Smooth travel runs on trusted behind-the-scenes partnerships, and the first ever Equinox Union in Barcelona  was an opportunity to celebrate just a few of those who make our exceptional service possible. Our strong hotel and supplier relationships are what help us support clients all year round, whoever they are and wherever they’re going – and we wanted to say a huge thanks to those who kindly sponsored this event and came along for the ride.

Meet the sponsors

Representatives from Accor, Hoxton Hotels, Mama Shelter Hotels, Novotel Barcelona City and SLS Barcelona joined us in Barcelona, not just as sponsors, but as active contributors to the event.

• Accor is a French multinational with 45 hotel brands and operates hotels in 110 countries, including luxury names like Raffles, Sofitel and Fairmont. Their partnership gives Equinox unbeatable worldwide coverage.
• Hoxton Hotels are a collection of boutique hotels renowned for stylish, locally inspired interior design and vibrant open lobbies, giving us access to comfy bedrooms in trendy neighbourhoods.
• Mama Shelter Hotels offer an “urban refuge” concept in some of the world’s top cities, with exciting design, inclusivity, good food and a playful atmosphere all hallmarks of the brand.
• Novotel Barcelona City is an upmarket 4-star hotel on Barcelona’s Avenida Diagonal, near Glòries and the Sagrada Familia, with a 19th-floor rooftop pool and panoramic city views.
• SLS Barcelona – a year-old, 5-star waterfront urban resort at Port Fòrum with Miami vibes and private balconies in every room (the only city hotel to offer this).

Sessions made possible by our sponsors included interactive activities and brand insights, helping our team better understand the properties and people we work with. This kind of engagement builds familiarity and trust – both essential when we’re managing bookings across multiple cities and time zones for clients on the move.

James Luscombe, Music & Entertainment Account Manager at Accor, hosted a Kahoot quiz for all the team that helped them get to know the Accor brands in a fun and interactive way, with free hotel stay prizes at the end.

"Accor were very pleased and proud to be asked to support the very first Equinox Union event,” comments James. “We found this to be an excellent opportunity to come together in a fun and creative way that further helped strengthen our amazing partnership. We really value the relationship with Equinox and the support they give Accor all year round, and this felt a perfect way to say ‘thank you’ for that support.”

Stronger relationships mean better service

So what do our hotel partnerships mean for you? Well, our strong supplier relationships mean we’re working with hotels who understand the unique demands of our clients in a range of travel markets. For touring artists, for example, that means the flexibility to be accommodating to the evolving situations that often characterise life on the road.

Preferential rates, upgrades, early check-ins, late check-outs – our partners’ understanding of these needs mean we’re able to secure the right properties and handle complex or last-minute requests. These relationships are built over time, and events like the Equinox Union accelerate that process in a meaningful, face-to-face way.

By involving supplier partners directly in the Equinox Union, we create opportunities for deeper understanding on both sides. It enables our partners to learn more about the pressures of travel logistics, and our team to gain insights into how hotel groups operate behind the scenes.

As the Equinox Union becomes an annual event, our goal is to continue strengthening these connections so that we can keep making our offering better and better for our clients.

For flawless travel logistics, we’re at your service. Get in touch today on +44 (0) 203 953 0770 or email contact@equinox-travel.com.

---