All Abroad

By Marc Bosclair and Monica Compton, CMP

Puerto Rico
International travel doesn’t have to be difficult, and one of the easiest places to visit is the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which doesn’t require passports for entry for U.S. citizens. Attendees don’t have to navigate through customs, either, and the use of U.S. currency eliminates foreign exchange fees from the budget. The communication barrier is lifted with English and Spanish existing side-by-side as the official languages, and there are hundreds of non-stop flights to Puerto Rico’s three airports by major U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and US Airways.

The Caribbean island also has plenty of space for meetings: more than 1.2 million square feet of meeting space and the largest meeting facilities in the Caribbean.

The new, 580,000-sq.-ft. Puerto Rico Convention Center, set in the heart of San Juan, opens the door for large corporate event business. The center’s impressive stats—28 meeting rooms, more than 152,000 square feet of exhibit space and a  high-tech 39,500-sq.-ft. ballroom—nicely complement the capital city’s existing fleet of meeting properties and its abundance of attendee activities, from sightseeing in historic Old San Juan to the island’s bountiful shopping, fine dining, lively nightlife and gorgeous beaches.

With 14,000 total guest rooms, Puerto Rico is able to accommodate a wide range of group sizes. If you’re seeking a luxury option, look no further than atop a 300-foot cliff where the El Conquistador Resort is perched. Divided into five villages, the property offers everything from 24-hour butler service to a view of the new waterpark and private marina. Now a member of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, the resort has 984 guest rooms and suites, and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space.

Located between the El Yunque rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean, the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort, sprawls out on 500 acres, accommodating two championship golf courses and a 7,000-sq.-ft. casino. The 672 guest rooms and suites are set in a Spanish hacienda style, and the 48,000 square feet of flexible meeting space can host large groups.

Puerto Rico’s natural beauty also provides a great incentive for teambuilding, creative group outings and extended attendee stays. El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s lush, remote rainforest, is a must-see group excursion, teeming with exotic plants and wildlife, and good for novice hikers. The island of Vieques, just off Puerto Rico’s eastern shore, offers planners a unique, accessible breakaway for pampering board members and VIPs.

Costa Rica
Located in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica extends barely 200 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, so a drive across the country takes a mere three hours. With 762 miles of coastline, Costa Rica features stunning beaches and a variety of aquatic ecosystems, making sport fishing and snorkeling among the top activities.

A passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter the country and a $26 departure fee is charged. English is widely spoken, though Spanish is the official language. Just a two-hour flight from Miami and five hours from Toronto, Costa Rica is also easily accessible to North American cities. Its two international airports host 22 international carriers representing 350 flights weekly.

The country has more than 1,800 hotels in a variety of styles, from boutique to grand resort. The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa is one of Costa Rica’s newest luxury resorts boasting the largest pool in Central America. The property is adjacent to a golf course and has oceanfront access. Its 310 guest rooms are styled in traditional Costa Rican decor. The property’s 7,223 square feet of meeting space can accommodate groups of up to 600. Another property, The Westin Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal, has 406 guest rooms and 2,131 square feet of meeting space. The resort’s close proximity to multiple national parks provides a plethora of activity options.

If you’re looking for an option more accessible to the city, the Real InterContinental Hotel and Club Tower Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose’s trendy Escazú area and adjacent to the luxurious multi-plaza shopping mall. The hotel’s 16,000-sq.-ft. spa is the largest in Central America. Its 372 guest rooms include 98 in a separate tower with a private lounge, perfect for housing VIP delegates. With 23,142 square feet of total meeting space, the InterContinental can accommodate groups of up to 800.

Vienna, Austria
For the sixth year in a row, the International Congress and Convention Association has ranked Vienna the top destination for international meetings, hosting 2,934 congresses and events in 2010. Also Europe’s leading destination for political, scientific and business conferences, the city offers state-of-the art conferencing technology. Vienna’s 26,336 hotel rooms range from luxury accommodations in a former palace to Austrian and U.S. hotel chains suitable for any budget.

Meeting venue options in Vienna are plentiful with three convention centers, 88 conference hotels and 39 historical venues. World-renown for its first-rate musical and cultural attractions, Vienna is a haven for concert halls, museums and theaters that can act as your meeting’s venue or serve as entertainment for an evening function. While German is the official language, English is widely spoken. A passport is all that is required for U.S. citizens to enter the country.

