11 Unique & Unusual Event Venues to Get Inspired By

Unique event spaces aren’t just for Pinterest-worthy weddings or Instagrammable parties. Corporate meetings and professional events are leveling up their venues and experiences, too.

While convention centers and conference rooms still have their place in the event world, half of the event planners recently surveyed by Cvent said they are looking for unique venues this year. Why? Some cite costs—renting space in a theater or on a scenic terrace might incur a lower fee than a more traditional event setting. But for many, it’s all about creating a memorable experience for eventgoers.

Think of it: A private chef-taught cooking class in a restaurant, happy hour by an ice-skating rink, or a networking session on the deck of a luxury yacht are all exceptional experiences.

Looking for unforgettable event inspiration? Here are a few venues to consider.

Cook Together

There’s nothing like preparing a meal with friends or colleagues, and culinary theaters make chef-led cooking lessons accessible to large or small groups. Event attendees will come away with a delicious meal, lasting memories, and practical tips on how to replicate their experience at home.

Host a foodie’s dream event at Epicurean Atlanta, Autograph Collection’s culinary theater. Attendees can gather to prepare a meal with guidance from local culinary experts or watch chefs and mixologists demonstrate their techniques on state-of-the-art cooking equipment. The Epicurean Theatre can accommodate up to 45 guests classroom-style, or hold hands-on classes for up to 20—perfect for team-building fun.

At Luminary Hotel & Co., Autograph Collection in downtown Fort Myers, Florida, guests are in for an immersive culinary experience at The Workshop, a 2,300-square-foot culinary theater perfect for your next event. Host a large group in the amphitheater-style seats, arrange an intimate gathering around the island for a close-up view, or bring attendees in on the action as they work at culinary workstations with guidance from local chefs.

Bond Over Boards

Seasoned surfers and beginners alike will love hitting the waves in a tropical destination. Choose a venue with professional surf instructors who offer small group lessons for intimate team-building time.

At The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, teams can bond over a sunrise surf session through the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, where hand-picked instructors teach the roots of surfing in the waters where it all began. Groups can also attend the resort’s Meet the Legends series, featuring Hawaiian icons from big wave surfers to conservationists. With seven beaches, 1,180 acres of breathtaking scenery, and immersive activities woven into the event experience, this venue brings out the adventurous side of corporate gatherings.

Nestled on a remote peninsula in Costa Rica, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, provides an opportunity to connect with nature—and the waves—for a luxe retreat. Kick off the day with private surf lessons led by an all-female team of pros, and end it with a guided hike or nature tour. Even your meetings can have a seaside vibe: You can conduct them on Nekajui’s oceanfront lawns, poolside terraces, or private beach.

It’s no wonder that the area around JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is called Surfers Paradise. Long, sandy beaches stretch for two kilometers, flanked by modern high-rises and resorts on one side and the surf-friendly Pacific Ocean on the other. For guests who aren’t up for hitting the waves, the property boasts a private saltwater lagoon stocked with tropical fish, a freshwater pool, and a lazy river. Book a morning floating Pilates class for active attendees or host a poolside cocktail hour after a day of meetings.

Blades of Glory

Whether your attendees want to glide on the ice or cozy up by a fire, a skating rink offers an idyllic seasonal experience.

Every winter, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection transforms its iconic Boulevard Pool into The Ice Rink, a 4,200-square-foot rink with skate rentals and regularly scheduled snow showers. After attendees glide around the rink, they can warm up with festive food and drinks at The Ski Lodge, a faux mountainside restaurant with views of the Las Vegas Strip’s most iconic hotels.

Commune With Nature

Some of the best getaways are rural ones, where guests can disconnect and engage with the natural world. Choose a seaside resort or a historic hilltop property for a corporate retreat that will leave guests feeling refreshed and inspired.

Imagine holding an outdoor meeting as elephants lumber by in the distance. At JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, deep in Kenya’s Masai Mara  National Reserve, the wildlife will come to you. Treat guests to a guided safari tour for a closer look at the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, and rhinoceroses that roam freely in the reserve. In the evening, host a Boma Dinner under the stars, a fireside dinner with locally prepared cuisine and traditional dance.

Hidden among the lush green foothills of the Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s Sichuan province, is Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Guests are immersed in nature with expansive views from each of the 87 villas. Treat event attendees to a hiking or biking excursion in the nearby 180,000-acre nature reserve, and take your meetings outdoors on the Qiong Qia Ballroom’s terrace, which boasts snow-capped Minshan Mountain views.

Golf lovers won’t soon forget their stay at Algarve Marriott Salgados Golf Resort & Conference Center. Attendees can take in the sea air in sunny Southern Portugal when they start their morning on the links, rest on the sandy beach, or search for rare birds along the Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve.

Go Cruising

Whether you’re sailing an urban bay or setting off on an international adventure, hosting an event on a yacht will ensure that attendees talk about their experience for years to come.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s three luxury yachts stop in seaside locales like Athens, Barcelona, Singapore, and Cape Town. The ships’ meeting rooms, outdoor terraces, restaurants, and lounges offer ample space for intimate keynotes or breakout sessions. Opt for onboard team-building activities like sushi-making classes or art workshops, or organize unique shore excursions.

Muir, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Halifax embraces its seaside surroundings with a prime location on Halifax Harbor, and is ideal for intimate event groups. Book an excursion on Little Wing, the property’s private 36-foot sailing yacht, for an incomparable meeting experience, or enjoy it for a sunset happy hour with coastal views.