Five-star, 32 suites
42 Melba Highway, Yering, Yarra Valley,
Victoria, Australia
functions@chateauyering.com.au
www.chateauyering.com.au
It is easy to imagine oneself being transported into the pages of a Jane Austen or Charles Dickens novel when one sets foot in Château Yering, an all-suite two-storey hotel in Yarra Valley that sits in a beautiful heritage building whose history harks back to the mid-1800s.
When the handsome homestead was ready to be transformed into a luxurious hotel in 1997, interior designer, Elly Milner, cleverly accentuated the building’s Victorian charm by bringing in plush fabrics, luxurious furniture and European objet d’art that effectively recreated an elegant ambience of a bygone era. I almost expected ladies in basque and bouffant skirts to emerge from behind doors!
Meeting facilities
The Oak Room, which spans 165m2, can seat 150 guests in a theatre or cocktail setting. It comes with its own bar, bathroom and a foyer that is perfect for mid-meeting refreshments.
Smaller groups can book The Library, a cosy space with an open fireplace, good for a 14-pax board meeting or a 20-pax cocktail party; or The Chinese Room, an elegant boardroom for 14 guests.
Besides these dedicated event venues, Château Yering’s Drawing Room makes a splendid option for pre/post conference drinks. The lush garden that spills out in front of the property is also a lovely spot for BBQs, high teas and cocktail parties for 150 pax. Add a marque and the garden is ready for a 100-pax sit-down dinner.
F&B
Sweetwater Café, with its large windows and conservatory-style glass ceiling, is a delightful place for breakfast as it allows guests to also feast their eyes on the surrounding greenery. Breakfast is served semi-buffet style, with guests ordering their main course and picking breads, cereals and fruits off a buffet line.
A fine-dining option is offered at the ornate Eleonore’s Restaurant.
Private dining rooms are available in the evening for up to 130 guests.
Rooms
All suites are uniquely decorated. There are 22 River Suites which look out to the Yarra River; three Stable Suites which come with an open fireplace, spa and private verandah; six Yarra Suites which are equipped with a separate lounge, dining area, marble bathroom with spa and an oversized balcony or verandah; and a Yering Suite which is accessible by a private staircase and offers a separate lounge, a dining room, two private balconies and a large marble bathroom with a corner spa bath.
My River Suite, dressed in various shades of pink, fabrics with floral prints, plush seats and a large, soft bed, was a real sanctuary after a long day of business meetings and site inspections. The white marble bathroom is spacious and has both a claw-foot bath and separate shower. I adored the heated bars on which towels were hung. How ingenious! No more shuddering in a towel cold from the room’s air conditioning after emerging from the shower.
Other facilities
Château Yering boasts its own helipad and offers guests a tennis court and swimming pool. The beautiful Yering Station, said to be Victoria’s first vineyard, is a three-minute leisurely stroll away.
Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum has gained a new venue with the launch of the Lighthouse Gallery this month. Converted from an existing exhibition space, the Lighthouse Gallery is set on the waterfront and flanked by the museum’s own lighthouse. It is equipped with leading event technology and supported by an experienced events team and catering experts, Laissez-Faire.
Bookings can be made now for events to be held from the beginning of April 2014.
The museum has a total of eight function venues now.
After cocktails/dinner at this new riverside Italian restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, your group would loathe to say goodbye. Raini Hamdi writes why
When the sun goes down, the riverside terrace of the grand old dame never fails to take the breath away. Twinkling with lights from decorated trees, and full of life with traditional boats and private party cruisers plying the Chao Phraya, it is a setting that will wow delegates, especially those from overseas. Add to this the heritage hotel’s new Italian restaurant, Ciao, whose mission is to create a chilled and relaxing atmosphere. That, I felt right at the start as the whole team welcomed me warmly.
MICE application
Ciao’s size and layout are right for a small group. Its open-air restaurant seats 54 pax. A clear advantage is everyone will be together in one spacious area, yet this space is fashioned intimately, with a striking bar as the centrepiece decor, not to mention that your guests could admire the beautiful building of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok itself from where they sit. The disadvantage is, in some months it will be hot and humid, although I understand there are plans to install fans that blow cold air.
If you have a corporate group of just eight pax, you might want to take up the Chef’s Table section. But you will lose the river setting, as it’s tucked at the back of the restaurant. The advantage though, is this section is air-conditioned.
Planners can take up the entire 54-pax alfresco area for a private function at a minimum charge of 350,000 baht (US$10,781) to 450,000 baht in the low season.
