Incentive & Motivation

Amazing Retreats has unveiled Spitbank Fort as the newest addition to its collection of unusual properties available for exclusive hire.

Situated a mile offshore from Portsmouth Harbour, Spitbank Fort is one of the most unusual military buildings ever constructed and is being transformed into a luxury destination for unusual meetings, director retreats, incentive meetings and special events this year. The location offers complete privacy and the latest conferencing facilities, high speed Wi-Fi and meeting technology.

Accessible only by boat, this Grade II listed monument built in 1878 is now an intriguing venue with a range of event spaces and breakout rooms. The property, which can accommodate 50 guests in its rooftop function space overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, comes complete with two private cinema rooms, private dining rooms, Champagne bar, wine cellar and cigar room, three fully equipped games rooms and a library.

The Fort is also offers eight luxury double bedrooms each with sea views, as well as a gym, several sun decks, an open air hot pool, sauna, fire pit and rooftop changing rooms.

A dedicated Amazing Retreats crew are on hand to assist with event planning, catering and to arrange teambuilding or incentive day trips to the adjacent Gunwharf Quays with its shopping, nightlife and attractions including local RIB and yacht charters.

Working closely with English Heritage, PLC Architects in Portsmouth and other specialist organisations, Amazing Retreats has ensured that the historical aspect of the Fort is maintained.

The restoration of this world famous former Napoleonic Fort began in November 2009 and is due for completion in November 2011.

Amazing Retreats, the exclusive hire specialists, has announced it will invest £8.85million into its conference, events and leisure product in 2011.

The company, which offers a diverse range of properties including castles, abbeys and working watermills, offers 12 spectacular locations in the UK perfect for corporate events, product launches, strategy and away days, director retreats and incentive breaks. The properties are also popular for leisure breaks and family celebrations.

The figure includes the purchase of properties in the portfolio, including the newly acquired Kinnettles near Dundee and Plas Rhianfa in Anglesey, as well as extensive venue renovations and refurbishments. Over £750,000 of this will be ploughed into gardens and outdoor space, including developing marquee areas, planting and seating areas.

Refurbishment of the properties in the collection includes the addition of eight catering kitchens and over 60 bedrooms as well as creating banqueting space at Morley Old Hall, Beau Castle, Ackergill Tower Plas Cilybebyll, Stanbrook Abbey and Tempsford Mill. Five swimming pools, six hot tubs and saunas, six gyms and spa facilities, two tennis courts and four games rooms will also be added over the course of 2011. The highest profile refurbishment is taking place at Spitbank Fort in the Solent, due to open later this year.

The figures for 2011 are in addition to £30m invested during last year on purchases and development.

Mike Clare, Founder and Executive Chairman of Amazing Retreats, comments: “The multi-million pound investment underlines our commitment to all our guests, no matter what the purpose of their visit, by consistently developing and improving our product. As the leaders in exclusive hire of historic and unusual properties in the UK it is important for us to ensure the portfolio remains interesting and diverse for both business and leisure guests, as well as ensuring that our properties provide the high standards expected of an Amazing Retreat. As a result of this investment we expect 2011 to be a busy year for us, with new properties becoming available and new facilities opening at existing locations.”