The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, VA, also features two historic golf courses. Courtesy Photo

These days, corporate professionals are seeking ways to alleviate stress and rejuvenate their mind, body and spirit. As a result, many meeting planners have turned to golf and spa resorts as the ideal venue — where state-of-the-art meeting spaces are combined with sports and wellness amenities, allowing corporate attendees to both work and relax, all at one locale.

With 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, event planner Hank Stampfl, CEO and founder of Revel Rouge, has expertly curated remarkable corporate meetings, events and conferences for a distinguished list of companies across the finance, fashion, nonprofit and entertainment sectors. In Stampfl’s experience, for many reasons, golf and spa resorts are an ideal location to host a corporate event.

“Our events company thrives on partnering with golf and spa resorts for corporate events,” Stampfl says, as corporate attendees are often amazed by the world-class amenities and breathtaking landscapes, as well as the food programs on premier golf courses.

“We have done corporate events [all over] — from the stunning grounds of Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico to the prestigious courses of Augusta,” Stampfl says. “The properties we work with are simply awe-inspiring and offer completely different experiences. A key advantage of hosting corporate events at these resorts is the additional variety of activities available. Many offer much more than just golf, providing incredible opportunities for team-building and exciting excursions. This is a perfect match for a multi-day event or one-off.”

In fact, when Revel Rouge recently organized that extravagant three-day corporate event at the breathtaking Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, it was a dream setting. The resort’s world-renowned golf course, nestled along the ocean, offered stunning views from both the course and the hotel rooms. Guests had the option to start their day with their choice of either an eight-course breakfast tee time or a rejuvenating sunrise yoga session before the late-morning sessions began. One of the event’s highlights was the inclusion of spouses, who had access to an array of amenities while their partners participated in educational sessions. The gathering was culturally enriched by vibrant local musicians, talented performers and mouthwatering Puerto Rican cuisine, creating team-building memories that will last a lifetime.

Something for Everyone

Heather Pilcher, CSEP, CMP, CEO and executive producer at Blue Spark Event Design, says that when it comes to corporate events, golf and spa resorts are like the Swiss Army knife of venues — they’ve got something for everyone.

“Whether your group is full of seasoned golfers who live for a perfectly played par-4 or relaxation enthusiasts who’d rather sip cucumber water in a plush robe, these venues offer built-in activities that are both engaging and accessible,” Pilcher says. “Golf outings provide a unique mix of structured activity and casual networking. Picture it — five hours on a beautiful course with no emails, no Zoom calls, just genuine face-to-face conversation.”

On the flip side, spas offer a similarly valuable space for connection — quiet moments in relaxation lounges and shared excitement over the post-massage glow create natural touchpoints for building relationships.

“Plus, these resorts are often all-in-one destinations, minimizing logistical headaches and maximizing convenience,” Pilcher says. “Transportation stress? Gone. Seamless transitions from meetings to leisure activities? Check. It’s an event planner’s dream scenario.”

One standout corporate event that the Blue Spark team orchestrated was a shotgun-style golf tournament hosted at The Phoenician resort in Phoenix, AZ. The beauty of this property is its onsite golf course. No shuttles, no delays — just a smooth transition from conference room to tee-off.

Says Pilcher: “We welcomed guests with drink carts (think: ice-cold refreshments and big smiles) and handed out custom golf balls and towels for that extra touch of personalization. Each cart was also stocked with gourmet lunch boxes and snacks to keep everyone energized throughout the game. It wasn’t just about the golf. It was about creating a seamless, high-touch experience where attendees felt cared for from the first swing to the final putt.”

Pilcher and her team also handled another memorable corporate event, which took place at the Omni Interlocken Hotel outside of Denver, CO.

“The setup mirrored our Phoenician experience — custom branding, thoughtful amenities and a relaxed, fun energy that kept the group engaged for hours,” Pilcher says. “At both events, we left participants with stories to share and relationships strengthened.”

The Omni PGA Frisco Resort and Spa is another favorite golf and spa resort that attracts so many corporate event planners. Opened in 2023, the facility boasts nearly 34,000 sf of event space in two massive ballrooms, an indoor/outdoor pavilion, 19 smaller meeting rooms and nine outdoor venues that offer an array of scenic backdrops. Combined, the resort features a total of 127,000 sf of event space with 500 guest rooms and suites and 10 private ranch houses. When it’s time to relax and unwind, attendees can enjoy a wealth of spa services, an array of dining options and two 18-hole championship golf courses — as well as a lighted 10-hole, par-3 short course; and a two-acre putting course and entertainment area.

“Omni PGA Frisco is simply spectacular. From our first tour of the property (pre-opening), we knew it was going to be a special place,” says Harper Rooney, vice president and event manager in corporate event management at U.S. Bank. “The team [there] built a true partnership with us throughout the planning process, exceeding the expectations of the planning team and our guests. I’d highly recommend this property for any event — not only for the beautiful resort amenities but also because of the fantastic team members who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional experiences.”

An Island Unto Itself

Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, SC, is another go-to golf and spa destination for corporate events. Offering a turnkey meeting experience, from planning to execution, the resort provides dedicated conference services and banquet teams that create a meaningful and seamless experience.

