Thanks for joining me this March for the “venue of the day” feature. After visiting so many venues over last two years, I have realised that I still have so much to share with you, be it a story or a picture that didn’t go on the blog. So, sharing with you these venues on Instagram and Facebook seemed as the right way to go to complete this gap. All the venues you have seen I visited on different occasions and while some are very luxurious and exclusive, such as The Shard, others are very casual for community events, such as Timberyard Old Street.
All 31 venues are listed below. I really hope you have enjoyed this feature, as much as I did, and I will be back soon with more surprises (and venues, of course). If you liked this and would like to see more of it, or have any suggestion, please let me know by commenting below. I am constantly aiming to make this blog the best source of information and inspiration for you, enjoy!
1 – Old Billingsgate
Kicking off “venue of the day” feature when every day I’ll share with you venues for small and big events or even just for an after work get together. I want to start with the Old Billingsgate – a venue I’ve been to several times for the Square Meal – Venues & Events show, an exhibition for event planners and suppliers. I love this venue because it’s very central with stunning views over London Bridge and the Shard and reminds visitors of the historic London. Did you know that it used to be world’s famous fish market before it was transformed into event space? In 1982 the fish market was relocated to Canary Wharf.
2 – Regent’s University London
Have you ever considered an academic venue for your event? If not – think again. Back in January I attended the International Partners’ Conference at Regent’s University London and it exceeded all my expectation. Modern facilities, five event spaces & large number of classrooms with fully equipped AV, multiple catering facilities on site, very central location and extended list of preferred suppliers! That’s where I studies International Events Management so high standards and know-how guaranteed, too.
3 – ExCeL London
This conference centre is one of my favourites and I usually visit it during the World Travel Market. It isn’t central, but easily accessible from London city via tube/ Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and even cable car. It has stunning views over The O2 Arena and Canary Wharf. I like the venue because it’s easy to navigate between the exhibition halls and they have great seminar rooms upstairs and dedicated media centre. But what I like the most is the varied and value-for-money catering offer they have on-site.
4 – The Scotch Whisky Experience
When in Edinburgh don’t miss out on including The Scotch Whisky Experience in your programme. After our tour (back in 2012) and whisky tasting class we had a very delicious lunch at their on-site restaurant. The venue is just next to the iconic Edinburgh Castle – so you can do both in one go!
5 – Public events
Shout out to all public events in London! National celebrations, public viewings, sports and community events, there is always something for everyone. With a small picnic and good company of friends every event rocks! My favourite event is BNY Mellon Boat Races, which takes place this year on the 11th of April. It’s recommended to arrive about 4 – 5 before the race and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere!
6 – The Shard
The Shard has officially announced its opening for corporate and private event hire last week! The space is located on the upper levels 69 and 72 from where you’ll have the most stunning views over London. But the experience begins already when you enter the venue. You’re exposed to animated maps, screens and graphics storytelling the historic context of The Shard and its surrounding before taking the lift to level 33. Then at the “Transfer zone” you’re led through an all-enveloping graffiti word map of London. If you have some minutes to spare before the transfer you can test your London knowledge as you go through.
7 – 8 Northumberland Avenue
8 Northumberland Avenue is the first to offer 3D Holographic Technology on-site in London. It creates very unique experience and I had the chance to see it back in 2013 during a site-visit. To experience it you don’t even need 3D glasses and can capture the images with your camera. Perfect for product launches, presentations, pitches and even concerts.
8 – Tobacco Dock
I visited Tobacco Dock only once for the FEAST food festival last year and absolutely loved it! Dating to the early 19th century and built in the propose to serve as a warehouse for the receipt and storage of goods, it was re-launched in 2012 as an event space. I particularly liked the fact that over two floors you can run different event functions (dining, music, entertainment) and the outdoor space which is excellent for sunny days. The ship statue by the entrance reminds of the venue’s history. Great for large scale events.
9 – Manchester Metropolitan University
In recent years academic venues become more and more popular for events. Not only they offer competitive rates but they have fully equipped conference facilities and established relations with catering, AV and other suppliers. Last year I had the chance to visit the Benzie Building at Manchester School of Art in Manchester (Manchester Metropolitan University Conference and Events) and it’s a real gem. It almost felt like being in a museum rather than a university! One of the things that caught my attention was the concrete wallpaper pillars in the main event hall and the pattern on them – I’m sure that this and other pieces of art created by students will impress you, too.
10 – L’Abbaye de Fontevraud
If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that I like to feature unique venues. I’m happy to see that more and more venues recognise the benefits of offering their space for events and reach out to larger audience. This time I want to present L’Abbaye de Fontevraud near Angers, France. What used to be a cloister is now transferred to be a destination, Cité Idéale (ideal city). At first, when we’ve been told that it used to be a monastery, my first thought was that it’s the “retreat” type of venue. But that was the complete opposite. It’s a destination up to the highest standard you can imagine. It’s where you find heritage and technology, modern and ancient, past and future, tradition and innovation, simplicity and luxury. The design of this dining room where we had our group dinner gives a gentle reminder of the monastic atmosphere of the past. Can’t recommend enough!
11 – The Banking Hall
The Banking Hall in the heart of London’s financial district is truly charming venue which I discovered last year when I visited the London Christmas Party Show. Hope to host my own Christmas party there one day!
12 – Hilton, Munich Airport
This venue is from my very first blog article in 2011 – Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich – which I visited for the first ever Kempinski Career Day and wrote the article about the event and hotels facilities. Recently I’ve found out that since January 2015 it officially belongs to the Hilton group. The real palm trees in hotel’s Atrium are the highlight of this venue!
