NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
WHO – University of Nottingham – Teaching & Learning HUB
WHAT – 15-350 delegates/guests. Corporate, association, academic events
WHY – Brilliant in-house tech, fantastic value and close to Orchard Hotel
Brand new £20 million teaching and learning hub, available to hire 21 weeks of the year. Twenty event spaces including networking areas, meeting rooms, lecture theatres and a superb atrium for exhibitions and catering. Most rooms have Microsoft’s big-screen Surface Studio Screens with amazing clarity of image. Event organisers have access to the onsite drama studio and delegates are free to break out and use comfy seating pods scattered over the five floors. Food options aplenty with all catering onsite. For those wishing to stay there are two great options. The University offers value for money student accommodation or a four-minute walk will take you to the front door of the four-star standard De Vere Orchard Hotel.
JUST THAT LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT…
WHO – ‘Mischmasch’, Rockliffe Hall, Darlington
WHAT – 6-8 delegates in timber ‘artic pods’ ideal for creative meetings
WHY – Unique, inspiring, fun, back to nature – Mad as a Hatter!
If you go down to the Wood’s today at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, you’re in for a big surprise! Enter the whimsical woodland and discover six Curious Cabins called Mischmasch – German for a ‘disorderly mixture of things.’ Recently designed, themed and built for younger guests, the management team have been quick to realise there’s a creative child in every high-flying business executive.
Inspired by the children’s author Lewis Carroll (who grew up in the nearby village of Croft) this creative ‘play area’ has quickly established itself as a unique, quirky meeting and event space. The beautifully constructed, timber framed pods are a brilliant place to get creative juices flowing. Each cabin holds up to 8 people, plasma screens are available together with all important Wi-Fi, power and heating. Images of the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland and The White Rabbit are everywhere. It’s easy to move the funky furniture around to create a blank canvass space or private dining area whilst watching the squirrels and rabbits play outside. Or if you want a further change of scene, take the trail through the wildflower meadow and water wonderland and discover a grand Victorian styled greenhouse overlooking the walled kitchen garden. Ideal for product launches, corporate events, weddings and special celebrations.
MORE THAN A LICK OF PAINT
WHO – RICHMOND HILL HOTEL, RICHMOND, SURREY
WHAT – 5-150 delegates. Corporate and private events
WHY – Newly refurbished rooms, country feel yet close to City
Over £5.5 million is being spent as part of a multi-million-pound investment programme, creating one of Greater London’s foremost boutique hotels. Each of Richmond Hill Hotel’s 69 Georgian bedrooms are being individually designed, with local artist Joshua de Lisle commissioned to create bespoke detailing. Each bedroom features Heal’s king-size beds and bathrooms with either feature deep freestanding baths or spacious walk-in showers. Sustainability is high on the agenda. Energy saving key systems, dimmers and low energy lighting is being installed and even some of the bed throws are made using recycled plastic! Future refurbishment plans for 2019 include the creation of “a hub”, a nod to the growing trend for remote working. The newly configured restaurant and bar due to open at Easter will provide great space to meet with colleagues in a community environment.
FOOTNOTE: Richmond Hill is the “London outpost” and sister hotel to the World-famous Grand Hotel in Brighton. And the Grand has just undergone its’ own multi-million pound investment project unveiling recently its newly restored façade. New windows, a restoration of the balconies and rendering to the Victorian seafront façade, has completely refreshed the face of this iconic Brighton landmark.
STORY TO TELL
WHO – Arkendale Community Hall, between York & Harrogate
WHAT – Up to 100 guests/delegates. Corporate, public sector, charities, academic
WHY – Great AV. Good value. Many catering options. Close to A1M
If your idea of a village or community hall is faded badminton lines, remnants of jelly from a children’s party on the wall and freezing cold, think again. Arkendale Community Hall in North Yorkshire is a modern, timber framed, eco-friendly building with the latest in presentation equipment, good wifi and is as warm as toast. Holding up to 100 people, there’s a super kitchen with a range of quality appliances. Or head a few steps across the car park and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Blue Bell. Free car parking and quick access to the A1M means you can be in Leeds in under 40 minutes.
