With accommodation, entertainment and function space aplenty, all under one roof, integrated resorts might just be ideal for most associations. We round up the region’s offerings
SINGAPORE
Marina Bay Sands
Range of facilities
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) houses Singapore’s largest hotel, which boasts 2,561 rooms, a shopping mall and a host of facilities for meetings and events. Apart from the 120,000m2 Sands Expo & Convention Centre that includes South-east Asia’s largest ballroom and 250 meeting rooms, MBS also offers venues for cocktail receptions and after-dinner parties. These alternative spaces include the Sands SkyPark located 200m above ground, celebrity chef restaurants, galleries at the ArtScience Museum, as well as an expansive theatre foyer at the MasterCard Theatres.
Location and accessibility
MBS sits along Marina Bay, close to Singapore’s Central Business District and 20 minutes by car from Singapore Changi Airport, which services flights from key cities across the world.
How it fits association events
MBS’ extensive and flexible spaces allow events to be tailored to customers’ needs – be it an event for 10,000 pax or a party for 10 pax, or a congress plenary for 5,000 pax with 250 breakout sessions.
For association events, which typically consist of several activities across different venues, the resort’s experienced hotel team is able to leverage its property-wide offerings to arrange for dine-around tours at the restaurants, retail and dining offers at The Shoppes, and entry to the ArtScience Museum, among others.
Additionally, post-event leisure programmes such as spa treatments at Banyan Tree Spa and Broadway musicals at the theatre are available, as are year-round exclusive meet-and-stay packages.
MBS vice president of sales, Mike Lee, added: “As we progress into our fifth year of development, we continue to explore more opportunities to create sustainable meetings, which are growing in importance for our clients. As an ISO 20121-certified property, we have the resources to add value to clients’ specific green goals, by providing solutions for a carbon-offset meeting or opportunities to give back to the community through volunteering programmes.”
Association events hosted in 2014
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Pain Medicine Annual Scientific
- Meeting, May 5-9 (5,000 pax)
- TFWA Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition, May 13-15 (2,000 pax)
- Global Marketing Conference, July 15-18 (800 pax)
Resorts World Sentosa
Range of facilities
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) comprises six luxurious on-site hotels providing accommodation options such as beach villas, tree-top lofts and ocean suites. Event venues include Asia’s largest column-free ballroom, 37 function rooms and 20 varied indoor and outdoor venues.
Beyond business, RWS is also home to the Universal Studios theme park; SEA Aquarium, a water park integrated with marine life; Singapore’s largest destination spa, Espa; dining outlets from celebrity chef restaurants to authentic hawker fare, and world-class entertainment options.
Location and accessibility
RWS is located on Singapore’s Sentosa island. It is a mere 10 minutes from Singapore’s Central Business District, and is easily accessible via buses, MRT and cars. It is located 30 minutes by car from Singapore Changi Airport, which offers flights from key cities in the world.
How it fits association events
Events at RWS are customisable to meet clients’ needs. Its MICE specialist team acts as a single point of contact.
In terms of accommodation, exclusive rates are available for MICE events, and special arrangements can be made for check-in. Hospitality desks and welcome receptions can also be arranged at various venues, from the Resorts World Convention Centre to after-hours events at the attractions.
Venue spaces in RWS are divisible e.g. the Resorts World Ballroom, which can hold a mega-dinner, can also be divided into nine function halls. Associations can also accomplish more in a shorter time at the resort, attending workshops and seminars in the day followed by leisure activities and networking opportunities in the evenings.
The MICE team not only ensures the smooth delivery of events from planning stage to execution, but also strives to meet clients’ special requests.
For instance, it had arranged for custom-made Teochew Kuey (savoury rice cake) to be served at an event held by the Teochew Association, as well as transformed a particular space to fit a lavish lion dance performance.
Association events hosted in 2014
- 4th Dynamic Positioning Asia Conference (International Marine Contractors Association), June 23-24 (150 pax)
- 10th Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention, August 9-10 (1,200 pax)
- 8th International Teochew Youth Convention, September 26-28 (1,500 pax)
MALAYSIA
Resorts World Genting
Range of facilities
The resort offers a plethora of facilities, including more than 100 F&B and retail outlets, a theme park, a world-class casino, an international convention centre and more than 10,000 budget to five-star rooms. There are also venues for outdoor teambuilding activities, cable car rides, golf and spa treatments.