13 – Ace Hotel London Shoreditch
Looking for a venue with a view? Ace Hotel London Shoreditch is a chic and modern boutique hotel with this stunning view perfect for a summer BBQ (visited the venue back in September). Not long to go until we can enjoy drinks on the terrace, spring is in the air!
14 – Château de Crémat
This venue is for all fashion enthusiasts. Did you know that Château de Crémat in Nice, France, is the birthplace of the worldwide famous Chanel logo? Legend says that Coco Chanel was good friend of the owner and attended many parties at the castle. Their CC logo inspired her to use it for her new perfume, which later on she registered as a trademark and the rest is history.
15 – Den Blå Planet
Truly amazing venue I visited during the MIND event last December. It’s an absolutely unique experience having dinner among hundreds of these beautiful and fascinating species and at the same time relaxing and educating.
16 – Google Campus
The old good Google Campus is the favourite venue for all #eventtech community events. Was honoured to be part of the panel on two occasions and share my blogging experience with event planners.
17 – Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers
The team at Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers has lots of creativity! Instead of the standard site-visit during MIND event last December, they set up three rooms in different themes. This one is a room of a business traveller, another had a romantic set-up, and last one had a Fifty Shades of Grey theme (which I’ve published last month ;)) No way you forget this site-visit, such a great idea!
18 – The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club in Liverpool is where the Beatles were playing every night before they got discovered and received international exposure. On my last trip to Liverpool in 2011 we had a fun team building activity singing and playing on the same stage as the Beatles. We had a fantastic lead band which supported the activity and we even discovered hidden talent among the team.
19 – Level39
Level39 is another venue, besides google campus, famous for start-up events in London. Nothing beats this spectacular view. Just WOW.
20 – Zelo’s
Zelo’s in Monaco is a chic and modern restaurant and events space which is located just above the congress centre Grimaldi Forum. It’s a favourite party location on weekends but can be also privatised for events. And the view is truly amazing, too!
21 – Zefi
Weekend’s pick is Zefi in west London where I was for friend’s bday. Casual, great atmosphere and company (sorry for the bad image quality!)
22 – Four Seasons Canary Wharf
The Four Seasons Canary Wharf is one of three in the UK, other two are London Park Lane and Hampshire. I had the pleasure visiting the venue on two occasions and network with other event planners and meet some of their partners. Be it a corporate event or personal celebration, Four Seasons offers modern luxury for today’s savvy customers.
23 – Nice Observatory
By now some of you might have seen this venue in the latest movie by Woody Allen, Magic in the Moonlight. I’m not sure what makes this venue more unique, the fact that it was in Woody Allen’s film or that it’s an observatory, but the venue is a real gem. It’s located high up on the summit of Mont Gros from where you have a magnificent view over Nice, France!
24 – Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco (SBM)
The Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco (SBM) is a major player in the Monaco tourism, culture and entertainment industries and is a ‘one stop shop’ for MICE in Monaco including ,among others, a Beach Club, 23 tennis courts, 18-hole golf course overlooking the sea, 5 casinos and 2 night-clubs. The SBM group has so much to offer, would be impossible to visit all of the venues in five days I spent there last summer, but good reason to come back!
25 – Château de la Perrière
In Angers they save the best for last. After three intensive days of site-visits and exhibition we had a surprise event at Château de la Perrière and all got dressed up! Instead of a formal dinner (as you would expect in a castle ;)) it was a rich buffet of cold and warm appetizers and desserts, sushi station and open bar. Shortly after everyone arrived the DJ opened the dance floor and we just enjoyed ourselves, great way to finish corporate event!
P.S. – This picture was taken by a drone to capture the castle in the background. Lately we talk about this event tech and this is a perfect example how to use it at events. Photo credit to Helidrone Ouest.
26 – ArcelorMittal Orbit
Some people love its design while others don’t understand it. I visited it back in 2012 during the London Olympics and indeed it has beautiful views over the Park and London. As event planners we always look for interesting and unique venues and The Orbit perfectly falls into this category. It was created by Sir Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond as an entry to a 2009 competition to design an iconic tower for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and when accepted it cost £22.3 million to build! During the day it’s open to the public and afterwards operates as an event venue.
27 – Château Soucherie
There’s no trip to France without some good wine tasting, right? Today “travelling” back to Angers and presenting another unique venue, the vineyard Château Soucherie. During the two hours we were there we tasted only two wines and the rest discussed flavours, regions, did blind tasting accompanied with good food. To conclude our activity we opened a bottle of Prosecco with a knife, a common French tradition called Sabrage and usually used for celebrations. That was such a perfect day, with blue sky and good wine, couldn’t ask for more.
28 – Timberyard Old Street
Not only Timberyard Old Street is one of my favourite coffee places in London, downstairs they have space that can be privatised for events (that’s how I discovered it). Perfect location for small community events and excellent coffee guaranteed!
29 – Sunborn Yacht Hotel
One of the latest venue openings in London is the luxurious Sunborn Yacht hotel which I visited during World Travel Market last November for Rio CVB event. Ideal location if you want to combine your event with major events at the ExCeL so it’s just a walking distance for your attendees.
30 – The Dartmouth House
The Dartmouth House in the heart London’s Mayfair is a luxurious and historic venue for corporate events and private celebrations. If you want a truly authentic British experience that’s the right venue for your event!
31 – One Horse Guards
One Horse Guards, part of One Events collection is a lovely and central venue, overlooking London Eye and just walking distance from Big Ben. With this venue I’m wrapping up this venue of the day March feature, hope you’ve enjoyed it and I’ll be back soon with more surprises (and venues, of course).
If you liked this and would like to see more of it, or have any suggestion, feel free to let me know. Thank you for your ongoing support and I’m constantly aiming to make this blog the best source of information and inspiration for you.
Which one is your favourite?
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