Hong Kong is perennially short of venues, constantly placing great pressure on event planners to find fresh options for their corporate functions. Recently, several hotels in the city tried to remedy the situation by either adding new venues to their portfolio or renovating existing ones to enhance existing facilities. Mix looks at six of these properties in this week's Mix Picks.
1. HARBOUR PLAZA 8 DEGREES
Address: 199 Kowloon City Road, Tokwawan, Kowloon
Number of guestrooms: 702 rooms
What's new? The new Garden Room located on the second floor has been added. The 153-sqm venue can hold between 42 people in a boardroom set up and 120 people (approximately 10 tables) for banquets. It features natural light and is fitted with state-of-the-art illumination and the latest audio-visual system. It is located next to the outdoor swimming pool, which is surrounded by a landscaped sub-tropical garden and waterfall, as well as the alfresco dining outlet, Garden Terrace, that can hold up to 60 people. Groups can also opt to host their events at the hotel's 439-sqm ballroom on the first floor, which has a maximum capacity of 300 people. It can also be divided into nine function rooms for small-group meetings and seminars.
Meeting package: For 10 delegates and above, the 2013 conference offer costs HK$480 (US$62) per person for a full day session; HK$390 (US$50) per person for half day with lunch; and HK$280 (US$36) per person for half day without lunch. Perks include unlimited coffee and tea during the meeting, two coffee breaks (one for half-day booking), executive set lunch (groups with minimum of 50 people can upgrade to a meeting buffet lunch for an additional charge of HK$60 or US$8 per person), complimentary use of an LCD projector for groups of 12 people and standard meeting equipment.
Contact: event.hp8d@harbour-plaza.com
2. HYATT REGENCY TSIM SHA TSUI
Address: 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Number of guestrooms: The hotel has 381 rooms occupying several floors of the mixed use K11 retail and residential complex.
What's new? The five Salon function rooms have been remodeled, increasing the total size of the hotel's events space from 530 sqm to 590 sqm – which includes the 335-sqm pillarless Regency Ballroom. This enables the hotel to offer event planners more flexibility in their choices. The refurbished Salons range in size from 20 sqm to 71 sqm. Salons I, II and III can be combined to accommodate up to 217 people, while the combined Salons IV and V can hold up to 64 guests. Each room can be booked individually for smaller meetings and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to come in. Wireless internet connectivity is incorporated into the space as well as the latest technology and communication support.
Meeting package: To mark the unveiling of the new products, a special executive meeting package starts from HK$820 (US$106) per person, inclusive of business lunch (either customised menu or buffet at Cafe) and two themed coffee breaks. This offer is valid until December 31, 2013. The hotel is also introducing a "Welcome Back" offer for residential meetings where the more you spend, the more you earn.
Contact: hongkong.tsimshatsui@hyatt.com
www.hongkong.tsimshatsui.hyatt.com
3. INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
Address: 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon
Number of guestrooms: 503 guestrooms and suites
What's new? Following on the heels of the renovation of its 885-sqm ballroom (with capacity for up to 1,000 guests) in 2011, the hotel unveiled last November 11 revamped Harbourview function rooms. These spaces, ranging in size from 34 sqm to 79 sqm, can hold groups of up to 310 people for cocktails and 216 people for sit-down dinner.
The make-over followed the same design theme used by Woods Bagot Hong Kong studio on the InterContinental Ballroom. The tailor-made carpeting features circular patterns and motifs to represent intersecting pools of energy reflective of Victoria Harbour. A warm palette with lighter and less saturated colours maximises natural daylight and focuses attention on the panoramic harbor views. Bronze mirrored glass on the ceiling and side walls by the windows reflects the water currents from the harbour. Shimmery champagne fabric covered wall panels with metal inlaid frames that reflect the light, add an elegant touch to the overall ambiance.
Meeting package: A "Meetings to Inspire" package is available in 2013 for the use of a Harbourview Function Room at a price tag starting from HK$700 (US$90) per person for a half-day meeting without lunch to a full-day session at HK$950 (US$123) per person. Benefits include the service of a personal meeting butler, complimentary coffee, tea, distilled water, candy and dried fruit throughout the meeting, morning and afternoon coffee breaks with healthy refreshments, a choice of Western or Chinese cuisine for lunch, use of standard audio-visual and meeting equipment and your choice for a "Scent to Inspire" from the hotel's I-Spa selection of energising aroma burning oils, to name a few. The package is valid until December 31, 2013, a minimum group size of 20 delegates apply.
Contact: +852 2313 2211 or email hongkong@ihg.com
www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com
4. MARCO POLO HONGKONG HOTEL
Address: Harbour City, Kowloon
Number of guestrooms: 665 guestrooms and suites
What's new? Part of the fourth floor, which used to house back-office operations, has been renovated to make space for two new meeting rooms. The 275-sqm Bauhinia Room can hold up to 150 people for cocktails and 180 people in a theatre-style conference. It can be divided into five smaller rooms. The 170-sqm Orchid room, which can be divided into two, can fit up to 100 guests. The two new venues expands the hotel's meeting arsenal: the Centenerary Ballroom located on the ground floor for events of up to 500 guests and the three functions rooms (Feng Shui, Lotus and Jade) located on Level 6 with capacities ranging between 12 and 150 people.
Contact: + 852 2113 3218
www.marcopolohotels.com/en/hotels/hongkong/kowloon/marco_polo_hongkong/index.html
5. ROYAL PLAZA HOTEL
Address: 193 Prince Edward West, Kowloon. The hotel sits atop the MTR Mongkok East Station.
Number of guestrooms: 693
What's new? A Junior Ballroom has been added last October on Level 3 measuring 354 sqm to cater for events of up to 400 people. The Chinese restaurant Di King Heen on the same floor has three private rooms for small gatherings. Other event spaces in the hotel includes three meeting rooms on Level 1, each with a room size of 37 sqm, that can seat up to 40 people for standing cocktails. These rooms can be combined to accommodate groups of up to 120 people. Meanwhile, the grand ballroom on Level 6 spans 515 sqm and has a capacity for up to 500 people. The grand ballroom can be partitioned into three smaller rooms for meetings of groups between 40 and 400 people.
6. THE PENINSULA HONG KONG
Address: Salisbury Road, Kowloon
Number of guestrooms: 300
What's new: The hotel recently unveiled its brand new Conference Centre located on the 6th floor of The Peninsula Tower. The two spacious conference rooms called Hankow I and II feature high-definition video conferencing, surround sound and smart video and lighting controls as welll as wireless microphones with multiple guest interfaces. They also feature high-speed wireless connectivity compatible with all mobile platforms, complemented by a Business Centre offering complete secretarial services in addition to the full office suite. The new venues can hold 30 to 40 people for round-table, boardroom setting, 100 people theatre style and 150 for cocktails.
Meeting Package: Until March 31, 2013, the hotel is offering "The Art of Meeting Package" to mark the opening of the new conference centre. Groups can enjoy a range of benefits, including a choice of three complimentary components from a list of 10 attractive options. These options include a HK$400 (US$52) The Peninsula Spa credit for each attendee; one VIP round-trip airport transfer, one complimentary guestroom per 20 rooms reserved; one complimentary upgrade per 10 guestrooms reserved; a complimentary two nights' stay for a meeting executive which is valid for three months; and one welcome tea or coffee with pastries on meeting day, to name a few. This special offer applies to MICE bookings with meeting facilities consumption based on a two-night stay and a minimum booking of 10 guestrooms per night, or events with banquet consumption of over HK$80,000 (US$10,322)
Contact: cateringphk@peninsula.com
Gigi Onag
