you need is the correct shoes, a good sports bra and some music to get those legs pumping. Not much of an outlay to get started, but the benefits are priceless.

Today I am still so delighted and still super excited to be lucky enough to have won the competition. The next step for me is to start thinking about how to train for the Kokoda track. Having talked to my super fit neighbour who has completed the walk, and who kind enough to inform me it is pretty gruelling both mentally and physically. I have to admit I had a little moment of panic, but then decided to reframe it as another goal to set for myself. Now, I look forward to the challenge of sinking in thick mud while trying to climb up tracks that are so steep that right now I can’t begin to imagine. I’m looking forward to training with the team at Stanford and Rowse who I met yesterday and both guys seem like a lot of fun. I’ll keep you posted on with my progress over the next few months of training and the big trip. Run happy, Lynda

You can win an adventure of a lifetime with Stafford & Rowse.  Just make sure to: register for the Villa & Hut Sandy Point Half 2011, visit the Villa & Hut Blog,  write in the comments Why Do You Love Running? see here for details

Entries close Wednesday 17 August 2011 at 5:00pm

Win an overseas trek to Kokoda (RRP $5,890) or New Zealand (RRP $3,690), thanks to Stafford & Rowse!

Simply enter the Sandy Point Half Running Event on August 21, 2001  go to villa & hut blog and tell us in 25 words or less why you love running! Please include your surname (we need this to confirm that you have entered the event) and also please indicate which destination you would prefer (Kokoda or New Zealand).

You can leave your comments here or on the July 5 blogpost, but have a look to see what other runners have to say.

Terms and Conditions Apply Click Here to find out more.

1. Information on how to enter forms part of the terms of entry.

Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.

2. The Promoter is The Dingoes Refrain Pty Ltd Trading As Start to Finish Event

Management, 12 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne VIC 3207 (ABN: 76 053 668 714).

3. Entry is open to all residents of Australia that have entered the 2011 Villa & Hut
Sandy Point Half.  However, employees and their immediate families of The Dingoes
Refrain Pty Ltd, Stafford & Rowse or Villa & Hut, and their associated agencies and
companies are not eligible to enter.

4. The competition concludes on Wednesday 17 August 2011 at 5:00pm (AEST).

5. To gain entry, entrants must register to be a runner or a walker for the Villa & Hut
Sandy Point Half event via the website www.starttofinish.com.au or by posting their
entry forms to Start to Finish Event Management, 12 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne
VIC 3207. Registrants are required to provide personal information including (but not
limited to) name, address, postcode, telephone number, age and gender.

6. Entrants are then encouraged to visit the Villa & Hut website at
http://www.villaandhut.com/ and enter the competition by writing 25 words or less on
why you love running.

7. Entrants will also be asked what option of trek they would prefer, Kokoda (RRP
$5,890.00) or New Zealand (RRP $3,690.00).

Fed Square – Botanical Gardens – MCG – Rod Laver Arena  – Do You Love to RUNMELBOURNE?

On Sunday, July 17 over 22,000 runners participated in one of the most stunning runs in Australia.  Villa & Hut Kafe on Wheels was proud to sponsor and support such an amazing event, which has raised nearly $1.4 million dollars for charities in Melbourne. Villa & Hut homewares donated 12 $500 gift vouchers to the highest fundraisers for the 3 months leading up to the main event, which were presented on the main stage in Federation Square, including to a very happy Glenn Archer, the North Melbourne football legend.

Our Villa & Hut Kafe on Wheels also took main stage, sitting out on the pavement of Swanston Street, with the majestic Flinders Street Station as one backdrop, and the amazing architecture of Federation Square as the other.

Coffee & Chai was served nice & hot from 5.30am onwards, with the queue at times stretching further than we could see!  Runners were fuelling up on short blacks, supporters were sipping hot chocolates, weak soy skinny mocha decaf’s, extra hot Shanghai Chai’s and double shot 3/4 lattes.  A record number of coffees were poured, and a record crowd helped donate a record amount to charity.

A good day was had by all.  Thank you to everyone involved!

Congratulations to our Villa & Hut Kafe Hobart Airport for winning the Villa & Hut Kafe 2010 / 2011 Franchisee Of The Year Award.

This is 2 years in a row for Todd England and his team – with Todd grinning from ear to ear whilst accepting the trophy from triple medal winning Olympian Natalie Titcume and Melbourne footballer & entertainer Russell Robertson, at our conference opening.

Todd was quick to point out that the credit goes to his team – not just himself.  We kind of figured that already Todd!  Well done to everyone involved at Hobart Airport for making this location our star performer.  The award is a culmination of scores rating compliance, standards, customer service and product excellence.  FYI – a lot of other Villa & Hut franchisees are keen to ensure you don’t make it 3 in a row!    Rumour has it that Todd booked an additional seat on the flight back to sit his trophy on…

Our annual franchise conference was a huge success!  There were a total of 14 presentations & guest speakers (like Steve Agi – “The Caffiend” & Tom Griffith from Emma & Tom’s just to name-drop a few) in a marathon 9 hour day on the Monday.  We kept the day fueled with Melbourne’s best barista serving our award winning coffee  “How’ya Bean” and finished the day with a well deserved glass of wine at the Sotana Bar at the Hilton South Wharf.  It was a wonderful opportunity to meet everyone involved in the Villa & Hut brand and chat about all the new and exciting things happening for “The Journey Ahead 2011″.

To find out more about Villa & Hut Kafe Franchising visit www.villandhut.com/franchise or www.growit.net.au