Swingin’ Conference Rooms

Sitting in an office chair all day can be excruciating and dull, especially if you have back-to-back conferences. What if you could sit on a chair that was both comfortable and fun? Designer Chris Duffy of Duffy London has created the swing-set conference table which includes swinging chairs. The steel frame may support robust swinging while bouncing around creative ideas.

Check out this minimalistic conference room with bean bags for seating.  Eldridge Smerins has numerous innovative projects and developments in workspace, retail, educational, and residential design.

Lastly, if you ever find yourself staring at the ceiling during a meeting, you may want to be lodged in this organic conference room.  Raw materials and wild concepts unify in this design by Paul Coudamy for Bearstech.

Next time you’re designing the perfect conference room, think outside the box with these creative spaces, and let the brainstorming begin!

- Kara Hayes

At This Meeting, Inspiration Is Mandatory

As fall approaches, so do meetings and events in the workplace.  This week we want to focus on a few inspirational conference rooms that will make your hotel stay memorable, comfortable, and productive.

For our first featured hotel, we travel across the Atlantic to Chiang Mai, Thailand where beauty and luxury unite:  The Mandarin Oriental Group’s Chiang Mai hotel location includes a roofed, open-air pavilion ideal for cocktail receptions and coffee breaks during a long conference day, outdoor venue space for corporate and special events, and two adjoining rooms ideal for creative break-out sessions and executive meetings.  The most inspiring aspect of the hotel is the Bua Kham Pond named for the golden lotuses which decorate it.

Next we travel to Africa for another inspiring conference venue. The Kampala Serena Hotel in Uganda includes a modernist, two-story, hexagonal complex and Africa’s premiere international conference center. Stunningly arranged and ideally suited for presentation and conversation, the Conference Center holds the state-of-the-art Victoria Auditorium, which can host 1, 500 delegates, The Nile Gallery, which also serves as an exhibition area, and a variety of conference facilities, executive suites and workshop areas.

For our last inspirational meeting room, we journey back to one of the oldest colonial cities in America, to Boston’s Lenox Hotel, which brings a refreshing alternative to the traditional business meeting rooms. With five cozy, furnished rooms from which to choose and adapt to your company’s style, three on-site restaurants for private and semi-private dining and receptions, and a Back Bay location just steps away from Dunkin’ Donuts and The Boston Public Library, your meetings and breaks are bound to be fulfilling. 

When searching for a meeting or conference venue, let the few hotels we’ve traveled to today set the example.  Whether conducting brainstorming sessions surrounded by lotuses and peaceful waters, presenting objectives to many in a cutting-edge auditorium, or bouncing around ideas in a customized, intimate setting,  you will find inspiration.

-Kara Hayes

Office Ninja Showcase Part Deux!

We’re doing it again! On Thursday, August 30th at 6pm, ten promising startups will demo their products and services on stage at the Office NINJAS Tech Mixer & Showcase being held at the Fahrenheit Lounge in San Jose.  The startups run the gamut from offering an easy way to book team-building activities online to booking a last minute meeting space on your phone. 

Register at: http://t.co/ks74YPm6. We look forward to reconnecting and meeting new!

Successfully Plan Team-building Event, You Will

Looking for a fun, creative, and hassle-free way to book your next corporate team-building activities?

GroupBookers thinks it would be wise for you to try EventYoda, one of the successful startup companies featured at the recent Office Ninjas Tech Mixer & Showcase in San Francisco.

With over 77 exciting team outings to choose from— from kayaking to winemaking, go kart racing to Lord of the Rings style fencing, flash mobs to improv classes, river rafting to trampoline dodgeball, and many more unique group activities, this company knows how to make event planning creative and affordable!

The steps are simple:

1. Discover.       

2. Reserve.           

3. Have Fun.

With world-class customer service and the lowest advertised online price, EventYoda can help build winning teams in the workplace. 

If interested in fun and simplicity, email contact@eventyoda.com.

They will also be featured in the next Office Ninjas Tech Mixer & Showcase on Thursday, August 30th @ 6pm at the Fahrenheit Lounge. 

- Kara Hayes

The California Coast: Part Two

Now, where were we?

