The stunning Wallace Collection in Marylebone is celebrating the reopening of the splendid East Drawing Room, just in time to host your Festive gathering!

The Wallace Collection are delighted to offer guests the opportunity to dine in sumptuous splendor amongst Flemish masterpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens and Sir Anthony van Dyck. The maximum capacity for a sit down dinner in the East Drawing Room is 24 guests. Pre-dinner drinks can be taken in an alternative gallery which gives the opportunity to view more stunning paintings.

The Drawing Room has a very interesting history and if walls could talk, I’m sure they would tell a tale or two! During the early years of the nineteenth century Isabella, Marchioness of Hertford used this beautiful Drawing Room to entertain noble guests such as the Prince Regent before his accession as George IV in 1820.

The Wallace Collection also offers 24 other areas/galleries.  Whether you are looking to host a intimate dinner or a stunning drinks reception for 300, there will be an area for you!

Don’t forget to give us a call – we’re always happy to discuss your venue finding needs!

New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – the Golden Triangle of India conjures up many a picture – the actual experience is so much more!

New Delhi The capital, offers the business traveller, the individual tourist and the “high end” incentive groups an amazing array of hotels.  From the new luxury Leela with its rooftop swimming pool, to the Thaj Palace with its unique
restaurants from Vietnamese, to India, to the Orient Express!  While the Imperial Palace provides its guests with the “cooling” feel of stepping into old colonial India!  The Spice Route restaurant is just superlative!  So many sights that
definitely cannot be missed from the impressive President’s Palace, to the unique round Parliament building housing 240 MP’s, to the high end shopping malls and green parks.

Jaipur – “home of the Marigold Hotel” for anyone who has seen this “must” view film! Here the true life of India can be experienced.  With the Tuk-Tuks in abundance, with the non-fearing riders and passengers on their motorbikes, to the sacred cows that refuse to move out of the road …… even the camels, goats and monkeys seem blissfully unaware of the incessant buzz around them!  Staying at the Rambagh Palace was a delight – this stunning hotel was once the Palace of the Royal Family of Jaipur until 1957 when it was tastefully converted into a luxury hotel. Jaipur itself has many sites to entice a high end incentive trip – from the City Palace, Amber Fort, Elephant Polo matches and so much more ….. if you have any questions please contact us and we would be pleased to provide you with further information.

Agra – home of the Taj Mahal completes the Golden Triangle! On entering the gate and seeing this mausoleum in all its glory transports the visitor to a past long ago.  From its well-tended gardens, to water-lilly pools and fountains to the memorable seat where Princess Diana sat – as with her this is a photo option not to be missed. Starring into the water to portray a mirror image of the Taj Mahal leaves one wondering of the love that one man had for one woman to create such
a masterpiece in architecture!

INDIA – perfect for a conference, ideal for a high-end incentive, great for the individual traveller!

Gleneagles reminds me of a magical castle that I used to see in Disney films when I was a young girl. It is like the castle in Beauty and the Beast, when the Beast becomes a good person again and everything becomes beautiful. It is quite possible that this Scottish version of the fairyland fortress is just as enchanting. Therefore, when Martin and I were invited to go and visit the property, we jumped on our magic carpet and headed for Perthshire…

Although it is not quite a magic carpet ride away, the hotel is easily reachable. With the flight only taking an hour from London to Edinburgh and the coach transfer also being just under one hour, it is a hop, skip and a jump away from your London office. On arriving at Gleneagles it is clear to see why it is one of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’. Everything really has been thought of and met to perfection. Each of the 232 bedrooms and 26 suites exude luxury and comfort whilst being stocked with all the necessary modern amenities. There are traditional rooms for those seeking a tartan surrounding and more modern rooms if that is your preference. I had the pleasure of staying in an Estate Room, which although more contemporary, still had a warming fire and was extremely cosy! The meeting rooms also achieve Scottish traditionalism whilst being fully functional and high-tech. The largest conference suite can take up to 280 people theatre style, while there are smaller boardrooms for more intimate meetings. The rooms are also ideal for private dinners and really do create that ‘wow’ factor. Oh, and the spa is every girl’s dream!

Gleneagles is not only ideal for your next conference but also has unchallengeable team building and incentive opportunities. Whilst at the hotel we tried our hand at golf on their stunning course, clay pigeon shooting, gun dog handling, falconry and equestrian – all in a morning’s work! The facilities were exceptional.

