The opening of the Marriott Grand Ballroom at Resorts World Manila is one of the most talked-about in the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) game.

After all, it is now the country’s largest ballroom, with 8,000 square meters of function space. Depending on a client’s requirements, the ballroom can accommodate 2,500 for banquet setup or 4,000 for cocktails.

For the dinner-concert on July 1 with singer James Ingram performing, 2,500 are expected to attend.

The cavernous and pillar-free ballroom is also the first in the country to use Skyfold technology, vertical folding partitions stored in the ceiling that can separate the space into four sections in five minutes. No more accordion-type folding walls that still allow sound to enter.

Expansion

The Marriott Grand Ballroom is a separate structure accessible by a soon-to-be-completed walkway connecting it to the Marriott Hotel. At the moment, golf carts can ferry people to and from the hotel. The ballroom is part of Resorts World Manila’s second phase of expansion, which includes the opening of additional guest crooms at the Marriott West Wing set to open in 2016.

“A major objective of the Phase 2 expansion is to further increase visitation through the planned new nongaming facilities, which in turn will increase traffic in the Resorts World complex,” said Marriott general manager Bruce Winton.

Things appear to be going as planned, as the hotel has 125 booked events to date, including 35 weddings since the announcement of the ballroom’s opening. The first event was a Rotary convention with 1,200 delegates on April 10, while the biggest event so far was the Philippine College of Physicians’ annual convention held last month, with 7,800 delegates.

Despite accommodating such numbers, the facility never looks cramped. The halls are wide and dotted with curvilinear, bamboo-like seating designed by industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

“We want to attract international conventions and eventually be the top choice for MICE in Southeast Asia. Matched with Filipino hospitality and Marriott’s innovation, the Marriott Grand Ballroom will put the country on the map as a new location for MICE events,” Winton said.

Aside from the Grand Ballroom, there are 28 function rooms, two ballrooms (Diplomatic and Ceremonial Halls) and six VIP sky

boxes with a view of the Grand Ballroom. Parking shouldn’t be a problem, with 1,500 parking spaces arranged in six levels of underground parking.

Wedding destination

Winton says the two smaller ballrooms are perfect for intimate weddings, with the Diplomatic Hall equipped with a dressing room for the bride and her entourage.

“We saw the opportunity for the Marriott Grand Ballroom to cater to a wide range of social events, particularly weddings, with facilities like bridal suites, private gardens, glamorous photo venues and private entrances.”

Once it’s fully operational, the facility will also have three new dining outlets: Crema, an upscale gourmet coffee shop that also serves Felchin’s hot chocolate, homemade yogurt and baked goods; Mian, an Asian noodle bar with unique noodle dishes, dumplings, rice bowls and desserts; and Allegro, an innovative deli with a selection of maki sushi rolls, cheese tarts, gourmet salads, chilled sandwiches and refreshing beverages.