Brightspace now has a ‘no fly’ policy on anything that’s not business critical so all fams / inspections / networking etc. and are working on encouraging ‘no fly’ destinations as much as possible. So when I was invited on an educational trip to Amsterdam a couple of months ago, I opted to travel by train. Hopped on the Eurostar at St Pancras and was in Amsterdam, by direct journey, in less than 3 ½ hours.
Amsterdam is a great ‘no fly’ option and home to some incredible event spaces….
WOW! If you ever get a chance to visit Amsterdam I can highly recommend the Pulitzer – what an incredible hotel. Made up of 20+ canalside houses all beautifully joined together into the quirkiest, cosiest, most luxury experience ever. The rooms have everything you need, exactly where you need it including all the tech and The Best Shower Ever. Jam packed with history and exploding with local, cultural and culinary treats the staff couldn’t do enough for me and the vibe was gloriously relaxed.
Now, I’m the first to admit that, with a few STUNNING exceptions that I’ve seen in London particularly, your average Hilton generally ‘works’ but is nothing to write home about. However, the Hilton Amsterdam is most definitely one of the exceptions to the rule. On the outside, it’s fairly nondescript but don’t be fooled! Firstly, in a city increasingly being pedestrianised it’s one of the few hotels with decent parking and accessible for full size coaches. But inside it’s LOVELY. The lobby is fairly standard but once you look a little deeper it’s full of original 60’s style retro details which really give it character and an identity.
The MASSIVE conference space is literally just off the lobby so incredibly convenient, it has beautiful canal side gardens and the original Jon and Yoko peace in bedroom!
NH Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
This hotel came highly recommended to me as a top pick, so I was intrigued to visit and so glad I did. The location was spot on – right on the main square with views of the Royal Palace and a whopping 402 rooms hidden behind a relatively normal sized façade and lobby!
Awesome and varied meeting space but the real jewel in the crown is the stunning Wintergarden. Everything was shiny and new having been recently refurbished to a very high standard so would be a very appropriate option for a large, or small, group looking for that VIP, luxury experience.
Beurs van Burlage and Felix Meritis
Two stunning venues. Both very impressive, steeped in history and culture and now superb meeting venues. Highly recommend both the Beurs van Burlage – originally the stock exchange of Amsterdam and Felix Meritis – home of the first concert hall in Europe. Treated to some fabulous entertainment and even better food at both venues and encourage you to work them into your group programme if you can.
Top Tip……get around the city by bike. Everyone does, it’s so much fun and keeps you fit too!
Take a look at our sustainability hub for more European destinations easily accessible by train. Get in touch with us, at Brightspace Events. Whether you’re looking for a meeting room, a product launch or a top-notch incentive programme, we can’t wait to inspire and delight you with tailored options to suit your unique needs.