F&B concept
In keeping with the chilled and relaxing mission, Ciao’s menu is delightfully down-to-earth, yet innovative, comprising both classic Italian and ‘Spuntino’ (ie, Italian tapas). Our parma ham bruschetta, for example, had parmesan over it, which gave the taste a new dimension, a trick I quickly squirreled to the back of my head, to use when I’m cooking at home. Seaweed in the slow-poached tiger prawns with pomelo salad added a new dash. Chef Luca Casini draws new interpretations of classic dishes from his experiences across Europe and Asia. The result is fine Italian, but one that does not take itself all too seriously.
So we ended up with the happy predicament of deciding what to eat because most dishes on the menu were enticing. For Italian food aficionados, there was even a list of Luigi Guffanti cheese selection and a list of Levoni salumi selection on the menu.
Service and ambience
There was a lot of happy chatter and laughter – the kind of ‘buzz’ you’d expect in a good Italian. It’s hard not to feel fashionable in this restaurant, a 70 million baht investment by the hotel which engaged Fenn Design, Hong Kong to create a stylish venue that has a warm, natural and easy gait to it.
Capping it all are service staff who are confident, friendly and attentive in an intuitive way. I can’t remember the last time a service staff in Bangkok made a smart suggestion to me, such as the Ciao staffer who suggested getting us some starters while we studied the menu. In between courses, she also asked if we were ready for the next course.
Ahh, this is Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok after all.
Celebrated comedian, actor and writer, John Cleese, who has brought many side-splitting laughter to audiences worldwide through his Monty Python films and TV sketches– among many others – will bring his wit and humour to Singapore in May.
An Evening With John Cleese, organised by Singapore-based LA Comedy Live, in association with Adrian Bohm Presents, will run with two shows on May 4 and 5 at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore at 20.00. Cleese’s family-friendly shows will comprise two separate acts, with a 20-minute intermission.
This will be Cleese’s first and only Asian performance for his 2014 tour.
Not on the high seas but down a railroad around the Japanese island of Kyushu. The new Seven Stars luxury sleeper train, which offers seven carriages with 14 well-appointed and uniquely designed suites, showcases the best sights of the destination. Over two- or four-day courses, travellers can indulge in local cuisine, luxuriate in hot springs, feast on Kyushu’s natural scenery and learn about the island’s history and culture.
Dining on board the train is possible too, at Jupiter, which serves seasonal cuisine.
Prices start from 155,000 yen (US$1,513) per person for a two-day option, inclusive of all transportation costs incurred during the programme, meals, sightseeing, entertainment and accommodation.
Advance bookings are recommended. Visit www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/en/ for more information.
A new suite of activities that invites corporate event delegates to celebrate the customs of indigenous Australia is now on offer at Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territories.
Indigenous Encounters, promoted by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, has been designed to cater to groups of all sizes. Activities include traditional Inma dance and welcome, dot painting workshops, aboriginal campfire tours, performances by cultural dancers, an indigenous dance workshop, traditional aboriginal games, a didgeridoo session, spear and boomerang throwing lessons, and a teambuilding session created around boomerang painting.
A two-hour round-robin teambuilding session that features any four of the above activities costs A$75 (US$67) per person.
Besides Indigenous Encounters, Ayers Rock Resort also offers an insightful 30- to 60-minute presentation on the Indigenous Training and Development activities that are conducted by both the National Indigenous Training Academy and Mutitjulu Foundation.
Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast has unveiled Pandanus, a new flexible boutique venue suitable for up to 200 delegates. Formerly the Rolls Nightclub, the venue offers 350m2 of indoor space, high speed Internet, built-in audiovisual systems and an outdoor terrace ideal for welcome gatherings and working lunches. Pandanus joins the resort’s extensive collection of event venues, which includes the Mirage Grand Ballroom for up to 1,000 guests in a reception setting.
Melburnians’ love for unique dining experiences have created many exciting gourmet enclaves in the city; Centre Place pictured above
As a city with a dance style named after it, Melbourne is so cool it can hot up corporate events with its quirky city tours, unique dining concepts and fun new attractions. Karen Yue dives in to find out more
The year 2014 may have only just begun, but it is set to be a stellar one for Melbourne. By the end of this year, the vibrant Australian city will have hosted 70 international conferences – and these are just those secured by Melbourne Convention Centre (MCB) – and welcomed 85,000 delegates.
