Event venue update - February

The Relais Henley introduces a new ‘Riverside Reset’ package, making the most of The Palm Court – an open-plan lounge, ideal for intimate boardroom gatherings of 2-28 seated and up to 80 standing for cocktail parties or drinks receptions.

For exclusive use and 24-hour stays, there is the choice of 40 individually designed guest rooms (with air conditioning and lift access), inspired by the area’s rowing and countryside traditions, with many enjoying a tranquil view of the river Thames.

Beyond its Grade II listed walls, the hotel team can arrange pastimes for team building, from days out on the water with a riverboat company, Hobbs of Henley and clay pigeon shooting at nearby E.J. Churchill shooting ground.

On East Sussex’s coastline, The Relais Cooden Beach offers a new ‘Working Waterfront’ package that utilises its seafront function spaces, restaurant and bars, catering for groups of 40 up to 120.

In the warmer months, delegates can soak up the sunshine and service of the Beach Club from vintage deck chairs and in cooler climates, there’s a billiards room and fire pit with stylish seating for hunkering down and making the most of the hotel’s dramatic sweeping views.

Bespoke experiences for delegates include traditional seaside games on the lawn, tasting with local sparkling wine specialists at Rathfinny Estate and beach BBQs under the stars.

The Events Club – a co-located members club dedicated to the events industry is opening in London in Q3 2023. The two locations – one in Belgravia and one in Angel – will include lounges, workspaces, restaurants, rest pods, meeting rooms and bars, and creches for infants and dogs, and be attached to multi-use event spaces. 

The Belgravia – Situated at 9 Grosvenor Place. Built-in 1867 as a private residence, more recently it has been at the forefront of the capital’s event scene in previous guises as Il Bottaccio and subsequently One Belgravia. Designed in French Renaissance style by the infamous architect Thomas Cundy III, the building is the perfect backdrop to an array of events from weddings and celebrations to press launches and conferences, all set overlooking the gardens of Buckingham Palace. The adjacent building (number 8 Grosvenor Place) will house The Events Club at The Belgravia. 

The Block - an urban sustainable venue spanning 16,500 sq ft of space over two floors. This brand-new building set between King’s Cross and Old Street is ideally positioned for city-based events workers and is less than a minute’s walk from Angel Underground Station. This location will house The Events Club at The Block.

A Coventry heritage venue dating back to the 14th century is set to echo its original use as a meeting hub for the region’s businesses after launching a new conferences package.

St Mary’s Guildhall, located in Coventry’s historic Cathedral quarter, reopened its doors in the summer and is established as a leading visitor, tourism and educational attraction. Now the venue has launched its conference and meeting operation echoing its original use as a place to do business for the city’s merchant guilds.

Packages for groups of 10 to 150 are available within the Guildhall’s variety of rooms, including in its spectacular Great Hall for parties and events.

Abi Moore, heritage and venue manager of St Mary’s Guildhall, said: “We are the oldest newest conference venue in the UK. The total restoration of St Mary’s Guildhall has been superb and we have had a great response in terms of visitors, and we hope to see a similar trend through our corporate venue hire options, with opportunities to host small, intimate gatherings or large banquets and receptions in a truly unique setting.”

The Dorchester has debuted its new look, marking the property’s largest transformation since the 1980s. 

This first phase of the property’s head-to-toe renovation includes the entire forecourt, entrance, lobby, The Promenade and Artists’ Bar designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. The James Bond-inspired Vesper Bar (formerly The Bar at The Dorchester) has been transformed by Martin Brudnizki. Rooms and suites will debut in March. 

The Venues Collection has completed the extensive refurbishments of two of its conference and training venues – Eastwood Hall in Nottingham and Sedgebrook Hall in Northampton.

Both venues have benefitted from the refurbishment of all communal space – including lounges, bars and restaurants.

Sedgebrook Hall’s 103 bedrooms are all now fully refurbished and the three main meeting rooms – the Oak, Cedar and Chestnut suites - have been renovated and modernised.

Eastwood Hall’s 100 bedrooms are fully refurbished, and the main meeting room - the Chatterley suite - has also been renovated whilst the remaining event spaces have benefitted from a light refresh. 

Brighton Beach Lofts are set across the ground floor of the Maderia Drive venue. They feature an open-plan kitchen, five private Lofts, lounge areas and a private sea-view terrace. Adjacent to the Lofts, The Rock Room is a flexible event space available to hire on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 5pm.

With indoor and alfresco meeting spaces for seven to 100 people, Brighton Beach House offers an enchanting and ultra-chic place to meet.

Dating back to the 1870s, the former private residence will now home Villa Inkognito in Oslo, an 11-suite retreat next to the existing Sommerro hotel.

Villa Inkognito boasts a library, snug room, meeting-and dining room space, an open kitchen, an intimate bar, a fitness room in the basement and an outdoor area. Guests will be able to enjoy the privacy of their own villa with full access to all of the amenities and services offered at neighbouring Sommerro.

Villa Inkognito offers meeting and event spaces with a capacity for up to 150 people, a 100-seat gilded theatre, a wellness space featuring historic public baths, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, and terrace.

The interiors of the five-star Nobu Hotel Marrakech pay homage to the building's past, while adding Nobu's modern Japanese style.

The 71 suites will be split across three floors and include 44 Junior Suites, six Deluxe Junior Suites, 18 Deluxe One Bedroom Suites, two Miyabi Suites and one Nobu Suite, each with views of North Africa’s Atlas Mountain range or Koutoubia Mosque.

Accor already has more than 110 Handwritten leads globally totalling more than 11,500 rooms, including 12 secured signings, with five properties expected to debut throughout the first trimester of 2023. 

Handwritten Collection properties opening over the next several months include Hotel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental, Handwritten Collection in Shanghai, China; Le Saint Gervais Hotel & Spa, Handwritten Collection in Saint Gervais, France; Wonil Hotel Perth, Handwritten Collection in Perth, Australia; Hotel Morris, Handwritten Collection in Sydney, Australia; and Le Splendid Hotel Lac d'Annecy, Handwritten Collection in Annecy, France.

The Handwritten Collection portfolio is expected to reach more than 250 hotels by 2030.