VENUES
Boutique style
When only the best will do... Executive PA takes a look at some of the UK’s best boutique properties for business travellers
Traditionally, corporate travellers were pretty limited in their choice of hotel; bland, uniform and large-scale – what business hotels lacked in fashion-forward design credentials they made up with a range of dependable amenities: meeting space, work-friendly guestrooms, health clubs and the rest. These days there are a growing number of boutique hotels vying for the business community’s attention. They are well-appointed and well-run, with beautiful interiors, impeccable staff and all the corporate facilities you could want. To help you find the perfect boutique hotel for your boss or colleague Travel Intelligence has selected the best examples of UK properties
Hotel Felix, Cambridge
Located just outside Cambridge in a converted Victorian mansion, Hotel Felix is a calm and contemporary bolt- hole that’s popular with business travellers (owing in part to great road links from London, Stanstead Airport and the North). Many people stay here for the award-winning restau-
rant, but it’s an equally good choice for corporate events. The meeting rooms overlook three acres of landscaped gardens, whilst the restaurant’s private dining room is the perfect place to enjoy the sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine undisturbed.
Contact: 01223 277977; www.hotelfelix.co.uk
The Merchant, Belfast (below)
Absolutely sumptuous, The Merchant is the place to stay in Belfast. It’s a great choice for corporate travellers, boasting extensive meeting and private dining space, plus close proximity to the city’s business district. Splash out on the hotel’s private Bentley to really wow
your clients, and work hard in the knowledge that at the end of a busy day you’ll retire to travertine marble bath- rooms, black-out curtains and super-sized flat screen tel- evisions in one of 26 beautifully-appointed bedrooms.
Contact: 028 9024 7775; www.themerchanthotel.com
The Forbury, Reading (above)
Reading isn’t the world’s boutique hotel capital by any means (we’ll reserve that crown for beautiful Paris) but this style-savvy five-star hotel rivals anything that more fashionable cities have to offer. Stay here and take advantage of stylish meeting
spaces, top-notch technology and a 30-seater private cinema. It also boasts Reading’s most fashionable drink- ing hole, Cerise, with an extensive cocktail menu and collection of antique shakers.
Contact: 0118 958 1234; www.theforburyhotel.co.uk
Eleven Didsbury Park, Manchester (right)
Disbury Village, the home of Eleven Disbury Park, is Manchester’s most affluent suburb. Quiet, leafy and refined, it’s just the place to relax after a hard day of meetings. Even better, there are excellent transport links to the city centre, and Manchester’s business parks are located nearby. The hotel’s meeting rooms cater for parties of up to 16, whilst the garden can be used as a versatile events space during warmer months. Although the hotel lacks a formal restaurant, business lunches can be provided on request.
Contact: 0161 448 8282; www.elevendidsburypark.com
42 The Calls, Leeds
42 The Calls is a proper boutique hotel, the first of its kind to open outside London. It’s also very much geared towards the corporate market; so much so that Conde Nast named it as one of its ‘Top Business Hotels UK’. The hotel has a choice of meeting spaces, plus dry cleaning and a room service menu from the ever-popular Brasserie Forty 4. Better still, it’s just a five-minute stroll to the regenerated city centre.
Contact: 0113 244 0099; www.theetoncollection.com E
26 » www.executivepa.com » Apr/May 2010
CONTACT
Travel Intelligence is a hand- picked, global collection of luxury and boutique hotels which can be booked direct from its website. The website also has reviews, articles and insider knowledge to help you make that important booking decision. Visit the website: www.travelintelligence.com
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