There is now so much information out there, it is almost impossible to tell who is good and who is not. Travel Advisor and Yelp may be good for individual experiences, but a) groups are different and b) I don’t know anyone who actually writes those reviews anyway. Why should I trust the crowd if I don’t even like the crowd?
 
So these “Cool OnLine Resources” are no secret unless you did not know about them already. Check them out (since they are cool).  We’ll keep adding as we go so that we, too, will remain a very “cool on-line resource” for All Things Meetings. And I am not anonymous. You can actually talk to me.

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Aman Hotels & Resorts has 31 incredible, small resorts around the world
Aman Hotels & Resorts has 31 incredible, small resorts around the world

21 in Asia, 6 in Europe and 4 in the Americas. We are talking… really nice :)

Two Roads Hospitality combines Destination Hotels, Joie de Vivre, Alila Hotels, and Thompson Hotels
Two Roads Hospitality combines Destination Hotels, Joie de Vivre, Alila Hotels, and Thompson Hotels

Destination Hotels (36 properties), Joie de Vivre (18 properties), Alila Hotels (17 properties), Thompson Hotels (10 properties)

The Dorchester Collection nine of the world’s most iconic hotels
The Dorchester Collection nine of the world’s most iconic hotels

7 in Europe, 2 in Los Angeles. They are all legendary. That is not overstating it.

Hotels of Switzerland - 11 of the best
Hotels of Switzerland - 11 of the best

If you need a luxury hotel in Switzerland contact Marius Karrer

Montage Hotels & Resorts targets “affluent travelers” and delivers high-end service
Montage Hotels & Resorts targets “affluent travelers” and delivers high-end service

if you want to place a Board Meeting, want to impress your customers, or are planning a small incentive (and you never experience “sticker shock”).

Pan Pacific Hotels Group operates business and meeting hotels
Pan Pacific Hotels Group operates business and meeting hotels

one hotel in the US, three in Canada, two in Australia, and sixteen throughout Asia

International Group Sales (IGS) experts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and now have properties in Alaska and Montana
International Group Sales (IGS) experts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and now have properties in Alaska and Montana

I have worked with them for years and they are arguably the best of the best reps with whom I have ever worked.

28 boutique hotels in the US, Canada and Europe.
28 boutique hotels in the US, Canada and Europe.

All of the hotels are very different, some have meeting space, some not… so to sort through that just ask Jonathan Wisner

Leading Hotels of the World 375 luxury hotels in 75 countries
Leading Hotels of the World 375 luxury hotels in 75 countries

a hotel can’t just join. It has to be one of the world’s best and has to be approved by their Executive Committee whose members only want to be associated with the best of the best

Fourth generation of hotelier with eleven distinctly individual hotels in Europe and the Middle East
Fourth generation of hotelier with eleven distinctly individual hotels in Europe and the Middle East

hey are each unique because each destination is unique, but they all have one thing in common… they are all classics.

The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 27 unique hotel offerings
The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 27 unique hotel offerings

ome of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Big places that can accommodate your big events (and smaller events and incentives too).

Nine very distinctive hotels in Northern California
Nine very distinctive hotels in Northern California

Bernardus, Monterey Plaza, Dream Inn, Lafayette Park Indian Springs Calistoga… to name a few

300+ full-service properties part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
300+ full-service properties part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

A really wide variety of cool, historic hotels including some really cool places you didn’t even know existed.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts 650+ member hotels in 85 countries
Preferred Hotels & Resorts 650+ member hotels in 85 countries

Preferred Standards of Excellence measured yearly by anonymous on-site inspections carried out by professional third-party experts

ALHI - Over 250 luxury properties in over 60 countries
ALHI - Over 250 luxury properties in over 60 countries

ALHI’s portfolio also includes 23 luxury cruise ships and DMCs.

VIP Suites At Sporting Events And Concerts in North America
VIP Suites At Sporting Events And Concerts in North America

You’re a meeting and event planner. The boss says… “I want to entertain our 25 best customers at the next big game. Want one of those VIP suites. Set that up.”
Online Resource To Find Something Really Cool And Different For Their Next High-Level Retreat. Chateauform
Find Out About New Luxury Hotel Openings
Find Out About New Luxury Hotel Openings

Scroll through it and dream (and plan your next company incentive or board retreat)
80,000 Bands, Entertainers And Event Services For Hire: Gig Salad
Air BnB” Of Meeting Spaces: Breather.com
 
Featured
Why I Really Like GSOs

Here’s why… sometimes I have to find answers from a lot of places all at once. A multiple destination search, a large, complicated event… or maybe I have to find something in a destination I have never worked… I turn to my GSO friends and suddenly have an army of helpers who want to help me close a deal.

The “Big Chains” have GSOs and although they are always willing to help.... many planners do not make that minimum threshold…

Peerspace Update: Online Venue Marketplace - It's Still A Cool Idea
Peerspace Update: Online Venue Marketplace - It's Still A Cool Idea

I had written about Peerspace in one of my first blogs, long before the sponsorship thing. And why had I written about them? Because it’s a cool idea. Why am I writing an update? Two reasons… 1. it’s still a cool idea and 2. I would not have found Forager for my next Trade Show, a very cool, new venue, if it wasn’t for their listing on Peerspace. 

Things You Can Use: TeamBuilding Idea and Online Tools for Planners
Things You Can Use: TeamBuilding Idea and Online Tools for Planners

Unique Team Building Ideas and some more Online Resources to find amazing hotels.

A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That: Great Team Building Ideas and Online Resources For Planners
A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That: Great Team Building Ideas and Online Resources For Planners

3 Cool team buildings activities and a couple of online resources you should know about

Online Resources To Help Plan Your Event/Meeting
Online Resources To Help Plan Your Event/Meeting

Here are some snapshots of online resources that might help in the meeting planning part of your job. Hope they do. 
Online Tools For Finding Amazing Boutique Hotel

Looking for some really amazing, high-end, small, luxury, boutique properties in some amazing locations around the world but don’t know where to start? Start with these sites with full, searchable lists of their remarkable properties

More Free Online Tools To Find Hotels and Venues
More Free Online Tools To Find Hotels and Venues

You would think that all of the major chains or affiliations would at least have such a page on their own web sites. Amazingly enough, only some do. I have been searching and asking around, contacting the hotel corporate offices (doing my job), and have come up with some that should make your job as meeting planner just a bit easier.

Cool Online Resources To Help Meeting Planners
Cool Online Resources To Help Meeting Planners

Found two very interesting ones…