Exciting openings across Europe for your next, best meeting
How’s a Europe meeting for an incentive? Well, beyond a must-do, these three new and renovated properties answer: artsy and stylish; elegant and stately; historic and hip. With options from London to Helsinki to Hamburg, you just might find your perfect fit below.
Live it Up in London
Virgin Hotels opens its first London location with Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. Located in the eclectic, artsy neighborhood of Shoreditch—a section of the city known for attracting creatives, trendsetters and lovers of vintage. The industrial exposed brick building the hotel occupies fits right in.
The property will continue to undergo a phased transformation to compete its transition to a Virgin Hotel, implementing the brand’s iconic features, such as Sir Richard’s flat, custom-designed and patented hybrid beds and the Lucy app, which offers official members of the loyalty and preferences program The Know a personalized experience. The hotel’s street level lobby lounge and café will become a pop-up Commons Club, Virgin Hotels flagship food and beverage concept that blends work and play; and later in the year, it will transform once again into a new pop-up. Other dining options include Marlin’s Mediterranean Restaurant and Bibo, a Spanish restaurant by renowned chef Dani Garcia.
Between meetings across the nearly 4,500 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, with options to rent out the restaurants as well, relax at the rooftop bar and swimming pool.
Read More: Smart Chat with James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels
Gather like Royalty in Finland
The Hotel Maria is a regal luxury hotel in the heart of Helsinki, Finland. With the completion of its two side buildings, Liisankatu 8A and Maneesikatu, it has wrapped the final stage of its opening, and now offers double the number of available guest rooms as well as more meeting space with the Maria Ballroom, Maria’s Chapel, the Living Room, the Lily and Valley rooms, and the Maria Wellness Club and Wellness Studio. In total, the hotel offers 117 guest rooms, including 38 suites, and a total of 3,309 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.
The grand centerpiece of its meeting and event space is The Maria Ballroom: a space that feels right out of a castle with art deco chandeliers, mirrored walls and original statement columns restored from the building’s historic past. The sprung parquet floor and modern Versailles-inspired ceilings round out the space’s opulence; and a cutting edge sound system, large cinema screen and button-operated dividable wall to separate the space into two bring it into the high-tech modern day.
While staying in the city’s historic district, renowned by locals and visitors alike for its prestige, guests will find an impressive sense of place, whether enjoying summer cocktails in the Inner Courtyard among fountains and an outdoor fireplace or shopping in the onsite destination boutique featuring esteemed Finnish designers.
Rock Out in Germany
The first Hard Rock in Europe, REVERB by Hard Rock Hamburg, opens its doors in Hamburg, Germany’s vibrant port neighborhood, with a thriving cultural scene and celebrated architecture. REVERB is located within the historic St. Pauli Bunker; and on the outside, it offers guests access to Hamburg’s largest rooftop garden, where they’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the city. It’s the centerpiece of the property’s environmental commitment, with its climate adaptation initiatives and more green spaces throughout—a total of over 100,000 sq. ft. of green and communal areas.
Within its 134 guest rooms and suites, guests will find fan-inspired artwork among stylish furnishings, whether staying in a King, Queen or Roadie Bunk Room. The new three-field Georg-Esler-Hall is an exciting, vibrant venue for both concerts and events, with room for 2,200 people.
Dining outlets include the “coffee shop above the city,” Daily Grind, an international fusion restaurant KARO&PAUL by Michelin-star TV chef Frank Rosin, the property’s living-room-vibe main restaurant, La Sala and food and drink counter Green Beanie in the rooftop garden. The Rock Shop offers the classic Hard Rock brand merch as well as seasonal collections, a local bunker collection and iconic FC St. Pauli merch—and it’s also available for exclusive rental events and other gatherings, as well as concerts and pop-ups.
Read More: Germany Continues to Reign Supreme Internationally