This Scottish resort really is a one stop shop for a sensational event. Whether you are planning a residential meeting or a special dinner, Gleneagles has it all. It is also ideal if you fancy exploring the great outdoors, partaking in a haggis ceremony or staying in an enchanted fairyland castle. Give Conference Contacts a call for more information.

There are some of life’s little pleasures that create a big impact. Luxurious properties, stunning scenery, faultless service, excellent food and special wines are just a few of these wonderful things. Such pleasures can all be found at The Vineyard at Stockcross. The proof of this was confirmed following a Conference Contacts team outing to the 5 star hotel.

Martin, Janet, Alison and I were treated to a seven course dinner at The Vineyard, created by Michelin starred celebrity chef Daniel Galmiche and an overnight stay at the sister hotel, Donnington Valley. On entering The Vineyard we received the kind of welcome that makes you feel truly looked after and at a home away from home. With 49 bedrooms, the hotel achieves a personal touch with everything it provides, and the guests relaxing on the sofas sipping tea in the bar appear as though they are in the comfort of their own living rooms. However the elegance of the property is undeniable. The feast that we were served by Mr Galmiche was an extension of this, and the extraordinary head sommelier Yohann Jousselin hand-picked a different wine for each course. Both the food and wine echoed the charisma of its creators and servers. All in all, it was a sublime experience.

The meeting rooms at The Vineyard are light and attractive and again felt more like a study at home than an impersonal conference room. Individually the largest of the four rooms can take up to 80 people theatre style while The Atrium Suite would be ideal for smaller groups of up to 20.

Donnington Valley is a great 4 star alternative to The Vineyard. The bedrooms are spacious and the spa is truly amazing. There is also an impressive golf course in the grounds and there is meeting space for up to 140 people theatre style.

Both properties feel as though they are in secluded tranquillity but are just minutes off the M4 making them practical yet comfortable. Practically perfect if you ask us!

Are you crazy about cars? If so, you will love the Audi Quattro Rooms. Are you bored by cars? If so, you will still love the Audi Quattro Rooms. This distinctive West End venue exudes contemporary cool.

This unusual property is designed to reflect the ‘intelligent design and sophisticated luxury’ that the Audi brand moulds itself upon. The space is decked out with Bang & Olufsen technology, stylish furnishings and very shiny cars! Ideal for an innovative product launch or imaginative dinner, the spacious venue can hold up to 340 for exclusive hire and is fresh and flexible. The venue also offers fantastic opportunities for business meetings with three board rooms, three meeting rooms and a private screening room. Alternatively, host your next networking reception there – the exclusive collection including vintage, rally and racing cars provides a fantastic talking point.

Indulge your creative mind. Plan an event with a creative difference and choose the Audi Quattro rooms. If you would require a ‘creative’ input from Conference Contacts, we would love to hear from you!

There are some venues that just speak for themselves; they ooze “cool” and exude exclusivity. Abbey Road Studios is effortlessly one such venue. The fact that every major artist has recorded there and that The Beatles were more or less inhabitants during a large part of their career, only serves to endorse this special quality. It is that ‘special quality’ that I instantly felt when I was invited to take a look around.

And ‘felt’ is the correct word. Walking into the legendary recording rooms you cannot help but feel the history they must hold – if only walls could talk! The studios seem quite untouched and retain a sense of “shabby-cool”. One can quite easily picture John Lennon sitting at the piano in Studio two and you almost feel a sense of nostalgia. Except Abbey Road Studios is not just a building of the past, it is very much in the present, with top current artists recording there every day.

This really is a spectacular location for your next event. Studio one is the largest space and is famous for its fantastic acoustics; with a capacity of up to 300 people, this is the perfect place for a dinner with a difference or a very interesting conference. Studio two is probably the most famous studio in the world; it was The Beatles favourite place to record. More suited to receptions or intimate performances, it cannot help but leave a lasting impression. Studio three is the smallest with a capacity of 40 and would be great for a small client meeting; it is also used for the ‘record a song’ day experience. This is team building with a difference and very popular for corporate networking events. Not only do you have the chance to record a song in Abbey Road Studios, but any awkward barriers are banished the moment everyone steps behind the microphone and starts singing!

Abbey Road Studios is the ultimate destination for an extremely special event. There is a limit to how many events they can host per year, so do get in touch for more details!

How perfect would it be if, wherever you were in the country, there was luxurious portable accommodation that could follow you? Whether you are planning a dinner with a difference for friends or an alfresco residential meeting; if the thought of Egyptian cotton sheets following you is appealing, then Camp Kerala is for you.

