Selecting the perfect conference venue is never easy, with so many options, locations and offerings on the map, it can become tricky to find a venue that is the perfect fit for you and your team. But if you’re looking for comfort, convenience and luxury, look no further than The View Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Conveniently located in the heart of Amanzimtoti, offering sweeping sea views, this stunning boutique hotel has all the makings of the most superb conference venue, and offers all you could possibly need on site from your conference venue, to ample and luxurious accommodation and more.

Having recently undergone a massive upgrade and transformation, The View has two conference venues for you to choose from. The first allows for up to 150 people cinema style and 120 banquet style for larger groups, or there is a smaller venue catering for up to 50 people cinema style and 80 banquet style.

According to General Manager, Tammy Bogusch, “our conference groups have the best of both worlds when using our property, as they can come to us for both work and play. Our venues cater for large or small groups, and with the added benefit of having plentiful accommodation, and the spa to offer your teams some down time, our mix is perfect.”

Contact the View banqueting team today on (031) 903 1556 or email info@hoteltheview.com and find out how they can tailor make your next conference.

When it comes to your wedding you may want to splash in order to make your day as amazing as possible, but for some brides who have been through the process before, creating a budget and sticking to it, is much more rewarding as it allows for less stress on and after, your big day.

The View Boutique Hotel & Spa have some advice for bride’s needing to create the wedding they have always dreamed of, but one that they can afford in the long run.

Tammy Bogusch, the General Manager and banqueting specialist at The View Boutique Hotel & Spa in Doonside, on the KZN South Coast, gives some tips taken from her experience in dealing with an array of weddings, both large and small.

1. Wedding Dress

When it comes to your dress, it is always exciting to start early, and it may be more beneficial as you would have ticked this item off the wedding checklist and if it is over budget, you could always pay a deposit and opt for a monthly repayment, should the store allow this.

2. Wedding Invites

With the move into digital media it is easier for bride’s to send out a digital invitation via email or create a personalised website featuring all the wedding details. This way, you are cutting the costs of the materials for the invitations and the petrol to drop them off. This money could be used elsewhere in your budget. Plus, using the digital method allows for a quicker turnaround time for RSVP’s and you can also send a reminder, just in case the invitation was lost in the post.

3. Deciding on the guest list

Although you might be tempted to have everyone you know on your guest list, it doesn’t make financial sense, plus most venues cannot accommodate more than 120 people. Always remember that less guests also allow for a more intimate wedding and the best way to narrow the list, is to focus on family and close friends that you are certain will show up, and then you can add work colleagues and extended family if you have space. You may find that you are chopping your list quite a number of times, before a final number is determined.

4. Going “in house” for various checklist items

If you are big on enlisting the help of talented guests for your wedding, then this could be a cost saver – especially if they are willing to help you out.

If you have a friend that is a photographer then why not ask them to do your photos as a wedding gift or perhaps there is a baker in the family; they too could assist with the wedding cake as a gift to you. This also makes it extremely personal, and you will not have to cater extra seats and catering for the added persons you would be paying to provide a service.

5. Choose simple décor with minimalistic use of floral arrangements

Instead of spending boatloads of money on flowers that will die shortly after the reception, keep it simple but elegant — for instance, a single rose for each bridesmaid and a very small bouquet for the bride. If you know someone with a rose bush, you can actually make your own bouquets the day before the ceremony by cutting the roses yourself and trimming away the thorns.

To find out more about the affordable wedding packages on offer at The View Boutique Hotel email info@hoteltheview.com