MCB CEO, Karen Bolinger, said that in 2013 and 2014, the number of events had risen 37 per cent, delegate numbers by over half and economic impact by over a third compared to 2011 and 2012.
Soon after hosting the 22nd World Diabetes Congress last December, an event that drew an excess of 10,000 attendees from 140 countries and generated some A$63 million (US$56.3 million) for Victoria State’s economy, Melbourne will go on to welcome 9,000 delegates for the World Congress of Cardiology in May and 14,000 delegates for the 20th International AIDS Conference in July.
“As most major international conferences are held every two years at a minimum and are on a regional rotation with hundreds of cities to choose from, it is unlikely that other city in the world will ever be able to emulate this feat,” said Bolinger.
She quipped that Melbourne continues to be a hit with business event planners because it is always “evolving and thriving” and offers plenty of creative opportunities.
“(Planners) can hold events in a bubble in the sky (the new Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, see Need to know) or get their teams to test their musical flair at the new event space, Melbourne, Music & Me, at Mushroom Records Museum,” she suggested, adding that groups can even replicate the recent Australian Open Tennis Championships with an event at the Olympic Parks and have a local tennis star as the umpire.
Addressing 2014 AIME delegates at a breakfast reception, lord mayor Robert Doyle credited Melbourne’s success in MICE to its quality convention venues, strong industry partnership, creative people and unique city vibe.
“I say it all the time – Melbourne is the most livable city in the world (Economist Intelligence Unit Survey ranked it top spot from 2011 to 2013). To know the real Melbourne, you need to wander around…discover our street art, quirky cafes, art galleries,” Doyle said.
There are many ways for a business event to project the Melbourne vibe. MELTours (info@meltours.com.au) runs a variety of walking tours that spotlight exciting aspects of the city. The three-hour Melbourne Laneway Tour journeys into back alleys and laneways, offering participants a peek into the city’s street art, architecture, hidden shops and unknown tales that dwell in the depths of these areas.
Tipple lovers will enjoy MELTours’ excursions that explore the heady bar scenes of the city.
For groups that want to know how Melbourne came to be, MELTours’ Hidden Gems Of The Yarra Tour takes participants back in time and along the Yarra. Guides will regal participants with stories of early pioneers, treaties with the indigenous tribes and lunatic asylums.
A new walking tour was recently rolled out by Walk Melbourne Tours (questions@walkmelbourne.com.au). The Dumpling Discovery Walk tells the story of Melbourne’s Chinese community through the savoury flavours of Melburnians’ favourite Chinese treat.
Both companies can tailor tours for corporate groups.
Melbourne’s good food and creative dining culture can also be showcased at corporate functions. A great example of this was presented at the 2014 AIME Welcome Reception on Birrarung Marr, where more than 2,500 delegates tucked into an assortment of dishes from 11 of the city’s hottest food trucks as well as canapes, grazing dishes and desserts supplied by Epicure Catering, and were entertained by roving acts and DJs brought together by Creative Entertainment Concepts.
Olivia Dal Bo, event coordinator of Peter Jones Special Events, the event management company that produced the reception, explained the concept was a reflection of Melburnian life. “Food trucks are loved by the locals. We wanted to give international delegates a taste of what we have been enjoying. By bringing these food trucks together on a spectacular location like Birrarung Marr, set against the cityscape, and with roving entertainers, we gave our street food culture a new dimension.”
Peter Jones Special Events (reception@pjse.com.au) has produced several dining events in unique venues around Melbourne. It was behind a sit-down dinner in the iconic 19th century Block Arcade shopping mall in 2010, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and a 500-pax gala fund-raising dinner for the Variety Club in Melbourne’s Mullum Mullum Tunnel, EastLink.
If dining at a single restaurant does not quite cut it for delegates who love to bond over good food, then how about a dine-around option?
Located on the south bank of the Yarra River and surrounded by restored heritage cargo sheds, the South Wharf Promenade boasts a collection of dining venues such as Akachochin, a Tokyo-style izakaya; Bangpop, a lively restaurant that specialises in Thai cuisine; and Plus 5, a cocktail and tapas bar. All restaurants can be hired for exclusive use. Those good for gatherings of up to 1,000 guests include Cargo Events Hall, Melbourne Public, Showtime Events Centre, The Boatbuilders Hut and The Bridge.
Cassandra Geneopoulos, business development & events manager of South Wharf Promenade, said: “Dine-around events here are very popular with corporate clients as it offers an interactive experience, indulging in a variety of activities around food, beverage, music, culture and education.”
