Remote Locations

I've held design trainings in the mountains or monasteries surrounded by nature. These spots are perfect for workshops on tough topics where people need to step back from daily life. Nature helps with self-reflection and even meditation.

City Center Hotels

I also love hotels right in the heart of a big city, just five minutes from the train station. These are great for busy professionals who don't need the extra escape from nature offers. By being in a city center it makes it easy for people to find the location and also nudges people to take the train.

Key Elements in Every Hotel

When booking a hotel for a design training or workshop, here are some of my must-haves:

• Essential Equipment: A beamer and a whiteboard are usually available in most hotel conference rooms.
• Flexible Restaurant Hours: I love when meal times can be adjusted by half an hour or more. This flexibility is often found in hotels but not always in monasteries.
• Multiple Spaces: Check if the lobby has work areas, living room spaces, a fitness room, or a playroom. These are useful for breaking into subgroups and stepping out of the main conference room.
• All-in-One Hotel: Everything should be within the same hotel—conference rooms, restaurants, and additional spaces. This makes it easier to manage schedules, billing, and logistics without needing to leave the main space.
• Snacks: It's really worth to pay extra to have snack breaks with food and something to drink. They make people happy with the feeling of "free food" and give back energy to the group.