Las Vegas Sands Corporation has begun development of its $3.2-billion Marina Bay Sands, which features three hotels with 2,500 rooms; more than 360,000 sf of exhibit space—more than 2.5 times the size of the Suntec City center; a column-free ballroom for up to 8,000 people; two theaters with 2,000 seats each; and several additional venues for group events, including restaurants featuring internationally renowned chefs Charlie Trotter and Thomas Keller.
The developments have spurred renewed interest in the destination by groups. "The [number of groups from the] U.S. is on the upswing, and we're seeing more corporate events and meeting requests coming into Singapore," said Victor Seah, director of sales for Pacific World in Singapore. "Singapore (and Asia) are alluring, especially with the value that our currency provides against the U.S. dollar and the safety of a destination being paramount nowadays."
Singapore Airlines now offers 35-inch-wide first-class seats, 30-inch seats in business class--both of which lie flat--and 19-inch economy seats. The changes coincide with the fleet's new Boeing 777-300ER, debuting this month, serving San Francisco.
Facilities Update
The 30-room New Majestic is a contemporary hotel with loft beds, colonial and modern classic furniture, rooms with aquarium-themed bathrooms, and a swimming pool with cut-out glass panels overlooking a Cantonese restaurant.
The 121-room Amara Sanctuary Resort Hotel on Sentosa, due to open in early 2007, will be able to accommodate up to 500 guests in its column-free ballroom.
The 299-room St. Regis Singapore, with 15,000 sf of meeting space and a destination spa, is expected to open in Sept on Orchard Road.
Former Ritz-Carlton head, Horst Schulze, is bringing his new hotel brand to Singapore with the transformation of The Knolls on Sentosa into a 110-villa and suite property named Capella Singapore, due to open in 2008.
ewel Box on Mount Faber, Singapore's highest peak, has been converted from a cafe into a popular venue for group events, with capacity for up to 300 attendees.
European nightclub chain Ministry of Sound has opened its largest venue on Singapore's trendy Clarke Quay. The 40,000-sf, bi-level complex features six different rooms, as well as private suites ideal for small corporate events. Don't miss the 20-foot water curtain used as a screen for videos.
The ca-1927 St. James Power Station has been converted into a 60,000-sf entertainment complex, featuring nine different venues.