Whether you are looking for a meeting set in the pastoral landscape of Ireland, a reception with views over the sand dunes of Dubai, or just that perfect beach setting for an event – we take a look at the some of the inspirational settings that could elevate your function.
Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland
Adare Manor is a 19th century castle hotel located in Adare Village in the lush greens of Ireland’s County Limerick. The landscape design of the property has been developed with a detailed understanding of the historical estate and its heritage. It features formal parterre gardens, cloister gardens, walled courtyard gardens, arboretum planting, meadow parkland planting and swathes of new woodland habitat. The estate boasts 177 mature arboretum trees, 2,675 woodland trees, approximately 100,000 shrubs and plants, and around 5 acres of parkland meadows. Adare Manor offers a 30-seat Executive Boardroom, ideal for a high-level board meeting or an intimate dinner, as well as a 27-seat cinema that complements its larger event capabilities and flexible meeting room options for groups.
Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi
The intimate Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa opened in January in the heart of the Abu Dhabi dunes. It’s located just 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi airport and 90 minutes away from Dubai and offers an authentic Bedouin style dining experience with live entertainment, set apart from the main hotel with views of the picturesque dunes. The 103 guest room resort features local details, traditional artwork and Arabesque accessories, plus the Talise Spa with 13 treatment rooms, individual male and female Hammam, saunas, hot tubs, Jacuzzi, steam room, crystal salt room, Cryo Treatment room and hot and cold plunge pools. The property offers a ballroom that seats 100 people, and can host larger groups outside in the foregrounds of the resort. Groups can also organize specially tailored team building activities including orienteering and desert safaris.
The Intercontinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf
The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf opened in October 2017 as the leading luxury hotel in D.C.’s mixed-use waterfront community. It offers stunning views of the Potomac River that can be enjoyed over a cocktail at WAVES, the resort’s a rooftop pool/bar. It also features Kith/Kin, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant by James Beard Rising Star Winner Executive Chef Kwame Onwuachi, and luxury full service spa L’Occitane situated over the pier with river views. The hotel offers 17,000 sf of event space, including 11 meeting rooms of different sizes named after the property’s nautical theme. Options include elegant ballrooms, an expansive rooftop space and the Constellation suite, a grand, two-story suite with panoramic views of the river. The suite features a kitchen, dining room, living room and balcony, which are all on the top floor, while the bedroom and den are tucked away downstairs for privacy. Other meeting spaces include the Waterside room that can host up to 700 guests, the Algonquin that can host up to 280 guests, and the Seaport that can host up to 214 guests.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples offers some of the most stunning sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico. The 450-room resort features two heated outdoor pools, eight dining experiences and a world-class spa with over 30 treatments rooms. It also offers access to the Tiburón Golf Club, which has two 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf courses. The property features more than 42,000 sf of meeting and event spaces consisting of 20 conference, banquet and meeting rooms and a ballroom that seats 1,000 guests, as well as extensive outdoor function venues. It also offers a team of meetings and special events coordinators who are on hand to makes sure that functions are a success.
The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Rittenhouse is situated on Philadelphia’s iconic Rittenhouse Square and offers views over the public park that is one of the five original squares planned by the city’s founder in the late 17th century. The hotel celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019 and offers dining at Lacroix, an acclaimed AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant, plus a full service spa with a full menu of massage therapies and other treatments. The Rittenhouse offers 8,740 sf of event space and can accommodate up to 300 guests. It also has a dedicated event staff with experience of coordinating every kind of function.
