London is the perfect conference location. A captivating city of contrasts, you’ll find richly historic properties alongside cutting-edge statement buildings, offering a range of unique conference venues to choose from. If you’re looking for a venue that goes beyond the ordinary and inspires your guests with its charm and character, you’re sure to find it in the capital. Here at Argyll, we have unique conference venues across London and we’ve been operating exceptional corporate spaces for over 25 years. In this article, we’ll examine exactly what makes a venue unique, how to choose the right one, and showcase eight extraordinary spaces guaranteed to impress your guests and spark excitement.
Table of Contents
What makes a conference venue unique?
Design and aesthetics
Above all, a unique conference venue will have a distinctive style and aesthetic, inside and out. Architecturally striking buildings set an inspiring, high-end tone for a conference. Internally, quirky features and notable interior design, be it avant-garde or classic, create an impressive backdrop and can even guide your theme.
Technology
The technology on offer at a particular venue can set it aside from others. As well as the usual screens and sound systems, some venues can offer things like mobile apps, live polling and even VR, allowing guests to have a more interactive and immersive experience, and creating an impactful impression. Contrasting to modern devices and digital experiences, technology can add uniqueness to a conference by transporting guests back in time. Retro arcade games and photo booths add fun and flair, complementing more classic themes and venues. Here at Argyll, we work with leading audio-visual partners to create the right set-up for your event, whether you’re looking for something traditional or innovative.
Amenities
Each conference venue will offer something different in terms of amenities. For example, the range of spaces and attention to detail will vary. Some have unique spaces such as rooftop terraces with breathtaking views or other outdoor havens of tranquillity, ideal for serendipitous conversations with new connections. The food options available at conference venues are also diverse. Some spaces, like Argyll, add value with bespoke catering to fit your requirements and can add luxurious touches such as canapés, cocktails and wine pairing.
Things to look out for in London’s unique conference venues
Location
In London, location is paramount. Think about the address of a conference venue and what impression this portrays. Choose a location with an image that’s cohesive with the tone of your event, whether it’s classic elegance, arty or creative, modern corporate or industrial. Even within a given postcode, venues can vary, so consider the style of a venue and how well this fits with your theme.
Transport links
On a practical level, examine the transport links available to and from a conference venue. Is it close to bus links and Tube stations? And if you have international guests attending, consider how well connected the venue is to London’s airports and whether there are hotels nearby.
Venue capacity
A critical point to look out for is the venue capacity. Depending on which type of conference you’re organising, you may start with a venue and create a guest list to meet the capacity, or you may already have a rough guest number and look for a venue to accommodate accordingly. It’s important to consider not only the capacity of the main conference space but also any additional areas you’ll use for breakout sessions, dining, etc.
Indoor or outdoor?
Does a conference venue offer indoor or outdoor space, or both? In warmer months, you may wish to take your conference outside, at least in part, creating a relaxed atmosphere which fosters candid discussion. Or perhaps conference elements like product demonstrations require indoor space. Whatever you have planned, think about how the event’s schedule could pan out in the spaces available at a particular venue.
Services
When looking for a unique conference venue in London, consider the services provided to bring your event to life. Can the venue provide catering, or would you need to organise this separately? Can the venue supply all the tech equipment and support you need to really wow your guests. Look for added extras that complete the look and feel of your conference. Some will tailor decorations to meet brand colours or theme, and some like Argyll, go a step further with bespoke floral arrangements and live entertainment options.
8 Unique conference venues in London
From small boutique venues to large event spaces that will inspire and impress your corporate guests, here are some of London’s unforgettably unique conference venues.
Best large unique conference venues in London
1. Lounge and Michelin Room – Michelin House, Chelsea
Located in the heart of Chelsea, Michelin House is an iconic property that’s sure to impress your guests. The former Michelin Tyre headquarters, Michelin House is a stunning art-deco building with stained-glass windows that’s brimming with character inside and out. The bright and contemporary lounge is ideal for larger events. Michelin House also has three meeting rooms, with the Michelin Room particularly offering the wow factor. Colourfully furnished, with leading AV equipment and diverse catering options, the Michelin Room is ideal for breakout sessions filled with inspired discussion.
2. Lounge and Dome Room – 1 Cornhill, City of London
1 Cornhill is a landmark property that’s unmissable and unforgettable. Emanating grandeur and elegance, this unique conference venue is set over six floors, offering versatility and style. The lounge is majestic with marble pillars and a graceful sweeping staircase, and the Dome Room exudes professional sophistication with a grand roundtable, views across the city, period detailing, and a breathtaking domed ceiling. With access to the latest AV technology and an array of catering options, 1 Cornhill is a truly unique conference venue.
3. Great Room – Central Court, Holborn
With a glass domed roof and elegant balconied walkways, Central Court is an exclusive conference venue which was once home to the London Patent Office. The property boasts refined lounges, a tranquil courtyard and six exceptional meeting rooms. The Great Room, in particular, is a sleek and polished space with period charm, a domed ceiling and ornate wooden doors. It’s a bright and versatile space that can be seamlessly tailored to meet your conference theme.
