We kicked off our 2024 events programme with an outstanding FAM trip to Sopwell House with Vine Tree Connections. Vine Tree Connections is a representative company with a portfolio of wonderful properties including Sopwell House.
Located less than 30 minutes from central London on the train, Sopwell House is an excellent location for an offsite retreat, conference, awards dinner or a company celebration.
It is clear to see that investment is a priority at the hotel, from recently refurbished bedrooms, the hotel bar and library has also been refurbished along with a brand new – award winning – restaurant Omboo. And of course the incredible spa that opened a few years ago. This investment is great to see as event professionals.
The hotel is set in 12 acres which provides ample opportunities to include the outdoors within your event from planned walks/runs scheduled into your wellness schedule, outdoor networking on the terraces all accessed directly from the event spaces and the ability to add outdoor team building activities into the schedule.
There are 128 bedrooms which includes 16 stunning Mews set in a private courtyard. The news are an excellent option if you have c-suite contacts attending and need a “wow” factor. You can hire all 16 exclusively and could look to have a drinks reception in the gorgeous courtyard within the mews complex. We all stayed in the recently refurbished “chic” rooms and they live up to their name – all super relaxing, chic decor and beautiful amenities. These rooms are located within the main building.
We began the FAM in the Octagon Bar which has recently been refurbished and the concept of the bar changed. Think a London cocktail bar in the country! Within the bar, there is a semi private area perfect for small groups. After catching up, we started the evening with a unique team building activity which was lots of fun – a blind tasting! Think dining in the dark! We were divided into groups and had to identify, whilst blind folded, what we were tasting. We all got very competitive and it was a great way to build trust, add some fun and a competitive element.
In terms of event spaces, we were all very impressed with the spaces the hotel can offer. The main event space, with its own private entrance, can hold up to 700 delegates for a standing reception or 380 theatre style for a conference. The space is self contained, all with natural daylight and access to the outdoor patio area. The main spaces are adjacent to built in bars, a permanent cloakroom and registration desk. There are eight meeting spaces in total providing options for drinks receptions ,private dining, boardroom meetings and breakout spaces for your conference.
Omboo is the hotel’s newest restaurant and the concept is amazing, so much so it has won an award! Providing delicious pan-Asian food in a beautiful setting it really does elevate the dining options at Sopwell House. We enjoyed dinner in their private dining room which can be opened up to the main restaurant if you want to enjoy the atmosphere. The food was outstanding and certainly something we recommend incorporating into your event.
After the most comfortable night’s sleep, we enjoyed breakfast at leisure and a number of us checked out the excellent gym. We ended the FAM with some relaxation time in the amazing Cottonmill Spa.
Do reach out to us for more information on Sopwell House or Vine Tree Connections.
