Hayley Conference Centres has opened its seventh conference and training venue and plans to open five more centres in the next eight years
Wotton House near Dorking, in Surrey, opened at the start of this month, following a £20m refit. Like Hayley's other properties it offers accommodation and caters solely for corporate clients. Rack rates at the venue are £70 plus VAT for day delegates and £225 plus VAT for 24 hours.
Jane Littlewood, the company's sales director, said the pure-plays such as Hayley offered attendees a better return on investment and better service than the hotel chains, and represented a significant threat in the corporate market.
"Many hotels aren't set up for businesses - they're trying to be all things to all men," Littlewood said, adding that Hayley's main competitors tended to be chains such as Marriott and Hilton rather than sector rivals such as Initial Style.
However, Jonathan Langston, managing director of TRI Hospitality Consulting, said hotel companies had "significantly improved" their conference and meeting offerings in recent years.
"It's horses for courses. A lot of it comes down to the focus and nature of the event," Langston said. "I think there's room for all of them in the market."