Luxury begins at Forte
The Rocco Forte Collection is coming to the Middle East so MIME showcases some of the brand's best meetings worthy properties.
The Rocco Forte Collection lives by the mantra ‘the art of simple luxury'. And it is with this ethos in mind that the Rocco Forte Collection is coming to the Middle East with a property in Abu Dhabi and more to follow in Saudi Arabia and other MENA countries in the following years.
So for those planners who have never had the privilege of hosting a meeting, conference or event at a Rocco Forte hotel, here is a sample of what the Rocco Forte Collection can offer.
The idea is that each strategically placed hotel is unique, capturing the essence of the destination, but in keeping with the Rocco Forte belief in elegance.
It will be interesting to see how the brand interprets Abu Dhabi and what the Rocco Forte Collection will bring to the meetings industry in the Middle East.
Brown's Hotel, London
Brown's Hotel is the oldest hotel in London and there is history in every room; in The Roosevelt Room hangs the wedding certificate of the former American President, Theodore Roosevelt, who first stayed at Brown's on his honeymoon; The Niagara Room is where the Niagara Commission agreed that the power of water would be used to conduct electricity in June 1890; The Clarendon Room, boasting tall windows, ornate Victorian ceilings and a private entrance onto Dover Street, is named after the Earl of Clarendon, who once resided on the site of the hotel; and it was from The Graham Bell Room, that Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever telephone call.
The hotel is ideally located in Mayfair, a short walk from exclusive Bond Street shopping, West End theatres, restaurants and Green Park.
In 2008, chef Mark Hix came onboard as director of food to re-launch the, The Albemarle.
The Donovan Bar boasts 50 iconic prints from photographer Terence Donovan.
Brown's Hotel is home to six private function and meeting rooms, which can accommodate intimate gatherings of 10 people, banquets and meetings of up to 70 people or larger receptions of 120.
Each room is named after a famous past guest and all enjoy an abundance of natural daylight, high ceilings and beautiful antiques.
Le Richemond, Geneva
One of the most prestigious hotels in Geneva, Le Richemond first opened in 1863 and was operated by the Armleder family from 1875 until its purchase by The Rocco Forte Collection in 2004.
The 18-month renovation was overseen by The Rocco Forte Collection's director of design, Olga Polizzi, who worked with John Stefanidis, one of the world's leading interior design practices, to create the new, contemporary look.
Le Spa is Geneva's largest city centre hotel spa and the first dedicated Shiseido spa in Switzerland.
The entire seventh floor is dedicated to a Royal Suite, covering 250m² and boasting a log fire, a private sauna, under-floor heating and an additional 100m² of terrace that wraps around the seventh floor and has stunning views over the old part of the city to Lake Geneva and the Alps, with Mont Blanc in the distance.
All meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including touch panel controls, individually regulated air-conditioning and WiFi internet access. The luxurious ballroom can accommodate 110 people for a seated dinner and 120 people for a drinks reception.
More than 476m² of conference and banqueting facilities are available, including three meeting rooms accommodating up to 205 delegates
The Charles in Munich
The Charles Hotel is a stylish new-build property, designed by Olga Polizzi to reflect its location. There is Bavarian limestone on the floors, ceramic artwork from Nymphenburg porcelain in the bathrooms and original paintings by Munich's celebrated nineteenth century portrait artist Franz von Lenbach in the bedrooms. At the Prix Villegiature awards ceremony in October 2008, the hotel won the "Best Hotel Architecture in Europe" category.
Located in central Munich with views out to the Bavarian Alps and overlooking the old botanical gardens, the hotel confidently asserts itself as a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city.
The Monforte Suite boasts a grand piano and views of the Bavarian Alps.
The Charles has more than 660m² of conference and banqueting facilities with seven large conference rooms accommodating groups of 60 people.
A spiral staircase links the ground floor reception area with the conference rooms on the first floor while a split-level ballroom caters to 160 people for a sit down dinner and 250 people for a drinks reception.
All rooms have been soundproofed and feature dedicated work stations with the latest technology, including high-speed internet access. For something extra special, the stunning presidential suite can be combined with a further three suites, creating an entire private floor of 455m² with amazing views of the Bavarian Alps.
Hotel De Rome in Berlin
Hotel de Rome is located on the Bebelplatz, at the very heart of Berlin, surrounded by the city's most dynamic and elegant cultural institutions.
Flanked by the Staatsoper unter den Linden and the Humboldt University Library, and only moments from the Brandenburg Gate, the hotel's guests are perfectly placed to explore all the excitement of the German capital.
The building boasts a wealth of history - in 1867, the hotel installed the first-ever hydraulic lift and until 1945, the building housed the headquarters of Dresdner Bank, original details of which still exist in the hotel today.
On the lower ground floor of the building, the old vault that safe-guarded the jewels and valuables of the Dresdner Bank clientele has been cleverly converted into the hotel's swimming pool and Spa de Rome, with glistening, golden Bisazza mosaic echoing the room's former contents.
Hotel de Rome has more than 640m² of conference and banqueting facilities, with five separate meeting rooms accommodating up to 80 theatre style and one ballroom that can hold 250 people.
Each space is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including touch panel controls, individually regulated air-conditioning and WiFi internet access.
There is also a 24-hour, fully-equipped business centre, offering translation services upon request.
All conference rooms are located on the ground floor, but the ballroom is one of the building's architectural highlights.