Mention Britain to most New Yorkers, and the first destination that comes to mind is probably London.
But Britain encompasses not only England—whose capital is London—but also Wales and Scotland, both packed with venues that would please the most demanding meeting attendee.
The jewel in the crown of Cardiff—the capital of Wales and a former industrial city that's recently undergone a renaissance—is the brand-new Wales Millennium Centre (44.29.2063.6400, www.wmc.org.uk). Built at a cost exceeding $200 million, the city's performing arts center opened this past Thanksgiving weekend. Overlooking Cardiff Bay—formerly an enormous coal dock—the center is built of local materials like steel and slate. It contains shops, cafés, restaurants, a 1,900-seat theater, and a 250-seat studio, plus corporate entertaining spaces of varying shapes and sizes.
Another unusual work of architecture, the Glasshouse (44.131.525.8200, www.theetoncollection.com), is an award-winning, luxury boutique hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital and a popular destination among American planners. Its modern glass exterior contains a church facade, and the venue has hosted everyone from Meryl Streep to the White Stripes. The hotel has three state-of-the-art boardrooms equipped with the latest meeting technology, including a surround-sound audio system and videoconferencing facilities, and a two-acre rooftop garden with breathtaking views of Edinburgh.
Glasgow, another Victorian industrial city, is today one of Europe's hippest destinations, with cutting-edge architecture smack up against the sensuous Art Nouveau architecture.
In the cutting-edge category is the Radisson SAS Hotel (44.141.204.3333, www.radisson.com) in central Glasgow, with a striking, modern glass exterior and equally modern interior, decorated with works by contemporary English artists. Of interest here are two top-notch restaurants; several bars with 21st century cool decor; 250 stylishly furnished guest rooms; a health club with a 45-foot swimming pool; and an entire floor dedicated to meetings and events, with 14 meeting rooms, three large event rooms, videoconferencing capabilities, and other services.
In total contrast is the new Mar Hall (44.141.812.9999, www.slh.com), a 19th century neo-Gothic castle in the outskirts of Glasgow just converted into a luxury boutique hotel with surprisingly contemporary decor. With 53 elegant guest rooms, an Aveda spa, a golf course set to open in 2006, and public rooms perfect for intimate meetings or dinners, the hotel is ideal for small groups.
Mackintosh's 1895 Glasgow Herald newspaper building has been incorporated into the Lighthouse (44.141.221.6362, www.thelighthouse.co.uk), Scotland's first national center for architecture and design. The building contains not only an exhibition gallery available for receptions), but also 21,500 square feet of exhibition space; dedicated conference facilities for as many as 100; meeting areas; a light, airy gallery that can be used for seminars, banquets, and receptions; and an enclosed viewing platform—with magnificent, panoramic views of Glasgow—popular for private dinners.
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to a whiskey distillery (only Americans call it Scotch). The Glengoyne Distillery (44.1360.550.254, www.glengoyne.com) outside Glasgow offers tours and caters scrumptious meals for small groups in a private dining room overlooking its waterfall and glen. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences offered to groups here include a bagpipe workshop, whiskeynosing competition, and chance to create your own blended whiskey, bottled to take home.
—Jane L. Levere
Posted 03.02.05
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
But Britain encompasses not only England—whose capital is London—but also Wales and Scotland, both packed with venues that would please the most demanding meeting attendee.
The jewel in the crown of Cardiff—the capital of Wales and a former industrial city that's recently undergone a renaissance—is the brand-new Wales Millennium Centre (44.29.2063.6400, www.wmc.org.uk). Built at a cost exceeding $200 million, the city's performing arts center opened this past Thanksgiving weekend. Overlooking Cardiff Bay—formerly an enormous coal dock—the center is built of local materials like steel and slate. It contains shops, cafés, restaurants, a 1,900-seat theater, and a 250-seat studio, plus corporate entertaining spaces of varying shapes and sizes.
Another unusual work of architecture, the Glasshouse (44.131.525.8200, www.theetoncollection.com), is an award-winning, luxury boutique hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital and a popular destination among American planners. Its modern glass exterior contains a church facade, and the venue has hosted everyone from Meryl Streep to the White Stripes. The hotel has three state-of-the-art boardrooms equipped with the latest meeting technology, including a surround-sound audio system and videoconferencing facilities, and a two-acre rooftop garden with breathtaking views of Edinburgh.
Glasgow, another Victorian industrial city, is today one of Europe's hippest destinations, with cutting-edge architecture smack up against the sensuous Art Nouveau architecture.
In the cutting-edge category is the Radisson SAS Hotel (44.141.204.3333, www.radisson.com) in central Glasgow, with a striking, modern glass exterior and equally modern interior, decorated with works by contemporary English artists. Of interest here are two top-notch restaurants; several bars with 21st century cool decor; 250 stylishly furnished guest rooms; a health club with a 45-foot swimming pool; and an entire floor dedicated to meetings and events, with 14 meeting rooms, three large event rooms, videoconferencing capabilities, and other services.
In total contrast is the new Mar Hall (44.141.812.9999, www.slh.com), a 19th century neo-Gothic castle in the outskirts of Glasgow just converted into a luxury boutique hotel with surprisingly contemporary decor. With 53 elegant guest rooms, an Aveda spa, a golf course set to open in 2006, and public rooms perfect for intimate meetings or dinners, the hotel is ideal for small groups.
Mackintosh's 1895 Glasgow Herald newspaper building has been incorporated into the Lighthouse (44.141.221.6362, www.thelighthouse.co.uk), Scotland's first national center for architecture and design. The building contains not only an exhibition gallery available for receptions), but also 21,500 square feet of exhibition space; dedicated conference facilities for as many as 100; meeting areas; a light, airy gallery that can be used for seminars, banquets, and receptions; and an enclosed viewing platform—with magnificent, panoramic views of Glasgow—popular for private dinners.
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to a whiskey distillery (only Americans call it Scotch). The Glengoyne Distillery (44.1360.550.254, www.glengoyne.com) outside Glasgow offers tours and caters scrumptious meals for small groups in a private dining room overlooking its waterfall and glen. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences offered to groups here include a bagpipe workshop, whiskeynosing competition, and chance to create your own blended whiskey, bottled to take home.
—Jane L. Levere
Posted 03.02.05
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
Among the newest venues in the United Kingdom is the Radisson SAS Hotel in central Glasgow, with its boldly modern glass and copper exterior.
Mar Hall is the new luxury boutique hotel created inside a 19th century neo-Gothic castle in the outskirts of Glasgow.
