Cool spaces

AUSTRALIA

W Brisbane
An unapologetic nod to ‘Brisvegas’, the 312-key W Brisbane marked the re-entry of the W brand in Australia after a 13-year hiatus when it opened in June 2018.

Expect the unexpected with decor colours that pack a punch, a pool dominated by zebra patterns and spa beds that glow. It is full of fun and thoughtful details with motion-sensitive neon room numbers that change colour as you pass by and a concierge reachable by WhatsApp. The Extreme Wow Suite showcases a limitless panoramic vista of the Brisbane River and mountains.

The hotel also boasts 1,100m2 of event space, including the 595m2 Great Room with a starry night ceiling, reminiscent of a Queensland outback evening full of stars. The statement lighting and four-metre LED wall panels are perfect for presentations. The W also offers a versatile Studios and Strategy Room with river views and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing natural light to flow in.

United Places Botanic Gardens
Billed as a new concept in luxury boutique accommodation, United Places is designed to combine the idea of a hotel and a home. There are just 12 suites boasting spacious and opulent rooms with premium amenities and a personalised concierge service.

Every room is a ‘suite’, allowing for meetings in the room with living spaces that are separate from the bedroom. United Places is also the only hotel in Victoria with a two-hatted restaurant, Matilda, where one floor can be transformed into a meeting space for up to 80 people. And yes, it serves in-room dining.


CAMBODIA

Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh
Following hot on the heels of Courtyard by Marriott’s first Cambodian outing in Siem Reap, a sister property opened in Phnom Penh in January.

The long-awaited international brand’s appearance in Phnom Penh is appealing to business travellers seeking globally renowned hotels, which are scarce in the capital. It has two meeting rooms catering for up to 48 pax, as well as outdoor function spaces, including a rooftop swimming pool area, deck and rooftop bar offering views of the city. An Executive Club Lounge overlooks the Mekong River and features its own private meeting room space.

TTC Hotel Premium – Angkor
Building on Siem Reap’s growing collection of properties geared towards business events, TTC Hotel Premium-Angkor has been hosting regional events since opening in May 2018.

It boasts an intricately designed conference hall and accompanying facilities in Khmer style that contain five flexible spaces, depending on the event or meeting. At full capacity, the largest space – the theatre – houses up to 200 pax, with a cocktail or banquet setting hosting 100 pax across 10 round tables. Outdoor events and cocktail evenings can also be arranged around the pool.


CHINA

The Middle House
Located in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an district, The Middle House is Swire Hotels’ latest addition to The House Collective group of hotels.

The 111 modern studios range from 50m2 to 100m2 in size, with interiors designed by Piero Lissoni, who blends his minimalist style with classic Shanghainese elements. For intimate events, there is also the 110m2 Gallery Suite that comes with its own private terrace, separate bedroom and living room.

For larger events, the Penthouse, occupying an impressive 660m2 on the 14th floor, features an inviting living area perfect for entertaining, and outdoor terraces with views overlooking Nanjing Road West. The Penthouse even boasts an outdoor area, and its own 208m2 indoor room that can be converted further into two smaller spaces for more intimate events. It can hold up to 200 people for a cocktail party.

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland
As the world’s first underground hotel, the 336-key InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is an 18-storey resort that is built into the wall of a once-abandoned quarry in the Sheshan Mountain Range.

Sixteen floors are underground and two floors are submerged underwater into a 33m-deep aquarium, where guests can watch marine life and enjoy round-the-clock butler service.

Event planners will find the 900m2 Wonderland Grand Ballroom impressive. The space is divisible into three function rooms, features sky lighting and can accommodate drive-in displays. The light and water theatrics are spectacular, and can be customised for events.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
The 471-room Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel is the park’s first hotel since it opened in 1977. The first-ever city resort hotel in Hong Kong offers a full suite of resort and business facilities with nature-themed decor, a 16m-high aquarium in the main lobby, a large lagoon pool, and four dining spaces.

For business events, the hotel offers more than 2,000m2 of meetings space across nine function venues, as well as outdoor spaces. A 1,200m2 pillar-free grand ballroom can cater for 960 guests banquet style, and up to 1,200 guests for a cocktail reception.

Rosewood Hong Kong
With 322 rooms and 91 suites, Rosewood Hong Kong has made its first foray into the city. Standing on the Kowloon waterfront and overlooking Victoria Harbour, this ultra-luxury property is situated within the Victoria Dockside arts, design and conceptual retail district.

Guestrooms here start at 53m2, while suites start at 92m2 making them among the largest in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the 1,000m2 Harbour House and The Garden House suites feature wraparound Victoria Harbour views from their private sky terraces on the 57th floor.

For events of all sizes, the hotel offers 3,200m2 of meetings space which includes a 1,000m2 ballroom; a 300m2 Pavilion Hall with floor-to-ceiling windows; and The Orangery, a private garden with gorgeous views overlooking the harbour.