Originally the 1893 residence of a Viennese prince, Hotel Imperial combines the regality of the 19th century with modern, state-of-the art facilities. Perfect for intimate groups, the hotel has 138 guest rooms and 1,453 square feet of meeting space. For slightly larger groups, Le Méridien Vienna offers 294 guest rooms and suites and 3,660 square feet of meeting space. Listed on Condé Naste Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards for the top 50 Northern European hotels, Le Méridien has guest rooms that are spacious and contemporary.

London, England
Host of the 2012 Olympic Games next summer, London is a city with a vast infrastructure to accommodate everything from a large-scale meeting to an intimate gathering. The city boasts more than 100,000 total hotel rooms, more than 1,000 event venues and 214,403 square feet of meeting space in the ExCeL London exhibition and conference center alone.

Easily accessible to all points of continental Europe and a seven-hour flight from the U.S. East Coast, London is a good choice for attendees coming from both the U.S. and European cities. London’s five international airports welcome visitors from 300 worldwide destinations. Planning a meeting in London does not have to be a budget buster. Take advantage of the city’s 250 free attractions including 17 national museums and galleries, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and London’s famous street markets.

Re-opened in 2010 after a $146 million renovation, The Savoy hotel has been a British icon since 1889. Located on The Strand in London’s West End theatre district, The Savoy offers spectacular views of the River Thames and is considered the place to stay in London. The hotel’s 268 guest rooms and suites are decorated in art deco and Edwardian flair. The hotel has six private meeting rooms ideal for breakouts and three banquet rooms accommodating up to 800 people.

Opened last year, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is London’s largest hotel with 1,021 guest rooms and suites. The hotel has 29,063 square feet of flexible meeting space including 30 meeting rooms and the Westminster Ballroom, accommodating 1,400 people theater-style. Located near London’s vibrant South Bank and directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the hotel is ideally located for a business event.

Singapore
Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore has a land area of just larger than 274 square miles, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Its sound business infrastructure and favorable economic climate provide for a thriving tourism industry, attracting groups from around the world. Once a humble fishing village, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state with a multicultural appeal. From art and music to a thriving nightlife, the destination offers an eclectic mix of entertainment and attractions to suit every group. English is the main language of instruction, making communication with hoteliers and other suppliers easy and efficient. The Singapore government is eager to attract international groups, offering grants depending on the size of the meeting and educational content.

Located in the center of the city’s commercial and entertainment district, the Grand Hyatt Singapore is a five-star oasis at the start of the Orchard Road shopping district. The hotel offers 663 guest rooms and suites and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. For larger meetings, the Fairmont Singapore has 769 guest rooms and suites and 70,000 square feet of meeting space. Guests of the Fairmont have access to the Willow Stream Spa, one of the largest spa facilities in Asia. The hotel’s 16 restaurants and bars provide a myriad of dining options. Centrally located amid three shopping malls and close to the financial district, the Pan Pacific Singapore has 778 guest rooms and suites, and more than 20 meeting and banquet facilities.

Hong Kong
Situated on the southeastern coast of China, Hong Kong is a leading trading port, financial and services center in Asia. Its blend of Eastern and Western influences, diverse attractions and a stunning countryside contribute to its thriving tourism industry. Hong Kong is a major transportation hub served by more than 80 airlines as well as cruise lines, ferries and trains from mainland China and other destinations. The city’s six distinct districts are alive with a variety of art and cultural heritage. From the hip SOHO district to the hustle and bustle of the Wanchai business district, Hong Kong provides a variety of eclectically infused environments.

Connected to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has magnificent views of Victoria Harbour and the Wanchai district. The hotel has 549 guest rooms and suites and 25 meeting rooms, the largest accommodating up to 950 people theater-style. If you’re looking for a luxury option, the Island Shangri-la Hong Kong has the largest hotel rooms in the city and impressive decor from 771 chandeliers to a 16-story silk painting. The hotel has a total of 565 guest rooms and suites, and eight meeting rooms, the largest accommodating 1,000 reception-style.