In 2008 research was conducted to ensure that every aspect of the refurbishment was in line with the changing needs of the business guest. After speaking to conference agents, event bookers and other business customers to find out what they wanted, what could be improved and what they didn’t want to see altered - changes have been made and all the best things stayed the same. The top findings were:
The need for flexibility of space:
open plan, boardroom or theatre style, brainstorm or awards evening, conference or event, the 13 brand-new meetings and events spaces are fully adaptable to suit all needs - the choice of size and styles is only limited by the imagination. Air-conditioned, spacious, refreshingly contemporary and all with individual balconies, the new meeting rooms are also flooded with natural daylight thanks to new floor-to-ceiling windows, all helping to inspire creativity and Big Picture thinking by bringing the outside in.
Not being confined to one space:
much to the relief of many of the delegates consulted, gone are the days of having to spend all day meeting and eating in one room, with only the hotel bar or a bedroom providing a change of scene. At the new-look runnymede-on-thames, business guests are actively encouraged to make use of all the facilities at their disposal. Delegates can savour a fast and fresh lunch overlooking the river in the new-look leftbank restaurant; relax in the hotel’s award-winning spa or in the stylish new lobby lounge. Get the adrenaline flowing with Dragon Boat racing along the river, enjoy a game of table football in The Moorings Café or get the creative juices flowing with a stroll down the Thames towpath.
Spaces for Networking:
delegates taking part in the research placed networking opportunities high on their wish lists. Inside and out, there are now plenty of places to choose for interacting or just to relax. Unwind at The Mooring Café, a dedicated business relaxation lounge with television and gold-plated football table, have a drink at the bar or enjoy the fresh air in the chill-out garden zone. In the evening, relax with a workout in the Fitness Suite equipped with all the latest Technogym equipment or reward the team with dinner on a riverboat or even a bbq.
State-of-the-art IT:
for many of the clients questioned, technology that is out of date or doesn’t work appears to be an all too familiar, not to mention irritating, occurrence. The runnymede’s solution? Interactive white boards, Privilight glazing, built-in LCD screens, retractable projectors with both wired and wireless connectivity to laptops, high speed Wi-Fi in all the meeting rooms, as a matter of course. The dedicated meetings and events guest services team is based in the meetings area, to provide instant technical and administrative support.
No added extras:
the one point that was agreed on by all was the need to keep the runnymede-on-thames’s policy of inclusive pricing, coupled with its renowned seamless service. From the moment of booking to the moment the last person leaves, the hotel’s dedicated meetings and events team is available to help co-ordinate every detail from arranging airport transfers to customising menus and taking care of any last-minute on-site needs, leaving delegates free to focus on their own agenda and objectives. Welcoming, flexible and friendly, the team provides support and experience at no extra cost – this superb service is all part of the great value day and 24 hour delegate rates.
The result is meetings with a lifestyle element and no hidden costs... meet-on-thames
|