New hotels and resorts across Asia-Pacific are offering imaginative spaces with sensory experiences for events. Think indoor starry-night ceilings, outdoor private gardens, and expansive beachfronts.
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.
– Marissa Carruthers
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.
– Mimi Hudoyo
Pullman Luang Prabang
As Laos starts to tap into the business events market, new hotels are ensuring their properties are ready to cater to business guests, and Pullman Luang Prabang is leading the way.
Opened in July 2018, it is the first of its kind in a town known more for its cultural heritage than convention halls and meetings spaces.
Set around landscaped tropical gardens, babbling brooks and ponds, the conference centre comprises five flexible meeting rooms, a breakout room, al fresco area and day-lit ballroom. For intimate events, the two-bedroom suite hosts up to 50 guests next to the private pool, or 12 for a board meeting.
– Marissa Carruthers
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.
– S Puvaneswary
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 its 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.
– Marissa Carruthers
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.
– Rosa Ocampo
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 teambuilding programme.
– Marissa Carruthers
