Tour of Venues in City of London – Part 1

Elisha Temple recently headed into London to build her product knowledge on what the City has to offer for meetings and events. Here she’s shared her insight into the different venues she visited…

Apex Temple Court

Overall Impression:

Apex Temple Court is a fresh, modern hotel perfectly situated within walking distance from City Thameslink station. One of the entrances to the hotel leads off Fleet Street; when entering you are greeted by beautifully decorated outdoor ‘Secret Garden’ available for exclusive hire, this is perfect for an evening drinks reception or break out space for around 30 delegates standing with occasional seating. Following on into the hotel, 2 doors are placed either side of the Secret Garden leading into the reception area; these doors lead you behind the reception area. On the opposite side of the hotel to the Secret Garden is a second outdoor area in the courtyard. This is positioned in front of the main entrance to the hotel and is also available for exclusive and semi-private hire and is perfect for team building activities.

After a recent extension being completed, there is now a total of 5 meeting rooms available with a maximum capacity of 18 boardroom all following the ‘Lazy Ballerina’ style; a term used in viviculture referring to the trellis that a wine grapevine is grown on. Suites can also be used as a meeting space for up to 8 delegates.

The bedrooms follow the same fresh and modern style as the rest of the hotel. The City Rooms were wonderfully lit and a great size, perfect for an overnight corporate stay. 7 styles of bedrooms are presented from the City Rooms to Temple Suites, there is something for everyone. 2 bars, a restaurant and 2 outdoor spaces are available for both corporate and public so there is plenty of space.

Considerations:

The hotel is in a perfect location in the City of London and is best suited to evening drinks receptions, private dining and smaller meetings for up to 20 delegates. With a contemporary style, it is certainly a hotel to consider when clients are looking for something new and modern. Despite meeting rooms sitting lower ground and minimal daylight falling into the rooms, the lighting is very effective while sitting continuing with the lazy ballerina style.

Crowne Plaza London The City

Overall Impression:

Crowne Plaza London – The City is a bright, contemporary hotel situated just over the road from Blackfriars station. The main entrance welcomes you into a beautiful, bright, open lobby where you are warmly welcomed by the concierge and check in team. The outstanding first impressions were certainly upheld during the visit as we continued down the stairs to the conference floor (also accessible via lift). As you walk down, you are greeted by a welcome desk and shared foyer where refreshments are served with 5 meeting rooms leading off from the foyer including the largest room; the Bridewell Suite which can hold up to 180 theatre style. As well as meetings, private dining is also an option for these meeting rooms.

There are 2 restaurants available, these are positioned on the mezzanine level where you will find the second entrance. The first is a Chinese style restaurant, this is available for exclusive and semi-private hire seating up to 90 delegates for dinner. The second is my favourite of the 2, the Italian restaurant which can seat up to 150 delegates for dinner. Towards the back of Italian restaurant is a private dining area which can seat up to 20. The bedrooms are spacious and practical, perfect for a corporate stay.

And finally, last but certainly not least – the brand new ‘The Leaf and Cane’ bar. Walking into this room certainly gives you the wow-factor. With a South American vibe, this space in quirky, modern, and very vibrant. The Leaf and Cane is available for exclusive hire and can hold up to 220 delegates for a drink’s reception with occasional seating. With rum master classes, this would work beautifully for a fun, informal, team building reception.

Considerations:

The Crowne Plaza London – The City is in a great location and certainly gives you that professional yet contemporary vibe when walking round the hotel. Based on the meeting spaces, this hotel is perfect for larger corporate meetings or dinner, drinks reception. With plenty of space and a vast number of bedrooms, it is perfect for the residential meetings, Christmas Parties and conferences.

Sea Containers

Overall Impressions:

Sea Containers is situated alongside the River Thames and just over the bridge from Blackfriars station. As soon as you enter the hotel you see a beautifully handcrafted cooper reception area that leads you around the hotel into the restaurant via a floor-lit walkway. The bright, airy restaurant offers semi-private seating areas perfect for smaller, informal meetings. Walking round to the back of the restaurant you’ll find a private dining space with outdoor area; this can seat up to 22 in a hollow square.

Across the lobby from the restaurant you will find the ‘Lyaness’; a gorgeously decorated cocktail bar overlooking the River Thames. With a contemporary 1970’s colour theme, this edgy bar offers a relaxed, lounging experience. This massively differs when you head up in the lift to the ‘12^th Knot’, a beautiful open space overlooking the City of London. This space can be exclusively hired for up to 300 delegates for a drink’s reception. The meeting rooms are all situated on one floor, as you step off the lift you enter the shared foyer area and welcome station. Leading off from the foyer are 4 studio rooms and a screening room which is also used as a cinema for the public.

Bedrooms continue with the Ship-Chic style with cabin-like storage facilities and fitting bathroom. Ideal for delegates staying overnight.

Considerations:

As one of my favourite venues in the City of London, I thoroughly enjoyed the general style of the hotel. With friendly staff and a relaxed layout, the hotel was easy to navigate, well-lit and beautifully decorated throughout. This hotel would be very well suited to meetings covering several days, or for clients looking for something slightly different to the norm.

Bankside Hotel – Autograph Collection

Overall Impressions:

Bankside Hotel opened September 2018 and is tucked away close to the River Thames and just over the bridge from Blackfriars station. The artist style gives an inquisitive twist to the general feel as you walk around and notice the varying pieces of art placed in the hotel. As you walk round to the restaurant there is a private dining area closed off in the corner, this can seat up to 24 delegates. There is a general clean-industrial style to the restaurant, exposed wires, neutral colours with a geometric flooring and wooden furnishings, and this is certainly a look that is continued onto the meeting spaces.

Situated on the lower ground floor, the 4 meeting rooms all lead off from the foyer area. A larger, airy space with refreshment stations placed either end of the room. Along the left side are the 3 smaller meeting rooms, 2 of which can be combined into one. On the right-hand side is ‘The White Box’, with a maximum capacity of 170 theatre style this room is perfect for large conferences.

There are 161 bedrooms on site which separate into 9 different categories. The artist features also continue into the rooms giving each room its own unique character.

Considerations:

This hotel is neatly tucked away from Blackfriars Road and is perfect for clients looking for something different; the quirky, industrial touch to the hotel gives it a diverse look with the high, exposed ceilings. The hotel is tardis-like, when looking front on, you do not expect such a vast amount of space inside. This hotel is perfect for meetings for up to 50 delegates.

Watch this space for part 2 coming soon…