With corporate retreats and offsite meetings on the rise, hotels have a golden opportunity to position themselves as ideal venues for these events.
Many companies appreciate a more low-key, thoughtful approach to team building.
Even better, these activities can be offered onsite with minimal investment, enhancing your hotel's value without the need for your guests to travel far or spend extra time organizing.
TLDR: Having a range of free/cheap onsite activities for corporate groups will significantly increase your conversion rate. Your investment to provide these activities can be extremely low comparing of increased rooms/F&B revenue of these corporate groups.
Here are some creative ideas for simple yet impactful team-building activities that require minimal investment from your hotel but can make all the difference in creating a memorable offsite experience. We made this list based on the Surf Office's data.
#1 Wine Tasting or Cocktail-Making Workshop
Partner with local wineries or hire a mixologist to host an engaging wine or cocktail tasting event. The investment is relatively small—typically covering the cost of ingredients and hiring an expert—and this experience provides a memorable, interactive way for guests to bond without leaving your hotel.
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#2 Pétanque and Cornhole Games
These lawn games are inexpensive to purchase and easy to set up, requiring only a designated outdoor space. They offer a simple, effective way to encourage friendly competition and teamwork among guests, promoting interaction in a relaxed setting.
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#3 Yoga Classes and Mats
A small investment in yoga mats and the option to hire a yoga instructor can yield big rewards. Offering yoga sessions adds a wellness element to retreats and encourages mindfulness and relaxation among participants. You can host these sessions outdoors or in a dedicated space, providing a calm start to the day or a way to unwind after meetings. Many corporate groups have a yoga teacher in the team and they just need a space and the mats.
#4 Karaoke Night
A basic karaoke setup, which requires minimal equipment, can quickly turn into an event highlight. Guests will appreciate this lighthearted, fun activity that breaks the ice and helps them bond over shared performances. It’s a perfect, low-cost way to inject energy into any retreat. Surf Office groups love it!
#5 Cooking Classes
By offering a cooking class with a hired chef, your hotel can provide a hands-on experience that fosters collaboration. The investment covers ingredients and the instructor, but it delivers a memorable team-building experience, as groups create and enjoy a meal together. You already have a kitchen/space to run such workshop.
#6 Movie Night or Screenings
With a projector, comfortable seating, and some snacks, you can offer movie nights for your corporate groups. This low-cost setup creates a laid-back entertainment option, allowing teams to relax and unwind without leaving the property. Probably the most requested activity from Surf Office clients and hotels are often not flexible to provide it. You probably have a projector/large display.
#7 Picnic Baskets
Invest in customizable picnic baskets filled with local food and drinks that guests can enjoy around your grounds. It’s a simple, yet thoughtful touch that promotes team bonding while they explore the outdoor areas of your hotel.
#8 Craft Boxes for DIY Souvenirs
For a small investment in craft supplies, you can offer DIY swag activities where teams create personalized souvenirs. These craft boxes allow guests to make something meaningful to take home, leaving them with lasting memories from their retreat.
#1 Volleyball Court
Installing a volleyball court is a one-time investment that continually attracts corporate groups seeking physical, team-oriented activities.
#2 Bikes/E-Bikes
Offering bicycles or e-bikes opens up opportunities for guests to explore the surrounding area.
#3 SUPs (Stand-Up Paddleboards)
If your hotel is near water, providing stand-up paddleboards is a unique offering that sets you apart.
#4 Outdoor Gym
An fun outdoor gym adds a versatile wellness feature that promotes fitness and team-building activities. Investing in a few pieces of equipment allows you to offer a distinctive amenity that helps guests stay active and energized during their stay.
#5 Private Disco Room
Transform a room into a private disco space with a sound system, lights, and a dance floor. This moderately priced investment creates a memorable venue for corporate events, where teams can let loose and bond over music and dance.
#6 Game Room
Equip a dedicated space with ping pong tables, billiards, darts, chess, Jenga, and dominoes. It's an old-school approach and new hotels usually don't have these game rooms. They are usually considered for families and kids. But corporate clients love them too!
#7 Ice Baths and Meditation Cushions
Capitalize on the wellness trend by adding ice baths for recovery and meditation cushions for relaxation. This moderate investment taps into the growing demand for wellness-oriented retreats, giving your hotel a unique edge in the market.
#8 Disc Golf
Setting up a disc golf course around your property offers a creative, low-impact way for teams to spend time outdoors. It’s a moderate investment in equipment and layout, but the return is a fun, casual activity that guests can enjoy throughout their stay.
By offering these engaging, creative activities right on your hotel grounds, you can transform your property into an ideal location for corporate offsites.
These options require minimal to moderate investment but deliver maximum impact, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds between team members.
With a few thoughtful additions, your hotel can become a sought-after destination for companies looking to host unique and meaningful retreats.
Feel free to adjust or expand on any of the activities based on your hotel's specific amenities and location!
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