There’s no denying that the Seven Wonders of the World are breathtaking, wanderlust-worthy destinations. However, there’s no hosting a corporate event inside of the Taj Mahal, having the Great Pyramid of Giza as your wedding venue, or gathering coworkers for a team-building retreat at Machu Picchu.
But don’t let us stop you from filling your passport with stamps from around the world. Instead, consider this collection of destination venues an event prof’s seven wonders. From a historical palace in Asia to a sanctuary at the entrance of South America’s Machu Picchu, a secluded desert escape in North America, and an exploration through Antarctica, here’s a list of landing places on each of the seven continents where you can see the world—and host your most memorable gathering yet.
Asia
Aman Summer Palace
Nestled among the man-made Kunming Lake and classical Chinese gardens in Beijing, China, is Aman Summer Palace. The structure was built in 1764 under Emperor Qianlon after he ordered construction to begin in 1750 to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday. Now, travelers are invited to stay in one of the property’s 51 suites that once welcomed the emperor’s guests hundreds of years ago.
Host an event among historical opulence in one of Aman Summer Palace’s two outdoor courtyards, which boast magnolias, wild apple trees, and cherry blossoms in the spring. The Grill—which can accommodate 100 seated or 150 standing guests—features decor reminiscent of the Ming dynasty, including intricate bamboo screens, lofty ceilings, and a reflection pond.
Other places to gather include The Cultural Pavilion, an indoor space located at the heart of the resort and overlooking the courtyards. Here, 80 seated guests can witness a marriage or 140 standing guests can enjoy a cocktail hour. For team-building events or multiday celebrations, The Cultural Pavilion is also the site of tea ceremonies led by masters, as well as paper cutting, calligraphy, and kite-cutting workshops. Inquire within for other event add-ons, including a selection of recommended string quartets, florists, and menus that explore Chinese, Japanese, and Western flavors.
Africa
Photo: Charles Russel
On a private quay on the Atlantic shore of Cape Town, South Africa—between the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and a yacht marina—is Cape Grace, a 120-key hotel designed with indigenous artifacts and hand-painted fabrics. Independent investment platform Kasada Capital Management acquired the sophisticated destination back in March, marking its entrance into the South African hospitality market, and has plans to renovate Cape Grace in order to earn the EDGE green-building certification.
But the five on-site designated event spaces are here to stay, including the sun-basked, 323-square-foot Winward room, which opens up to the hotel’s pool area, making it ideal for indoor-outdoor cocktail hours, and the 2,153-square-foot Signal Restaurant for up to 120 guests. The Winward can be combined with the adjacent, 818-square-foot Leeward space, which can accommodate up to 80 people for meetings or in a theater-style seating arrangement. Hosting a smaller group? The Boardroom, which comes equipped with a ceiling-mounted screen and projector, spans 323 square feet for 12-14 people to gather. And situated on the edge of the yacht marina is the 828-square-foot Bascule Lounge and Bar (pictured), where anywhere from 18-40 guests can enjoy private meals, whisky tastings, bespoke cocktails, and more.
North America
Amangiri
Southern Utah is home to Amangiri, a luxury desert destination with 600 acres of towering mesas, rust-colored canyons, sculptural rock formations, and miles of sand. Its remoteness is uncharacteristic of the United States, which has made Amangiri the perfect destination for celebs like Hailey and Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Jasmine Tookes, and more.
The destination boasts four designated event venues. Consider the dining room and patio, located in the main pavilion, for a 76-person seated dinner or cocktail reception for up to 110. The multifunctional space also comes equipped with an Apple TV, DVD player, high-speed internet, and video projection capabilities for business retreats and meetings taking place at Amangiri.
The Fireside Pavilion is an alfresco space anchored by a fire pit for intimate gatherings of 40. To connect with nature even further, the Chinle Site can host 35 seated or 50 standing guests in a nook of surrounding canyons. And the Saddle Landing is ideal for larger parties and boasts panoramic views of the Navajo Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Lake Powell.