 


INDIA

ITC Grand Goa
ITC Grand Goa further reinforces ITC Hotels’ exclusive partnership with The Luxury Collection brand in India. This 252-key village-styled resort is set amid 18.2 hectares of lush landscape, with direct access to the pristine Arossim beach in Cansaulim, South Goa.

Each of its rooms and suites feature private outdoor spaces in the form of a balcony or patio providing picturesque views of the Arabian Sea, landscaped gardens, lagoons or the multi-level swimming pool.

The hotel offers perfect outdoor spaces with the Seaside Lawns for 500 people; the Forest, a tropical garden for 350 people; the Boathouse overlooking shimmering lagoons for 25 people and private beachfronts. Indoors, the hotel features the Salcete Ballroom that seats up to 370 and can be divided into three separate sections. It also offers the Benaulim for smaller meetings of 30 people; and the Cansaulim Room for informal networking events for up to 40.


 

INDONESIA

The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Standing atop the cliff of Nusa Dua, with views of the Indian Ocean and tropical gardens, The Apurva Kempinski Bali features 475 luxurious guestrooms, suites and villas.

The resort is designed for meetings, where the Candi Ballroom offers ocean views and 1,076m2 of pillar-free space; while the smaller Ocean View Grand Ballroom and Cliff Boardroom bask in abundant natural light overlooking the beach; and a spacious 2,200m2 oceanfront lawn is a unique outdoor venue for gatherings and events.

The property also offers unique, bespoke experiences for groups who are looking for outdoor and cultural interactions. Customised experiences on offer include classes in Balinese dress and cooking, a temple ceremony, or yoga on the beach.

JHL Solitaire Gading Serpong
This 144-room property is the first five-star hotel in the Gading Serpong area in South Tangerang, West Jakarta. It stands approximately 10 minutes away from the Indonesia Convention Exhibition.

Located on the top floor of the hotel, the pillar-free Sky Ballroom can accommodate up to 800 people theatre-style, and offers a 180-degree view of the city.

The hotel also features seven meeting rooms, including the Sky Garden Room. Other indoor venues can accommodate up to 20 pax theatre-style and when combined with the open-air garden, the space can host up to 80 people for standing receptions or product launches.

For a casual corporate dinner party, the Empress Chinese Bar near the swimming pool is a great outdoor venue for up to 150 people. The hotel’s all-day dining venue, Mangan Restaurant, is also available for event buyouts.

KOREA

Grand Hyatt Seoul
After a renovation that lasted three years, Grand Hyatt Seoul now sports all-new guestrooms and suites that show off the hotel’s stunning city view. New, open layouts allow maximum daylight into the rooms. Korean touches are injected into the interior design, such as geometric patterns found in traditional Korean bojagi wrapping cloth, for a memorable sense of place.

Besides fresh accommodation options, the luxurious hotel also serves up new looks and updated event hardware for its Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon. The ballroom continues to be one of Seoul’s largest venue of its kind, capable of accommodating 1,500 guests in a standing reception.


MALAYSIA

W Kuala Lumpur
Perfectly situated in the city centre, the 150-key W Kuala Lumpur overlooks the Twin Towers. One of its most distinct design features is the pixel or dot, which is integrated throughout the hotel and symbolises a multicultural Malaysia.

All of the guestrooms feature a mix of the city’s heritage and modernity with indigenous “Wau” tassels and pixelated recreations of batik designs.

For events, W Kuala Lumpur offers 1,475m2 of meetings space and unique setups with beanbags and sofas. Even non-traditional meeting spaces such as a bar or suite can be transformed for small gatherings. Attendees can break the mould in a bold conference space, or host a celebration in the Great Room, which can cater for 700 people and features an impressive, 11-meter-high HD LED wall.

After a day of meetings, guests who want to explore the city can approach a W Insider, who recommends places and crafts itineraries.

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
Organisers looking to get away from crowds may consider the 55-room Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur.

Occupying the top seven floors of the Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Building, the hotel boasts stunning views of the Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Rooms and suites here start from 51m2 and go up to 200m2. For events, Banyan Tree offers three fully equipped boardrooms to hold meetings for up to 16 people each. The property’s two restaurants are versatile and can be used for private functions.

With Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park and Kuala Lumpur Eco Park within easy walking distance, organisers can also incorporate recreational activities in the evenings after a day of heavy discussions, or delegates can also make use of the spa. Best of all, the entire property can be bought out by meeting planners.



MYANMAR

Rosewood Yangon
Rosewood Yangon marks the brand’s first outing in Myanmar and seventh in Asia.

Located in the city’s historic core on The Strand, Rosewood Yangon is housed in a heritage 1927 building – originally the New Law Courts – that has been lovingly restored inside and out.

The 205-key property boasts five dining venues, a spa, rooftop infinity pool and a fitness studio. Meeting and function facilities include a Ballroom, Heritage Salon, Bridal Suite, Event Studio, three meeting rooms, and a Terrace Suite boasting a large outdoor deck.

Awei Metta Yangon
Since opening last December, Awei Metta has proved a popular Yangon venue for business events.

