Departures
MEETING IN...
Cheltenham
Historically known for its spa waters and impressive Regency architecture, the Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham now welcomes thousands of visitors to the annual Gold Cup festival, with corporate guests high among their numbers, writes Andy Hoskins
“Take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the largest in the world. It's one of the most worthwhile cultural experiences in Abu Dhabi and visitors will be given the chance to gain a unique insight into the religion and culture of the Emirates. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is open for guided educational tours commencing at 10am to 11.30am from Sunday to Thursday”
The swathes of spa-goers that once made tracks for Cheltenham during the 18th and 19th centuries have been replaced by enthusiastic punters, but there’s more to the town’s meeting and events sector than the annual horse-racing bonanza. Back in the town centre, there’s plenty of venue choice for the discerning meetings and events planner, while the Cotswolds acts as a giant playground for corporate team-building exercises.
ANGELA BATES TRADE PROMOTIONS SENIOR EXECUTIVE, ABU DHABI TOURISM AUTHORITY
Wow Factor Queens Hotel Address: The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NN Tel: 01242 514754 Email:
H6632@accor.com Web:
www.mercure.com When asked which hotel is generally considered the town’s finest and best-known, a member of staff at Visit Cheltenham hesitated only slightly before name- checking the Queens Hotel – and most locals would probably agree. The Regency-style, four-star property belongs to the Accor hotel group’s Mercure brand and is centrally located next to Cheltenham’s Imperial Gardens. It has 70 guestrooms and three meeting rooms: the Prestbury room for up to ten delegates; the Montpelier for up to 40; and the Regency for up to 100. The Napier restaurant serves up contemporary British cuisine, while the Gold Cup bar is open throughout the day and evening. There’s also a Raymond Blanc Brasserie adjacent to the hotel in its former ballroom featuring an open kitchen and described by the man himself as “reminiscent of the ‘Grande Brasseries’ of Paris.”
Quirky Venue The Pittville Pump Room Address: Pittville Park, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE Tel: 01242 264231 Email:
amanda.kitson@
cheltenham.gov.uk Web:
www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/ pittville-geninfo.asp
Every good spa town needs a waterworks, and Cheltenham’s grade-I listed Pittville Pump Room is among the finest examples of the Regency-style architecture for which the town is known. Built in the 1820s and overlooking pretty parkland, it hosts private
and public functions throughout the year and still draws water from an 80ft well. The Great Hall can accommodate up to 400 delegates theatre-style, with a wide choice of layouts, lighting and staging on offer. The Apse room has capacity for 80 people, and the Oval, East and West rooms can each take up to 50.
New Kid on the Block Hotel du Vin Address: Parabola Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3AQ Tel: 01242 588450 Web:
www.hotelduvin.com Though not strictly a newcomer to Cheltenham’s accommodation and events portfolio, the former Carlton Hotel was converted to the boutique Hotel du Vin a couple of years ago, and has not looked back since. The popular brand describes itself as ‘elegant and unpretentious’, and conjures images of ‘quintessential British style’, a formula that’s proved popular with both leisure and corporate guests. As well as 49 bedrooms and suites, the Hotel du Vin Cheltenham has a bistro, Champagne bar, Grape & Grain bar and two function rooms – Speyside Glenlivet, for 20 people boardroom style or 30 in theatre style, and Almaviva, for 14 delegates boardroom style and 20 theatre style. Delegate rates are from £199 per person and include refreshments, lunch, three-course dinner and accommodation.
On a Shoestring The Big Sleep Hotel Address: Wellington Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1XZ Tel: 01242 696999 Web:
www.thebigsleephotel.com One of three Big Sleep Hotels – the others are in Cardiff and Eastbourne – the Cheltenham property
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