An historic meeting, conference or event

As offsite meetings and conferences are now commonplace within the business world, companies are starting to get more creative when organising their meetings or conferences. Long gone are the plain budget hotels that are used purely for location convenience, instead organisations are opting for venues that offer something a little different for their delegates such as a historic connection, remarkable architecture or unique meeting spaces
 
All four of our magnificent hotels are home to an abundance of rich history, and companies wanting to host their offsite meeting or conference at any one of our award-winning hotels will be treated to a range of modern meeting facilities, in contrast to the remarkable past and history that each property holds.    
 
In this web article we explore the history behind Elite Hotel’s oldest and most impressive meeting and conference rooms. 
 
The Grand Hotel Eastbourne – Devonshire Suite 
As the only five star seaside hotel in England, The Grand Hotel has played host to many important meetings and conferences within its historic walls. Celebrating its 140th birthday this year, the hotel has seen many changes to business events where catering, technology and accommodation are concerned. However there has been one timeless constant in meetings at The Grand throughout the years - The Devonshire Suite.
 
Split over three floors, the Devonshire Suite is part of the original building and has hosted hundreds of events from intimate gatherings in its Jevington Lounge to large theatre style conferences with a guest speaker utilising the stage in the Compton Room.  
 
Although the suite is 140 years old, it remains a popular event space and boasts state of the art technology.  The Devonshire Suite has hosted many important meetings during its 140 year career including a conference hosted by American television network, CBS, who brought some of their leading artists to the hotel such as Wham, Spandau Ballet, Alison Moyet and Paul Young.  The Compton Room also welcomed the Prime Minster, Margret Thatcher, in 1984 and 50 other members of parliament to the Confederation of British Industry conference to answer questions from businessmen and women. 
 
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club – Richard Towneley Suite 
Our luxury Sussex retreat, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, is home to one of the most unique and impressive meeting and conference spaces in the South East, the Richard Towneley Suite. With two large conference rooms within the suite and the remainder of the chapel offering delegates a dramatic setting, the Richard Towneley Suite is extremely popular within the business industry. 
 
In 1920 Ashdown Park became a convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame, which is why the Sussex hotel is home to such a magnificent chapel and the accompanying buildings of the East Wing. Because of the size and flexibility of the Richard Towneley Suite it is able to accommodate a range of events from small meetings of only 10 delegates to large conferences of up to 200. 
 
Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa – Churchill Suite 
Five star retreat Luton Hoo Hotel has been the setting for some of the UK’s most notable historic events including the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spending half of their honeymoon at the mansion house and even returning to celebrate some of their wedding anniversaries.  Luton Hoo Hotel is also well known for being the backdrop for Winston Churchill’s famous speech in which he addressed a crowd of 110,000 to thank them for their support during the Second World War. To commemorate this, the hotel has named one of their suites, The Winston Churchill Suite, after the historic moment. 
The Churchill Suite is perfect for intimate meetings as its capacity is between 25 – 40, dependant on the layout. With views overlooking Luton Hoo Hotel’s magnificent gardens and a large portrait of Sir Winston Churchill hanging from the wall, delegates are sure to be truly inspired.  
 
Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens – The Chestnut Suite 
Tylney Hall Hotel’s Chestnut Suite may only be 25 years old, but still has an interesting tale to tell as its stunning beams are fashioned from salvaged chestnut trees that feel during the great storms of 1987. The suite’s capacity ranges from 36 to 121 therefore is flexible enough to accommodate a range of meetings and conferences. 
 
For more information about Elite Hotels and how we can help you with your meetings, incentives, conferences, or events, please visit our meetings pages online. 
 
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