Meeting venues from the mountains to the rainforest
Every once in awhile, it doesn’t hurt to slow things down. For meeting planners seeking to create a particular vibe, aesthetic or just wanting to get away from the big cities, it may be worth it to explore the wide range of off-the-grid destinations available to planners.
To the Mountains
The Williams Inn, located in Williamstown, MA is an upscale, contemporary hotel inspired by nearby farmhouses. The Williams Inn offers more than 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and 64 guest rooms. The hotel also provides full-service catering. Planners can utilize the ballroom, which features floor-to-ceiling windows offering a slew of natural light that makes the space perfect for receptions. If guests miss the fast-paced city life, they can take a long scenic drive to Boston or New York City for a day trip.
As winter approaches, guests can expect snow to cover the ground—which means downhill skiing at Jiminy Peak in Hancock and Berkshire East in Charlemont, along with skating and sledding! For those looking for a gentle trek through the snow, grab some snowshoes and go out for a relaxing stroll!
There are plenty of indoor activities available too, including at The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). MASS MoCA features a wide variety of exhibits from music, sculpture, dance, film and so much more.
On November 2nd, MASS MoCA will be hosting a Dia de Muertas Day (Day of the Dead) event with hot chocolate, dance, music, and spirit drawings from artist-in-residence Alison Pebworth.
Quaint in Maine
Lockwood Hotel, in Waterville, Maine, is the first boutique in hotel in Waterville in decades. Lockwood Hotel has 985 sq. ft. of meeting space, 2 meeting rooms and 53 guest rooms. The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness room, hi-speed Wi-Fi and on-site parking.
Waterville has a lot of interesting activities available in the nearby area, including the Waterville Opera House. Programming includes touring musicians, comedians, educational school shows and youth theatre camps. On Nov. 17, it will show Elf the Musical and from December 8 – 10, The Nutcracker.
Another creative community not far away is Colby Arts, which provides artistic programming and space for creative development. Colby Arts is also offering a string of events throughout the rest of the year, including Music in the Museum, Capoeira, Cinema in Conversation and Practicing Decolonization in the Museum.
Courtesy of Lockwood Hotel
At the Edge of the Rainforest
Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton is situated amid the backdrop of Costa Rica’s unspoiled rainforest. The hotel has 3,046 sq. ft. of meeting space, five meeting rooms and 193 guest rooms. The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), and the hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle service.
Courtesy of Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton
Because of the proximity to the rainforest, guests can take part in eco-adventures. For teambuilding activities, groups can explore the rainforest’s rich ecosystem of animals, plants, and insects. For a more adventurous experience, guests can fly above the treetops at a whopping 145 feet off the ground at speeds up to 50 mph!
If ground activities are preferrable, groups can go on a Monkey Tour and try and spot the Spider Monkey, the Mantled Howler Monkey, the White Throated Capuchin Monkey and the Central American Squirrel Monkey.
Groups can also get out on the calm waters of Golfo Dulce on a boat and try to see a humpback whale, sharks or dolphins!