Location and accessibility
The resort at the highland peak is 1,824m above sea level and surrounded by a 130-million-year-old rainforest. It is less than an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur and is accessible by car, coach and even helicopter.
How it fits association events
A possible venue for opening ceremonies is the Arena of Stars, which has seating capacity for 6,000 pax, banquet-style. Welcome and gala dinners may be hosted at the pillarless ballroom that can seat 2,000 pax or another smaller ballroom for 800 pax and is supported by 18 meeting rooms.
Off-site venues for social events are available, as are in-house performers for pre- or post-event entertainment.
Associations also have the option of managing room bookings themselves, or they may commission the resort’s reservation team for the task. Room rates vary depending on seasonality.
Additionally, the resort can also assist associations to apply for subvention support from Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau for entertainment or cultural shows held at its venues.
Association event hosted in 2014
- Saw Clansman Association, October 15-17 (1,000 pax)
THAILAND
Laguna Phuket
Range of facilities
The 404ha mega-complex features three kilometres of beachfront, more than 1,200 rooms and villas across seven resorts – Angsana Laguna Phuket, Best Western Allamanda Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Holiday Club Resort, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas – the 18-hole Laguna Phuket Golf Club, four spas and more than 30 bars and restaurants.
MICE facilities include more than 20 meeting spaces including Latitude Marquee, a 1,000m2 air-conditioned concrete-based tent for 600-750 pax.
Angsana offers five boardrooms and four meeting rooms plus a 358m2 ballroom; Best Western Allamanda has 36m2 and 100m2 meeting rooms; spaces at Banyan Tree can hold 18-80 guests at a time; Dusit Thani boasts a flexible 240m2 hall; Outrigger Laguna Beach offers a flexible function space for up to 100 pax in addition to the property’s gardens; while Outrigger’s other property provides the option of using four-bedroom villas as an alternative space to host board meetings. Luxury retail outlets are located at Canal Village, and Banyan Tree and Angana Gallery.
Location and accessibility
Located on Bang Tao bay, on Phuket’s north-western coast, the resort is a 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, which is well serviced by international and regional carriers and features Terminal X, which handles all charter flights.
How it fits association events
The resorts’ Destination MICE and Corporate Event Team, a centralised resource which provides a one-stop service for associations, can tailor facilities and activities for associations. Beyond the standalone large-scale Latitude Marquee, a number of smaller marquees can be relocated to other areas, including the lagoon and beachfront. Quest, the 4,000m2 corporate training facility, located amid a forest, offers a number of off-the-shelf programmes like cooking competitions, as well as customised teambuilding and incentive activities for groups of all sizes. It also works with Laguna to develop CSR elements for associations. Delegates can enjoy pre- or post-event rounds of golf at Laguna Phuket Golf Club, against a backdrop of mountains and lagoons. The clubhouse can also be hired out as an additional events space.
Additionally, Laguna Tours offers an extensive portfolio of activities and excursions to enhance MICE events, both on-site with ATV rides or off-site with visits to the resort’s Elephant Park, as well as land, sea and nightlife tours. Transport is provided in luxury vans and the team is experienced at organising logistics on the scale required by associations. Delegates with accompanying families can enjoy bespoke activities at Camp Quest, a safe environment for eight- to 12-year-olds to learn about nature and engage in teambuilding exercises.
Laguna Phuket resorts usually provide meetings packages which typically includes a 17 per cent discount on room rates.
Association event hosted in 2014
- Asia Pacific Knee Society and Annual Meeting of Thai Hip & Knee Society Group (800 pax)
PHILIPPINES
Resorts World Manila
Range of facilities
Resorts World Manila (RWM) has three hotels: the 172-key six-star Maxims, 342-key business hotel Marriott and 712-key mid-range Remington Hotel.
Marriott Hotel’s Manila Ballroom can host up to 990 pax and there are also 10 other meeting rooms. In March 2015, the hotel will launch its Convention Centre for up to 5,000 pax and an additional 228 hotel keys.
The vestibule of Newport Performing Arts theatre is large enough to host cocktails for up to 500 pax or a sit-down gala for 200 pax. Its open-air atrium can cater for up to 200 pax.
There are also 37 F&B outlets, ranging from fast food to fine dining.
