High-end groups on the down-low need discreet accommodations, but there's no need to give up the spa.The backlash over lavish corporate meetings and incentives hasn't killed five-star events, but it has definitely turned up the heat on planners who must keep their C-level executives traveling in style, and out of national headlines. Truly living the high life is about exclusivity, not flashiness; being, rather than having; and customization, over popular trendsso it's possible to turn out a luxury agenda even at the most unlikely destinations. These properties make it a little easier, however, with top-end amenities and an undercover profile.
Secret KeysThe Florida Keys are a hidden alternative to Caribbean and Mexican resorts, and to really stay undercover, avoid a hotel altogether and opt for a private club. Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo is a private, 300-room, 2,000-acre playground that is closed to non-members for leisure travel but open to corporate meeting and incentive groups. The U.S. Secret Service has called the club one of the most secure communities in the country, according to property representatives, and it is located on a peninsula with controlled access.
There is a dress code for the golf courses and tennis courts, but the "Keys Casual" style shouldn't be a problem for most groups. Attendees can zip around the community on a fleet of golf carts and the property is non-cash, so purchases and automatic gratuities are all charged to a guest card. The 30,000 sf of indoor meeting space can accommodate groups of up to 700.
Just down the Overseas Highway is Pinnacle winner Hawks Cay with 177 guest rooms, and 20,000 sf of meeting space. A community of more than 100 two-, three-, or four-bedroom villas available for groups is set close enough to the main buildings to enjoy the pools and amenities, but is set apart for privacy. The villas were renovated in 2008, and catered events and receptions can be held on the connecting lawns, safe from the eyes of curious guests.
Fly-in, Fly-out LuxuryAirport hotels have a bad reputation for being boring, shabby properties chosen for necessity over style. Yet airport hotels ranked second behind the luxury hotel segment in the estimated $5.5 billion in capital investment that the industry spent on existing U.S. properties in 2007, according to Forbes. And some new properties appearing at major airports are just as luxurious as destination resorts.
The 605-room Sofitel London Heathrow opened last year attached to the new Terminal 5 building with 45 meeting rooms, a lecture theater, three boardrooms, and a full-service spa. There are three bars and two restaurants at the Sofitel, including the outstanding Brasserie Roux led by Michelin star chef Albert Roux. An ultra-private dining room features a glass window into the kitchen for a chef's table demonstration, which can be turned opaque at the flip of a switch.
The 298-room Grand Hyatt at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport opened in 2005 with 34,000 sf of event space. The property was named "Number One Hotel in Texas" on the 2008 Expedia Insider's Select List. While the property is connected to the terminal, a key card is required to access the guest room floors, rooftop pool, and spa.
Off the GridFor true isolation, upscale western ranches can offer luxury stays hundreds of miles away from major metropolises.
Wildcatter Ranch Resort & Spa, 90 miles north of Fort Worth, TX, is set on 1,500 acres of Hill Country. A Victorian-themed hotel and conference center addition opened in October 2008; there is also a spa and an award-winning steakhouse. For accommodations, the property offers 16 luxury cabin suites, 16 additional rooms in the new hotel, and a two-bedroom guest house. Of course, being a ranch, there are plenty of activities to keep attendees busy, including horseback riding, skeet shooting, and ATV tours.
The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, 35 miles north of Santa Barbara, CA, is set on 10,000 privately owned acres and features two golf courses, a spa, six tennis courts, an equestrian center, and a 100-acre, spring-fed lake. The property has 73 studio cottages and suites and 5,498-sf of conference space.
Originally published May 1, 2009For more ideas, tips, and tools for better meetings and events,
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