The destination had “quite a few” such events in 2013, revealed Geneopoulos, who listed a 30-pax “corporate progressive” dinner as an example. “It started with a (mixology) session at Plus 5, live paella cooking stations at Bohemian, mains at Meat Market, and then desserts served on human tables outside Common Man overlooking the Yarra River,” she said.
She suggests four venues be used for groups with 30-50 pax, and three for larger gatherings of 200 guests.
Massive dine-around functions involving multiple merchants at South Wharf Promenade have been held for companies such as Optus (1,000 pax), Woolworths (3,000 pax) and Herald Sun (1,200 pax), as well as for events such as Cypriot Wine Festival (3,000pax) and British Lions Rugby (2,000 pax).
“We are in the process of working with large festivals and corporate welcome receptions of 10,000-15,000 guests,” she shared.
Last year, Kuala Lumpur-based ICEM Regional orchestrated a dine-around event at the South Wharf Promenade for Malaysia’s DiGi.Com. The 39-pax group started the evening with coffee and sweets at the industrial chic Charlie Lovett, moved on to tapas in a motorcycle workshop at the Italian-influenced Gasolina, and ended the evening with barbeque meats and drinks at Meat Market.
ICEM Regional also tapped Melbourne’s wealth of unique experiences to deliver an itinerary so memorable that the client has ordered the events specialist to focus on experiential aspects for future events, Lim told TTGmice.
“The itinerary was kept from the delegates, so every part of the journey was a surprise. The group had a city tour on roaring Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a fun dinner at Taxi Kitchen on Federation Square, a site visit of Apple office, a visit to a brewery and a full day of tasting, stomping and blending wine at Rochford Winery in Yarra Valley. When they exited the winery, eight helicopters were waiting to whisk them back to the city. “It was spectacular,” said Lim Pei Pei, head of sales at ICEM Regional.
For airport transfers on the last day in the city, a 25-seater stretch Hummer was deployed.
“Melbourne is such a creative city with creative people to help us execute ideas,” Lim said.
Poh Ching Huey, DiGi’s trade marketing – event and promotions, told the magazine: “It has been months since the event but it is still the talk of the town. The word that is going around the local telco industry is that the event was very exclusive, very impressive.”
Poh added that Melbourne is a true gourmet paradise: “We tried so many different meats, wines and beers on this trip, and everything was awesome!”
Massive dine-aroound events are supported at South Wharf Promenade
In the valley’s embrace
The beautiful Rae’s Restaurant is suitable for private dining events and wine tasting sessions
Yarra Valley needs little introduction, its name synonymous with fine Australian wine. Its impressive stable of more than 80 award-winning wineries with cellar doors and restaurants that serve up stellar dishes using the freshest local produce, along with scenic views and myriad attractions and recreational activities have lured many domestic and international travellers into its embrace.
Corporate clients have also been charmed by what Yarra Valley could do for their events. The region offers a variety of unique venues and hotels and resorts with function rooms and supporting recreational facilities.
Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa in Yarra Glen, for instance, features 69 rooms, an events centre with four function spaces, Rae’s Restaurant which can seat a 180-pax banquet, two private dining rooms, a cellar door and a luxury spa.
RACV Healesville Country Club, nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, offers 80 keys, 14 function rooms (the largest being the ballroom for 300-pax cocktails) that are supported by breakout areas and grassed outdoor spaces with stunning views of the mountain ranges, an 18-hole golf course, a four-hole short course, and a bowling green and croquet lawn, among others.
The 102-key Yarra Valley Lodge offers 10 meeting rooms, with the largest being the Marmion Room for 400 pax in cocktail set-up, as well as Bella Restaurant, Lodge Bar, a day spa and two golf courses close by.
Rochford Wines provides two function rooms and Rochford Restaurant. For clients who prefer to take their gatherings outdoors, such as for teambuilding games, there is Courtyard, a shaded outdoor space, and expansive lawns that can support large events.
Besides partaking in wine tasting, delegates can also work up a sweat with a laser strike battle at the Hedgend Maze, or take it slow with a visit to The Big Bouquet where 60,000 gerberas bloom year-round and shop for quality craft at specialty shops like Indidjart Gallery and Cafe and Warratina Lavender Farm.
However, Yarra Valley’s fun appeal and proximity to Melbourne mean venues and accommodation are often booked out quickly.