Apart from gaming facilities, entertainment venues include the 1,500-seat Newport Performing Arts theatre which regularly stages musicals and plays as well as singing, talent and beauty competitions, and three premium cinemas with Dolby 3D technology.
For retail therapy, Newport Mall offers an array of designer brands.
Location and accessibility
RWM is located in Newport City Complex, a mere shuttle ride away from the Philippines’ primary gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and a few minutes’ ride to Bonifacio Global City, Makati CBD and Manila Bay area.
How it fits association events
Marriott Hotel Manila, through its director for convention sales and her team of certified events managers, can help craft successful events for any group size. The team can tailor to clients’ needs, from a personalised menu and wired-for-business guestrooms to high-tech venues.
Through its Custom Web page, Marriott can create a complimentary web page where guests can find information about their event and reserve their rooms. It can even make reservations for a specific guest list.
The hotel has various special rates and packages, including transportation room package, a senior discount of at least 15 per cent for 62 years old or older, and other promotional rates.
Association events hosted in 2014
- Marriott Hotel Manila
- Retirement and Healthcare Summit Asia, November 6-9 (250 pax)
29th Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania, September 24-26 (100 pax) - 8th Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress of the American Association of Clinical
- Endocrinologists (AACE), with the 6th Joint Meeting of AACE and AACE Philippines, August 14-16 (444 pax)
Solaire Resort and Casino
Range of facilities
Work-in-progress Solaire offers luxurious accommodations of 500 rooms, suites and bayside villas plus a 312-key all-suite hotel tower.
Meeting facilities include the main ballroom with a flexible pre-function area for 1,000 pax for table seating or 1,300 pax for reception. It can be divided into five parts for smaller events. There are also eight meeting rooms and two boardrooms, along with full banquet and catering facilities.
The resort has seven F&B outlets, with more to open in 2015.
Besides ample gaming facilities with an outdoor-themed casino and entertainment bar, it has a 1,760-seat state-of-the-art theatre. This performance venue boasts high-end AV and production lighting systems.
Other entertainment facilities include a full-service spa, fitness centre, nightclub and 30 to 40 high-end shops.
Location and accessibility
Located in Asiana Avenue in the Entertainment City along Manila Bay, Solaire is minutes away from the country’s main international gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
It’s also minutes away to the Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City.
How it fits association events
Solaire’s event sales team can help clients plan for a full association programme from arrival to departure. Group discounts are available and so is the use of facilities such as swimming pool. Several concessions can also be availed of, such as free use of LCD projector.
Association events hosted in 2014
- Philippine Association of Law Schools organisational board meeting and inaugural dinner, January 22
- Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ 49th Anvil Awards, February 26 (400 pax)
- Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Q2 board meeting, July 13 (nine pax)
MACAU
The Venetian Macao
Range of facilities
Debuted in 2007, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macau’s first integrated resort featuring 3,000 suites, 111,000m2 convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and various entertainment. Other facilities include the 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, over 30 restaurants, Taivexmalo Day Hospital & Spa, an indoor playground Cube and over 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreational areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.
Sands Cotai Central
Range of facilities
As the expansion of Venetian Macao, Sands Cotai Central was inaugurated in April 2012 and is home to three hotel brands – Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn – with 6,000 rooms. In addition, there is 111,000m2 retail, entertainment and dining facilities as well as meetings and convention space. With over 90 retail outlets, Shoppes at Cotai Central joins Shoppes at Venetian and Shoppes at Four Seasons to offer a total of over 600 luxury duty-free stores – the most in any one single location in all of Macau. In terms of wellness facilities, there are two spas, three health clubs and 28,000m gaming space in two themed gaming areas.
Location and accessibility
Located in the Cotai Strip, both The Venetian Macao and Sands Cotai Central are just a few minutes away via the complimentary Venetian shuttle bus from Macao Taipa Ferry Terminal and Macau International Airport (MIA).
By sea, Cotai Water Jet operates one-hour sailings every 30 minutes from Hong Kong and Kowloon. It also provides two sailings from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and four to the airport. By air, MIA has direct flights to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and many cities in China. A direct airport express ferry from HKIA whisks passengers to Macau within an hour, bypassing Hong Kong Customs completely.
By land, there are two gateways available to and from China: the Barrier Gate and the Cotai Frontier Post. Bus services between Macau and major cities in Guangdong Province are readily available.
