Ditch the usual venue for your holiday party and plan a corporate retreat this upcoming season. Here are some ideas for taking your festivities on the road.
Located in the northeast corner of Florida, Amelia Island experiences opposite seasonality to the rest of Florida, meaning it is quieter in the fall and winter seasons, which makes it an ideal spot for a destination holiday party or retreat. Known for its conference and meeting space and its proximity to Jacksonville, the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, also offers up plenty of recreational fun, including a private golf course. Plus, the 2018 Amelia Island Wellness Festival, a weekend of holistic programming, will take place at the property from November 9 to 11 in case you want to detox before the holiday festivities.
Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Washington School House Hotel in Park City, Utah, an intimate, 12-room hotel, offers an easy and luxe buyout option for groups of as many as 34 people. Off-site outdoorsy activities include fly fishing, skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and more. The property, one of three original schools in Park City, is located 25 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport; airport transfers are included for buyout guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Washington School House
Boasting views of Lake St. Moritz and the Engadine mountains, the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz in Switzerland allows groups to rent out the entire property, including seven floors (plus a penthouse suite if desired), a sun terrace, indoor and outdoor heated pools, two restaurants, a bar and lounge, and spa. Plus, tailor-made services and amenities are also available such as butler service, party planning, babysitting, and an on-site ski shop.
Photo: Gian Giovanoli
The Campfire Experience is an adventure company that specializes in creating upscale experiences for brands such as farm-to-table dinners, branded experiences at festivals, or villages made of tented lounges, bars, and bedroom suites. The company has worked with brands like Goose Island Beer Co., Men's Journal, and Abercrombie & Fitch; the team is able to travel across the country and boasts two regional hubs in Columbus, Ohio, and Boulder, Colorado. Pricing for event design and production begins at $5,000, while a basic bedroom suite rental begins at $800. The Campfire Experience’s pop-up glamping hotel option, which is popular among planners, begins at $6,500.
Photo: Derk's Works Photography
Get comfy on your next flight with the Ostrich Pillow Go ($60). Made with high-density memory foam, the pillow comes with a travel pouch that compresses it for convenient packing. The pillow comes with a light grey exterior and a choice of three interior colors (midnight grey, aquamarine, and deep blue); shipping is available in the U.S. and Canada.
Photo: Courtesy of Ostrich Pillow
Mytagalongs’ Advent Gift Box ($25) contains 12 travel-ready items including a nylon drawstring shoe bag, nail file, ear plugs, earbud case, clear travel jar, luggage tag, eye mask, two silicone travel bottles, a compact mirror brush, and two elastic hair ties. A minimum order of three is required; shipping is available in the U.S. and Canada.
Photo: Courtesy of Mytagalongs
JetSmarter, a mobile marketplace for private jets, allows travelers to create custom private charters, as well as book seats on flights across the U.S. and Europe. Users can create their own flight or book seats on an already scheduled flight via the app. The company also recently announced that travelers can sign up for its service without paying a membership fee. But seat discounts, events, and benefits are still exclusive to members. Memberships start at $4,950 per year.
Photo: Courtesy of JetSmarter
Keep tabs on your luggage with the Away x Tile Luggage Tag ($30), which contains a Tile Slim, a Bluetooth tracker that helps users keep tabs on their bag. Through the mobile app, you’ll be able to pinpoint your luggage’s last known location. Shipping is available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and most of Europe.
Photo: Fabian Ă–hrn
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino now offers the “Adventure Aruba” package, which features a pop-up dinner at one of the island's unique locations, such as the Ayo Rock Formation, Arikok National Park (pictured), and Plaza Padu. It also includes a $25 match-play coupon for the casino, up to a 10-percent discount on food and beverages, and one junior suite upgrade for every 35 paid rooms. The resort also just completed a soft renovation, refreshing all 414 guest rooms and suites.
Photo: Courtesy of Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