Kiawah Island also boasts diverse accommodation and meeting options to serve the varying needs of any group interested in a golf and spa meeting. With a triple five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, The Sanctuary can accommodate meetings for anywhere from 22 to 750 people. It offers inspiring indoor and outdoor meeting and event venues, anchored by the 6,050-sf Grand Oaks Ballroom, which also features movable air walls for flexible space configurations. Outdoors, the stunning Grand Lawn overlooks the beach and Atlantic Ocean, creating a dramatic background for an outside reception or event. In addition, the hotel has numerous other smaller meeting rooms, a hospitality suite and a business center.

Apart from The Sanctuary, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort also includes nearly 500 villas — ranging in size from one to four bedrooms — and a collection of luxury homes (some oceanfront) with up to eight bedrooms. The resort also boasts more than a dozen restaurants to suit every taste and occasion — everything from the Forbes Five-Star Ocean Room (in The Sanctuary) to casual clubhouse fare. The Sanctuary’s Grand Lawn and Terrace Lawn are both excellent venues for a memorable oceanfront reception, and the hotel’s pool deck also overlooks the Atlantic and can be configured for receptions and casual buffet dinners. Adjacent to the clubhouse at the iconic Ocean Course, the Terrace Lawn can be tented for a breathtaking reception or dinner where guests enjoy a view of the back nine with a dramatic ocean backdrop.

Three of Kiawah Island’s golf clubhouses — the Ocean Course, Osprey Point and Turtle Point — provide additional space for meetings and indoor/outdoor events. And in 2020, the resort opened its stunning West Beach Conference Center, which provides state-of-the-art conference services in 23,000 sf of elegant space anchored by the 9,675-sf Carolina Ballroom.

The resort’s longest-running tradition, the Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ, gives corporate attendees the opportunity to engage in an authentic, time-honored Lowcountry social custom — while feasting on some local delicacies. Held on a dramatic spot overlooking a gentle sweep of the Kiawah River, with sweeping sunset views across the salt marsh, this event creates an unforgettable outdoor dining experience, with walled covered pavilions in case there is inclement weather.

For downtime and team-building, Kiawah Island features five distinctly different championship golf courses overall and the world’s top-ranked tennis and pickleball center, as well as 10 miles of pristine beach, and an abundance of nature and recreation activities on both land and water. In addition, the resort’s iconic green bicycles provide the preferred mode of transportation, with 30-plus miles of paved trails linking the island end to end. A convenient shuttle service is also constantly on call to transport attendees anywhere within the resort.

Located along Florida’s pristine northwest Gulf Coast, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach gives corporate event attendees a chance to experience stunning vistas of the Gulf of Mexico, with sugar-white sand beaches, lush palm trees and an expansive 22,500-sf deck where they can relax and unwind after the work-related activities are completed.

But when it comes to getting down to business, the resort features 40,000 sf of flexible indoor meeting space with an interior inspired by the resort’s beachfront setting. Adorned with natural accoutrements (including tile and stone) to celebrate the resort’s native surroundings, the facility’s spacious ballrooms, breakout spaces, boardrooms and pre-function areas offer ample space to gather.

According to one event planner, the Hilton Sandestin is one of the most desirable places to host a conference in the Gulf South. “Our organization was the first group to contract an event with the Hilton before the resort was even built. We are now preparing for our 44th Annual Conference,” the event planner says. “We’ve been coming back to the Hilton for decades because of the beautiful location, amenities at the resort and, most of all, because of the excellent people that work on our behalf [there] so that we can deliver an amazing conference to our attendees.”

Last fall, the legendary Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ, added an array of wellness meeting programs to elevate the overall corporate event experience at the resort. Inspired by the venue’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, the new wellness experiences provide corporate attendees with a wealth of options to relax and rejuvenate their mind, body and spirit. From new meditation programs to interactive cooking classes to wellness coaching, these health-conscious offerings are a wonderful complement to the resort’s two onsite golf courses, tennis garden with pickleball courts, group rock climbing clinics and other outdoor adventures.

Boulders also features 50,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space that celebrates the resort’s stunning surroundings with panoramic views and outdoor settings, such as organic gardens, in which visitors can conduct meetings and corporate events.

Tips of the Trade

To choose the ideal location for an event, Stampfl recommends that corporate event planners listen closely to the client’s wishes and goals, since the right setting can shape the overall atmosphere of the gathering and ensure that it aligns with the corporate vision and purpose.

“It’s important to create an experience that leaves a lasting impression,” Stampfl says. “Our goal is for every guest to feel elevated and treated like royalty, which is why selecting the perfect golf and spa resort that complements the brand is key.”

Pilcher also suggests that corporate event planners must know their audience — because while golf and spa resorts offer variety, it’s important to understand whether your group leans more toward “greens and fairways” or “facials and hot stone massages” or, ideally, a mix of both.

“Next, communication with the resort team is key,” Pilcher says. “These venues are pros at hosting groups, but they’re not mind-readers. Be clear about your goals, timelines and guest expectations. Also, don’t underestimate the power of personalization. Custom golf balls, branded towels or even signature cocktails at the 19th hole can leave lasting impressions.”

Lastly, logistics matter. Pilcher says choosing a resort where golf and spa facilities are on-property can save a corporate meeting planner countless headaches (and transportation costs).

“The ultimate goal is to create an event where attendees can fully immerse themselves in the experience without worrying about what comes next,” Pilcher says. “When done right, golf and spa resorts don’t just host events — they create memories.”  C&IT