THEMED
Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand
Often likened to a museum, Hamilton is home to 21 themed gardens designed to evoke civilisations and historically significant garden styles among other things. Grouped into five collections, the unusual spaces lend themselves to creative outdoor events, with an Indian Char Bagh Garden, an Italian Renaissance Garden, English Flower Garden and Chinese Scholar’s Garden among the selection.
Within the gardens is a pavilion featuring four event venues: a 543 sqm court; 266 sqm exhibition hall; 153 sqm meeting room and 122 sqm lounge, though the latter will be unavailable come July. A day delegate package is also offered at NZ$55 (about US$38) per head for a minimum of 20 people.
hamiltongardens.co.nz
Pan Pacific Singapore
Adjoining the hotel’s Japanese restaurant Keyaki and in view of the city’s landmark Ferris wheel, Singapore Flyer, is an ornate Japanese garden with space for 60 delegates. As well as cocktail receptions, the garden suits overflow events from the restaurant, such as a cocktail making class followed by a Japanese set dinner. Extending the Japanese theme, the garden overlooks a Koi fishpond.
panpacific.com
URBAN
Stratosphere, Kuala Lumpur
Rivalling the city’s renowned Heli Bar Lounge is a grassier alternative. Stratosphere is a quirky luxury bar seated on a turfed infinity helipad, offering 360-degree views of both the city and greater Klang Valley. The first of its kind in Asia, the space accommodates up to 300 for private events, subject to a minimum spend. Catering and AV are provided by the venue.
The bar is part of a multi-outlet entertainment complex known as The Roof. Delegates with a fear of heights might prefer to unwind at one of the venue’s two award-winning restaurants – Signature and Yezi – sports bar Score or nightlife venues Play Club and Malt & Leaf.
theroof.com.my
China World Summit Wing, Beijing
Nestled amid the skyscrapers of Beijing’s Central Business District is the Pine Garden, veering off Level 6 of Shangri-La’s China World Summit Wing. Spanning 508 sqm, the modern space can be flexibly configured for receptions of up to 300 or banquets of up to 160.
Back inside, the hotel packs 5,500 sqm of event space, including a 1,400-pax Summit Ballroom, into four floors.
shangri-la.com/ChinaWorldSummitWing
COLONIAL TO RUSTIC
Hullett House, Hong Kong
The former Marine Police Headquarters, Hullett House is a heritage building moments from Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Against the urban backdrop, the European-style garden maintains the property’s colonial charm and can cater to cocktail functions for up to 120 attendees.
Indoor meeting venues include a 55 sqm Champagne Gallery, 94 sqm dining room and 283 sqm parlour. Full- and half-day delegate packages are also offered.
hulletthouse.com
Providence Farm Hall, Queensland
Resting atop Beechmont plateau in the Gold Coast’s vast hinterland is Providence Farm Hall, a 1940s venue surrounded by green space for outdoor events. The grounds, frequented by grazing goats and cows, seat up to 1,000 pax. A marquee can also be pitched.
In case of bad weather, the Hall can accommodate up to 280 on long banquet tables and offers a stage that can be screened off.
The plateau, featuring rainforests, waterfalls, walking tracks and green pastures for nature-based incentives, is a 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast and 75 minutes from Brisbane.
providencefarmhall.com.au
SEAVIEW
Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
Most recently named Best Luxury Resort Worldwide at the Hotel of The Year Awards 2016, the multi-award winning Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort does not disappoint on the garden front, with a Tropical Garden that edges onto a private bay along the Son Tra Peninsula.
Beyond the garden space which can host 100-pax, the hotel’s event centre – The Summit – stands amid 39 acres of greenery, offering a 260 sqm ballroom, four suites with capacities for eight-100, and two terraces that can host between 40 and 100 for cocktails.
danang.intercontinental.com
The Edge, Bali
Aptly named, The Edge in Bali’s Uluwatu clings to the side of a clifftop with the function lawn overlooking the Indian Ocean. The space seats 200, though planners also have a 1,000-pax ballroom and 11 meeting rooms at their disposal for indoor events.
mesahotelsandresorts.com/theedge
MORE SURPRISES…
Studio City, Macau
Better known for its unique incentive attractions, the Hollywood-themed resort is also home to three garden areas for events. The largest, the Gala Garden, borders Ibiza-style nightclub Pacha Macau and caters for up to 360 dining or 432 for cocktails; while the front lawn, the French Garden, suits more intimate affairs with space for 72 seated or 120 standing.
Adjoining the meeting rooms and ballroom is the Event Garden, ideal for indoor to outdoor functions with a capacity for 200 dining or 250 for a cocktail event.
studiocity-macau.com
The Raum, Seoul
Billed as Korea’s first social venue, The Raum is a premier conference and meeting destination in Seoul with over 33,000 sqm of event space over four floors.
In addition to two primary garden spaces – the 1,300 sqm Grass Garden and 610 sqm Pond Garden – the venue offers two indoor spaces connected to gardens. The larger of the two, Brise Hall, accommodates 150 standing and 100 seated, while the smaller Café Terrace has a capacity for 80 standing and 80 seated.
theraum.co.kr
Main picture: French Lawn, Studio City