Just northwest of San Luis Obispo on the 1 Highway, you may notice a 576 foot-high volcanic plug resembling the head of a Moor, known as Morro Rock, which stands at the entrance of the Morro Bay harbor, a state and national bird sanctuary and fishing town. Take in the scenery at this beautiful resting spot before continuing your California Coast journey.

You’re going to want to stop at our next must-see attraction. Located on a hilltop in the town of San Simeon, William Randolph Hearst’s Castle rests, a National Historic Landmark designed by architect Julia Morgan. This extravagant home featured 56 bedrooms, 19 sitting rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a movie theater, acres of gardens, and the world’s largest private zoo. From movie stars to presidents, everyone wanted to be a guest at the Hearst Castle. On your drive out of the city, keep your eyes peeled for the northern elephant seal rookery.

“El Sur Grande,” known more commonly as Big Sur, was once an inspiration for many famous writers of the 20th century and is now known for hiking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor activities.  Adjacent to the Santa Lucia Mountains, Big Sur has the only complete nineteenth century lighthouse complex open to the public in California. Check out the Ventana Inn & Spa situated 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, “The Essence of Big Sur.”

After passing through Monterey County, home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pebble Beach, cruise into Santa Cruz, stroll along the famous Boardwalk and ride the Giant Dipper rollercoaster, surf the waves of the beaches, explore Mission Santa Cruz, and soak in the social activist culture.  It’s truly a Californian experience.

San Mateo County is next along the 1, home to marine mammals in El Nuevo Ano State Park, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and tidepools, and Half Moon Bay.

And now for our final stop, home to Groupbookers— a trip to the enigmatic San Francisco Bay Area. Picnic at Golden Gate Park before going through the MacArthur Tunnel and merging with the US 101 Freeway.  Hit up the museums, cafes, and unique neighborhoods— the Mission, Haight, Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks. You’ll want to spend some time here, whether dancing and dining with friends or exploring the hills and architecture of the breathtaking San Francisco Bay before walking, cycling, or driving across the world famous Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County with more beautiful homes and beaches surrounding. If you’re looking for hotels in the city, we recommend the Larkspur Hotel with locations in both Union Square and Marin County.

Alas your trip along the California 1 Highway will end after reaching Mendocino County and crossing the Ten Mile River. We hope you’ve now got some California State Route 1 pointers and must-see scenic stops in your future travel bag. 

We’ll see you on the road.

The California Coast: Part One

When writing a to-do list for the summer, one should always include a road trip across the states. The sun is up, and the American scenery is sizzling. This summer we recommend you journey with friends and family along the beautiful California Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, and we have your must-see hot spots covered from just north of the Mexican border to San Francisco:

First stop? San Diego… Not only is California’s southernmost coastal city home to the family-friendly Sea World, Balboa Park, and the world famous San Diego Zoo, it is also home to amazing scenic trails, coves, and beaches. Check out the breathtaking cliffs of La Jolla and Del Mar where you just might catch a glimpse of a seal or two and take in some snorkeling, and the Coronado Bay overlooking Downtown San Diego, with the famous Hotel Del used as a backdrop in the 1950s classic comedy Some Like it Hot. 

Hop on the PCH and dip your toes in the sand at Laguna, Huntington, and Newport Beaches…

Next up, Los Angeles County... Cross over the San Gabriel River into Long Beach, and make your way towards the home of surfers, renters, and Hollywood celebrities: Santa Monica. While there, visit the National Historic Landmark, the Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome, or carousel, that rests on top of the century-old Santa Monica Pier. Continue your sightseeing journey along the Third Street Promenade and grand Majestic theater. If you’re looking to spend the night along the beachfront, we recommend the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for its ocean view dining, and the comfortable pool and lounge. Dine on fresh oysters, and book a room with a view at Shutters on the Beach.

Situated between the steep Santa Ynez Mountains and the grand Pacific Ocean, next you will want to swing through the Mediterranean decor of the city of Santa Barbara.  We recommend a magical night’s rest at the Canary Hotel with its rooftop pool, quick drive to wine country, and close proximity to the Mission Santa Barbara and the Presidio of Santa Barbara. If you feel like soaking up the charm of the city on a beach cabana or enjoying a complimentary two-hour beach cruiser bicycle rental, check out the lovely Hotel Oceana.

