For meetings with a sense of adventure
With the rising desire among travelers to trek to never-been-before destinations, planners looking to give their attendees the experience of a lifetime have a wealth of choices. These new and renovated properties stand in exciting destinations and exhibit the thoughtful sense of place that today’s travelers crave.
Inspire in the Aegean
For a Greek Islands adventure, head to InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ first property in the region, InterContinental Crete. A tranquil setting of striking modern architecture stands alongside panoramic bay views and a rugged coastal backdrop.
After entering the lobby to see an original sculpture representing a hybrid between the Sphinx and Minotaur, then walking along the corridors decorated with bronze sculptures of creatures, guests will find a contemporary, serene space within one of the 199 guest rooms and suites or the nearly 3,500 sq. ft. of meeting space between two elegant meeting rooms.
The property’s three dining outlets, led by Michelin-starred Chef Consultant Nikos Roussos, offer Mediterranean-inspired dishes that reflect Cretan culinary heritage. At the nature-inspired wellness center, The Aegeo Spa, guests can indulge in several traditional, one-of-a-kind treatments, including a Cretan massage infused with local olive oil and a Saffron infused anti-aging face and neck massage in between moments of relaxation at the hammam, sauna, steam room, indoor pool or relaxation area.
The onsite concierge serves as a prime resource for facilitating cultural exploration and bespoke experiences based on guests’ wishes and needs.
Read More: Incentive Travel: Interactive Connection is the Name of the Game
A Jewel in Japan
An exclusive, unique adventure exists in Japan’s legendary hot-spring destination, Hakone, at ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu. Surrounded by the Miyanoshita region’s forests and nestled in a green valley, guests will discover luxury hospitality within a natural paradise.
The nine-suite retreat offers spacious interiors decorated with original artworks created through ESPACIO’s collaboration with artists across a variety of mediums. All feature outdoor pavilions and indoor and outdoor baths, fed by the Dogashima hot spring, one of the seven celebrated hot springs of Hakone. Held as sacred, it has a rich history, founded by Muso Soseki, a high priest of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist sect in the Nanbokucho period, which spanned from 1336 to 1392.. Many also include private saunas, swimming pools and rooms for tea ceremonies and entertaining.
This property also marks the debut of ESPACIO SPA. Its amenities include an open-air Hakone lava cave bath, a luxury bedrock bath made from Austrian marble and seasonal spa treatments. The culinary program celebrates traditional Kyoto cuisine inspired by locally sourced ingredients, and range from formal kaiseki presentations to traditional nabe hotpot dinners overseen by Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurant “Tominokoji Yamagishi” chef and founder Takahiro Yamagishi. International sake sommelier Keita Akaboshi oversees the hotel’s sake collection and sake parings. Guests can enjoy a tailored in-suite dining experience within their villa.
The property is the first Asia concept from the creators of the Forbes five-star, AAA diamond winning ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki in Hawaii. ESPACIO’s name is drawn from the Spanish word for “universe, and The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu is named for Japan’s kirin, phoenix, tortoise and dragon deities.
Retro Revival
The grand opening of Moxy Banff breathes new life into Banff, Calgary’s first commercial motor hotel, originally constructed in 1964. The design pays homage to the historical architecture and community roots with a mid-century design, marked by expansive rundle stone walls and unique pre-cast guest wings that flank the lobby lounge and iconic Bar Moxy. The renovation aimed to be intentional and sustainable, preserving this piece of Banff’s history and architectural heritage by maintaining the original property’s bones. Calgary artist Kirsten Bollen designed a circular mid-century landscape to adorn the lobby, and Edmonton artist Tanya Klimp designed large-scale abstract murals that are featured in both grand staircases.
The 109 guest rooms immerse guests in retro ski vibes and offer a range of layouts meant to tailor to each guest’s needs, from rooms set up with toe-to-toe beds, double bunks kitchenettes, or lock-off suites that turn two rooms into one. Several social spaces make gathering easy and attractive, with a year-round heated courtyard featuring two hot tubs and a two-in-one lobby and lounge.
In the “Voyager Room,” guests can enjoy a unique multimedia entertainment experience alongside a retro vinyl collection of over 200 records on a vintage Kilpsch Heritage sound system and hi-fidelity equipment from the 70’s. The room also includes a big screen where guests can put on their favorite classic films. Visitors can capture their memories in real time at the neon Moxy photo wall in the hotel’s basement.
Read More: New and Renovated: Inspiring, Inventive, International
