De Vere Cotswold Water Park has unveiled the first phase of its multi-million-pound transformation, with significant improvements to its technology offering for meetings; a complete refurbishment of its lakeside gastro pub The Old Boathouse; a new lobby area to improve delegates arrival experience and new breakout spaces for conferences.
De Vere Cotswold Water Park’s Conference Centre, which comprises 21 meetings spaces and hosts up to 400 delegates, had Clickshare installed in 10 of its rooms to allow wireless mobile connection to screens, enabling presentations to be efficient and easy to navigate
The venue is also trialling an in-room, interactive conference directory. This will allow a conference organiser to send bespoke, instant messages via a tablet to delegates staying overnight, and can be used for activity such as alerting delegates of last-minute changes to the agenda. The trial will take place at the end of October in 100 bedrooms. Also being tested is Amazon Alexa, which has been installed in a number of bedrooms.
The Conference Centre has undergone a top-to-toe redecoration project with inspiring artwork installed and new furniture to ensure delegates are comfortable throughout the day. A pantry-style break out area has been introduced, providing delegates with a selection of hot beverages, soft drinks, fresh fruit and snacks.
Richard Smith, De Vere group brand director and general manager at De Vere Cotswold Water Park, commented: “We’re excited to see the results of the trials as these technologies hold great potential for improving delegate experience and convenience during their visit. The upgrades, coupled with the group’s Smart Space meetings concept – an initiative which comprises nine service features to create unforgettable events – present event organisers with a fantastic venue with service support like no other.”
The Old Boathouse at De Vere Cotswold Water Park, which can seat 110 delegates and has 50 outdoor seats, has had a full refurbishment and is once again open for bookings. The new lunch and dinner menus feature light bites, such as smashed avocado sandwich with chili, poached hen’s egg and coriander on sourdough; a range of gourmet main dishes, including a dry aged sirloin steak with a garlic and herb butter, beer battered onion rings and chips; and classic desserts, such as summer fruit Eton mess.
Inspired by the tranquillity of Lake 6, part of De Vere Cotswold Water Park, the new décor draws on the calming green, navy blue and taupe hues from the surrounding scenery. Free, superfast Wi-Fi with a maximum bandwidth of 1Gb is available throughout the hotel and up to 100m perimeter.
