Meetings Blog Dec 20, 2019
Incentive travel options come in all shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common for sure: making the person involved to feel truly rewarded. Choosing the right destination for a travel bonus, however, can often take some careful consideration. Will a bustling internationally famed city full of cultural touch points press the right buttons? Maybe the thought of chilling out on a sandy beach in utter luxury is the better selection to get an employee fully focused and pushing for the limits or maybe reward an outstanding client. Or could it be that a chance to step back in time, to a bygone era surrounded by nature is actually what will drive and individual or team performance? Whatever you decide, we believe we have an Iberian solution…
For most people around the globe, the idea of jetting off to the stunning Spanish city of Barcelona fills them with a certain excitement…and rightly so. From the sumptuous shopping district of El Born and the Passeig de Gràcia, to the must-see Museo Picasso and Sagrada Familia, the delights of this cosmopolitan center will consume any stay, and have you pondering how to win a return visit. An evening meal gazing out over the Mediterranean from the city’s port will ensure memories last long after your stay, as will the acoustics of the Palau de la Musica Catalana. Another amphitheater of dreams awaits football fans at Camp Nou, one of the greatest stadiums and clubs in the world. Everyone should crave to meet Barcelona.
Matching the beauty and charm of the city, our NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón positions you at its heart. Stylish and spacious, our sunshine-filled rooms provide a tranquil retreat for guests, and a balcony terrace overlooking the iconic monuments and rooftops of the city add that extra special touch. Talking of rooftops, ours has a swimming pool and terrace allowing you to take a dip at any time of the day, yet another idyllic spot from where to admire the view. And as well as the excellence of the dining options dotted around the city, we cannot forget our own gastronomic experience brought to you by Abel Valverde in the form of Tablafina. Then how better to end your evening than by savoring a cocktail at our Eleven BCN World Class bar, quite possibly as the sun disappears over the horizon.
Whether inside or out of this prized venue, your employee will feel 100 per cent certain that their efforts have been fully appreciated.
The thought of arriving in Marbella is likely to spark images in the mind of golden beaches, exclusive golf courses, and intriguing towns and villages to explore. And, as an ideal incentive travel destination, our Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort is where many of those images will come to life for your intrepid staff member. This five-star home-from-home just outside the city invites you to enjoy to the full its three golf courses, each one carefully designed to get the most out of the natural surroundings. For those enthusiastic, but far from polished, golfers there is no need to worry about a handicap as a few private lessons at the hands of the 2005 US Open Champion, Michael Campbell, will get you on your way to a commendable round.
Away from the course, but still within the resort, there is a luxurious state-of-the-art spa offering you the latest techniques and treatments to take you to complete relaxation or absolute invigoration, depending on your mood. Then there is the wide selection of dining experiences for you: from double-Michelin-starred chef Paco Roncero, to the coastal excellence of Sushi 99. Five distinct restaurants plus two bars ensuring your taste buds and thirst for new settings are well catered for.
A stay at our resort is often so all encompassing that there is little desire to escape further, especially when you see the spectacular private villas available. However, the possibility to adventure into nearby Puerto Banus and the Costa del Sol is a further treat waiting as a thanks for the effort made back home. A little sea sailing or scuba diving for the more courageous just adds to the stories to tell when you return to the place of work.
For some people, the idea of discovering what lies within lesser-known towns can be the enticement to make just that little more effort for the job at hand. For these employees the Portuguese coastal escape of Sintra will do the trick. Located close to Lisbon, Sintra is nested between the vast Atlantic Ocean and the sweeping local mountain range, and is awash with historical buildings and enchanting tales to keep your eyes and mind active and intrigued. Take in the mixed architectural styles of the National Palace admiring, as you will, its coned towers; climb, or be transported, to the hilltop Moorish castle; and delight in the design and style of the Quinta da Regaleira. You may at times feel like you’ve stepped into a Hollywood masterpiece and UNESCO got it right when they recognized this town as a World Heritage site.
Our Tivoli Sintra sat in the main town square will welcome the prize-winners with open arms, and that warm reception will remain throughout their stay. Recently renovated, guests can pick from a selection of rooms or suites, with the option to step out onto a private terrace or balcony to gaze out over the incredible views in and will likely wonder how this could be ever become normal life. No matter which direction you face the scenery is truly magnificent and will live long in the memory while the comfort within the hotel will be the only factor hindering you from venturing out more.
The prospect of visiting any one of these incentive travel destinations in return for achieving targets is likely to be a catalyst for motivation no matter what the task is. Combining them you can reward the excellent work of your employees or the fidelity of your clients. Offer them the opportunity to select from urban, beach and historical breaks with NH Hotel Group will ensure that varying tastes are catered for.