Stay tuned for part two as we continue to cruise up the California Coast…

A Showcase for Office Ninjas!

Summer is here, so what better time to discover the most innovative tech tools for office ninjas everywhere? On Wednesday, August 1st, ten promising startups will demo their products and services on stage at the Office NINJAS Tech Mixer & Showcase being held at the Hotel Monaco in San Francisco.  The startups run the gamut from offering an easy way to book team-building activities online to booking a last minute meeting space on your phone. 

What to expect

Check out the event on Facebook. For more information, click here.

Social Media Enthusiasts Connect and Unite!

Hotel Dining At Its Finest.

Located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Hotel Los Gatos resembles a private villa in the Mediterranean. The Dio Deka Restaurant offers fine Hellenic cuisine served in a warm and relaxing setting with a commitment to old-world hospitality, or filoxenia in Greek, with the five managing partners working as servers on the floor of the restaurant in addition to their management duties.

Wake up in Napa Valley’s Westin Versara, and experience Ken Frank’s landmark restaurant, La Toque.  La Toque is a multi-course experience, offering over 2,000 wine pairings, a full bar, and a core menu showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors.

Gordon Ramsay brings his luxurious fine dining experience to NYC located within The London NYC Hotel. At this Michelin award-winning restaurant, cleanse your palate for some savory French-inspired cuisine. Designer David Collins has created an intimate ambiance for those unforgettable, quintessential moments.

Situated just steps away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center on Madison Avenue, The New York Palace boasts 813 guest rooms and 86 suites, including the prominent Towers accommodations, showcasing exquisite views of the city skyline, elegant furnishings and enhanced features. Moreover, guests will find the Two Star Michelin GILT restaurant behind the iron gates of the historic hotel with vintage wines from all around the world, three- and five-course prix menus, and a grand seven-course tasting menu.

Set in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast in Waldorf Astoria’s Elysian Hotel, RIA is a warm and welcoming, fresh and engaging restaurant serving the experienced Chef Danny Grant’s modern, seasonally driven French cuisine. You don’t want to miss the four-course seasonal and the chef’s grand seven-course tasting menus. So, go explore hotel dining at its finest.

A Hotel for all Fathers…

This Sunday, June 17th we celebrate many of the fathers of the world. So, on this Father’s Day, we thought it would be downright classic and the ultimate bonding experience if the sons and daughters of society took their pops on a weekend trip to the movies. What father wouldn’t want to spend his tributary holiday at a charming western hotel? Or wine and dine in a luxurious hotel that screams Corleone?

First, step into a western classic by taking Dad to the heart of Telluride, Colorado to a hotel that is over 100 years old and famous for many reasons.  Not only is the New Sheridan hotel located near several Father’s Day attractions, such as places to ski, fly fish, and take historic tours of the city, it is also near the site of Butch Cassidy’s first bank robbery in 1889. Dad might even recognize the hotel’s historic bar from the opening scenes of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, when we first meet the Sundance Kid.

If you’re struggling for your next destination, make Dad an offer he can’t refuse, and take him to two Godfather hotel hotspots. Begin at the fine St. Regis Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where Michael Corleone and Kay reside followed by a trip to the Edison Hotel in Times Square where Brasi gets more than what he fished for from the Corleone rival, Sollozzo. Don’t forget to tour Mulberry Street between Chinatown and Little Italy, the Queensboro Bridge, and Radio City Music Hall to experience more Godfather memories.

It’s all about family, so why not bring a little mafia to Father’s Day?

Finally, if you’re looking to spend Father’s Day paying homage to cinema’s most famous  father-son relationship, travel to Tunisia’s Hotel Sidi Driss, also known as Luke Skywalker’s home on the planet Tatooine. Just $12 a night, the set-turned-hotel holds props from the movie and Star Wars fans from all over the world. The Tourism Office in Tunisia can arrange Star Wars Tours to all the major sights. Ride to the Dune Sea and check out the Yardangs in Chott El-Gharsa.

So, whether you take Dad to a western saloon, or to the nearest galaxy, make this Father’s Day one to remember.