Camp Kerala provides the ultimate exclusive experience and gives tented accommodation a whole new meaning. Best known for being the most glamorous place to stay at Glastonbury Festival, housing celebrities and stars alike, the company has now gone mobile. Due to high demand for this unique experience, Camp Kerala Mademoiselle was born.

The stunning solution to your next unusual event, CKM can provide up to 30 mobile tents and the extravagance does not stop at Egyptian cotton bedding. Each ‘mademoiselle’ is decked out with Rajasthani bejewelled bed covers, Italian mattresses and sheep skin rugs and can be designed to suit you. The team are fantastic and really do have every last detail covered from the Kerala Spa to fantastic entertainment to fluffy white dressing gowns.

For your next boutique event, Camp Kerala Mademoiselle could be the chic option you are looking for. Give Conference Contacts a call for more information.

Amazing Retreats is renowned for stunning and exclusive properties. They offer the perfect hideaway or castle for your next residential meeting, product launch or corporate incentive. Providing five-star-standard venues around England, Scotland and Wales, they exude total luxury whilst maintaining historic beauty. These properties are so much more than hotels, they really are Amazing.

The newest addition to the magnificent collection is Spitbank Fort. A mile off the Portsmouth coast, it is one of four Napoleonic forts that dominate the Solent. Authorised for construction in 1860 and completed in 1878, Spitbank was formerly home to hundreds of soldiers protecting the approaches to Portsmouth. In 1982 it was sold by the Ministry of Defence and recently Amazing Retreats has taken it under their wing to create an exceptional and unusual venue.

This private island incorporates everything that is elite and unique. With a champagne bar, wine tasting room, restaurant, roof top sun decks, hot tub, water sport activities and more – the facilities are endless. There is nothing that has not been thought of. The nine lavish bedroom suites can sleep up to 18 and for larger receptions the function space can take up to 60. One can indulge in total tranquillity as you are completely secluded. However accessibility is also easy, with the Fort being only a ten minute boat journey from Portsmouth, 20 minutes from Southampton airport and under two hours from London. Such practicality is highlighted with the fort’s own private water supply – the Spitbank artesian well, dug 401 feet below sea level produces gallons of fresh water per hour… what more could anyone possibly need!

Spitbank Fort only opened in April 2012 but is already in high demand for exclusive hire and corporate events. What really is so special is being out at sea in the open air, whilst inside is so comfortable and cosy, with a fantastic chef and welcoming staff. Get in touch with the Conference Contacts team to explore the possibility of entertaining at Spitbank.

Situated in the heart of St James, London, is the beautiful Stafford Hotel. Following a renovation towards the end of 2011 it is fresh-faced and elegant whilst retaining its traditional charm. However it is underneath the cobbles of this five star hotel’s courtyard that you will find the unusual event space – The Stafford Wine Cellars.

Built in the 17th century by Lord Francis Godolphin, the Cellars consist of 350 year old stone. Used as a bomb shelter during the Second World War, there is war memorabilia accessorising the space. It is authentic and haunting and creates a distinct atmosphere. Once down there you cannot help but immediately feel transported into another time zone.

The space can take up to 44 people and with simple candlelight looks truly stunning. The cosy environment is ideal for an intimate dinner or a wine-tasting reception with the hotel’s superb sommelier, Gino Nardella. For a daytime meeting with a difference it is an exclusive hideaway, buried amongst approximately 6,000 bottles of wine! Get in touch with our venue finding team to plan your next dinner with a difference.

Visiting GIBTM in Abu Dhabi was a wonderful opportunity to see and learn all that Abu Dhabi has to offer our industry. From outstanding luxury 5* hotels/resorts, to Ferrari World, the F1 Race Track and the unbelievable beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi affords the conference organiser and incentive booker a perfect backdrop to all that this amazing place has to hand. While Abu Dhabi may appear to be in the shadows of Dubai I certainly found this not to be the case. Care is being taken to build up the State in a sympathetic way, with the up and coming Saadinyat Island providing travellers with culture, leisure and business opportunities – with the proposed building of new Guggenheim and Louvre museums this will certainly put Abu Dhabi on the map for a “must see” visit.

For exhibitions the ADNEC conference centre is ideal; with large halls, open spaces, easy access and the close proximity of many major hotels – Rocco Forte, Hyatt and Fairmont to name just a few – this space will certainly be in high demand.  Travelling along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi city hotels such as Hilton, InterContinental and the fabulous Emirates Palace are well placed to provide easy access to this buzzing city.

There are many more new openings, email us for more information…