Around the world in venues - June

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace, the home of The British Academy for Humanities and social sciences, is taking bookings from April 2024 for its vibrant new event spaces, which are part of a £9.6 million refurbishment.

Conference and event planners looking to use these creative new spaces are now able to work with the venue’s team, hold space and confirm activity for events taking place from 2024.

The refurbishment is transforming previously hidden or underutilised spaces into three, double-height event spaces featuring the latest in event technology and audio-visual equipment.  The new spaces will be capable of hosting up to 125 attendees.  The significant investment in technology will support {10-11} Carlton House Terrace’s ability to deliver a wide range of events across in-person, hybrid and digital platforms.

Following the successful relaunch of Woburn Forest in Autumn 2022, at the cost of £2.5m, Center Parcs' Conferences & Events has announced plans to refurbish its conference and events venue at Sherwood Forest.

Closing its doors on 12 May 2023, The Venue is set to reopen in Winter 23/24 following a multi-million-pound transformation.

Nestled in 400 acres of forest, The Venue, a versatile space surrounded by leafy walkways, offers great views overlooking the forest and lake and accommodates events for up to 550 delegates.

A growing hospitality management business in the Midlands has landed a new strategic partnership with a historic venue, which has links to royalty and literature.

Coventry-based No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM) has been selected to grow the conference and events business at Stoneleigh Abbey, the site of 12th Century Cistercian monastery, in Warwickshire.

Stoneleigh Abbey, now a stately home, proved fit for a queen in 1858 as Queen Victoria stayed for two nights while the historic building and its grounds provided inspiration for Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, where she lived during the early 19th Century. The history of the venue and its 600-acre grounds – including the River Avon running through – are expected to prove a major selling point for NOHM.

NOHM, which was launched in 2021, manages Coombe Abbey Hotel in the same region, as well as eateries, artisan markets and florists across Coombe Abbey and War Memorial Parks.

Blenheim Palace launches new restaurant and event space: Clementine’s on the Lawn.

The new restaurant is encased by a glass conservatory structure, allowing delegates to enjoy their conference, meeting or team-building session with beautiful views of the South Lawn, Blenheim Palace and nearby woodland.

Smart Group, an events and hospitality company, has announced the delivery of Oceandiva London, which will become the most sustainably advanced, carbon-neutral ship on the River Thames, set to ‘revolutionise London’s hospitality sector’.

Oceandiva London will be the first passenger vessel to receive a Gold Certificate with a Platinum Label granted by The Green Award for shipping companies committed to environmental protection, safety, and quality.

The new events vessel was constructed in a shipyard in the Netherlands and has made passage to the UK for commissioning, testing and the final stage of its fit-out.

Oceandiva London, which has been under construction since 2021 at a cost of £25m, boasts impressive dimensions spanning three decks and measuring 86m in length and 17m in breadth. With flexible event spaces, the vessel is capable of hosting conferences, exhibitions, receptions, gala dinners, award ceremonies, product launches, and brand activations for up to 1,000 guests once in full service.

Hotel Saint has reopened its doors as an independent hotel in East London.

Previously the Dorsett City London, the property has undergone a brand transformation and is relaunching as Hotel Saint – a next-generation hotel in an ancient neighbourhood.

It is billed as chic, cool and fit for the discerning traveller to work, rest and play.

All 267 guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows filling each room with natural light, many with views across the Square Mile, Tower Bridge or the historic, neighbouring St Botolph's Church.

Hotel Saint benefits from a food and beverage offering with an all-day dining restaurant and a rooftop bar: The VQ Aldgate brasserie on the ground floor offers 24 hours of dining and drinking with a 60-seat restaurant and an outdoor terrace

Camm & Hooper, makers of events in unique venues, has launched a new immersive virtual experience. This interactive technology allows guests and prospects to be virtually guided through the iconic OXO2 event venue located on London’s South Bank.

The host immerses you in each area of the 537 sqm of events space, showcasing how this blank canvas, multi-use space, can inspire the user’s next event. The immersive experience offers high-quality 360-degree photography and video, and user-friendly navigation. The host provides useful and insightful information on the space and inspires creativity.

