HOTEL Marriott Al Forsan
THE HOTEL OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH FIREWORKS AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT at a grand party in March this year. It’s the 12th Marriott property in Abu Dhabi and follows the opening of the Marriott Downtown & Executive Apartments in December. The hotel’s in the Al Forsan sports complex with its wide range of Olympic-standard facilities, and is a 10-minute drive from the airport.
Rooms: 400 guest rooms include 39 suites and come in eight categories. All are spacious, starting at 42sqm – and my 74sqm junior suite felt like a vast, airy space, with generously proportioned lounge, bedroom with separate dressing room, bathroom and guest cloakroom. The décor was smart and modern with rich tones of cream, red, bronze and polished wood. The lounge featured a balcony, corner sofa, dining table and chairs, workdesk, Illy Iperespresso coffee machine, tea-making facilities and a flatscreen TV – one of three TVs in the suite, including one for viewing in the bathtub, with a waterproof remote control. The big white marble bathroom featured twin basins, bathtub and separate walk-in rainshower, Acca Kappa products and white robes.
Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City A, Street 12, Abu Dhabi UAE • Tel: +971-2-201 4000 •
marriott.co.uk
Restaurants & bars: There are six F&B outlets (plus the Executive Lounge for eligible guests). The all-day buffet restaurant Khayal, with its own in-house bakery, serves an impressive breakfast: chefs in open kitchens offer a global choice including Arabic and Indian dishes such as shakshuka and channa masal, an Asian station serves dim sung, noodles and soups, while a western station cooks omelettes and eggs. Other options include the Grill restaurant and the casual Appaloosa bar complete with sports TV, draught beers and burgers. Meetings & events: A range of meeting spaces includes the ballroom, which can host up to 600 theatre-style and also divides into three flexible spaces, plus breakout areas, smaller meeting rooms and outdoor event options. The hotel
EVENT VENUE Huntsham Court
Huntsham, Devon, EX16 7NA • Tel: 01398361899 •
corporateretreat.co.uk
Accommodation: The property sleeps up to 80 in 34 bedrooms and suites, each individually and distinctively decorated. My Douglas suite was impressively baroque, with high ceilings, ornate four-poster bed and hand- painted wallpaper, and a vast bathroom with twin standalone bathtubs. Other suites in the Atrium have beautiful beamed vaulted ceilings and contemporary design flourishes. Facilities: Of the five grand reception areas, including an elegant library and drawing room, one of the most striking
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
THE CURRENT OWNERS BOUGHT THIS VICTORIAN COUNTRY MANSION IN 2012, and have spent £2.5 million renovating it to a high standard. The Tudor-Gothic house was overseen by Benjamin Ferrey, one of the architects who worked on the Houses of Parliament. The house is available as an exclusive ‘dry hire’ with a wide range of options from catering and entertainment to team-building activities. It is a 12-minute drive from the M5 and Tiverton Parkway rail station.
is the Great Hall with its original Jacobean panelling, black marble pillars, vast fireplace and stag heads. These can be set up theatre-style for up to 100 guests, or with tables for up to 50. Other rooms and spaces inside and out can be set up for workshops and breakout areas. The snug bar is a cosy corner, especially with fire blazing on a winter’s night. Total event capacity is 120. A wide range of activities, either onsite or nearby, includes archery, shooting, off-roading, fishing, cookery and baking, dance lessons, trekking and handling birds of prey.
Catering: The house has a beautiful octagonal kitchen with catering-grade facilities, and bookers are welcome to use these and make their own arrangements. But Huntsham also has a network of preferred partners; local caterers and suppliers offering artisan and locally sourced produce – from mobile wood-fired pizza ovens and fish’n’chip vans to luxury afternoon teas, wine-tasting sessions, fine dining and full silver-service gala dinners. The no-corkage fee policy could be a welcome feature for buyers’ budgets.
Verdict: Despite the palatial decor, Huntsham Court has a surprisingly comfortable and homely atmosphere. Set in the rolling Devon countryside, this distinctive and characterful property makes a magical setting that offers calm and focus for corporate retreats, meetings and team building, or a spectacular backdrop for memorable events. While it is heavily booked at weekends for weddings, midweek Huntsham Court is a really interesting and flexible option for event planners looking for something special.
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offers event support services, mobile apps and video-conferencing. Leisure: Comprehensive facilities include a 50m swimming pool with bar and extensive lawns, and a well-equipped gym with plenty of natural light. The sumptuous Saray Spa features a wide range of treatments and separate relaxation lounges and hydro-suites for men and women. The hotel also expects to attract group and team bookings for international sports events at the Al Forsan centre. Verdict: Impressive, luxurious and stylish, with friendly five-star service, the Al Forsan is a pleasant environment to stay in. It’s got comprehensive high- end facilities for working, meeting and downtime, while the hotel’s memorable opening party showcased its capabilities for spectacular outdoor events.
By Paul Revel
By Paul Revel
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