Melanie Watson, Balgownie Estate conference & events sales executive, said: “Our venues are often completely booked out. For clients with large groups, we often advise an advance booking of six to eight weeks. Alternatively, we can work with clients to bring their delegates from the city to the estate for a day programme.”
Booking challenges at Yarra Valley are also a result of the lack of hotels and resorts with large room count.
Anthony LoGiusto, Yarra Valley Lodge’s general manager, said: “We have just 102 keys and 10 meeting rooms and are considered the largest residential conference facility here.”
Kylie Shorter, conference & events sales manager of RACV Club, which manages RACV Healesville Country Club, noted that weekend bookings are especially tricky for corporate groups: “Yarra is very popular with locals on weekends and as a country club, members get priority.”
To cater to large corporate groups that desire overnight programmes in the wine and gourmet destination, some sellers such as RACV Healesville Country Club, Château Yering and Balgownie Estate have banded together to manage overflow, on top of planning itineraries for clients.
Kiff Saunders, pilot of Global Ballooning which operates hot air balloon flights over the Yarra region and Melbourne city, said the company works closely with “all major accommodation and venues here” to plan programmes for conference groups.
“What we all want is holistic growth for Yarra,” Saunders said, adding that such collaboration among tourism sellers makes life easier for event clients. – Karen Yue
Ideas
Post-meeting day tour of Yarra Valley
Embark on an hour’s drive to Yarra Valley from your hotel in Melbourne city centre early in the morning. First stop, Rae’s Restaurant at Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa for a hearty breakfast of the freshest local produce, followed by a wine tasting session.
Next, pay a visit to Healesville Sanctuary where you will get to meet some of Australia’s indigenous wildlife, from kangaroos to dingoes. Catch a show of regal birds of prey and playful parrots, and stop by the Australian Wildlife Health Centre to learn what is being done to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife.
Seglympics activities can be conducted on any area of private land, indoors and out
Later, get lost in the chocolate wonderland that is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Help yourself to free tastings, watch chocolate artisans at work and buy some of the sweet treats for loved ones back home.
Break for lunch at Yarra Valley Lodge’s Bella Restaurant, which overlooks the stunning Yarra Ranges. Proceed to Heritage Yarra Valley Day Spa within the property for a soothing foot therapy, then work off the post-lunch sleep bug with an energetic Seglympics series of teambuilding games on Segways, organised by Segway Victoria at the sprawling Rochford Winery.
Enjoy one last wine tasting experience at the Rochford Cellar Door before returning to Melbourne city. – Karen Yue
Need to know
New star arising in downtown Melbourne
See Melbourne in a new light on board the new Melbourne Star Observation Wheel which rises 120m into the sky with 21 fully enclosed air-conditioned glass cabins.
The new attraction in the city’s Docklands area also boasts a selection of function rooms that can cater to corporate gatherings of all sizes and styles.
The Star Room can entertain up to 400 guests for cocktails or 250 for a seated breakfast, lunch or dinner, and includes two boardrooms – Star and Constellation – that can function as breakout rooms.
The Star Deck is perfect for private receptions before or after a flight on the observation wheel.
The Star Cabins can also be used for intimate gatherings of 14 for cocktails or eight for board meetings.
The landscaped alfresco Star Piazza can take more than 1,500 guests, making it the largest function space in Melbourne.
Catering is provided exclusively by Peter Rowland Catering.
Visit www.melbournestar.com for more information.
New venues at Melbourne’s Pullman
Pullman Melbourne Albert Park has unveiled two new meeting venues after the completion of an A$20 million (US$18 million) renovation. The new Victoria and Albert rooms and adjoining pre-function space are ideal for meetings for up to 50 people or as additional breakout rooms for large residential conferences.
With the addition of these venues, the hotel now offers 31 event spaces totalling 2,600m², making it the largest and most comprehensive residential event venue in Melbourne.
Pullman Melbourne Albert Park shares a common building on Queens Road with Mercure Melbourne Albert Park, offering a total accommodation inventory of 379 rooms.
Plan it better in 3D
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has a new service that allows clients to work with its technology team to create 3D floorplans of function spaces.
Visualisation Studio, as the new service is called, is built on MA3D, a German-made programme and enables event organisations to try out various lighting effects, layouts and positioning of projectors and screens, etc to see how the space would look in reality. It is offered free to clients who book venues at MCEC.
Walk in The Park
Set within Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park and overlooking the crisp Albert Park Lake, The Park is a flexible venue that allows planners the freedom to create unique events.
