Local adventures are in the eyes of the adventurers. To some, a walk through a stunning garden is an adventure, while others may prefer surfing in the Pacific Ocean.
With more and more business travelers arriving a day early or sticking around a little longer to experience a slice of local adventure, meeting hotels and resorts are armed with options for every occasion. This includes team building during conferences through activities that are part of the very fabric of each destination.
Authentic Adventures
Cape Rey Carlsbad, A Hilton Resort, has unveiled its School of Adventures, which provides meeting and incentive guests with complete cultural immersion into San Diego’s beach vibe through local experiences with expert guides.
The offerings include Surf “Board” Meetings, Wellness 101 and Coastal Cruising. All activities can be customized for attendees or meeting planners who are looking for team building or outdoor excursions to complement traditional boardroom programs. Adventures are designed for a minimum of four participants.
“With School of Adventures, visiting groups can bond while connecting with locals and the places they frequent in an authentic and real way,” said Rob Stirling, director of sales and marketing for Cape Rey. “It’s a great complement to our existing offerings for groups, which already include beautiful ocean view meeting spaces, coastal menus inspired by local produce and carefully curated on-property activities such as our Iron Chef-style Chopped Kitchen and ocean-themed mini-spa sessions in the boardroom.”
Cape Rey’s initial School of Adventures offerings include Surf “Board” Meetings, Wellness 101 and Coastal Cruising. All activities can be customized for attendees or meeting planners who are looking for team building or outdoor excursions to complement traditional boardroom programs. A minimum of four participants is required for each activity.
The 215-room resort has 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.
Got Art?
The ART, a hotel, is setting itself apart from its Denver neighbors by offering a unique art team-building experience. The property lives up to its name in more ways than one.
For starters, it has a collection of more than 50 pieces of modern art, including commissioned works by Leo Villareal, Larry Bell and Rob Reynolds. Located steps from Colorado History Center and Denver Art Museum, The ART offers an urban art run and art-inspired team building for breakouts.
Celebrating its one-year anniversary this summer, The ART has 165 guest rooms 5,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.
Never too Hot for Golf
Scottsdale, Arizona, features more than 200 golf courses, including Troon North Golf Club, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and Grayhawk Golf Club. But when summer brings triple digit temperature, know there are other options in Scottsdale.
X-Golf is a world-class golf simulator experience that meshes golf and entertainment. The top-notch facility features state-of-the-art technology, motivational coaches and a beer and wine bar. Six simulators are designed for golfers of all skill levels and provide data about swings and ball-striking ability.
Shark Adventures
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa organizes shark dives, both cage and free, for a one-of-a-kind meeting experience for adrenaline junkies. The resort is positioned on Florida’s famed Gold Coast with access to the world’s third-largest barrier reef. This adventure allows attendees to skip the coffee break for a chance to share the water with predators ranging from Florida’s sandbar and lemon sharks to massive tiger sharks.
The resort features 193 guest rooms and 3,604 sq. ft. of meeting space, with room for up to 160.
Caribbean Concentrate
The menu of team-building and group activities at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman features a team of naturalists affiliated with the resort’s Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. Among the adventures here is a scenic cruise to Stingray City Sandbar, where guests explore the local marine life including interacting with stingrays in a natural setting. The sea-life adventures continue with snorkeling in the clear, turquoise, Cayman waters. Kayak tours explore the coastal mangrove wetlands.
The 375-room luxury resort offers 13,000 sq. ft. of event space, including a 9,000-square-foot ballroom.
