From the lunar landscapes of Iceland to the storybook beauty of Northern Ireland, these locations are great for films and TV shows and have the group hotels to accommodate your crew
-
Iceland
The Land of Fire and Ice has a long and rich history in TV and film. Recent shows to utilise its dramatic terrain include Sky Atlantic’s Fortitude, Netflix’s Black Mirror plus, of course, many episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones. (More on which later). Meanwhile, movies that were at least in part shot here include 2012’s Prometheus, 2013’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 2014’s Interstellar, and, doubling up for the snowy peaks of Nepal, 2015’s Everest!
Where to stay: Fosshotel Reykjavik
Based in the Iceland capital, the Fosshotel Reykjavik lays claim to 320 rooms and suites across seven floors, many with bay or city views.
-
Malta
The Mediterranean island country known for its crystal clear waters, rocky terrain and many historical sites has welcomed film crews for the likes of 2000’s Gladiator, 2004’s Troy, 2013’s World War Z, 2015’s By The Sea and 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express. Also, once again, it was used as a backdrop for Game of Thrones across multiple seasons. Its special place in the history of film is perhaps best encapsulated by Popeye Village: a purpose-built set for the 1980 live action film, it today is an open air museum!
Where to stay: The Seabank Hotel, Mellieha
The Seabank Hotel in Ghadira Bay in the village of Mellieha has 550 rooms and opened in 2012.
-
Northern Ireland
Known for its majestic mountains, magical lakes and craggy coastlines, Northern Ireland is the perfect setting for an otherworldly story. And indeed, although set in the fictional Winterfell, in terms of its real filming locations, Game of Thrones is perhaps most synonymous with Northern Ireland, from the Dark Hedges beech tree corridor to Cushendun Caves. Meanwhile, 2014’s Dracula Untold was filmed at locations including the Black Mountain and Giant’s Causeway. Plus, the BBC2 hit crime drama The Fall was filmed in Belfast, the location of the country’s best group hotels, for three seasons. And some city shots for blockbuster adventure film The Lost City of Z, (a film mostly set in the Amazon!) were also taken in Belfast.
Where to stay: Grand Central Hotel Belfast
Found in the Northern Ireland capital, the Grand Central Hotel Belfast was extensively renovated and reopened last year; it has 304 rooms plus 18 serviced hotel apartments.
-
Canada
Or, specifically, the city of Toronto, the largest city in the province of Ontario. It’s a super-sized, cosmopolitan city with countless group hotels, but cheaper to shoot in than the likes of New York City or the home of Hollywood, Los Angeles. As such, movies filmed here include 2004’s Mean Girls, 2007’s Hairspray, 2009’s Chloe, 2011’s Take This Waltz and 2016’s Suicide Squad. TV shows currently made here, meanwhile, include Kim’s Convenience and Murdoch Mysteries.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Toronto
Located in the centre of town, the Grand Hotel Toronto is home to 177 spacious suites, boasting lake and city views.
Stay tuned! In our next post due next week we will talk to you about some of the best destinations and group hotels for adventure travel groups! Are you planning group travel sometime in the near future? Then let’s make the booking!
