Category: UK

St James’s Court came to see us in the office last week and here are some great reasons to use this hotel for your events:

• There are from 17 different venues for meetings and conferences, most of which have natural daylight.
• The hotel has a hidden Courtyard, which is perfect for summer events and barbeques 
• If you need video-conferencing, then the hotel has Telepresence
• This year the theme for St James’s Court’s Christmas parties is Alice in Wonderland
• St James’s Court is a Taj Hotel

Just in case you don’t already know, The National Motorcycle Museum has recently re-branded to the National Conference Centre.

Following a visit, we can also let you know these key pieces of information:

• It is a family owned business that has built a strong reputation over the last 31 years for great customer service and excellent food
• There are 13 conference suites which cater from 10 delegates to 1000 delegates (theatre style)
• There are 800 free car parking spaces
• The location is very central – 5 minutes drive from Birmingham International airport and train station and situated by J6 M42 (by the NEC)
• The National Conference Centre also owns two hotels – The Manor at Meriden (5 mins drive) and The Windmill Village Hotel (10 mins drive) which can be used for accommodation

Located on the Strand, this venue has two floors of space for events.  The building was designed by Robert Adams and has been renovated recently.  It has white walls and there is some exposed brickwork with a wood block floor.  It can be used for any events and dressed to suit the occasion.  The maximum capacity is 250 people standing for a reception and there is an integral bar.  However it can also be used for meetings and conferences; as well as the main room there are two break out area, a separate VIP room and reception.  The closest underground station is Charing Cross.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Mercure Letchworth

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Mercure Letchworth

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Alex was out and about again last week, looking at venues in Hertfordshire for one of our clients. He visited a good variety of hotels and venues and if you’d like more information just give us a call.

Mercure Letchworth

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Alex was out and about again last week, looking at venues in Hertfordshire for one of our clients. He visited a good variety of hotels and venues and if you’d like more information just give us a call.

Mercure Letchworth

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

Alex was out and about again last week, looking at venues in Hertfordshire for one of our clients. He visited a good variety of hotels and venues and if you’d like more information just give us a call.

Mercure Letchworth

The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.

Hitchin Priory

Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream.  Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.

Novotel Stevenage

I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family.  I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.

The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events.  One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.

Ponsbourne Park

De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.

The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.

Down Hall

I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.

Radisson Blu Stansted

The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.

All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage.  Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.

The Lancaster room is the largest of The Savoy’s banqueting rooms. It has a completely clear floor space with no obscuring pillars, perfect for dancing. Uniquely for London it also has its own stage.  The Lancaster Room is often used in conjunction with the adjoining Parlour Room.

Other meetings space include, the River Room which acts as a spacious reception for large events in the Lancaster Room as well as for smaller events, the  Abraham Lincoln Room suitable for business luncheons and formal dinners, the Private Rooms situated in the heart of the hotel all with natural daylight, and the Sorcerer, the smallest of the private dining rooms perfect for a dinner or reception.

The Savoy is one of London’s iconic hotels.  Located on the bank of the River Thames, and a short walk or taxi-ride from many London landmarks, The Savoy continues to be one of London’s most celebrated venues. There is a separate River Entrance off the Embankment, to access the event space.

The Savoy has three impressive Banqueting Rooms and six Private Rooms ranging in size from 10 to 800 guests. The Savoy’s Function Rooms range in size from 60 to 800 guests. Designed and appointed to create unforgettable first impressions, the sense of occasion is set as soon as guests arrive at the River Entrance in a quiet road off the Victoria Embankment. The elegance and charm of the rooms are also complemented in full by the hotel’s culinary expertise. This includes the option of à la carte menus for banqueting, a first for London hotels. New investment in audio-visual equipment provides state-of-the-art facilities.

The Lancaster room is the largest of The Savoy’s banqueting rooms. It has a completely clear floor space with no obscuring pillars, perfect for dancing. Uniquely for London it also has its own stage.  The Lancaster Room is often used in conjunction with the adjoining Parlour Room.

Other meetings space include, the River Room which acts as a spacious reception for large events in the Lancaster Room as well as for smaller events, the  Abraham Lincoln Room suitable for business luncheons and formal dinners, the Private Rooms situated in the heart of the hotel all with natural daylight, and the Sorcerer, the smallest of the private dining rooms perfect for a dinner or reception.

The Savoy is one of London’s iconic hotels.  Located on the bank of the River Thames, and a short walk or taxi-ride from many London landmarks, The Savoy continues to be one of London’s most celebrated venues. There is a separate River Entrance off the Embankment, to access the event space.

The Savoy has three impressive Banqueting Rooms and six Private Rooms ranging in size from 10 to 800 guests. The Savoy’s Function Rooms range in size from 60 to 800 guests. Designed and appointed to create unforgettable first impressions, the sense of occasion is set as soon as guests arrive at the River Entrance in a quiet road off the Victoria Embankment. The elegance and charm of the rooms are also complemented in full by the hotel’s culinary expertise. This includes the option of à la carte menus for banqueting, a first for London hotels. New investment in audio-visual equipment provides state-of-the-art facilities.

The Lancaster room is the largest of The Savoy’s banqueting rooms. It has a completely clear floor space with no obscuring pillars, perfect for dancing. Uniquely for London it also has its own stage.  The Lancaster Room is often used in conjunction with the adjoining Parlour Room.

