Those planning small meetings and executive retreats in the Mid-Atlantic region can enjoy all of these attributes and more by choosing from a select group of premier, boutique getaway destinations.


The inns and hotels of Select Registry (selectregistry.com) in the mid-Atlantic region are well known as destinations for leisure getaways, but they also have much to offer when it comes to hosting small meetings and retreats. A marketing collec- tion of over 350 independent, upscale inns and hotels worldwide, these proper- ties are privately owned and operated, and subject to annual quality inspections.


In the mid-Atlantic region, these hotels and inns, while traditionally thought of as leisure getaway destinations, have much to offer to corporate planners and the groups they represent. These venues offer designated meeting and conference space, breakout areas, catering, plus cus- tomized recreation and team building.


Together with intimate surroundings, per- sonal attention and upscale amenities, these boutique properties also provide something else - affordability.


What's more, each Select Registry proper- ty offers planners buyout packages to assure privacy and exclusivity for their group, meaning they never have to com- pete for attention while on site.


This group of inns and hotels consists of 24 properties nationwide, six in the mid- Atlantic region. It has three properties in Virginia, including: The Hope and Glory Inn,


Pearisburg;


Irvington; Inn at and


Riverbend, Wedmore Place,


Williamsburg. Additional properties in the region are: Mercersburg Inn, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania; The Bellmoor in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and Savage River Lodge, Frostburg, Maryland.


Each venue has its own personality and unique set of offerings, but all focus specifically on providing an affordable and exclusive experience for those in the small meeting retreat market, and each comes complete with service provided by the owners as operators and innkeepers.


The Hope and Glory Inn, for example, is one of America's most acclaimed inns. It is one of only four lodging properties in Virginia with the highest ratings from Frommer's, Fodor's and Moon travel guides. Its vineyard, The Dog and Oyster, pairs fine wine with award winning oys- ters from Rappahannock River Oyster Company,


recipient of the National


Treasures Award, and a Food & Wine Tastemakers award. The inn's acclaimed chef, Anne Kirkmyer, can prepare anything from light fare to fine dining.


Ideally suited for hosting small retreat meetings, this 25-room inn is situated with- in the chic Chesapeake Bay waterfront town of Irvington, and offers dedicated meeting space, a spa, the aforementioned vineyard, plus cruise opportunities, a swimming pool, golf, tennis and more. Hope and Glory features two buyout options - one in its 13-room Schoolhouse Property and the other in the 12 rooms of its Vineyard Cottages. Additional meeting options include a lobby environment, a screened-in porch, or a more traditional space within its Meeting House.


At the Inn at Riverbend, which sits high on a bluff offering spectacular views over- looking Virginia's New River, guests will find seven rooms surrounded by almost 14 acres. Complete with a great room, and multiple options for breakouts, the inn offers all the amenities needed for small meetings and retreats, such as audio-visu- al equipment, WiFi throughout, and on site gourmet meals.


"I appreciate the need for small groups to get away from busy corporate life for a few days, to go to a place where creative thinking can thrive, to a place that is dedi- cated to and has dedicated staff just for your group, and to throw in a little fun and team building,” notes Janet Burton, innkeeper and proprietor for the Inn at Riverbend. "We enjoy making this a reality for groups.”


Such fun and team building might include visit to New River, which is a fish- erman's paradise just minutes from the inn. For those who prefer golf, the Virginia Tech Pete Dye River Course is located nearby. For those bringing along spouses, the inn can arrange activities such as win- ery tours, fly-casting classes, cooking class- es, glass blowing or any number of out- door excursions.


All guest rooms at the inn are tastefully decorated and feature spacious private baths, sumptuous bedding materials, sig- nature robes and large closets, and all rooms open to decks that provide breath- taking views. Dedicated meeting space at the inn can accommodate seated dinners for 20 or receptions of up to 45. As with Hope and Glory Inn, the Inn at Riverbend offers a buyout option to provide exclu- sivity for groups, as well.


Situated four miles from Williamsburg, Wedmore Place is a European-style coun- try hotel decorated with antiques and paintings from numerous countries, all selected to provide the warmth and ele- gance of an "Old World"-style mansion.


Wedmore Place resides on the grounds o Wessex Hundred, a 300-acre farm border- ing College Creek near the James River. Wessex Hundred also is home to the Williamsburg Winery, rated one of the best wine producers in the world by Decanter Magazine of London. The hotel and win- ery are both situated within "America's Historic Triangle,” which is comprised of Jamestown Island, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown.


With on site and nearby activities like golf, antiquing, shopping, hiking and biking, Wedmore Place is another very attractive small retreat destination. Each of its 28 overnight rooms is named after a province or area of Europe and is individ- ually decorated to reflect the culture and history of that region. All of its rooms also feature king-size beds and wood burning fireplaces. For those looking to unwind, the property also is home to a pool ter- race, pool-house and bar, a gym and a massage room.


For meetings, Wedmore Place offers two conference rooms. Its library is designed


Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 21


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