Dial Events

The best things come to those who wait … til January

It’s been an emotional year for budget holders and finalising the office Christmas party is highly likely to cause jittery tummy syndrome.

Their dilemma? Do you spend loads of cash months in advance for peace of mind or see how the year pans out and book a last minute deal for less? A risky business. One thing’s for sure – a seasonal party is still seen as ‘must-do’ for most companies. It’s a chance to relax together, to get to know more your colleagues and foster a real team spirit. It’s also a good way for a company to thank staff for all the hard work they have put in during the year. In short, it cannot be done away with.

Well, procurement managers and event planners, here end your sleepness nights. If you have left it to the last minute, there are LOADS of great deals still for the taking. Why not shift the focus from ‘Christmas’ to ‘Winter’ and have a knockout January ball? It gives colleagues something to look forward to after the festive cheer has well and truly dried up, and less competition means a greater range of venues and events at reduced prices. Plus hotels often throw in extras such as room upgrades and free afternoon teas. Smaller groups can benefit from cosy meals or murder mystery events in splendid country houses or a cocktail making class in a London hotel.

Another way of repackaging your Christmas party in January is to position it as a 2012 strategy meeting with a hefty dose of fun on the side. Chances are, your colleagues will all be frazzled by the end of the festive season anyway, so your party offering could make more impact in the New Year, when staff are refreshed and focussed after the Christmas break. There are tons of winter meeting/party packages around at the moment, so it’s a great opportunity for forward thinking as well as a giggle. Who knew they went together?

Whatever tickles your fancy and works for your organisation, here's just a taster of some warming wintry deals:

A squeeze of Lime Venues

The excellent Lime Venue Portfolio is bursting with the country’s top venues – from the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, to M Shed in Bristol.

The exclusive Dartmouth House in London’s Mayfair is offering Day Delegate Rates from £45 per person between January and April 2012 if booked by 3/1/2012. Offer includes meeting room hire in beautiful Georgian surroundings, refreshments, stationary and internet access. Why not combine with a trip to the theatre afterwards?

Syndicate rooms at the Epsom Downs Racecourse are free this January. That leaves you plenty of budget for a party in the refurbed Queens Stand, which boasts modern facilities and can host up to 600 people at dinner dances.

Tee off the New Year with Macdonald Hotels

From January – March 2012, the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel Golf and Country Club is offering residential packages for £132 (24-hour rate), including lunch, DBB, meeting room hire and leisure facilities including a fabulous 18-hole golf course, and if that’s not your thing, 15% off spa treatments.

Winter banqueting

Work on your winter insulation with this selection of seasonal banqueting. The stately Ardencote Manor in Warwickshire is offering free private dining room hire on new bookings from 1st January to 31st March, plus reduced seasonal menus at £24.50 per person. Eat like a king in sumptuous surroundings for the price of a high-street pizza. No brainer.

Handpicked goodies

Book a 24-hour meeting package at Handpicked Hotels’ Rookery Hall Hotel near Crewe from £149 and choose three perks from host of cheeky benefits, including private dining room hire, deli-lunch and upgrade to executive rooms, all in a cosy country manor. Offer until 30 April 2012. 

Murder Mystery in Harrogate

 Classic Lodges’ Murder Mystery Dinners at The Old Swan in Harrogate are just £39.00 or for just £92 per person for dinner, an overnight stay and breakfast, and is the ideal treat for parties of up to ten colleagues. Why not enter our Dial Magazine competition to win a Murder Mystery Dinner at the Old Swan by clicking here.

To book any of the deals above, or to secure a deal exclusive to Expotel customers, call Expotel on 0844 793 7300

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Corus Burnham Beeches Hotel in Burnham. Winter Sale! All Corporate & Government Rates reduced to 87.00 Bed & Breakfast. £87

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