Northstar

(TOP LEFT) LLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES 54 JUL-AUG 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Venue Highlight Design-centric hotels, villa retreats and an urban oasis are some of the unique new spaces for meetings and events. COMPILED BY NAOMI NEOH Marriott International W rises in Brisbane W Brisbane has opened, adding 312 guestrooms, including 32 suites to South East Queensland. Hotel interiors draw inspiration from Australia's outback with earth tones, sedimentary layers and frayed edges. Meetings and events spaces span over 1,100 sqm, including the 595- sqm Great Room, inspired Banyan Tree An urban oasis sprouts in KL D riving the trend of resort brands opening in city locations, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has debuted on July 1 with 55 rooms and suites. The modern oasis will also feature the brand's signature aromatherapy essentials and chromotherapy shower in all room categories, and private relaxation pool in suites categories. For meetings, the hotel offers three boardrooms for executive meetings and a covered open-air pool venue for events. The resort will also lay claim to the highest rooftop bar in Kuala Lumpur when Vertigo rises on its 59th floor. OPENING SOON AccorHotels A private villa retreat opens in Phu Quoc Marking the group's third property on Vietnam's largest island, Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort offers 217 luxury villas, managed by AccorHotels. Each villa offers a private retreat complete with its own swimming pool, balcony and living and dining room areas plus a fully equipped kitchenette. For exclusive events, planners can consider the resort's Bill Bensley-designed Beacon, which opens this summer. Tucked away at the end of the forested peninsula, the venue is an elevated platform perched by the water's edge that can cater for up to 200 guests. Small group meetings can be held at the Sunset Lounge, opening late 2018. At the resort's three restaurants and bars, guests can also have the option to design a bespoke dining experience prepared by a private chef. by the serpentine shape of the river and statement lighting reminiscent of a starry Queensland outback night. The venue also features four-metre LED wall panels for presentations and displays. Additional meeting rooms include the Studios and Strategy Room, which open to river views and natural sunlight with floor to ceiling windows and private balconies. The hotel also features three distinct dining venues, including the brand's sign- ature WET Deck rooftop bar. Hyatt Design, nature- inspired interiors in Beijing's Wangjing Located in Beijing's new central business district, the 348-key Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing debuts with interiors inspired by the Chinese 'Sanhe Yuan', a three-sided courtyard style home and urban forest. The hotel boasts a total of 5,600 sqm for conferences and social events. A highlight is the 1,369-sqm Regency Ballroom, a versatile space offering views of greenery. Also available are 11 function rooms with sizes ranging 50 to 320 sqm. For dining, guests can pick from five restaurants and bars serving a range of locally-inspired delicacies and international fare .

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