hospitality 47


Cliveden: excellence, enjoyable experiences, extravagant diversions


Cliveden is not simply a five-star venue for business events; it’s a memorable business life experience


For companies aiming to reward, inspire or motivate their personnel, or entertain clients, Cliveden is an impressive choice – and one that can provide the pleasingly unexpected.


Where else would you find the only listed outdoor swimming pool in Britain? (Or the intriguing scandal with which it is linked? – More of that later, writes John Burbedge)


So, what makes Cliveden the popular choice for discerning individuals, companies and organisations?


Well, it provides style with substance, fine dining to suit all tastes, leisure with pleasure, and above all seamless service quality to ensure every second spent at Cliveden is enjoyable. But, it also provides fun amongst its finery.


Cliveden’s appeal is that it quietly revels in its centuries-old heritage, charm and eccentricities. Allied to impeccable service standards, that refreshing outlook has made it a popular choice of companies and organisations looking for an excitingly different venue.


In addition to outstanding accommodation and dining experiences, the range of entertaining and extravagant diversions that Cliveden offers make it an enticing place to gather a group of business colleagues or clients.


Not convinced? Let’s consider a typical scenario.


Your company has had a good year, and you are among the top 20 staff invited to Cliveden for a two-night ‘business-bonding’ stopover. All have booked into their rooms by 3pm and are gathered at the hotel’s dock and boathouse at Cliveden Reach.


Cliveden’s beautiful vintage launches are waiting to take the group onboard to explore one of the prettiest and most interesting stretches of the River Thames, accompanied by a glass of champagne.


“I thought we might be having a water-based meeting to get the ideas ‘flowing’,” jokes a colleague as he disembarks. “That’s tomorrow morning," answers the MD, “But first, everyone needs to get ready for dinner.”


And what a dinner. Cliveden’s chef Andre Garrett, responsible for all the private dining and restaurant menus, provides a mouthwatering ‘Best of British’ choice with Wye Valley asparagus, Dorset crab, Devon lamb and Berkshire’s Barkham Blue cheese amongst the dining delights.


Next morning, looking out from your newly refurbished guestroom, you spot colleagues jogging through the nearby woods. You take in


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – APRIL 2014


the extensive views west across the Thames Valley towards Marlow and Henley, and south towards Bray and Windsor. You decide. “I’ll take a walk around the formal gardens after breakfast.”


The MD was right to get colleagues from different functions together to develop fresh ideas for the company’s future. The morning brainstorming and workshop sessions had gone well and discussions are buzzing during the lunchtime picnic on the Cliveden lawns.


Historic teambuilding is the afternoon theme. Teams of four take on Cliveden’s Historifix challenge. All the ‘Chapters of History’ answers are in and around Cliveden itself. The first team back with the correct answers to win, but what a history to discover.


Cliveden’s dramatic history includes philandering Dukes, America’s ‘richest citizen’, house parties for prime ministers and visits by Queen Victoria. The house has hosted every British monarch since George I and been home to three Dukes, an Earl and Frederick Prince of Wales. And let’s not forget the famous (or rather infamous) swim in that now listed Cliveden pool, which ultimately led to the Profumo Affair and the downfall of a government.


Three great houses have existed on its panoramic position 40 metres (130 ft) above the Thames. Ironically, the first was built in1666, the year of the Great Fire of London. It burned down in 1795, as did the second house in 1849. The present Grade 1 listed house was built in 1851.


Waldorf Astor and Nancy Langhorne were given Cliveden as a wedding gift in 1906 and the house became a glittering centre of European political and literary life as the Astors entertained the famous in grand style. Guests included Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, TE Lawrence and Charlie Chaplin.


With the teambuilding challenge over, you check your emails – very easy with Cliveden’s


www.businessmag.co.uk


recently improved wireless speeds up to 100 MBPS. You decide on a stroll through the 375 acres of National Trust gardens and woodlands that surround Cliveden – sitting like a pearl in a beautiful oyster-coloured swathe of Thames Valley countryside.


Colleagues are talking business as you join them on the terrace for a drink, but conversation dies as everyone takes in the sunset. Another masterly meal prepared by Somerset-born chef Andre Garrett awaits and is eagerly enjoyed.


Then it’s a step back in time. Now you know why everyone voted on their favourite: Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, or The Profumo Affair. Sixties music was probably the clincher, you later decide, as the themed evening ends with everyone dancing around that famous swimming pool.


Sounds like a memorable business life experience to me.


To enquire about a meeting, event or conference contact Cliveden, details below.


Details: special.events@clivedenhouse.co.uk 01628-668561 www.clivedenhouse.co.uk


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