Hilton Doubletree Tower Hill, London formerly the MINT Hotel, City of London

**Since this Blog was published, the MINT Hotel group has been taken over by the Hilton DoubleTree chain.**
Not that long ago, there were hardly any hotels in the City of London, which was always surprising given the vast amount of business traffic in this area.  But now there is a fair selection of good quality hotels including the latest addition of the Hilton Double HOTEL, Tower Hill. 

This is the City’s largest hotel to date having 583 bedrooms, all of which are equipped with the latest iMacs doubling up as in-room TV and computer.  The narrow guest floor corridors present an institutional feel but bedrooms are attractive if functional, clearly stating this is more a business hotel rather than for leisure guests.

Addressing the CSR issue, the Hilton Doubletree HOTEL, Tower Hill has cleverly positioned itself as an Eco hotel.  In this case it means solar panels, roof gardens complete with beehives, energy saving lights and no plastic bottled water in the meeting rooms.  Best of all, all rooms have windows that open.

The Hilton Doubletree HOTEL, Tower Hill is located off Pepys Street and the contrast from this old fashioned, narrow street outside to the ultra modern, spacious atrium lobby is striking. Having so many bedrooms over 11 floors means the lifts are pretty busy but someone’s clearly thought out the layout as the dedicated meetings area is quickly accessed from the lobby by stairs. All the meeting rooms have floor to ceiling windows and they’ve added a row of 9 meeting booths for informal discussions or breakout groups. 

The WOW factor is the Sky Lounge on the 12^th floor, comprising of five meeting rooms, a stylish bar and two rooftop gardens complete with a BBQ area.  This is a fabulous place for summer events thanks to the superb views of the river Thames, Tower of London, and the Gherkin, but just watch out for the bees!

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Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

E-mail: enquires@eventoptions.com  Tel: +44 (0) 1483281426

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

Westin Valencia, Spain

Meeting destinations are like fashion, constantly changing so if you find there’s a “been there, seen it, done it” attitude towards Barcelona, then consider Valencia.

Admittedly, Valencia does not offer the vast array of hotels as Barcelona, but the Westin Valencia is an excellent venue for meeting and events.  Formerly a textile factory the exterior outwardly reflects the Belle Epoc era seen in Valencia’s many fine buildings.  City centre hotels can be busy, unwelcoming places but the Westin Valencia is an oasis of calm, being situated in a quiet road yet just a short walk to the Historic centre and the Science Park.

Setting up for a Gala Dinner - Exposición

The hotel building is only two storeys high and forms a square with the central area consisting of a beautiful courtyard, complete with fountains and orange trees. This fabulous, unique space is ideal for outdoors lunches and drinks receptions.  The largest meeting room, “Exposición” holds 400 theatre style and opens out onto a courtyard, providing a welcome escape for any delegates “punch drunk on PowerPoint presentations”.

The 135 bedrooms are smart chain hotel décor, the exception being the lovely marble bathrooms.  Guest floor corridors consist of period, dark wooden doors, and being an historic property there’s only two lifts, meaning a bit of hike to bedrooms for some.

    

Royal Suite

But if money’s no object, then book your VIP into the over-designed Royal Suite complete with outdoor hot tub. Commissioned by a famous interior designer and patronised by the likes of Claudia Shiffer and Julia Roberts, it certainly is “an attack on the eyeballs” and the VG preferred the calming yellows, creams and browns of the deluxe rooms. 

Courtyard at the Westin

Westin Valencia Verdict:  
Lovely hotel in an excellent location.

 www.eventoptions.com

Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

E-mail: enquires@eventoptions.com  Tel: +44 (0) 1483 281 426

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.

W Barcelona

You can’t miss the resemblance of the W Barcelona to the Burj al Arabe in Dubai.  This stunning curved glass structure sits at the edge of the Mediterranean overlooking the Port of Barcelona on one side yet it’s only 10 minutes drive to the centre of Barcelona.

When I arrived at the hotel, they were laying out the red carpet. Not for the VG! But for guests attending a dinner for a major Spanish telecoms company. The hotel reception was buzzy and busy, and I suspect many people wandering around were there just have a “nose around”.  I was taken up to the 24th floor in an elevator so smooth the only reason I knew we’d arrived was my ears popped.  The “W” in W hotels stands for WOW!, and this is true of their 473 bedrooms.  Each bed is strategically placed facing the floor to ceiling windows, so the occupants can conveniently gaze out to sea without leaving bed.  The views are stunning and the shape of the hotel makes the bedroom appear if suspended in mid air.

