Awards Season 2024: Our pick of the perfect venues for award ceremonies

Awards Ceremony

It’s that time of the year again – awards season is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of spectacular ceremonies celebrating the best in meetings, events, business travel, and beyond.

From the M&IT Awards and C&IT Awards to the EVCOM Awards and the Business Travel People Awards (to name only a few), there are plenty of opportunities to see us celebrate the best our pretty awesome industry has to offer.

At EDGE, we’ve been thinking about what makes a venue perfect for a glamorous awards ceremony, and our team has shared their favourite picks. From opulent hotels steeped in history to sleek and contemporary spaces, these venues have the ideal setting for unforgettable evenings.

So, ahead of this exciting awards season, let’s take a look at our team’s top choices…

Kimpton Fitzroy – London

The Kimpton Fitzroy, nestled in the heart of Bloomsbury, London, is a masterpiece of grandeur. This hotel, with its stunning Edwardian architecture, exudes luxury at every corner. The exquisite ballroom, with its intricate detailing and soaring ceilings, offers the perfect setting for an awards dinner that demands nothing short of excellence. From the moment guests step into the lobby, they’re greeted by an atmosphere of luxury, making this venue ideal for a truly glamorous evening.

Voco Central Grand – Glasgow

For a venue that combines grandeur with history, Voco Central Grand in Glasgow is a standout choice. Housed within the stunning 19th-century train station, this hotel offers an atmosphere of grandeur with a touch of historic charm. The architecture alone will wow your guests, while the versatile event spaces ensure your awards dinner or gala is as memorable as the venue itself. The perfect blend of elegance and history makes Voco Central Grand a top contender for your next event in Scotland.

The Met Hotel – Leeds

Leeds’ Met Hotel is the essence of magnitude with its iconic ‘Met Suite.’ Tall ceilings, grand pillars, and striking architecture give this space a personality that’s perfect for a black-tie affair. Add to that the creative lighting and you’ve got an atmosphere of luxury that enhances any event. This venue is perfect for those looking for a space that combines tradition with a touch of modern elegance, ensuring your awards ceremony is both stylish and sophisticated.

Hampshire Court Hotel – Basingstoke

The Hampshire Court Hotel’s ‘Arena’ is a true gem for those seeking an elegant setting for their awards dinner. With dramatic curtain walls and stunning chandeliers, this venue lends itself perfectly to evening events where glamour is essential. Whether it’s a formal gala or an intimate awards ceremony, Hampshire Court provides an exceptional backdrop that will make your guests feel like stars.

The Cumberland – London

Formerly known as the Hard Rock Café, The Cumberland in London is a venue with a rock ‘n’ roll soul and a glamorous heart. The reception area, with its sleek design, sets the tone for a star-studded event, while the backstage lounge adds a touch of glitz and glamour. The Arena, with its stylish and colourful backdrop, is a perfect space for awards ceremonies that want to make an impact. Music lovers will also appreciate the musical influences throughout the hotel, adding a unique twist to your event.

Crown Hotel – Harrogate

The Crown Hotel in Harrogate offers a slice of historic elegance for your awards ceremony. This stunning venue features a grand suite with oak-panelled walls, stained glass windows, and an ornate ceiling that creates a breath-taking backdrop for any event. Whether it’s a dinner or a formal awards ceremony, the Crown Hotel provides an atmosphere of timeless sophistication, making it the perfect place to celebrate success.

University Arms Hotel – Cambridge

For those looking for a venue with a touch of academic grandeur, the University Arms Hotel in Cambridge is a top pick. Located in the heart of the city, this historic hotel boasts lovely meeting spaces that are ideal for more intimate awards ceremonies. The hotel’s traditional yet modern feel gives it a unique charm, and its central location makes it convenient for guests coming from near and far. A perfect venue for a sophisticated event in one of the UK’s most iconic cities.

Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre – Birmingham

Located in the vibrant city of Birmingham, the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre offers a sleek and contemporary option for awards events. With its large, bright spaces and contemporary design, this venue is perfect for those looking for a modern setting with all the amenities. Plus, its location near Birmingham’s city centre means that your guests will have easy access to everything the city has to offer.


Whether you’re planning a black-tie affair in the heart of London or a more intimate gathering in Cambridge, the right venue can make all the difference.