Other meetings space include, the River Room which acts as a spacious reception for large events in the Lancaster Room as well as for smaller events, the  Abraham Lincoln Room suitable for business luncheons and formal dinners, the Private Rooms situated in the heart of the hotel all with natural daylight, and the Sorcerer, the smallest of the private dining rooms perfect for a dinner or reception.

The Savoy is one of London’s iconic hotels.  Located on the bank of the River Thames, and a short walk or taxi-ride from many London landmarks, The Savoy continues to be one of London’s most celebrated venues. There is a separate River Entrance off the Embankment, to access the event space.

The Savoy has three impressive Banqueting Rooms and six Private Rooms ranging in size from 10 to 800 guests. The Savoy’s Function Rooms range in size from 60 to 800 guests. Designed and appointed to create unforgettable first impressions, the sense of occasion is set as soon as guests arrive at the River Entrance in a quiet road off the Victoria Embankment. The elegance and charm of the rooms are also complemented in full by the hotel’s culinary expertise. This includes the option of à la carte menus for banqueting, a first for London hotels. New investment in audio-visual equipment provides state-of-the-art facilities.

The Lancaster room is the largest of The Savoy’s banqueting rooms. It has a completely clear floor space with no obscuring pillars, perfect for dancing. Uniquely for London it also has its own stage.  The Lancaster Room is often used in conjunction with the adjoining Parlour Room.

Other meetings space include, the River Room which acts as a spacious reception for large events in the Lancaster Room as well as for smaller events, the  Abraham Lincoln Room suitable for business luncheons and formal dinners, the Private Rooms situated in the heart of the hotel all with natural daylight, and the Sorcerer, the smallest of the private dining rooms perfect for a dinner or reception.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Fazeley Studios (pictured)

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Fazeley Studios (pictured)

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Trinity’s Rebecca Myatt recently went to Birmingham, always a popular destination for our clients.  See what she has to say …

Fazeley Studios (pictured)

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Trinity’s Rebecca Myatt recently went to Birmingham, always a popular destination for our clients.  See what she has to say …

Fazeley Studios (pictured)

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street. 

Trinity’s Rebecca Myatt recently went to Birmingham, always a popular destination for our clients.  See what she has to say …

Fazeley Studios (pictured)

A gem, in the midst of this industrial area of Digbeth, Fazeley Studios offers rustic, light & airy meeting facilities, noticeable from its white washed exterior walls amidst red brick buildings. The studio is also home to media and communication businesses, who make use of the relaxed cafe facilities on-site. The reception, which also functions as an area for refreshments and lunches for bigger events, is a large room with a domed roof and comfortable seating. The main room, with a warehouse feel, can accommodate 120 cabaret style and there are a further 3 meeting rooms. One just off the reception, with space for 40 cabaret style and a further two smaller syndicate rooms accessed via a steep set of stairs.  The venue also has a pleasant garden with seating. There is on street parking, however, as it is a very busy area, in reality it could be difficult to park outside. The venue may be able to arrange secure indoor parking nearby.  The venue is a 5 minute taxi ride from Moor Street or Birmingham New Street station.

Paragon Hotel

This imposing Victorian building with complimentary car parking on-site, is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to the 200 plus bedrooms and has the potential to be a beautiful 3 star hotel. Set just outside Birmingham city centre, the hotel with a meeting capacity for 500 theatre style, could offer an ideal option for clients working to a budget. The ground floor has spacious public corridors, with stained glass roof lights, which sadly doesn’t extend to the bedroom corridors.

Custard Factory

With easy access from A38 Birmingham expressway, the Custard Factory is set in a privately-owned street.  The combined office, retail and conferencing facilities are interspersed with water features and comfortable lounge areas ideal for networking. The main room, the Old Library, is a self-contained facility with a small reception area, a bar and a small syndicate room. In addition a further meeting room with white-washed walls, high ceilings and an outside terrace accommodates 45 cabaret style. Both main meeting rooms have pillars.

Conference Aston

With easy, direct access from the A38, Conference Aston offers a modern 4 star hotel with 163 bedrooms and 19 meeting rooms for up to 222 theatre style or 120 cabaret style.  A further dedicated conference suite, The Conference Aston Meeting Suites, a few minutes stroll from the hotel through gardens, has a vibrant, airy large lounge for networking catering and 8 modern, well equipped meeting rooms.  Some of the bedrooms are prince-sized (sized between a single and double bed).  The Conference Aston Meeting Suites are located within a main university building, which means during term time there will be students milling around.

Etc Venues Maple House

Located closely to the city centre, on the first and second floor, Maple House, like other Etc Venues, offers a flexible approach to non-resident conferencing in a vibrant, modern environment.  Catering and refreshments, which include continental breakfast on arrival and freshly ground coffee, are served in a central area on each floor.   There are 22 meeting rooms to choose from, with a maximum capacity of 160 theatre style or 108 cabaret style. Maple House has reduced parking rates agreed at High Street/Albert Street NCP, just a few minutes’ walk from the venue and a choice of hotels nearby.

De Vere Colmore Gate

Located equidistance from several car parks in the city centre and within a few minutes’ walk of Birmingham New Street Station, Colmore Gate offers dedicated meeting and training space in a central location. Delegates register with a dedicated reception for De Vere on Bull Street and then ascend to the appropriate floor. A total of 18 rooms accommodating up to 150 theatre style are linked via two exterior lifts with views of the city. Once completed the tram service from New Street will stop directly outside of the venue on Bull Street.