Over 80 guests gathered at the Covent Garden Hotel to mark a major milestone for Room to Reward: ten years of giving back to the UK’s volunteers. Representatives from hotels, charities, and long-time supporters joined together to celebrate a decade of turning unsold hotel rooms into a powerful force for good.
Since its launch in 2015, Room to Reward has partnered with over 950 hospitality properties across the UK – from iconic names like The Dorchester, The Savoy, Cameron House, Watergate Bay, The Headland, Grove of Narberth, The Belfry, Hartwell House, The Nici and Limewood, to leading groups including Leonardo Hotels, Harbour Hotels, Bespoke Hotels, Park Plaza, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, St Austell Brewery, Iconic Luxury Hotels, Legacy Hotels & Resorts, Starboard Hotels and many more. Together, they have donated breaks to more than 3,500 inspirational volunteers nominated by over 1,100 organisations.
The concept is simple but powerful, hotels donate unsold rooms, and Room to Reward partners with registered charities, community groups, grassroots sports clubs, and other voluntary organisations to nominate their “Hidden Heroes” for a short complimentary break. These nominations come from both large national organisations such as Samaritans, NSPCC, St John Ambulance, RSPCA, England Athletics, and smaller local groups whose volunteers provide vital services including foodbank management, companionship for the elderly, environmental clean-ups, and much more.
Nicolas Roach, Founder, Room to Reward says: “Room to Reward was created with a simple but powerful mission – to give a little back to the extraordinary people who give so much of themselves to help others. Ten years on, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together with our hotel partners, charities and supporters. We’ve turned thousands of empty rooms into meaningful ‘thank yous’ and made a real difference to volunteers and the communities they serve.”
Luca Virgilio, General Manager, The Dorchester adds: “We are delighted to be part of Room to Reward and to welcome Hidden Heroes to The Dorchester. Our hotel has always been the London address for people who make the world turn, and it’s a privilege to extend that legacy to those who selflessly dedicate their time to helping others.”
Suzanne Barnes, Head of Volunteering at Young Lives vs Cancer says: “Room to Reward provides a unique opportunity for us to celebrate and recognise volunteers who have made invaluable contributions to Team Young Lives and positively impacted the children, young people and families we support. Volunteers are integral to our organisation and this reward is a meaningful way for us to express our sincere thanks to those who often go above and beyond in their efforts. By partnering with Room to Reward, we can offer these exceptional individuals a well-deserved moment of rest and recognition. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the hotels involved and the incredible dedication of our volunteers.”
The event, sponsored by MEWS, Gallagher and Firmdale Hotels, at Covent Garden Hotel brought together the people and partners who have made this initiative possible and shone a light on the profound impact Room to Reward has had on volunteers and communities across the UK.
