About: One of central London’s largest event spaces, this recently opened 20,000 sq. ft venue’s Main Hall has a 13-metre high ceiling and vast performance stage Expect a full AV system boasting a 9-metre LED screen, live broadcasting studio, various green rooms, breakout spaces, and more. There is also The Network conference facility and the Inner Space event hall, which can be hired separately, both designed by legendary designer Tom Dixon
Getting there: The nearest Tube is King’s Cross St Pancras Station
Capacity: Up to 800
Accessibility: Direct car access and lifts
Why we love it: The scale of the place offers a real sense of grandeur!
Find out more: Vision Hall
Radisson Blu Sheffield
Where: Sheffield City centre
About: This new hotel opened in July, complete with a choice of six state-of-the-art meeting rooms Each space offers flexible setups with a range of options well suited to events both large and small. It’s conveniently located in the city centre, and Sheffield is also within easy reach of the Peak District, a great location for teambuilding or incentive trips
Getting there: Walking from Sheffield train station takes around 10 minutes
Capacity: Up to 280
Accessibility: Meeting rooms are located on the ground and lower levels
Why we love it: The meeting spaces are 100% carbon neutral, as are all Radisson meetings spaces globally
Find out more: Radisson Blu Hotel Sheffield
CRACKER JOKE...
Why has Santa been banned from sooty chimneys?
Carbon footprints
Top Festive Venues
Horizon 22
Where: 22 Bishopsgate, London E
About: Take your guests to new heights at this sensational events destination, located on Level 58 of the City of London’s tallest building 254 metres above the hustle and bustle, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing magnificent views of the capital’s twinkling lights and iconic landmarks, it delivers definite wow-factor for all sorts of occasions - especially Christmas parties!
Getting there: Liverpool Street and other nearby tube stations
Capacity: 280 seated or 500 standing
Accessibility: Fully accessible
Why we love it: Those spectacular views!
Find out more: Event Space - Horizon 22
Imperial War Museums
Where: Various locations in London
About: If you’re looking for a unique setting for your festive bash, how about celebrating an evening on the Thames aboard the iconic ship HMS Belfast? Up to 350 guests can enjoy a Champagne reception, canapés and three course festive menu at this memorable venue Or, be surrounded by history at the Imperial War Museum London, where guests can celebrate in the indoor Roof Terrace and Atrium. There is also the option of a 1940s themed Christmas dinner at Churchill War Rooms.
Getting there: All within easy reach of public transport
Capacity: Up to 450
Accessibility: Step-free access is available
Why we love it: These venues offer something out of the ordinary
Find out more: Beautiful Christmas Party Venues | Restaurant Associates
Northern Belle
Getting there: Check individual train stations for directions
Capacity: 276 for exclusive charter. Private carriages can be hired for smaller groups
Accessibility: Unfortunately, carriages cannot be boarded on wheelchair, but staff assistance is offered and folding wheelchairs can be stored during the journey
Why we love it: It makes for a memorable experience. Find out more: northernbelle.co.uk
Interested in any of these AMAZING venues? Contact our M&E Team for further details on 0344 847 5501 or meetingsandevents@inntel.co.uk
CASE STUDY: CHRISTMAS PARTY IN JANUARY
With December being a traditionally busy time for our business, as well as in our people’s home lives, we began hosting our annual festivities in January a few years ago It’s great to bring the sparkle to our staff and deliver a bit of cheer during what is arguably the most depressing month of the year!
The benefits of hosting a Christmas event in January go beyond providing a morale boost for your teams Not only is turnout often better as everyone’s social diaries are not as full as they are at the end of the year, but venue availability tends to be much better than in November and December – and there can be costsavings, too
In January 2024 our event was held at a local venue, Wivenhoe House Hotel, an 18th century building full of character located just outside of central Colchester, not far from our head office We had exclusive hire of the main room with a three-course meal during our employee awards ceremony, followed by casino style games and entertainment.
CRACKER JOKE...
Why couldn’t the skeleton go to the Christmas party? He had no body to go with
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?
