HIRING A COACH? Finding the right coach. You would think finding the right coach for your event, shouldn't be too difficult, but in fact it is a minefield out there!  Lots of companies with different vehicles and different prices, so know what you have in mind before you start.  Try if you can,  to go direct to the Coach Hire Company themselves.  There are plenty of agents who will get a selection of quotes for you, but remember they will be adding on a premium for their time, so the coach will work out more than if you go direct.  A good Coach Company will help you plan what you want and give you plenty of ideas about timings for pickups, ferrys etc.  We have our own independent travel agents, so we can take care of any hotel bookings or other travel arrangements too. Check what you are getting! Standards of vehicles can vary from company to company, at Ellisons we have a large number of vehicles from the most luxurious coach, to the more standard coach, although none are over three years old.  Our speciality is Corporate Hospitality vehicles which won't fail to impress. You do need to bear in mind the age of the vehicle you are hiring and what facitilites you have on board. The older the coach, the more standard and functional it will be and the less reliable.  What impression do you want to make?  Ask the company to email you some photos of the selection of vehicles they have and make sure you get the vehicle they have shown you!  Very often we will upgrade at no extra cost if you want a particular vehicle, we may not know if it is available at the time of booking, but if it is, it is yours and a very, very nice coach, becomes an 'extra special' one! Are there the facilities you need? Ellisons coaches all have air conditioning , flushing toilets and tea and coffee facilities as standard. There are also fridges on every coach, to keep the drinks cool.   TV monitors are also standard, some vehicles may have up to 10!.  The 'posher' the vehicle the more extras you get such as kitchens, Sky TV, leather interiors, WiFi - they do also cost a little bit more, but probably not as much as you would think! Some coach hire companies are still running coaches with no toilets and tea and coffee is not the norm. Tatty curtains, grubby windows do not create a good impression, but they are cheap. Is it suitable for the event? Try and decide if you need tables, not all vehicles have them, but they do make the journey a little more pleasurable, especially if for business purposes.  It is also much friendlier to be facing each other!  A large seated vehicle maybe ideal for a wedding party with only a short journey to go, or a tour or school group, but put 30 in a coach for 60 and they will rattle around!.  Work on maximum numbers, it is always good to have a  few spare seats, so you can spread out.  Some of our coaches have a central table at the rear, with wrapaaround seating.  Ideal for business meetings and plans can be laid out in full.  Are you entertaining clients?  Will the coach be parked at the races, or other event?.  A kitchen could be just what you need to provide snacks or breakfast on the way.  Ideal as a base for them to come back to and wonderful to have bacon sandwiches on the way home!  Get some quotes and compare It is always worth looking around.  However, if you want some of the best coaches in the country, that are pristine inside and out, with suited professional chauffeurs, you are in the right place.   Believe it or not, not everyone has the same standards in cleanliness and appearance, but at Ellisons we pride ourselves on it.  Our image is as important to us as it is to you.  ALL our vehicles are sparkling.  Make sure when looking at prices, you are comparing 'like for like', no one can compete with a 10 year old coach, with faded upholstery and an inconsiderate driver.   Your reputation could be at stake! If you are still not sure about Hiring a Coach, give us a call and let us help.