Today's airports are no longer the simple transport hubs of the past. While providing swift connections and efficient operations continue to be their main purpose, they've expanded their services to include helpful facilities such as meeting spaces. Mix takes a look at options in some Asia-Pacific terminals:
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Aiport (Thailand)
There is an airside business centre with a small meeting room. However, since the place is almost always occupied, you may wish to consider the nearby Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Regent Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel that provide a greater variety of function rooms.
Contact: www.novotel.com, www.regentsuvarnabhumi.com
Singapore Changi Airport
The 24-hour airside business centre furnishes a comfortable and professional environment for small-scale meetings for up to 10 persons. Over at landside, there are various themed gardens and landscaped areas such as in Terminal 3, with seating, allowing quick discussions. There are also 550 internet kiosks strategically placed throughout the airport, supplying free wi-fi access through the Wireless@SG network. More formal spaces can be rented at the adjacent Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, which also has large ballroom that can host up to 300 guests.
Contact: www.changiairport.com, www.ichotelsgroup.com
Hong Kong International Airport
While lacking in any major meeting facilities at the airport itself, Regal Airport Hotel, which is connected to Terminal 1 by an air-conditioned bridge, provides extensive meeting and conference hardware. Other hotels such as the SkyCity Marriott Hotel and Novotel Citygate Hong Kong also feature similar facilities. A good point to note is that free wi-fi access is available in both Terminal 1 and 2, and coupled with ample seating space means that meetings can take place practically anywhere around the airport.
Contact: www.novotel.com, www.regalhotel.com, www.skycitymarriott.com
Incheon International Airport (South Korea)
This award-winning facility has many a hidden gem, one of them being the Spa on Air, part wellness retreat-part lounge. Besides rooms to receive pampering and rest in, there are also rooms to conduct discussions. Traditional function spaces can be found in hotels nearby such as Hyatt Regency and Best Western Premier Incheon Airport Hotel.
Contact: www.airport.kr, www.airporthotel.co.kr, www.hyattregencyincheon.com
Wellington Airport (New Zealand)
Travelling to and fro from the city's central business district consumes quite a lot of time, thus the Wellington Airport's Conference Centre, located at the airside of the airport, is a popular place to meet. Situated in the main terminal and overlooking the runway and Lyall Bay, the Centre provides flexible rooms for conferences, functions, board meetings or even interviews.
The Conference Centre's seven meeting rooms can accommodate from two to 100 participants.
Contact: www.wellingtonairport.co.nz