Camp Sarika—which is only a short hike, horse ride, or drive from Amangiri’s main property—is an intimate cluster of 10 canvas-topped pavilions, each with their own private plunge pools. Camp Sarika has its own event venues, including a separate dining room and patio, a pool terrace, and amphitheater. And located off the campsite’s main pavilion is the Raven’s Nest, a private venue situated within the Entrada sandstone for 20 seated or 30 standing guests.
South America
The Sanctuary Lodge
If you can’t host an event on the historical grounds of Machu Picchu, why not do it at the Peruvian wonder of the world’s entrance? The Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel is nestled in the mountainside of the Andes and is the only lodging located at the entrance of the Incan citadel.
The boutique hotel has 29 guest rooms, two suites, and is located 8,000 feet above sea level. For planners looking to host an ultra-exclusive event above the clouds, the Sanctuary Lodge offers 1,700 square feet of meeting and event space, where wedding experts can also coordinate an authentic Shaman wedding ceremony complete with spirited Andean music and traditional floral arrangements made of local blooms.
Antarctica
Atlas Ocean Voyages
If you thought it wasn’t possible to host an event on the coldest continent, think again! Atlas Ocean Voyages is making sub-zero soirees possible with cruises through Antarctica. Two ships—World Navigator and World Traveller—are embarking on expeditions ranging from eight to 12 nights from November through March 2023.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is currently the first and only cruise line to officiate legal weddings in Antarctica, and nothing says “team building” like an arctic outing led by a wilderness expert. On board, dine at one of the ship’s five on-site culinary destinations, including Porto, the main restaurant serving up Portuguese cuisine inspired by Atlas Ocean Voyages’ rich Portuguese heritage. The 7-Aft Grill offers New York-inspired cuts of steak and fresh seafood, and the Dome Observation Lounge boasts a 270-degree window with sweeping landscape and sea views.
All Antarctic expeditions are a round trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, and complimentary, round-trip charter flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia are included in fare pricing, which starts at $7,999 for two people occupying a single suite.
Europe
ION Adventure Hotel
For debatably the most picturesque backdrop to a meeting or event, look no further than Denmark’s ION Adventure Hotel, a 44-room property that stands out for its architecture, which juts out from a cliffside as a rectangular structure suspended above black lava.
Indoors, there’s one private room at the ION Adventure Hotel that can accommodate up to 60 guests for a corporate meeting, boardroom-style conference, celebration, art show, or gathering of any kind. An outdoor sundeck is perfect for up to 200 to admire unobstructed views of nature and lava fields, while on-site eatery Silfra Restaurant is also available for buyouts. Dining options include freshly caught Arctic Char and Icelandic Skyr brûlée, plus there are acoustics and AV capabilities for live performances. The ultimate wow factor: the restaurant boasts windows for walls, so guests can watch the Northern Lights dance across the night sky.
Australia
Stones of the Yarra Valley
Stones of the Yarra Valley turned a rustic, weather-beaten barn that was left abandoned for many generations into not only an awe-inspiring food and wine destination but also a designated event space with sweeping views of the Great Dividing Range. Located northeast of Melbourne, Stones of the Yarra Valley boasts four on-property restaurants, two event venues—The Barn and The Stables at Stones—and luxury accommodations at the 23-room boutique hotel, The Farmhouse at Meletos.
Ideal for smaller-scale corporate events or celebrations, The Stables’ structure dates back to 1868. It has since been transformed from a blacksmith room for horses into a unique venue notable for its timbers and centuries-old brickwork. The Stables can accommodate 40-63 seated guests for a dining experience complete with shared dishes, plated meals, or enhancements that include an oyster bar or gelati cart. On-site styling courtesy of Coldstream-based The Providore will assist in curating floral and foliage arrangements, as well as personalized menus.
Meanwhile, The Barn’s floor-to-ceiling windows give up to 200 eventgoers unobstructed views of the Stones of the Yara Valley’s 200 acres. Inquire within for pricing.