4. Robert Adam Room – St James’s Square, Mayfair
33 St James’s Square is a stunning Grade II listed Georgian building in central Mayfair. Overlooking the renowned St James’s Square gardens, the property offers elegant lounges and eight high-spec meeting rooms which are certain to impress your conference guests. The largest space is the Robert Adam Room. Flooded with light from large Georgian windows, the space has striking period features and an intricately designed ceiling, creating the perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern professionalism.
5. Boardroom – Davies Street, Mayfair
55 Davies Street is a conference venue with understated grace and charm in the heart of Mayfair. With remarkable 18th-century features, three meeting rooms, a leafy courtyard garden, and high-spec technology throughout, the property exudes classic style while providing everything you need to deliver a unique and memorable conference experience. The Boardroom specifically is the epitome of executive sophistication with a sleek marble table, refined panelling and the latest in presentation equipment.
Smaller conference venues in London with great views
6. Audley Room – North Audley Street, Mayfair
If you’re looking for a more contemporary space, 20 North Audley Street is a uniquely refined and modern conference venue in London’s West End. With an elegant lounge, an awe-inspiring terrace offering tranquillity among the buzz of the city, and three high-spec meeting rooms, North Audley Street is the perfect backdrop to more intimate conferences. The Audley Room is a stylish and contemporary space, with high-quality furnishings and incredible city views. In choosing this unique venue, you’ll also get access to the latest AV equipment and bespoke catering to help bring your conference to life.
7. Novello or Fleming rooms – Octagon Point, St Pauls
Octagon Point is an undeniably unique conference venue. Its innovative aesthetic makes it one of the Square Mile’s most iconic locations. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the elegant lounge and exceptional meeting rooms are awash with light and offer sweeping views of St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond. Octagon Point’s flagship spaces are the Novello and Fleming rooms. Both offer intimate conference spaces with modern furnishing and breathtaking city vistas.
8. Victoria Room – Nova North, Victoria
Bolster the impact of your conference with a statement venue like Nova North. Its bold and avant-garde architecture is sure to leave your guests in awe. With a range of stylish and impressive spaces internally, you can choose the perfect backdrop for your event. The Victoria Room is ideal for exclusive conferences, and its striking glass wall basks the space in light and provides spectacular views of Buckingham Palace.
How unique conference spaces can drive business
Impressing your guests
Choosing a venue with a style that’s cohesive with yours can help galvanise your brand image and impress guests, which is particularly important if guests are clients or potential new customers. If you’d like to make a statement about your brand and leave a lasting impression on your guests, pick a venue that makes an impact.
Boosting creativity and thought leadership
Striking properties create an environment that fosters creativity and fresh thinking, and a venue with varying spaces can multiply this effect. Think about a venue’s legacy and heritage and how this might ignite new ideas. At Argyll, our properties include the former HQ of a multinational tyre powerhouse and an iconic landmark at the epicentre of the capital’s financial district.
Facilitating collaboration and networking
Unique conference venues with open spaces and a relaxed but sophisticated ambience promote mingling and are great for networking. If the venue also has quieter spaces where more in-depth discussions can continue, then it’s a winning combination towards deeper connections and productive collaborations.
How to choose the right conference venue
Define the objectives of the conference
Before you can select your venue, you need to define the purpose and objectives of your conference. Perhaps you aim to present your brand, meet new clients, network with industry peers or promote learning. Ultimately, the objectives will drive your event schedule, speaker choices, and venue.
Choose a venue that complements your organisation
Choose a venue with a style and prestige that works in harmony with yours. At Argyll, whether you decide on a historically elegant landmark or a modern statement property, we can tailor the interiors of our versatile spaces to suit your brand and event seamlessly.
Budget for premium features or services
When setting a budget for your conference, allow for venue costs, catering, entertainment, technology, etc. Decide whether your conference is a ticketed event and work out prices accordingly. Where possible, make allowances for premium services to ensure a conference that leaves a lasting impression and wows your guests.
What do you get with Argyll’s unique conference venues?
Personalised service and support
Here at Argyll, we’ve been managing exceptional office spaces for over 25 years. At our unique conference venues, we work closely with our clients to create a bespoke experience that captures your desired ambience and impact, from the first canapé to the closing speech.
Bespoke catering and theming
Working with our expert caterers, we offer personalised food options to suit your requirements. Our flexible spaces can also be decorated to meet your unique theme or brand, and we can offer tailored mementoes for your guests, such as goodie bags.
Entertainment, film and photography
If you’re planning an upbeat and energetic conference, we can provide all the entertainment you need from live music to interactive experiences. What’s more, with our photography and videography partners, you can capture every moment of your event to share across marketing channels and use in promotional content.
A truly unique backdrop to your conference
From Chelsea to Mayfair, we have unique conference venues at some of London’s most prestigious postcodes. Our portfolio includes an art-deco statement building, avant-garde contemporary offices and a Grade II listed townhouse. And the interiors wow just as much as the architecture. Breathtaking outdoor terraces, grand lounges and sophisticated boardrooms are just some of the conference spaces we offer.
Enquire about Argyll’s unique conference venues in London
With a range of unique conference venues across London, at Argyll, we have a space to suit your conference objectives, whatever your style. Contact our dedicated team today to discuss your plans and we can begin bringing your vision to life.
