I have made enquiries with the Crowne Plaza Hotel regarding having a space reserved for us to meet for drinks on the Friday evening, and for lunch on the Saturday. Still awaiting a response! I also have a few restaurant suggestions, so I will contact them to establish whether they can accommodate a party of around 15 to 20 people and to obtain menus. Everyone is responsible for paying for their own meals or drinks.
Do watch in case they try to put you on the path to a "meeting" rate and likewise re the dinning plans, they might try and go along the private dinning route, reduced main menu and room hire rates etc etc.
They might try the can you pre order lark.
But a word from the wise do get the numbers correct, there is simply nothing worse than getting to a venue and tell them them oh its one more or one less. That one seat can make a big difference. The hotel is of sufficient size they can and will be able to cope with a walk in group of that size, each paying your own will lm afraid only annoy the staff no matter how much they smile.
For what its worth, if you came to where l work at you would be offered, in advance private dinning (£100 charge) the menus would be printed with no prices you would be offered a price per head on 2,3 or 4 courses with drinks on arrival and/or wine per person. but its all reflected in the price.
Where as a phone call the day before, with the request a table for 18 please makes things so much easier for all concerned...
But each paying their own....
