major infrastructure developments—its role
as a gateway city to mainland China is set to
strengthen as the much-anticipated opening
of the brand-new Macao Bridge, and start of
express rail service, are set for later this year.
There are noteworthy developments within
the hospitality industry, too. The 471-room
Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott is expected
to open its doors in the middle of 2018 with
meeting space that includes the largest pillar-
free ballroom on the island with 1,200-square-
meters of floor space. In the North Point
neighborhood, Hotel Vic on the Harbour will
open with 671 guest rooms, and the 398-room
Rosewood Hong Kong will also make its debut
this year; it will be part of a new art and design
district that is expected to fully open in 2019.
Special events venues in Hong Kong
run the gamut, and there’s an exciting new
addition: A rooftop venue with stunning
water views, Harbour City Ocean Terminal,
which opened at the end of 2017. The space
includes a 16,000-square-foot deck that can
accommodate 1,000 people for special events,
and 11 dining outlets are in the works as part
of the area’s development.
South America’s Rising Star
A gateway to South America with wide-
reaching international connectivity, Colombia
caters to high-level events courtesy of its lively,
historic cities, relaxing beach destinations,
Colombia, beckoning nature-lovers the world
over. Rock climbing, hiking, and biking in the
mountains, and paragliding, rafting, kayaking,
and diving on the Caribbean coast are amazing
experiences.
Bogota is chic, fast-paced, and culturally
rich, offering everything from the La
Candeleria historic neighborhood’s museums,
churches, and interesting architecture, to the
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) and cable
car rides to the top of Monserrate mountain.
Movich Hotels operates eight properties
in six Colombian destinations, including
two in capital city Bogota. Each Movich
property offers dedicated meeting spaces
and restaurants that aim to capture the city’s
unique culinary scene.
Late 2018 will see the debut of the Grand
Hyatt Bogota with 373 guest rooms situated
midway between the airport and the historic
city center. The hotel will showcase a
12,900-square-foot Grand Ballroom and other
meeting spaces, as well as two restaurants with
a rooftop venue showcasing sweeping vistas of
the city and mountains.
Hilton, which currently boasts a portfolio of
14 properties across the country, is developing
a brand-new, 25-story hotel in 2019. The
Hilton Medellin will be part of a mixed-use
development and will offer 6,500 square feet of
meeting space, including a modular ballroom.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartegena
de Indias, dubbed “The Walled City,”
enthralls visitors with its colonial architecture,
cobblestone streets, and the most complete
fortifications in South America. On the shores
of the Caribbean Sea, the first Conrad in
Colombia opened in December. The Conrad
Cartagena boasts a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-
hole golf course, seven restaurants, and more
than 24,000 square feet of flexible meeting and
event space.
Sonesta is also investing in its Colombia
portfolio with the recently opened Sonesta
Hotel Ibague. Nestled among the Andean
foothills, Ibague is rapidly developing into
one of South America’s most important
business regions. The Sonesta Hotel Ibague
offers 91 guest rooms and 2,600 square feet of
meeting space in the heart of the city’s Acqua
Commercial Complex.
Captivating Caribbean Locales
Adventure meets serenity in Aruba–where the
sun-kissed shores of the world-famous beaches
intersect with the rugged desert of the island’s
northeast coast. Beautiful Caribbean reefs
beckon snorkelers and scuba divers, while
adventure seekers trek across the desert terrain
on Jeep tours and hike through the Quadiriki
Caves and Ayo Rock Formations, uncovering
history at every turn.
Aruba is home to a wide array of
restaurants, making dine-arounds a favorite.
Island cuisine includes everything from fresh
seafood and renowned European delicacies
to indigenous Amerindian and Latin flavors.
Dubbed “One Happy Island,” Aruba is a
convenient direct flight from more than 10
U.S. cities.
HONG KONG
COLOMBIA
