Court these beauties
Pangulasian Island Resort
Date of opening January 2012
Location Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan, the Philippines
Number of rooms 42 deluxe accommodation, eight Canopy Villas 24 Beach Villas and six Pool Villas
Why it is hot El Nido Resorts collaborated with prominent architect Conrad Onglao, known for combining Philippine flair with principles of Western design. The result is an eco-luxury beach resort that draws inspiration from Palawan’s geological and ethnic flavour.
How it can rock your event The resort is perfect for high-level incentive participants. Participants can bask in the sun on Pangulasian’s white sandy beach, indulge in a spa treatment or a traditional Filipino hilot massage, explore more than 20 dive sites around the island or embark on a guided eco tour.
Contact (63 2) 813-0000
Twelve at Hengshan
Date of opening August 2012
Location 12 Hengshan Road, Shanghai, China
Number of rooms 177
Why it is hot A Luxury Collection Hotel of The Starwood Group, it will be marketed as a chic oasis in the heart of a bustling modern metropolis, while being surrounded by restaurants, galleries and well preserved art deco buildings. The hotel is minutes from historical and cultural sites.
How it can rock your event The venue will house two restaurants and a lounge bar, a spa and a total of 1,303m2 of meeting space including the Grand Ballroom, pre-function area, VIP rooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms. A highly personalised level of attention will ensure that every event is a great success, and the professional events team will provide support.
Contact (86 21) 5405-0999
Sofitel So Bangkok
Date of opening Soft-opened on February 28, 2012
Location 2 North Sathorn Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand
Number of rooms 238
Why it is hot It is created collectively by at least five leading design firms in Thailand, and styled by renowned French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. His designs are reflected in the hotel’s Tree of Life emblem, uniforms, a masterpiece in the lobby and decorative items.
How it can rock your event The Box, a 50m2 suspended space with glass walls, is said to be perfect for intimate and exclusive meetings. Other venue choices include a 380m2 pillarless ballroom and four loft-style meeting rooms which are inspired by a production house and equipped with innovative technology and dedicated live cooking stations.
The hotel can also produce a range of coffee breaks themed around the elements of water, earth, wood, metal and fire, and other fancy ideas such as Alice in Wonderland.
Contact H6835@sofitel.com
Aloft Bangkok-Sukhumvit 11
Date of opening December 1, 2011
Location 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok, Thailand
Number of rooms 296
Why it is hot It was created for modern, tech-savvy travellers seeking social experiences at an affordable price. As the first Aloft property in Thailand, local architecture firm Hassel was roped in to add customised touches to the space, blending it well with the local culture.
How it can rock your event Make a beeline for Tactic, a 265m2 sleek meeting space that can be split into three separate rooms, each equipped with free wireless Internet access and state-of-the-art technology. Tactic promises to put an end to humdrum meetings, enabling companies to present with pizzazz and optimise idea generation. The space lets in plenty of sunlight and is outfitted with colourful, funky furniture. There is also a candyfloss machine, a popcorn machine and a PlayStation 3 game console to help jazz up breaks between meetings.
Contact bangkok.sukhumvit11@alofthotels.com
Andaz Shanghai
Date of opening October 2011
Location 88 Songshan Road, Shanghai, China
Number of rooms 307
Why it is hot The hotel features rooms with vibrant views of Shanghai and impressive LED lighting that allows guests to customise colours to suit their moods. Dining and entertainment options include Andaz Lounge; Éclair, an all-day patisserie; and Hai Pai, a four-level restaurant, bar and private dining venue offering French and Shanghainese cuisine.
How it can rock your event There are 11 event venues, from a Meeting Studio that seats 14-16 guests to a ballroom for up to 300. The unique Andaz Garden Studio houses a Glass Pavilion and an outdoor terrace, making it ideal for a red carpet event.
Contact (86 21) 2310-1234
Naked Stables Private Reserve
Date of opening November 2011
Location Moganshan valley near Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
Number of rooms 121 rooms in Tree-Top Villas and Earth Huts
Why it is hot Its tranquil and beautiful surroundings, unique activities and opportunities for teambuilding, with a focus on being environmentally friendly in design, building and operations. There are two-, three- and four-bedroom villas with hot tubs and grills, and rustic hut studios for one or two guests. Recent client, Aquaspace, a luxury real estate management agency, organised a management meeting, teambuilding and banquet for 56 people. The resort provides a refreshing mixture of beautiful, sustainable architecture with natural scenery and fresh air, away from the stress and strain of daily city life. The tranquillity of the reserve is ideal for management meetings or conferences, and generates excitement and enthusiasm among team members.
How it can rock your event An incentive group of 50-100 pax will have access to a wide range of activities, unique meeting spaces and a convenient, memorable and productive get-away. Upon arrival, participants can go on a guided walking tour of the reserve, followed by a South African six-course dinner. On the second day, take part in activities such as Sword Hunt, Mine Field and Talent Show. A BBQ dinner at the Clubhouse, cocktails and a bonfire with live music will cap the evening. End the programme on the third day with teambuilding activities at the Moganshan area, a dinner and award ceremony with live music and drinks at Kikaboni.
