One Aldwych, London

One Aldwych, London is an odd shaped building, basically it is in a V, and a great deal of it is underground.  However, the hotel has a nice feel, it’s right in London’s theatre land and consequently it’s very much on the visitor/tourist list.

For the events organiser looking for small, modern meeting rooms in central London, there are some good choices.  The VG has tried on many occasions to book the screening room, but as a unique room I can understand its popularity, particularly with media companies. The screening room holds 30 max and has luxurious, wide leather seats and hi tech AV system which makes for a great venue for small meetings and presentations. Alternatively, you could even use it as private movie theatre for groups - the hotel will even supply the popcorn!

Perrine and Damien
Representatives for One Aldwych

Another area the VG liked is the semi private dining area located above the restaurant.  The great thing about this space is, you have your own bar, are out of sight of the other diners, but have the atmosphere of the restaurant below, so none of that “locked in four walls” experience which a lot of private dining rooms have.

Bedrooms are classic and understated but smart none the less.  There didn’t appear to be laptop safes in the rooms, but then One Aldwych is considered first and foremost an independent traveller’s hotel rather than totally business events focussed. 

For a smallish London hotel, it has an excellent Spa and swimming pool complete with underwater music.  The lobby has the most amazing contemporary flora displays, (see Amaryllis Christmas tree) but then art and design is a key feature of this hotel. In the lobby you can still see signs that this building was once a Bank and it’s obvious there’s been some money spent on this hotel. ©eventoptions

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Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

The Venue Guru is a name given for reviews of business venues that as a professional, I have inspected personally or used for meeting and events.  The venues reviewed are in the UK or mainland Europe and these reviews are from a meeting and event planners perspective.  I have no links with any hotels or venue marketing consortia and the reviews expressed are my own opinions. I hope you find them useful.

Hotel Arts, Barcelona

The Venue Guru  A professional’s perspective of meeting and event venues in Europe  

First impressions are of a tower block that still has builder’s scaffolding round it.  Yet the design is clever because none of the external structure blocks the stunning views from this 44-story icon of glass and steel. Hotel Arts Barcelona opened in 1994 and years on having been completely refurbished, it is still “numero uno” in Barcelona.
Entrance to the hotel is via a covered drive-through patrolled by uniformed doormen.  This no doubt reduces the public exposure of arriving celebrities and dignitaries frequenting this hotel. The lobby is accessed by lifts, and it’s a busy area due to the adjacent champagne bar and terrace resulting in an overspill of guests.

The large meeting rooms are located on the ground floor.  They’re smart and functional with the usual central catering break area, but subterranean means there’s no natural daylight and ceiling heights are on the low side.  For an alternative, the hotel has recently developed the 41^st floor into a superb function area, (Arts 41). The space comprises of six unique function rooms, ideal for executive meetings, receptions and private dining, plus being located 150 metres above sea level the views are fabulous.

The same can be said of the panorama bedrooms - all are beautifully appointed. The most expensive come with double-sided views to the sea and the city – the best views from any hotel in Barcelona. Currently, WIFI is not complimentary for guests and this is perhaps the only negative for a meeting/event planner. The varied eating areas are homage to Spanish and Catalan cuisine, but the VG liked the hotel’s offer of designing your own menu by choosing recipes from well-known Chefs cookbooks.

The most surprising thing about Hotel Arts is, it is vastly larger than it appears from outside.  This city hotel has delightful lawns and gardens, with large terraces and a pool. For an evening drinks reception al fresco, you can even cover the swimming pool with boarding, and install a band and bar on top, at least this will prevent the “over refreshed” guests from falling in!

