As an events company we have spent a lot of time talking about hybrid events over the last 18 months. But the reality for many of us is that the term hybrid now applies to our working lives too.
Hybrid Working
Many companies discovered that their workforce could work effectively from home. Cutting out the daily commute has given many people a better home/work life balance. We have found that a number of our clients are yet to return to the office fulltime. It is likely that many will not go back to the 09.00-17.30 office-based structure they had before the pandemic. Hybrid working has also meant companies have been able to grow, without having to expand their office space. As a result it has become harder to get all the team together in the office. Zoom or Teams is fine for quick business meetings or briefings. But, you cannot really communicate on a personal level virtually. It is hard to ensure everyone is really OK. There may even be new members of the team that you have never met in person!
Meeting As A Team is Even More Important
At HotelRes we are finding it is essential to try to get together to work at least a couple of times a month. We talk all the time virtually, but when you need to really brainstorm nothing beats being in the room with each other. Our get togethers also allow us time to really catch up and make sure we are all OK! We are finding that a number of our clients are similar. Many are booking regular team meetings with time to relax built in. Time to relax can simply be a dinner and overnight stay in a hotel. Or, just a day meeting with an activity built in. It is important to give everyone a real opportunity to reconnect and talk through important issues away from the distractions of office and home. Putting aside just a day every month for teams to connect away from the office is becoming an important part of the calendar.
Venues that Combine Meeting Space and Wellness
There are many venues that have recognised the need to cater for wellness and mindfulness as well as providing a space to meet. Most venue can provide additional extras for your team to work, relax and reconnect. Even city centre hotels have added “healthy” menus or space for guests to run a yoga class. If you choose a venue in its own grounds you will have many more options. At each venue we visit the “extras” they can offer are an important part of the tour.
Cambridgeshire Country Club
Earlier this month we visited a new venue that really does offer the delegate a lot more than just meeting space. Bourne Golf Club, close to Cambourne and Toft has built a new “Club House”. They have parking for over 250 cars as well as the 18-hole golf course on site. But the new building houses everything you could want for a day’s meeting and more.
Dining
Azure, the fine dining restaurant, is due to open in the new year on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but the space is available to hire privately the rest of the time. Spike’s Bar serves brasserie style food. The Lounge serves a healthy selection of dishes designed for those attending the spa or gym – but can also be utilised by the health-conscious delegate.
Spa and Wellness Floor
They have a fully equipped spa with 5 treatments rooms. A spinning room, that can hold 12 plus a trainer. There is even a virtual trainer so you can use the room on your own. They have a swimming pool that is reserved for adults only during the day. The gym has state of the art Lifefitness equipment, which is connected to the venues app. You can download your workout or upload challenges using the App, which records each person’s scores. There is a workout studio where you can hold yoga or indoor fitness classes.
Meeting
They have 3 main meeting rooms. The Garden Suite has bifold doors that lead to a terrace overlooking the golf course and can seat up to 100 people. The Royal Suite can hold up to 300 and has it own balconies. The Royal Suite can split into two rooms the Duke and the Duchess. This whole area is very self-contained with its own entrance.
The third meeting room is the Study which is set as a boardroom for up to 30, this room is close to the Lounge and has easy access to all the first floor, spa and fitness areas.
This is the perfect place to meet if you want to add something a bit different to your meeting. Especially in the New Year when many of us will be thinking of ways to perhaps be a little more healthy!
We have been working with clients to find venues all over the UK for their team meetings. We also have lots of ideas of how to add the all important team time! Please get in touch to chat through the possibilities. Email us at reservations@hotelresuk.com or call 0330 128 9950.
