How to Book Large Event Venues with EDGE Venues
Planning a large-scale event comes with its challenges, and finding the perfect venue is often one of the most crucial aspects. Whether you’re organising a...
We Take A Close Look At Venues In Hertfordshire
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Mercure Letchworth
The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Mercure Letchworth
The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Alex was out and about again last week, looking at venues in Hertfordshire for one of our clients. He visited a good variety of hotels and venues and if you’d like more information just give us a call.
Mercure Letchworth
The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
Alex was out and about again last week, looking at venues in Hertfordshire for one of our clients. He visited a good variety of hotels and venues and if you’d like more information just give us a call.
Mercure Letchworth
The Mercure Letchworth is located just a 5 minute drive off the A1, and is a medium-sized property, with 87 bedrooms and 5 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Alington Suite. The meeting rooms have all either been refurbished or are currently undergoing refurbishment, and the new style looks good, with grey and purple. The hotel has lots and lots of greenery surrounding the property and the grounds can be utilised for teambuilding. The Marston Suite in particular is charming as the space has a private terrace onto the hotel grounds, which would be great for BBQ’s and evening drink receptions. The hotel has a larger meeting capacity than its bedroom stock would allow for, however the owners of the hotel, Fairview Hotels, have a portfolio of around 4 to 5 nearby properties, which could be used for supporting bedrooms.
Hitchin Priory
Hitchin Priory is an older former priory converted into a hotel and training centre. The location is very deceptive (in a good way!), as although the hotel is in the town of Hitchin, the back of the property faces out onto large lawns which appear to be in the countryside. I found the venue quite intriguing, as parts of it are lovely, like the glass atrium, the original entranceway, and the lawns. Other parts seemed not quite as good, such as some of the meeting rooms need a little refurbishment. Despite this the hotel has lots of charming nooks and crannies, and even has a discreet private area that works really well for evening BBQs, accessed via a footbridge over a little stream. Overall I liked Hitchin Priory, but I felt that some parts of the venue seemed a little unloved in comparison to other parts. I would really recommend any prospective bookers to visit the venue themselves, to see how they find the venue. I don’t want to undersell the venue, but I would say it has a lot of untapped potential which after some investment and TLC could be a really charming hotel.
Novotel Stevenage
I really liked the Novotel Stevenage, although the property doesn’t look particularly flashy from the outside (it doesn’t look run-down either). The lobby space is bright and airy, and leads onto the bar, lounge and restaurant, and has lots of glass and high ceilings to feel very open. The bedrooms are currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, and the refurbished meeting room I saw looked sleek with grey décor, and flashes of colour. The meeting space is modern, and due to undergo a refurbishment in the next year. I liked that the meeting space faces out onto a courtyard area, which can be used for breakouts in nice weather, or for tea breaks. In all I liked the hotel as it felt smart and crisp, and was really presentable for an affordable three star option. It is easy to find, as it is located just off a junction for the A1, but is nearby lots of fields so feels nice and green.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a beautiful period property, with historic links to the Tudor monarchy and the Cecil family. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day and the venue looked lovely, and had a real charm about it. In addition, to the old property there is a restaurant and quaint little gift shops. From a meeting point of view there are two venues to look at, the Old Riding School and the Old Palace. The Old Riding School is a bit of a misnomer as it is new and modern on the inside. The space consists of a large meeting room on the ground floor, with small syndicate space, and then a large mezzanine on the first floor that can be utilised for either catering, breakout space, or exhibitions. The room is also under a huge skylight which really makes the venue stand out and feel large and airy.
The second venue is the Old Palace, which is beautiful and historic, and consists of a large hall, with several smaller syndicate spaces. In particular this would look stunning for dinners and evening events. One thing to bear in mind is that Hatfield House is also a tourist attraction, so there will likely be other people milling around outside the venues. The Old Palace as a historic building does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but this can be supplied at an extra cost event-by-event.
Ponsbourne Park
De Vere Ponsbourne is a rural property converted from a country house into a hotel, by way of various incarnations such as a nunnery and school. The hotel is now split across three buildings, the old house, the Woodland Wing, and a syndicate wing. The old house has plenty of character and overlooks sloping lawns, and has 24 bedrooms which are of various sizes, though all decorated up to a nice fresh standard. The Woodland Wing is purpose built yet tasteful, and offers 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, all of a uniform size, while the syndicate block has 4 meeting rooms facing the old house. All buildings are literally a hop skip and a jump away from each other. I found the venue fresh and airy, and decorated up to a decent 4-star standard. The one exception I felt was the syndicate block, which seemed a little unloved and a tad dated, although still fit for purpose.
The hotel can offer somewhat private hire with the Woodland Wing, with 2 meeting rooms and 26 bedrooms, which might be a good option for clients looking for privacy (although other clients could be in the old house). Also, the venue has lots of green spaces surrounding it, which is well-suited for treasure hunts or similar activities. A lot of the land is either sloping or forested so might not suit other activities.
Down Hall
I really enjoyed visiting Down Hall, a period property with a really tasteful extension set close to the M11, between Stansted Airport and the M25. The hotel feels very classic, and definitely charmed me (it helped that I visited on a bright sunny day!).The hotel has an old house that has been extended, however unlike some other hotels the extension is sympathetic to the décor and façade, you don’t even notice the difference walking into the new part, and the bedrooms are decorated in the same manner. The décor is classic without being ostentatious, and the hotel is surrounded by green grounds. My favourite space was the assembly area between the meeting rooms in the old house, unless privacy is a concern I would definitely recommend bookers to have their tea/coffee served in this area. The hotel has a great sense of arrival as the long drive slowly leads up to the hotel through the grounds, and the charming façade of the old house is the first part of the hotel you see.
Radisson Blu Stansted
The Radisson Blu Stansted is a large purpose built hotel next to Stansted Airport, and it can offer 26 meeting rooms and 500 bedrooms. The hotel is very business-orientated (as you would expect) and the central atrium is light and airy, dominated by the famous wine tower. The meeting rooms are all of a high standard, and are mostly decorated in a neutral grey-coloured theme. All the meeting rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows which adds a nice bit of life to the function space. I felt the hotel was a great business option close to the airport, although in my personal taste the hotel felt a little sterile and clinical, I’m not sure I would want to spend more than a couple of days there.
All of the meeting rooms (bar the ballroom) are all located on one long corridor, so at full occupancy this could be a little crowded. Also if privacy is an issue for bookers this might not be ideal. Also, pharmaceutical clients might need to be careful booking this hotel, as on my site visit I was told at one point that they turn other pharma business away, while at another point they told me they do take other pharma business but would just ask for discreet signage. Something to consider if you are staying at the hotel is that there are bedrooms facing out and inwards over the atrium.