How it fits association events
The Cotai Strip houses 9,000 four- and five-star rooms and suites across five international hotel brands, all conveniently located under one roof. All rooms are well appointed and range from approximately 40 to 380m2. There are 120,000m2 flexible meeting and exhibition space including 274 breakout rooms, outdoor venues for cocktail receptions and a dedicated event manager to assist in logistical matters.
Additionally, Cotai Travel Macau Discovery tour is a great pre- and post-tour option for associations to explore the rich cultural sights of Macau. The half-day guided tour (am/pm) departs from Venetian Macao and Sands Cotai Central and takes groups to historical and modern attractions of Macau, such as Macao Tower, A-Ma Temple, Ruins of St Paul, Senado Square and Taipa Houses Museum. Tours are conducted by a licensed tour guide in English and Chinese.
Association events hosted in 2014
The Venetian Macao
- 19th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics Gynecology & Infertility, February 20-23 (800 pax)
- 14th Asian and Oceanian Congress of Neurology, March 2-5 (1,000 pax)
- Asian Seed Congress, November 1-13 (1,000 pax)
Conrad Macao
- 15th ASEAN+Age-Group Chess Championships, June 2-13 (600 pax)
- APAC Rep Meeting of the World Federation of the Deaf, August 23-28 (200 pax)
- 51st General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, October 22-28 (500 pax)
City of Dreams Macau
Range of facilities
City of Dreams Macau boasts world-class entertainment options, including the world’s largest water-based The House of Dancing Water at a purpose-built 2000-seat theatre; the Taboo at Club Cubic, the first and only cabaret experience in Asia; and Dragon’s Treasure, a spectacular audio-visual multimedia experience.
For accommodation, there is a collection of world-renowned hotel brands including Crowne Plaza, Grand Hyatt and Hard Rock. F&B includes Michelin-starred restaurants The Tasting Room (contemporary French) and Jade Dragon (Chinese).
Other draws include a new ultra-chic dining and entertainment district SOHO, designer-brand luxury shopping, and spacious and flexible meeting and banquet facilities, including the colossal, pillarless Grand Ballroom at Grand Hyatt Macau that can cater for up to 1,200 guests.
Location and accessibility
Located in the heart of Cotai, City of Dreams Macau is a 10-minute ride from the Macau International Airport, which connects with major cities in China and around the region, and from Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. It is also just five minutes from the Hengqin border to China and 20 minutes from the Gongbei border gate via City of Dreams’ Lucky Express shuttle bus. In addition, complimentary shuttle services are provided to and from major tourist areas in Macau, including the central district of the Macau Peninsula and Taipa, where the city’s renowned cultural heritage and Portuguese-style architecture can be appreciated.
How it fits association events
Grand Hyatt Macau offers 8,000m2 versatile event venues for meetings, workshops, dinners and receptions of between 50 and 1,200 people. Its 1,911m2 Grand Ballroom features a Reception Foyer ideal for pre-event cocktails or exhibitions, while Salão do Teatro, the first ballroom in Macau, boasts a theatre-style show kitchen. All venues occupy the second floor, with adjoining breakout areas.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s dedicated events team ensures events are meticulously planned and delivered. Each individual meeting or function is managed from start to finish by an experienced co-ordinator. The catering team prepares creative, tailormade menus; Choose Your Own Menu & Venue option gives event organisers complete freedom to customise their ideal menus from a variety of international cuisines, and to choose from several unique dining venues.
For memorable gala dinners or receptions, there is a selection of banquet and party themes including Shanghai 1930s, Opulence Ball and Modern & Chic.
The 625m2 Outdoor Marquee at the pool terrace is one of Macau’s most outstanding alfresco venues, and is especially popular for welcome receptions and Portuguese- style banquets.
For VIP delegates, the Grand Club on the 37th floor of Grand Club Tower provides an exclusive space to meet and dine. Four stylishly appointed private dining rooms host intimate dinners for eight to 12 guests overlooking the Cotai skyline.
The events team can also arrange exciting leisure programmes for delegates, including local sightseeing, teambuilding activities and evening entertainment programmes.
Association events hosted in 2014
- Medical Association, March 15 (130 pax)
- Macau Deaf Association 20th Anniversary, August 26 (600 pax)
