If you’re seeking a serene yet inspiring location for your next corporate retreat, look no further than Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate. Nestled within easy reach of the M11 and just a short drive from the M25, Down Hall offers the perfect blend of accessibility and seclusion. For those traveling by train, Bishop’s Stortford station is approximately 15 minutes away as is Stansted airport for those flying in!
A Warm Welcome at Down Hall
Arriving at Down Hall at 2 pm, I was delighted to find my room ready. The spacious and elegant room boasted air conditioning and a balcony, allowing for a breath of fresh air amidst the day’s activities. The bathroom was a haven of relaxation, featuring a separate bath, and the lounge area provided a cozy space to unwind.
The Agent Wellness Retreat Experience
As part of the “Agent Wellness Retreat,” the afternoon began with a refreshing welcome drink and a delicious cream tea, setting a relaxed tone for everyone. At 3:30 pm, we embarked on a site visit of Down Hall’s impressive event spaces. Each room was a testament to the hotel’s commitment to excellence, providing versatile options for any corporate event.
Next was the Crystal Workshop at 4.30pm. We heard about the very interesting world of crystals, exploring their benefits for wellness, work, wealth, love, and joy. It was a unique and enriching experience, shedding light on how these natural elements can enhance our daily lives.
Embracing Wellness and Breaking Through
At 5:30 pm, we participated in a Breathwork Workshop, learning practical techniques to manage stress, improve sleep, alleviate anxiety, and boost confidence and energy. This session was particularly valuable, equipping us with tools to enhance our personal and professional well-being.
Evening Delight and Meditative Calm
Before the sun set, we gathered on the back lawn at 7:30 pm where waiters were eager to hand us our Down Hall Gin or Down Hall Vodka cocktail, what a way to sample a product, it goes without saying I could not refuse!
Substantial canapes such as mini burgers then followed around the fire pits before the pizza and paella was served via the street food booths allowing everyone to network further. The ambiance was perfectly set by the resident DJ playing chilled Ibiza classics, making for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
But the evening was far from over! At 9:00 pm, I experienced my first sound bath, an optional session that intrigued many of us. Relaxing into the soothing music, the sound bath provided a full meditative experience to heal, restore inner harmony, and energize. Everyone’s experience was unique, with an overwhelming sense of calm.
After such a relaxing evening, I slept wonderfully in the luxurious bed and nearly missed the 8:00 am yoga session!
Morning Nourishment and Networking
Still feeling a bit sleepy, the gentle stretches awakened my mind and body before making our way to the Potting Shed for breakfast. Here was an abundance of croissants, smoked salmon and of course various English breakfast options, as well as bespoke orders of poached eggs with smashed avocado on sourdough toast was arranged for me (Thank you Jenny!) Jenny and Becky, an incredibly tight-knit Business Development team, networked with the group in such a relaxed way, ensuring everyone was comfortable and well fed!
A Retreat for Everyone
The whole retreat was suitable for all ages, with approximately 50 of us enjoying the experience while still having our own individual journeys. Some people knew each other, most didn’t, and it was a wonderful way to bring together people who may be experiencing not just Down Hall but the whole retreat for the first time.
Flexible Event Spaces
With twelve meeting rooms, Down Hall offers great flexibility for any event for numbers up to 200 theatre style and over 200 for dinner. Many function rooms have their own discreet bar nearby, all are filled with natural daylight, as well as air conditioning—quite the feat for a country manor property of this age.
Naturally they can facilitate any small, medium, or large meetings, conferences, and events, equipped with the usual AV facilities, offering day delegate or 24hr rate packages including hot fork buffets, restaurant dining or street food options. But at Down Hall, the team ask themselves, “What else can we offer?” to ensure that events are a memorable experience, one that leaves a lasting impression.
The Down Hall Experience
The two Business Development Managers; Jenny and Becky, along with General Manager Linden, form an incredibly welcoming team. Their hospitality shines through at these events, Down Hall Hotel is like their home (they certainly spend a lot of time there!), and they make sure you always feel welcome in it. It’s no surprise this is a hotel I book regularly for my clients’ conference and events.
So what is new and forthcoming?
Since September, the Potting Shed has been completed, plus the Grand Hall, 10 Estate Patio Rooms and the formal garden refurbished, in addition to their new concept of their street food booths offering options like pizza and paella. Exciting future plans include expanding the kitchen gardens, where events for up to 50 people can take place outside, offering a farm to table experience that’s truly immersive. Then as well as free car parking they now offer six EV car charging points.
The summer event program includes:
- Live from the Lawn; a series of music events from Ibiza classics on Friday evenings to jazz brunch and jazz afternoon tea
- Four different types of afternoon tea: Honey Bee, Princess, Summer, and Wimbledon, each with unique offerings.
- Horse Hack Events where you can bring your own horse, and Pop and Bark Dog Festival, where you can bring your own dog.
- Cinema on the Lawn, starting from just £10 per person.
- Additionally, overnight stays come with various packages, such as children’s packages, dog packages, and spa packages. There’s even a maize! (to lose the children and the dog perhaps?!)
For those with limited time or those who can embrace a full weekend, Down Hall offers five retreat days/weekends. These include the retreat I experienced, as well as menopause retreats, spa retreats, and wellness retreats. One that would be my favourite is the Wellness-Sound Bath Weekend, which includes two yoga sessions, a sound bath, spa treatments, dinner, and an overnight stay. The next one is on September 27th, so mark your calendar and book early!
To Summarise: Why Down Hall is the Ideal Retreat Venue
Down Hall Hotel stands out as an exceptional choice for corporate retreats, offering:
- Accessibility: Easy access from the M11 and M25, with Bishop’s Stortford train station and Stansted airport nearby.
- Luxurious Accommodation: Spacious bedrooms with modern amenities and scenic views.
- Versatile Event Spaces: Beautifully designed rooms to cater to such a variation of events.
- Unique Wellness Activities: Engaging workshops and wellness experiences that add value to your retreat, no numbers are too small with maximum approximately 200
- Spa: 3 single and 1 double treatment rooms, wet spa, hydrotherapy pool, steam room to relax the mind and revive the body
- Acres of land: 110 acres in the estate to be precise!
For any event planner, Down Hall provides a perfect blend of tranquillity and convenience. It’s a place where your team can rejuvenate, bond, and find inspiration away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
So, when planning your next corporate retreat, consider Down Hall Hotel. Your team deserves a retreat that’s not just productive but also rejuvenating.
A Personal Reflection
The 24 hours I spent at Down Hall Hotel had a wonderful impact on me. As a solo business person with teenagers (and a super supportive husband), life is incredibly busy and often pressured. Event professionals tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves, constantly juggling deadlines and running from one task to another. This retreat gave me the time to just stop, step back, rebalance, reprioritize, and feel extremely grateful for how our industry has not only returned but is still reaching forward to make each experience better than the last.
Until next time, embrace tranquillity and keep planning those amazing events!
Interested in Down Hall for your next event? Send me your enquiry.