For an events organiser, it is the Great Room that gets them excited; or rather it’s an AV technician’s dream – a function room holding 850 with a ceiling height of 7 metres!  The rear aspect comprises of a floor to ceiling window with views of the coastline.  A well thought out terrace at the side makes a great area for a drinks reception or dining al fresco.  Slightly disappointing was the narrow staircase access to the other meeting rooms located on the ground floor.  There are 10 meeting rooms down on the ground floor; they’re good, but typical of any modern meeting rooms in a major city hotel.

This is the only hotel in Barcelona that has direct access to the beach, so obviously attracts strong interest from the leisure market.  As a consequence, if you are proposing to use the W Barcelona for a serious meeting, the business suits could well be mixing with the swimsuits and the flip-flop brigade. 

www.eventoptions.com

Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

E-mail: enquires@eventoptions.com  Tel: +44 (0) 1483281426

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.

Movenpick, Amsterdam

 Meeting venues in Amsterdam are all about being near water and the Mövenpick Amsterdam is no exception. One of the best things about this hotel’s location is its direct quayside access, providing a great starting point for canal boat cruises.  An event planner’s delight – no coach transfers!

Schiphol Airport connects directly to Amsterdam’s mainline station; just 14 mins walk to the Mövenpick (yes, even I’ve walked it).  Downtown hotels off quaint, narrow streets can mean you get held up by the sheer volume of cyclists alone, but the Mövenpick’s main road access takes you quickly out of the city.

All 408 bedrooms are ultra modern and apart from a couple of suites, identical in size, so this avoids arguments as to who has a better/bigger room.  The only slight difference is the higher up your room the better the view over the river IJ, and it’s pretty spectacular when enormous cruise ships dock alongside.

 

There’s a dedicated meetings floor with 12 modern meeting rooms and a central standing only catering area.  (see photo of bored technician seated in one half of the Matterhorn suite).

The Mövenpick only has one restaurant, (The Silk Road) it’s a shame it’s not on the top floor for the views but it does have a large outside terrace that can be used in fine weather. 

 

As a meeting planner, the VG liked this hotel.  The conference staff are some of the best I’ve dealt with, and it’s 4 star rated so the costs aren’t outrageous.

www.eventoptions.com

Expert venue finding for business meetings and events

E-mail: enquires@eventoptions.com  Tel: +44 (0) 1483281426

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.

Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa

There are few things more exciting with venue inspections than driving along a stately tree-lined avenue and the anticipation of what’s at the end. Arriving at Pennyhill Park Hotel however can be a bit confusing; some Satnav systems may direct you to the deliveries entrance, as happened to the client I was meeting!  You are first signposted to the Car Park, but it’s only a short, steep walk down to the hotel entrance, that’s unless you have a truly stunning motor in which case you are allowed to park in small area in front of the hotel.   However, Pennyhill Park understands first impressions count, and there is a competent car valet service to take care of your wheels if you’ve left the Ferrari at home.

Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa is a luxury 5-star hotel, comprising of a combination of a beautiful ivy-clad manor house and at the rear a luxury spa and accommodation complex. Meeting rooms are attractive, light and airy and all have the latest technology. If you need a lot of breakout rooms this could be a problem – they’re not that many and not all meeting rooms are located in the same place.  The bedrooms viewed were elegant, well appointed and the décor not too glitzy. Perhaps reflecting the fact that the hotel is home to England’s Rugby team during training for home internationals. 

The jewel in Pennyhill’s crown is it’s staff – efficient, attentive and friendly, this more than anything confirms its luxury status.  What would the VG consider Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa for? Certainly, this venue’s aim is to attract those senior executive board meetings and it’s impressive enough for important customer events and incentives, plus, the Manor House makes a beautiful backdrop for weddings.  Rates are high for run of the mill meetings and events but it’s ideal for smallish incentive groups.  Following other top hotel trends, they’ve introduced a “Chef’s Table” or rather a “dine in the hotel kitchen experience” where you can watch chefs prepare your food order on TV screens – it gives a whole new meaning to TV dinners!

Fast find facts - What is it?

A first class luxury hotel located 25 miles from central London and only 15 miles from London Heathrow (LHR).  Nearest motorway: M3/ Nearest Train Station: Bagshot.

Maximum theatre style: 140, Total beds: 123.

The VG liked: Parkland setting, Fabulous Spa, Michelin Food, Ruby Pitch, 9 hole Golf course, Carbon-neutral conferencing, Free WIFI throughout

   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.

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

www.eventoptions.com

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.

©eventoptions

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.