Our ESG Executive measured the carbon impact of the event using Trace software (this service is available to all clients) As expected, travel accounted for the majority of our carbon emissions, even though lift sharing and public transport was encouraged. Next year, we will select a venue closer to public transport links to reduce our emissions further Eight trees were planted to offset the event’s CO2 impact via our partnership with Trees4Travel.
Find out more about our carbon measuring services here: Inntel | Trace - Inntel
When hosting your end of year celebrations, think about how to make it an inclusive event for all
A buddy system: New starters and those with social anxiety could really benefit from having plans in place to help them feel more comfortable. This could be knowing who they’re sitting next to for a meal, creating a buddy system so people can meet a colleague and know they don’t have to walk in alone, or bringing a plus one.
Religious beliefs: While your Christmas party is likely to be more about thanking your staff rather than celebrating in a religious context, it’s important to be mindful of religion when making your party plans to ensure your people know it’s an inclusive celebration for everyone.
Non-drinkers: More than simply providing nonalcoholic refreshments, make sure that the venue is somewhere that everyone can enjoy and the party isn’t centred around booze
Asking your team what they want: Not everyone is a fan of a traditional pub setting. Why not conduct an anonymous poll to gather suggestions for alternative party ideas?
Social enterprise venues: Community-run, nonprofit organisations offer unique settings for hire and the chance to ‘give back’, too Speak to our consultants about sourcing these venues for you
Sustainability: Tracking the environmental footprint of your event is easy with the help of Trace software and reduction advice from our ESG Executive.
LOCATION CHAMPION REPORT: EDINBURGH
Andi Routledge, Simple Meetings Team Leader, and Amelie Saunders, Meetings & Events Consultant at Inntel share their venue highlights from a recent trip to Edinburgh…
Arriving into the city, we were struck by its beauty –amazing architecture, cobbled lanes and lively street performers. The centre is quite compact and easy to navigate, with most venues within easy reach on foot In fact, Edinburgh is said to be one of the UK’s most pedestrian-friendly cities For anything slightly further afield, including the airport and main train station, the trams and buses are ultra-reliable and convenient
The first venue we visited was the Apex City Hotel, situated just off the Royal Mile, complete with fantastic views The interiors are cool and modern, featuring vibrant pops of colour You know you’ve stepped into an Apex hotel when you see the huge, brightly coloured animal statues in them – a quirky feature we love!
We also checked out two other Apex hotels in the city, (Apex Grassmarket Hotel and Waterloo Place) both similarly stylish with a range of flexible spaces suited to everything from small meetings to large-scale conferences and celebrations
Our accommodation for the trip was at the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh City, the ideal base from which to explore, conveniently located within a 10-minute walk of the International Conference Centre and less than a mile from the famous Edinburgh Castle
During our tour, we visited the other three Leonardo venues in the area (Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket, Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield and Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh). All reliably great quality with a wide choice of meeting and conference rooms or accommodation, as you’d expect from the group. Style-wise, the venues have a perfect mixture of traditional charm and lovely, modern touches.
Speaking of modern touches, The Glasshouse, utograph Collection, with its striking frontage, is not o be missed. The combination of gothic church açade with a contemporary glass structure is unning. Inside, it is modern and luxurious, with a abulous rooftop garden and choice of boardrooms nd event space.
Nearby is the W Hotel, a boldly modern, deluxe ew venue complete with a wraparound rooftop eck, lavish spa and onsite restaurants – including a USHISAMBA, one of only six in the world In total here are five exclusive meeting spaces with a maximum capacity of 100, each making for a abulous event The rooftop domes would be credible for small, intimate Christmas parties
Another venue that’s perfect for festive elebrations is the Virgin Hotel, which opened in 022 It features four beautiful meeting spaces, cluding a converted medieval church which is onnected to the hotel The onsite bar and restaurant boast a stage area for live performances, and the Scarlet Lounge, which can be used for karaoke There are 222 bedrooms, and Sir Richard Branson has his own suite at the hotel!
Find out more: For further details about arranging meetings in Edinburgh, or anywhere else, don’t hesitate to contact our M&E team on 0344 847 5501 or meetingsandevents@inntel.co.uk
W Hotel exterior
Virgin Hotel Scarlet Lounge
Apex Hotel
W Hotel rooftop
The Glasshouse Autograph Collection
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