Simply the best: an incentive trip at Hotel de la Ville

How does an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy sound? Discover how top performers from an insurance company got on when they were treated to a Roman holiday

Cones of gelato, al fresco dinners and even meeting the Pope were highlights of the incentive trip Brooke MacNaughtan organised with Hotel de la Ville in Rome. As the Vice President of the travel and special events team for the insurance brokerage firm Leavitt Group Enterprises, Brooke led a 200-strong group of employees and their loved ones on a trip during the pandemic in August 2021. Here, she shares stories from the holiday.

What were the primary benefits of your team filling all of Hotel de la Ville’s 104 rooms?

It was like having our own villa house party in the centre of Rome. It was lovely to watch connections being made or strengthened because everyone knew everyone staying at the hotel was connected to Leavitt Group Enterprises. 

It was common to watch people form groups in the lobby, then go and enjoy a rooftop meal together at the hotel or head out of the door and down the Spanish Steps on the hunt for gelato. Everyone made the most of Rome while knowing they have a luxurious haven to return to.

Which venues did you experience?

We had a welcome reception in the hotel’s courtyard with live musicians, which was a great way to kick off the week. 

We also had a morning meeting with our employees on the hotel’s rooftop. We’ve never had a better view during a meeting! 

Because of Covid protocols at the time and the size of our group, we held our dinners outdoors at beautiful venues nearby. 

We also had a private tour of the Vatican Museum which was a real bucket list highlight. We topped off that night with an awards dinner on the terrace of a villa overlooking the city. We also had dinner in Colonna Palace which is still the Colonna family’s private residence. It’s hard to explain the magnitude of the art and history inside its walls. A cannonball shot by the French Army in 1849 is still embedded in its marble staircase.

What were the trip highlights?

We had a line-up of amazing excursions with wonderful guides arranged with the help of Patrizia Rapisarda and her team at PR Incentives. They worked with Hotel de la Ville to make everyone feel comfortable. We walked up the Colosseum’s steps, made pasta in a family-owned olive orchard and vineyard and participated in the Papal Audience. The Pope reached out to bless some of our attendees. 

We ended each day with a gelato and a walk. It’s no surprise everyone is still talking about our stay.

What did you and your attendees think about Rocco Forte Hotels’ health and safety protocols, service and amenities?

Staying at Hotel de la Ville felt like being at the home of outstanding hosts. I felt welcome and pampered. The hotel is clean, it felt safe and secure, and the interior is beautiful. Every Team Member went above and beyond to make our group’s stay special. There were non-stop stories from our attendees of above-and-beyond service. 

At a time that could have been difficult to have a large group visit to Rome – due to Covid restrictions – Team Members made everything feel doable and easy. 

Hotel de la Ville made me, as the planner, look like I was awesome at my job. But the truth is, they’re just fantastic at what they do. I would take our group to Hotel de la Ville again and I hope to have the opportunity to experience other Rocco Forte properties. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know much about Rocco Forte Hotels & Resorts before I met Mary Geong, Director of Global Sales for the West Coast, at IMEX America in Las Vegas. However, since our stay I’ve become an evangelist for Hotel de la Ville and the Rocco Forte brand.

Whether your client wants to host a wedding, photoshoot or networking dinner, discover more about Hotel de la Ville’s meetings and events.