Hotels record large rise in revenue

Meanwhile the average occupancy rate for hotels was estimated to be a very healthy 84 per cent. However these figures have not caused Singapore's hotel industry to become complacent. Buyers and event planners can be assured that dealing with a mature market offers the advantage of premium experiences, transparency in dealings and flawless event execution. "Companies are assured of quality delivery and of meeting their corporate objectives," says Choo. "The incentive experience in Singapore is not just a leisure trip, but one that ensures both company and delegates are rewarded." The Ritz-Carlton is one property certain to help guests redefine their understanding of a rewarding hotel experience. For meetings, the large pillarless ballroom can take 1,200 sitting and 1,000 banquet-style. Delegates staying in the Millennia Suites or the Club Rooms will find complimentary mobile handsets for them and their partner in the room upon arrival, meaning all they need to do is insert their sim card from their foreign phone. The Ritz-Carlton is also well known for its large collection of contemporary art. Culturally minded delegates will be impressed with paintings by Henry Moore and David Hockney, although you don't have to be an art lover to appreciate the brilliant glass sculptures scattered throughout the hotel. "It's a great idea for incentive planners as we are able to conduct informative tours that culminate in an afternoon tea," says Anton Kilayko, the hotel's director of public relations. "The Ritz-Carlton can also offer meeting planners numerous rooms that are exactly the same shapes and dimensions so all delegates will be equal. This makes it very easy for organisers when it comes to allocations." Natural light The pagoda-shaped Marriott Hotel is an icon of Orchard Road and is perfectly located for nearby shopping malls, which are linked to the hotel by underground walkways. The Marriott offers eight function rooms as well as a 750sqm pillarless grand ballroom that can seat 550 banquet-style. "The roof contains alabaster panels which help to diffuse natural light into the room," explains Sho Hwee, the hotel's director of marketing. "However the ballroom can also be transformed into a darkened theatre at the flick of a switch." The Shangri-La Hotel is one of Singapore's peaks as far as M&I groups are concerned and was voted Best Overseas Business Hotel in 2004 by Condé Nast Traveller in the UK. The Shangri-La is spread over a comfy 15 acres and seems to easily fit in 20,000sqm of meeting space, 23 function rooms and two grand pillarless ballrooms that can hold a combined capacity of up to 2,050 banquet style or 2,300 theatre style. For an incentive reward, a stay at the Shangri-La's exclusive Valley Wing is an experience that will be hard to top. Luxurious suites with in-room check-in, complimentary champagne bar all day in the foyer and limousine transfers to and from the airport will help to make for a memorable stay. For small to medium-size meetings groups, the Copthorne Orchid Hotel can offer a mix of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Functions can be arranged by the koi pond while inside there is 605sqm of meeting space spread over eight meeting rooms.to choose from with high-tech audiovisual and lighting. Fashion-savvy M&I groups will appreciate staying at the M hotel, which offers a taste of Manhattan cool in the heart of Singapore's business district. The individually designed hotel is surrounded by more than 500 multinational corporations, many of whom utilise the M's state-of-the-art meetings facilities. The guestrooms all feature functional work desks, while the seethrough glass wall looking into the bathroom leave nothing to the imagination —until a button is activated that turns the glass into the colour of an impenetrable fog. The M also offers delegates a coffee break with a difference by providing energy drinks, organic foods and 15-minute massages by their masseurs. The Grand Plaza Parkroyal offers exceptional comfort in terms of facilities, amenities and service standards. "We are known for our value for money with professional yet friendly service," says the hotel's banquet manager Isabel Mah. The hotel also offers a 404sqm grand ballroom featuring high ceilings that are decorated with Chinese calligraphy on the sides. The ballroom can seat 350 banquet style and 420 for a conference.