Contact groups@nakedretreats.cn
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai
Date of opening March 2011
Location 1108 Mei Hua Road, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Number of rooms 401
Why it is hot World-renowned architect Arata Isozaki, who created the Barcelona Olympic Stadium and Los Angeles MoMA, leads the construction of the Himalayas Center, where the hotel is located. The hotel’s exterior reflects Chinese cultural elements and fengshui principles, while the interior, under the creative direction of KCA International, features a 1,000-character Chinese poem in the calligraphy of ancient Chinese scholar Huai Su and a 260m2 LED screen that depicts the sky at different times of the day through multimedia animation.
How it can rock your event The ceiling of the hotel’s grand ballroom soars 12m high – the highest ballroom ceiling in Shanghai, and is adorned by a splendid crystal chandelier. There is another ballroom and seven multi-function rooms for 20 to 350 guests for event planners to choose from. Those seeking unique spaces can consider the rooftop Infinity Garden. The 5,000m2 garden features a 300m2 event stage and BBQ areas amid lush surroundings.
Contact jhsinfo@jumeirah.com
W Singapore-Sentosa Cove
Date of opening August 1, 2012
Location Sentosa island, Singapore
Number of rooms 240
Why it is hot Starwood’s iconic boutique brand is set to transform the hotel landscape in Singapore, offering guests and visitors alike the opportunity to unwind in a hip and luxurious urban setting, showcased against the milieu of cutting-edge design, fashion, music and art.
How it can rock your event Start off with a refreshing cocktail reception under the stars in one of the hotel’s numerous lawns overlooking Sentosa Cove. Mood music, provided by state-of-the-art sound systems, and soft lighting set the tone for a sophisticated, relaxing evening. Guests can then adjourn to a sumptuous three-course fusion meal on tables laid out by the outdoor heated pool, as they are entertained by a myriad of jazz artists. To end on a high, guests can head to one of the hotel’s four function spaces, to dance the night away to the hypnotic beats of house and trance music.
Contact newhotels.asiapacific@starwoodhotels.com
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
Date of opening December 2010
Location 585 Zhong Shan Dong Er Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Number of rooms 184
Why its hot The hotel evokes the glamour of old Shanghai and its location along the Bund offers amazing views of Shanghai. Design-wise, the lobby is home to eclectic sculptures and artefacts reclaimed from the historic Shiliupu Dock. A swirling feature wall in the hotel mirrors the ebb and flow of the Huangpu River.
How it can rock your event The river-view meeting rooms inspire creative business. Clients will brainstorm on beanbags and refuel at the espresso bar. Fun lunches can be served Chinese style but with a mix of western and Chinese dishes.
Contact (86 21) 3302-9999
Hotel Muse, Bangkok
Date of opening September 2011
Location 55/555 Langsuan Road, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
Number of rooms 174
Why it is hot The hotel’s design was inspired by the golden age of travel during the era of King Rama V of Thailand in the late 19th and early 20th century. Every feature was handpicked to reflect cosmopolitan chic. Venetian mirrors and black marble floors, for instance, are tastefully integrated with 65-channel Internet TVs and iPod docking stations.
How it can rock your event Take your meeting to the Board Room where there is a private terrace. If your delegates prefer some place out of the ordinary, meetings and presentations can be held at The Blind Pig cigar lounge, The Lawn rooftop bar, or one of the private rooms in the hotel’s many restaurants.
Contact (66-2) 630-4000
Alila Diwa Goa
Date of opening 2011
Location Majorda Beach, 20 minutes from Goa Dabolim International Airport
Number of rooms 153
Why it is hot The resort is inspired by traditional Goan design – steep, pitched roofs, high ceilings, airy verandas and tranquil courtyards. It inspires relaxation, thanks to its surroundings of verdant rice plantations that flow towards the Arabian Sea.
How it can rock your event The resort is perfect for incentives involving top level personnel, with a group size of 30 or so. There is a ballroom that can accommodate 75 people in a U-shaped set-up or 300 for a cocktail. The allure of a programme at this resort is precisely the lack of one – participants can go for a swim, lounge under the sun, indulge in a spa session, play golf, enjoy fine dining, sip cocktails or just sleep the days away.
Contact diwagoa@alilahotels.com
The Langham Xintiandi
Date of opening October 2010
Location 99 Madang Road, Xintiandi, Shanghai, China
Number of rooms 357
Why it is hot The hotel stands out from the other buildings in and around Xintiandi, thanks to the latticework exterior designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates. The interior is the masterpiece of renowned design firm Remedios Siembieda.
How it can rock your event The Langham Xintiandi has more than 12 event rooms spread over two levels for groups of 12 to 150 guests. The Grand Ballroom boasts high ceilings and an opulent decor. High-end dining events can be held in Ming Court Chinese Restaurant, which shares the same name as its two-Michelin-star sister in Hong Kong, or the new XTD Bar & Restaurant, an open-air venue.
Contact (86 21) 2330-2288
