REGIONAL QUALITY

Putrajaya has none of the urban chaos that flavours most Asian capitals. Everything here is structured and ordered. Houses must be painted in approved colours, lawns are mowed and fences are forbidden.

Tempting as it may be to compare Putrajaya to other isolated planned cities, such as Canberra or Brasilia, the Malaysian capital is only 25km from Kuala Lumpur, making it a leafy outer suburb of the commercial centre.

If it were not for the big government buildings in Putrajaya, the city could be mistaken for a resort. There are wetlands and parks maintained under regulations that say 37 per cent of the city must remain “green”, and the lake is stocked with fish and is also home to a sailing club.

What Putrajaya lacks, say residents, is bustle, nightlife and places to meet in the evening. But Putrajaya Shangri-La’s director of sales and marketing, Beverley Lim, says the city offers plenty of incentive options for corporate groups. “Teambuilding and outdoor activities can be held at various parks in Putrajaya such as the wetlands, botanical garden, agricultural park and heritage park,” she says.

“Activities such as gondola rides, kayaking, fishing and nature trekking are all within the
grounds of a modern city.”

MAJOR FACILITIES
The city now has a handful of five-star hotels that can host meeting and incentive groups,
including a Marriott and Shangri-La. Just a 30-minute drive away is Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur and Hilton Kuala Lumpur.

Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) is the biggest convention and exhibition facility of its kind in Malaysia and has the capacity to hold 10,000 delegates at one time. The centre changed its operating policies in 2006 and the venue now caters for private functions, non-governmental companies and international events.

No matter what people may say about Putrajaya, it is a city of the future. Putrajaya sits next to Cyberjaya, a new city that is home to technology companies and hopes to become Malaysia’s
Silicon Valley. Both are wired up with fibre-optic cable and the latest in digital technology.

PUTRAJAYA SHANGRI-LA
The 118-room boutique Putrajaya Shangri-La is designed as a hotel within a park – the
crescent-shaped hotel is built into the side of the hill and is surrounded by greenery.
The Dewan Putra Perdana Grand Room can hold up to 180 people for a banquet or meeting. Three meeting rooms on the same level have floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

There are seven food and beverage outlets. Palm Hill Cafe seats 136 and offers Malaysian
and international cuisine. Palm Hill Veranda, with its landscaped gardens, is a good al fresco
setting for a group event. Azur Restaurant serves Mediterranean and Asian food.

The hotel also offers off-site catering such as a dining cruise on the lake for up to
140 delegates.
www.shangri-la.com

PUTRAJAYA MARRIOTT HOTEL
Reflecting grand Malaysian style and charm, the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel offers attentive, yet discreet service.

The ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500 people theatre style and 1,200 banquet style. There are 22 meeting rooms.

Tuscany serves authentic Italian cuisine, Summer Palace serves Chinese delicacies, Midori is known for its Japanese creations, Terrace Cafe has local and international fare, Palm Walk Bistro serves gourmet coffee and pastries, and the Lobby Lounge offers cocktails.
www.marriott.com

COMING UP
GRAND MERCURE LAKESIDE PUTRAJAYA
When the Grand Mercure Lakeside Putrajaya opens this August, it will have 350 rooms and views across Putrajaya Lake.

Facilities include a big ballroom capable of accommodating 1,000 guests, two restaurants, a bar and grill on the lake’s foreshore and an extensive lounge. Meeting facilities will be central to the hotel.