During any point of the virtual tour, guests can switch the view from daytime to night-time to experience the change in dynamic and city views. As well as being guided through the space, users can view floor plans, food and beverage ideas and view an extensive photo gallery with images of the space dressed for multiple occasions including weddings, corporate events, and Christmas parties.

In time, the immersive virtual experience will be extended to all Camm & Hooper venues, including Banking Hall, Victorian Bath House and Tanner Warehouse.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente and Martinhal Residencesare the new luxury branded hotel residences and serviced hotel apartments from the award-winning luxury family hotel and residential resorts brand, Martinhal.

Martinhal Residences will provide a city experience for short and long-term stays in Lisbon, featuring a selection of five-star fully-equipped studios and apartments with extensive facilities for business and leisure travellers. 

Noble House Hotels & Resorts’ four San Diego properties – San Diego Mission Bay Resort, Kona Kai Resort & Spa, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, and L'Auberge Del Mar – have introduced a menu of restorative group offerings designed to elevate wellness, maximise productivity, increase focus and reignite creativity.

The offering includes:

• Licensed spa therapists to provide relaxing back and shoulder massages, hand reflexology, as well as mini facials to ease tension and improve body circulation.
• Infused spa water and bubbly at check-in.
• Tableside Cold/hot aromatherapy towels.
• Power Breakfast and nutrient snacks for sustainable energy.
• Wellness-focused food and beverage offerings like immunity juice shots or fresh-made mocktails.
• Stretch breaks to aid in oxygenation and energy.
• Recharging stations complete with Therabody, aromatherapy, spa music and infused spa water.
• Energising aromatherapy diffusers in meeting spaces.
• Wellness-focused programming such as 'Sip and Spa' nights, Yoga breakout sessions, guided meditations or 'Under the Stars' sound bath and breathwork classes.
• In-Room offerings like customizable VIP in-room amenities, “Sleep Well” turn-down services or wellness suite upgrades.

Described as ‘a refined oasis of discreet luxury in the heart of Rome’, the newly opened InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace can be found in the centre of Rome.

The property was constructed in 1900 to host ambassadors staying in Rome, before serving as the American Embassy Library in 1946. The hotel’s design borrows from the Renaissance’s classic architectural elements, gables, and columns, to create symmetrical elegant shapes and the interiors reflect meticulous attention to detail.

The hotel has 160 rooms and suites in a style that combine neo-classical details with contemporary design.

Cairns Convention Centre will open its AU$176 million expansion this month.

Among the expansion project additions are a rooftop banquet area, three meeting rooms and an exhibition and plenary lecture space, providing a total of 10,500 sqm of new floor space. This expansion enables the Centre to accommodate multiple or larger events, with conferences and exhibitions for up to 2,500 guests possible across the entire venue.

“Coupled with the latest audio-visual technology, the additional space offers conference organisers a wealth of flexibility and industry-leading infrastructure for their events,” said Janet Hamilton, general manager at Cairns Convention Centre. 

“The new interior features significant new exhibition space, a plenary space capable of hosting 400 people and three new meeting rooms.”

The new Trinity Level is a key part of the expansion, offering delegates natural views of two world heritage sites - the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. The Trinity Room, an ideal setting for gala dinners and large cocktail functions, can accommodate up to 500 people; while the outdoor Trinity Terrace offers panoramic views of the Trinity Inlet, providing a unique backdrop for cocktail functions, lunches, and other events seeking to embrace Cairns' tropical climate.

Hotel Montera Madrid, Curio Collection by Hilton, has opened its doors to guests.

Located in the popular city centre Calle de la Montera, the hotel’s design reflects aspects of the culture and heritage of Madrid. It is Madrid’s first Curio Collection by Hilton, a portfolio of hotels handpicked for their unique character.

In addition to its 93 rooms, including eight suites, the hotel includes two food and beverage concepts.

“We are delighted to welcome the impressive Hotel Montera Madrid, Curio Collection by Hilton, to our expanding European portfolio,” said David Kelly, senior vice president, continental Europe, Hilton.

“This spectacular property offers guests an authentic experience in the heart of Spain's bustling capital city, with elegant rooms, a stylish restaurant and a rooftop bar with stunning views. Hotel Montera Madrid will be popular with both locals and international visitors alike, and is another standout Hilton property in one of the world’s most celebrated cities, where we are serving a wide variety of traveller needs at our six hotels under six distinctive brands.”