H&EN looks at some of the freshest meeting and events spaces across North.
Chesterfield | Casa Hotel
Just six miles from J29 of the M1, the convenient transport links at Chesterfield’s Casa offers an easy alternative meeting solution south of Sheffield. A renovation of all the hotel’s meeting rooms has incorporated new tech into the spaces, including LCD screens, changeable colour lighting, and new BOSE sound system to enhance presentations. Hosting up to 280 delegates in a theatre style set up, the Barcelona Suite also features a three-tier terrace ideal for pre and post- event drinks or networking. The ground floor Valencia Suite is ready for more intimate events for up to 50 delegates with complimentary staging, lecterns, and microphones available for awards dinners or conferences.
casahotels.co.uk
Coventry | St Mary’s Guildhall
Since its 2022 summer revamp, St Mary’s Guildhall has launched new conference packages for planners to take advantage of the new venue’s historic setting with modern meeting capabilities.
Packages for groups of 10 to 150 delegates are available across the Guildhall’s variety of rooms, which can also be viewed as part of a guided tour before the event launch. The fully equipped Great Hall is the venue’s spotlight event space and capable of hosting 150 delegates for sit down functions in the evenings, while on-site catering includes new brunch and lunch options at Tales of Tea located in the Undercroft beneath the space, featuring the famous Coventry Tapestry.
Stmarysguildhall.co.uk
Northumberland | Matfen Hall
Newcastle’s sophisticated Matfen Hall is ready to elevate luxury events just in time for spring after an extensive period of renovation. Set in over 300 acres of parkland, the hotel’s 27-hole championship golf course provides a range of bespoke packages and an exclusive clubhouse to entertain clients with. Overlooking views of the golf course, the outdoor Le Jardin Hollandaise offers a secluded space to host predinner drinks or al fresco dining for up to 60 delegates, while the inside Morning Room can host larger dinners of up to 100 delegates with original oak panelling and large windows offering plenty of natural light and an intimate atmosphere.
Matfenhall.com
Scotland | SCHLOSS Roxburghe
Hyatt Hotels has fully transformed the countryside SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel into a luxury retreat in the Scottish Borders and already utilising its ample interior spaces to display vehicles during launch and media events. For up to 100 delegates, the flexible and fully equipped Teviot Suite can be partitioned for multiple meetings and breakout session with a private terrace overlooking the hotel’s championship golf course. Further team building opportunities can also be found in the neighbouring country sports centre, offering group sessions in clay pigeon shooting, archery, and salmon fishing on the River Teviot.
Hyatt.com
Manchester | Treehouse Hotel
Manchester’s riverside Treehouse hotel is ready to launch this spring with aims to enhance business meetings with thoughtful programming. Quirky interior designs featuring playful prints and vibrant colours line the hotel’s nine meeting spaces to help spark group creativity and can easily be portioned to fit flexible numbers of up to 400 delegates. Surrounded with the same optimistic décor, the hotel rooms also include workspaces, blackout shades, and digital newspapers to help maintain client wellbeing and productivity, while culinary options are also supplied by celebrated local chefs in two restaurants and a panoramic rooftop bar.
Treehousehotels.com/Manchester
Derbyshire | Makeney Hall
New ownership at the Derwent Valley Mills-based Victorian manor house has revitalised the venue’s corporate spaces and a selection of its 46 rooms. Featuring a grand cast iron and wooden fireplace with oak panelling, the Lavinia Suite is designed to add some rustic warmth during intimate meetings for up to 30 delegates. Directly connecting with the Lavinia, the Conservatory provides a picturesque backdrop to traditional boardroom meetings for up to 36 delegates, with views of the carefully landscaped hotel gardens and surrounding countryside.
Makeney.co.uk
Durham | Park Head Hotel
Nestled in the historic market town of Bishop Auckland, the 18th century Park Head Hotel aims to draw further meetings between business in Yorkshire and Northumberland with an extensive refurbishment of its restaurant and 38 rooms. With fresh local produce sourced from the Walled Garden of nearby Auckland Castle, the Oak Room Restaurant seats up to 80 delegates with breakfast, light lunch, and evening dinner options available to fit around meetings. Clients are also within close access to the area’s heritage attractions, including two art galleries and the Weardale Railway.
Parkheadhotel.co.uk
Scotland | Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House
Made up of two residential properties from the 19th and 20th century, the characterful Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House has undergone a full refurbishment enhancing the hotel’s sophisticated heritage setting. 62 comfortable guest rooms provide a quiet base to explore Dumfries or the scenic golf courses of Scotland’s Southwest coast just a short drive away, while up to 80 delegates can use the hotel’s single multipurpose meeting space featuring a bold period-era interior design and all equipment provided for planners.
Mercuredumfries.co.uk