One of the toughest things a group travel organiser has to decide upon is where everyone will rest their heads when putting together a trip. So, here is a real variety of handy group accommodation ideas across the country for you to consider.
Cocktails and opulence in the West Midlands
With Birmingham poised to host the Commonwealth Games this summer, the West Midlands will be in the spotlight. Hotels in the area to think about when visiting include the Grand Hotel in Birmingham (pictured above), housed in one of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings on Colmore Row. How about unwinding it that rather glamorous cocktail bar?
Nearby in Coventry, the Telegraph Hotel, which has benefited from an £18-million investment programme, features a 1950s-style cocktail bar and restaurant dining, offering everything from full meals and celebration dinners to light bites and afternoon teas. Meanwhile, in Wolverhampton, the four-star, award-winning Mount Hotel Country Manor is set in five acres of gardens and has benefited from a full refurbished throughout.
Coastal adventures in Cornwall
Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction is set in the heart of Cornwall making it a good base to explore the golden beaches of Newquay and the fishing harbours and restaurants of Padstow. As the mid-way point between Exeter and Penzance, the 70-room hotel is part of a newly developed service station and adjacent to a variety of restaurants, retail shops and other facilities. It’s also a short drive to the Bodmin Jail Attraction where visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the jail and its notorious inmates via self-guided and guided tours and interactive displays.
Northern delights
Strathmore is a group of eight hotels set across Scotland and the north of England, all of which are situated in tourist areas, including Fort William, Oban, Harrogate and the Lake District. Each one promises to be full of character and group benefits include special discounts such as one free place for parties of 20 or more. There’s a range of group packages to choose from throughout the year, including Drams & Dances, Fizz & Fayre, Mistletoe & Markets, Gingerbread & Gin and Twixmas breaks. The team is also on hand to help plan day trips and itineraries for groups, too.
Rural retreats and scenic walks
How about combining a walking holiday with a group programme that includes full board in a choice of rural accommodation? HF Holidays’ self-guided walking options offer groups flexibility by using a country house as a base to explore the surrounding area. Options include Longmynd House, perched in an elevated position above Church Stretton on the border of England and Wales, where you can enjoy sweeping views across the Shropshire Hills. During summer, you can relax in the heated outdoor pool and unwind in the communal rooms and bar. The surrounding area includes woodland walking trails, heather-covered hills, rocky ridges, historic castles and bustling market towns.
Stay with our award winner
Daish’s Holidays is a family-owned company which operates coaches and hotels in popular holiday spots across the UK. Many holidays are half-board, making it easy to take your group away to destinations including Llandudno, Newquay and Eastbourne. Smaller groups of 16 can join existing Daish’s tours, all the way up to whole hotel bookings, with groups able to choose to travel on Daish’s coaches or to use their own transport. And groups love it for sure, because it won Best Accommodation for Groups in 2021 as voted for by GLT readers.
Active break in Wales
Located on the site of Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia makes an ideal base for active groups. It’s the first Hilton Garden Inn in Wales and less than ten miles from Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia National Park. The team is on hand to help groups discover beautiful natural areas, favourite eateries and nearby attractions for every interest. There is also an onsite restaurant and fitness centre and guests are able to book or enquire about group bookings with the hotel directly. Meanwhile the Adventure Parc next door is said to feature the world’s first surf lagoon and offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities from climbing walls and indoor caving to open water swimming.
Seaside getaway
Parkdean Resorts’ Southview Park Hotel in Lincolnshire is two miles from Skegness’ award-winning beach and offers dinner, bed-and-breakfast packages for groups. Its rooms benefit from improved features including a new wheelchair-friendly twin-room with adjoining bedrooms and guests can dine at the newly refurbished on-site restaurant along with outdoor dining on the patio. You can also enjoy complimentary access to the park’s facilities, such as the nine-hole golf course, heated indoor pool, fishing lakes and evening entertainment programme.
London on a budget
Every summer Imperial College opens its student halls of residence to the public, providing value accommodation in the capital. From four-star, en-suite bedrooms to budget-friendly beds, there’s a range of options to suit all budgets. Accommodation is located close to many of London’s iconic landmarks including Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch and the museums and galleries of South Kensington such as the Science Museum and Natural History Museum. Whichever option you go for, groups can benefit from a range of services and facilities including 24-hour reception, complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi.
Stylish city breaks
Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre opened in January and is located just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens so it is well positioned for groups to explore the city’s shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. The Clayton Hotel Bristol City opened in March and can be found in the heart of the Old City district. This deluxe hotel is said to be unmissable with its listed Art Nouveau Everard’s Printing Works façade and local street art installations, and guests can unwind in one of the 255 spacious bedrooms after exploring the city.
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