©eventoptions

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Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

Hotel Arts, Barcelona - Fast Find Facts

What is it:                                    Iconic 5* Deluxe Hotel

Located:                                     Central Barcelona. BCN - 30 mins

Meeting rooms:                        20 - Largest holds 1,350

Beds:                                             482

Rates:                                           €€€€€
The Venue Guru is a name given for reviews of business venues that as a professional, I have inspected personally or used for meeting and events.  The venues reviewed are in the UK or mainland Europe and these reviews are from a meeting and event planners perspective.  I have no links with any hotels or venue marketing consortia and the reviews expressed are my own opinions. I hope you find them useful.

The MPI, SITE, ISES Christmas Event at The Old Vic Tunnels, London

Not the VGs kind of venue at all, but if you’re part of a bohemian group of event organisers and like something a bit “off the wall” then this is for you.

The best thing about The Old Vic Tunnels is that it’s within walking distance of Waterloo Station, so close that when you’re inside you can hear the trains trundling overhead.

Entering the tunnel at Leake Street is somewhat uncomfortable.  The walls are a mecca for graffiti artists, and five or six of them were already busy at work when I arrived.  The mist from their spray cans, emitting an eerie mist along the tunnel.  This, along with the mildew ceiling and the rubbish makes this place feels sordid, which I guess for some lends to its appeal.

Heading towards the entrance, with a firm grip on my handbag, I was greeted by sounds from a 5 piece drum band echoing around the walls.  The entrance was illuminated by an impressive performance of fire-eaters, dressed inappropriately for the sub zero temperatures!

The venue is a blank space, meaning you need to bring everything in; heating is essential (even the ice carving inside didn’t melt!).  A PA is always a good idea although being a “tunnel venue” the acoustics are great.  Lighting is necessary to give this cavernous venue atmosphere, and if you’re providing name badges, make them luminous because I couldn’t read anyone’s.

A new idea that amused me was provided by the “pimp my cloakroom” team. It’s certainly a wacky way to add an unusual feature to your event.

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Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

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Altitude 360º at the Millbank Centre

Altitude 360º at the Millbank Centre.  To be honest for years, I’d ignored this 70’s looking tower block and never considered it for a meeting or event.  But now, someone has woken up to the fact that this building has one of the finest views of London and has developed the 29th floor into a fabulous event space.

Altitude 360º offers a self-contained function space that can be divided into separate areas or used as a whole giving a superb 360º panoramic view of London.   Plasma screens, reflective flooring, mood lighting along with contemporary furniture, all present a space age feel. It’s nice to impress people with your choice of venue however, for presentations you’ll have to stop them looking out the windows!  Light grey blinds don’t really provide the best blackout but they suffice.  Because of the shape of the room it’s not suitable for large-scale presentations but the 290 seater Auditorium on the ground floor with it’s own entrance is ideal.  The Auditorium is a good room for briefings, seminars and presentations however the reception and pre function area would be a little “cosy” for catering breaks, if all 290 are exiting the auditorium at the same time.

At first people may wonder why attend a function at what looks like a high rise office block, but Altitude 360º is an excellent choice for social occasions such as cocktail receptions, product promotions and parties.  I liked the fact they have their own pier on the river Thames and there’s coach parking possible on the opposite side of the street.  I’m not too sure about sit down dinners, as the main kitchens are on the ground floor and food transported up in heated trolleys to finishing kitchens sometimes looses quality.

Unless you’re using the whole space, make sure you get one of the room sections with the best views towards the Houses of Parliament and “ The Eye”.  It was a cold, misty day in December the day the VG visited, so the photo doesn't reflect the stunning views from this stylish venue.

© eventoptions 

Fast Find Facts
Location - Central London
Meeting rooms - 500 max reception Altitude 360/290 Millbank Auditorium
Rates - ££££

www.eventoptions.com

Expert venue finding for business meetings and events
+44 (0) 1483 281426

The Venue Guru is a name given for reviews of business venues that as a professional, I have inspected personally or used for meeting and events.  The venues reviewed are in the UK or mainland Europe and these reviews are from a meeting and event planners perspective.  I have no links with any hotels or venue marketing consortia and the reviews expressed are my own opinions. I hope you find them useful.