For trade show participants, location plays a major factor in their choice of accommodation for their next trip. In this second of a series of strategically located hotels near convention centres, we scouted for those close to Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Fira Barcelona Gran Via. Here's the list:
BANGKOK CONVENTION CENTRE AT CENTRALWORLD
- Centara Grand Bangkok
What’s it like? The hotel is integrated with the convention centre. It has nine executive floors and a total of 505 guestrooms.
How near is it to the convention centre? Guests staying in the hotel guestrooms need only to take an elevator down to the lobby, where an escalator leads to the Convention Centre.
Any onsite meeting facilities? The World Ballroom holds 800 in a banquet setup, the 15 Lotus Suites have capacities for groups between 10 and 400 and the Boardroom seats 19. Groups can also book the rooftop bar Fifty Five for a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
For more information visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cgcw
- Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
What’s it like? Furnished with resort-inspired interiors, the Grand Hyatt has 380 rooms and suites with 5-star hotel amenities.
How near is it to the convention centre? It’s a five-minute walk through the Skywalk footbridge in front of the hotel, which connects to the CentralWorld mall. Enter the mall through the CentralWorld Department Store and proceed to the ground floor. The lobby to Centara Grand is located behind the store; from there take an escalator to the convention centre.
Any onsite meeting facilities? Hyatt has six function rooms that accommodate 10 to 150 guests; a grand ballroom for up to 1,500 people; The Residence, a residential-style facility for gatherings which houses five of its own event rooms, can cater to up to 700 guests; and The Campus, a dedicated MICE venue measuring 891 sqm on the lower lobby.
For more information visit www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.com
- Arnoma Hotel Bangkok
What’s it like? The hotel, located in the heart of the city’s business hub, has 369 rooms.
How near is it to the convention centre? The hotel is directly opposite CentralWorld.
Any onsite meeting facilities? There are several connected function rooms and a grand ballroom that can hold up to 1,000 people, all equipped with AV and conference equipment.
For more information visit www.arnoma.com
- InterContinental Hotel Bangkok
What’s it like? The hotel hosts 381 luxurious guestrooms and is situated in the business and entertainment hub of Ratchaprasong.
How near is it to the convention centre? Take the exit in front of the deli on the lobby level, which will lead you to a footbridge to Gaysorn Plaza. From there, take the Skywalk footbridge to the CentralWorld Department Store. On the ground floor behind the store is the lobby to Centara Grand. The walk should take no more than 15 minutes.
Any onsite meeting facilities? The InterContinental has a ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 people as well as three meeting rooms, the smallest of which can accommodate 25 U-shape style, and the largest which can accommodate 900 theatre-style.
For more information visit www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en
FIRA BARCELONA GRAN VIA
The following hotels are all located across the road from the convention centre.
- Hotel Fira Congress
What’s it like? Bang & Olufsen monitors and wifi spruce up the 160 guestrooms of this hotel, which was designed with feng shui principles in mind.
Any onsite meeting facilities? There are three meeting rooms each equipped with a 40-inch plasma screen and DSL internet connection, all located on one floor equipped with an adjustable lighting system, a service lift for heavy machinery and a foyer, perfect for coffee breaks and cocktails. There are also five simultaneous interpretation booths on the meetings and events floor.
For more information visit www.firacongress.com/en
- AC Hotel Som
What’s it like? The chic business hotel has 102 guestrooms and is located along one of the main routes into Barcelona, making it easily accessible to train and bus stations.
Any onsite meeting facilities? A single meeting room measuring 72sqm, equipped with audio-visual requirements and internet access, which can accommodate 30 to 60.
For more information visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnsm-ac-hotel-som
- Porta Fira Hotel en Barcelona
What’s it like? It’s a commanding tower with a ruby hue, known as one of the world’s most gorgeous skyscrapers. This Emporis Skyscraper Awardee 2010 has 296 rooms, each with its own mini bar and a view of the city.
Any onsite meeting facilities? Fifteen function rooms are available; the smallest meeting room can hold 32 at most, and the biggest can seat as many as 778.
For more information visit www.hotelbarcelonaportafira.com
- Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel
What’s it like? The hotel, known for its twin towers and vertical garden of 300 palm trees, features 264 rooms and 93 suites, which have either completely white or completely black interiors.
Any onsite meeting facilities? Up to 11 meeting rooms – thanks to dividers – are available on one floor of the hotel, covering 1,200sq m of space, which can accommodate anywhere between 10 to 710 guests.
For more information visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnrf-renaissance-barcelona-fira-hotel
Johna Baylon