At EDGE, we’re always on the lookout for spaces that exude glamour, sophistication, and that perfect “wow” factor. These venues are just a few of our favourites – each one offering something unique and special for awards season.

Are you ready to make your awards ceremony one to remember? Start planning today see the amazing venues available through EDGE.

Register today for free access, or contact Scott or Kirsty to see how our platform can help your agency or business.

Congratulations to our licensees

The shortlist for the London Venue Awards has been announced and we’re delighted that many of our EDGE Venues licensees who’ve made the final, and here they are…

BEST CONFERENCE VENUE – under 400 theatre style

Cavendish Venues

BEST CONFERENCE VENUE – over 400 theatre style

Hilton London Metropole

BEST AWARDS VENUE

Royal Lancaster London

BEST HISTORIC VENUE OR LIVERY HALL – over 400 reception style

116 Pall Mall

Royal Horseguards

BEST VENUE CUSTOMER SERVICE – up to 500 reception style

Amba Hotel Marble Arch

Hallam Conference Centre

Hotel Café Royal

BEST VENUE CUSTOMER SERVICE – over 500 reception style

Barbican

Church House Westminster

QEII Centre

BEST CHRISTMAS PARTY VENUE

Royal Horseguards

BEST WEDDING VENUE

116 Pall Mall

BEST VENUE WITH A VIEW – under 500 reception style

The Hampshire

BEST CSR OR SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

Barbican

BMA House

Cavendish Conference Centre

BEST VENUE SPACE IN THE CITY

Barbican

MOST VERSATILE LONDON VENUE

116 Pall Mall

QEII Centre

BEST EVENT VENUE – less than 500 attendees

America Square Conference Venues

BEST EVENT VENUE – over 1000 attendees

QEII Centre

Royal Lancaster London

Good luck to you all and we look forward to sharing the success following the ceremony in October at The Hurlingham Club.

It’s been a year of accolades for NH Hotel Group

With 2018 at an end, NH Hotels thought January is a great time to reflect on everything that they’ve experienced during the year. Extending their presence over 28 countries, they’ve celebrated 11 new hotel openings, the launch of innovative services like FASTPASS, and a greater presence of nhow at an international level with one new hotel and five more coming soon.

Not only that, they’ve been busy collecting awards along the way…

  • Best Hotel Chain for Business Travellers – Business Traveller
  • Best location for business meetings and events and Best hotel business for central southern Italy – IMA Award
  • Best hotel for automotive events and Best hotel for technology equipment – QFactor Award
  • Best hotel chain for corporate travellers – Business Travel IBTA Awards
  • Travelranking award for the most recommended hotel chain for business and city stays in Spain and abroad – Agenttravel
  • Best new hotel in 2017-2018 for NH Collection Eindhoven –
    Hotel Forum 2018 Hotelimmobilie des Jahres
  • Most innovative in tourism – Premio Excelencias Turísticas
  • Best digital enterprise – European Digital Mindset Awards

BMA House, EDGE Venues+ Member, Award Winners

BMA House, an EDGE venues+ member has won the Hire Space prestigious Greenest Venue Award.

On Wednesday 24th October the BMA House events team saw the unveiling of the 2018 Hire Space Awards at Museum of London. This celebrated high achievers in the events industry within 15 categories. The team were shortlisted as a finalist in the Forward-Thinking Venues category for ‘Greenest Venue’, as well as the top senior sales and events planner, Hannah Anderson being nominated as ‘Unsung Hero’.

Up against strong competition from Lord’s Cricket Ground and ORTUS, they were lucky enough to win this prestigious ‘Greenest Venue’ award!


We are one proud events team! Winning this award has made all our efforts seem worthwhile. Our venue places sustainability at the heart of everything we do and we’ll continue to support sustainable events and encourage our organisers and delegates to do the same. Furthermore, achieving a Gold accreditation in Green Tourism in 2017, one of just five venues in London, was no mean feat for a Grade II listed building. This prestigious certification was awarded for our inspirational environmental ethos and excellent practices throughout the business. In turn this led to us winning this award. But for now, we’ll continue to celebrate this great achievement!


Rebecca Hurley, Venue Marketing Manager
The BMA House team at the Hire Space winning the Greenest Venue Award

The Hire Space Awards celebrate the very best of the events industry by recognising and rewarding hard working, innovative and forward-thinking venues and event organisers from across the UK.