Owned by Publican Group, The Park works closely with Design Depot to bring in furniture and decoration that best suit the client’s desired theme. It is supported by an in-house caterer, but is able to work with others.
It can accommodate a 1,000-pax standing reception indoors and another 280 on its sheltered balcony.
The Park must be hired entirely. Visit www.theparkmelbourne.com.au or email info@melbourneeventsgroup.com.au.
Under the sea, under the sea
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium (www.melbourneaquarium.com.au) was relaunched last September, following major renovations. It now offers fresh venues for corporate events of various sizes.
The circular Coral Atoll, which boasts a large, stunning aquarium as its centrepiece, is good for a 400-pax sit-down banquet or a 600-pax cocktail function. Guests can also network under the sea in the Fish Bowl room, as sharks, stingrays and sea turtles circle around in the 2.2 million-litre oceanarium.
The Upper Deck, with its interior themed after the Australian rainforest, makes a unique venue too. It can take 70 guests for a sit-down dinner.
For breakfast meetings with a difference, choose the chilly Antarctica room, where King and Gentoo penguins hang out behind a glass enclosure.
Conferences can be held in the Yarra Room, which can accommodate 120 pax theatre-style.
View from the top
The best way to take in Yarra Valley’s sprawling vineywards, rolling hills and scenic mountain ranges is from high above. To get a great view from the top, contact Global Ballooning, which has over 15 years of experience in corporate hospitality. It offers tailor-made programmes that include a scenic flight over grape vines in a hot air balloon. Pair the experience with a champagne breakfast at Rochford Winery. Free pick-ups are provided from selected Yarra Valley accommodation. Email balloon@globalballooning.com.au for more information.
The Royal Albatross, hailed as the first luxury tall ship in Asia, has reached the shores of Singapore and will begin operations from the middle of this year.
To be berthed at Resorts World Sentosa’s waterfront for the next three years, this 47m long, four-mast ship can be chartered for private and corporate events.
It has five cabins, two bars and spacious open decks with a maximum passenger capacity of 200 when docked, up to 149 guests for day or evening cruises, and up to 10 for overnight voyages.
Peter L Pela, Tall Ship Adventure’s owner and managing director, said: “The Royal Albatross is targeted at discerning high-wealth private charter or senior executives for corporate charter and is ready to take on their events.”
To create tailored experiences “on a scale unlike any other”, Pela said the ship, which is fully equipped with audiovisual equipment for presentations and satellite communications, offers the romance of a magnificent tall ship with historical and traditional elegance.
Pela pointed out that the multifunction Grand Salon which contains a bar will appeal particularly to corporate guests. This space can hold approximately 60 guests in a fully air-conditioned environment and has built in audiovisual systems and customisable lighting.
Depending on the client’s needs and requirements, they can opt for an alongside charter – where the ship is docked throughout the event – or a cruise voyage where the ship will sail around Singapore. – Paige Lee Pei Qi
Popular Hong Kong attraction Ngong Ping 360 is gaining a new lease of life with a sensory tourism programme to debut this year, including fresh performances and MICE space.
The Monkey Theatre at Ngong Ping Village will be relaunched in 2Q with a 3D theatre and a live theatre for action-packed performances themed on classic Hong Kong movies. By the end of the year, additional themed activities such as movie stunt demonstrations will commence at the Village.
Stella Kwan, head of commerce for the attraction, said the revamp of Monkey Theatre costs more than HK$30 million (US$3.9 million).
Part of the Ngong Ping 360 terminal will be converted into a new, 310m2 MICE venue from 3Q, called 360 Dialogue.
“Our team started approaching corporates in recent months to market our new one-day MICE programme, combining a half-day Dining In Silence session for food appreciation and interaction in total silence, with optional activities such as hiking and visits to Tai O,” said Kwan.
Other programmes to begin in the second half of 2014 include the Aerial Wire Experience, while it will offer accommodation packages and aftenoon tea tours for the first time.
Ngong Ping 360 has also implemented a new online ticketing system allowing mobile ticketing and reservation of return trip tickets. A new audio guide can be downloaded via WeChat. – Prudence Lui
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Celebrated comedian, actor and writer, John Cleese, who has brought many side-splitting laughter to audiences worldwide through his Monty Python films and TV sketches– among many others – will bring his wit and humour to Singapore in May.
See Melbourne in a new light on board the new Melbourne Star Observation Wheel which rises 120m into the sky with 21 fully enclosed air-conditioned glass cabins.