Located in the leafy western suburbs, halfway between the international airport and downtown Yangon, the modern 46-key resort overlooks the Gary Player-designed Pun Hlaing Golf Club. It features a 315m2 ballroom, which acts as a conference room and can seat up to 250 people. There are an additional two meeting rooms, for up to 20.

Other amenities include a small business centre, restaurant, lobby lounge and bar, cigar room, fitness centre, spa, swimming pool and tennis courts.


 

PHILIPPINES

Grand Hyatt Manila
This new hotel set within the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig literally takes luxury to new heights. Taking full advantage of the building’s height – at 318 meters or 62 storeys, the tallest in the Philippines – the hotel occupies the top floors above luxe residences and commercial areas.

All of the 461 spacious rooms feature unobstructed views of the metro’s skyline. Meanwhile, business events venues also dazzle with the latest technology, modern equipment, and luxe decor including the pillar-free jewelry-box inspired Grand Ballroom that features a show kitchen facility.

SINGAPORE

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel
Taking over the heritage icon Capitol Theatre, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel marks Kempinski’s debut in Singapore, presenting 157 keys and a collection of luxurious meeting and ballroom spaces.

Intimate gatherings or board meetings of up to 20 can be hosted in one of the elegant meeting rooms or The Private Dining Room, which affords high ceilings, natural daylight, an integrated LED screen and a chef’s table for the option of a bespoke dining experience.

Larger events of up to 220 guests can be hosted in the event salon, which is equipped with state-of-the-art conference technology; in the open show kitchen; or even in the directly linked Capitol Theatre next door, whose multi-functional space features a rotational floor system.

Village Hotel at Sentosa
Newly opened in April, this latest addition to Far East Hospitality’s Village brand is Sentosa Island’s next big draw for meeting and incentive groups thanks to its more affordable and egalitarian price point.

The 606-key property features outdoor event spaces by the pool and various ballroom spaces from 88m2 to 778m2. These include Village Square – a 330m2 space able to host up to 190 guests in banquet seating – which can be combined with the all-day dining space to form the The Commune (778m2), and accommodate up to 400 banquet guests.

Other remaining venues are located in the carefully restored Events Centre heritage building, which comprises more than 800m2 of flexible spaces for smaller-sized celebrations to mid-scale gatherings


 

SRI LANKA

Hotel Marino Beach Colombo
The 300-key Hotel Marino Beach Colombo is the country’s newest five-star hotel situated in the heart of Sri Lanka.

The hotel’s rooftop is home to an infinity pool and garden that affords panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and city skyline, while all of its rooms and suites feature balconies and range from 35m2 to 137m2 in size.

For events, the hotel boasts the city’s trendiest Banquet Hall featuring the latest technology, a state-of-the-art lighting system, large screens, and a data projector. The banquet hall can cater for 900 people, while the two function rooms – Ruby and Pearl – can cater for smaller group sizes.


 

THAILAND

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria debut in South-east Asia is an exercise of sophistication and glamour, backed by renowned names such as Andre Fu, who melded contemporary lines and Thai artisanal touches into the interior décor, while AvroKO has kitted out a trio of dining outlets on levels 55 to 57 – Bull & Bear, The Loft and Champagne Bar – each offering sweeping views that make them ideal for C-suite meetings and gatherings in their private rooms.

Standing across from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club in the Ratchaprasong district, the 171-room hotel is also home to the 730m2 Magnolia Ballroom, whose statement staircase and soaring eight-metre ceiling make the backdrop for events of up to 700 guests.

Amari Pattaya
Fresh out of a major revamp as part of Onyx Hospitality Group’s US$100 million investment for the North Pattaya property, this 45-year-old hotel is a standing testimony of Pattaya’s changing vibes and character in recent years into a more business-oriented destination.

The re-launched 20-storey Amari Ocean Tower now features a 620m2, state-of-the-art ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 pax; 297 brand new guestrooms and suites; an upgraded Horizon Club executive lounge and the Amaya Food Gallery – an innovative market-style dining concept inspired by Asian street food – which together with the new midscale 406-room Ozo Hotel and the premium 49-suite Amari Pattaya Ocean Suites wing now offer 752 keys altogether.


VIETNAM

Wyndham Legend Halong Bay
As an increasing amount of investment is ploughed into Quang Ninh province, hopes are being pinned on Halong City becoming a hot regional business destination, where Wyndham is one of the latest hotels to open.

The 217-key property, which boasts views across iconic Halong Bay, has recruited a top team of event planners to help organise all kinds of business meetings. The hotel boasts more than 3,000m2 of space spread across six rooms. Guests who book an executive suite receive access to the hotel’s exclusive club lounge.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort
Since opening its doors in June 2018, InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort’s impressive meeting facilities have helped cement the rising island as one of Vietnam’s major business events players.

The resort’s conference centre features more than 2,300m2 of indoor events space, including an 870m2 pillarless ballroom that can host up to 600 pax and theatre for up to 130 pax. Outdoor offerings include the Beachfront Garden, poolside and Lava Beachfront. The resort is also home to INK 360 – the island’s highest rooftop bar – and boasts a team-building programme.