Among Marriott International’s fresh crop in Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC), India has the most new and refurbished properties in 2025. Significant expansion is also noticeable in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
“We’re seeing strong momentum in the MICE segment across APEC, which continues to play an increasingly strategic role in Marriott’s business,” said Ramesh Daryanani, vice president of global sales, loyalty operations and partnerships for Marriott in APEC.
“This momentum reflects our trusted value proposition – state-of-the-art meeting facilities, diverse venues, personalised service and sustainable solutions.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok completed its phased opening in July, with nine flexible function spaces on its events floor. The Grand Ballroom, one of the largest pillarless ballrooms among luxury hotels in Bangkok, seats 1,800 pax in theatre and 2,000 in reception configurations respectively.
To the east, Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa debuted at the end of June at Jomtien Beach with 289 rooms and suites and five function rooms suited to small meetings and events, such as 80 pax seated in clusters in the Palm Hall.
Down south, Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa opened last December. A 90-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, it presents options for conferences and meetings or training through its stable of a ballroom and five meeting rooms.
On Vietnam’s south-central coast, Nha Trang is drawing foreign visitors and events with more direct flights to Cam Ranh International Airport and frequent domestic services from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The JW Marriott Cam Ranh Bay Resort & Spa opens mid-September with 203 rooms and villas, seven F&B outlets and 360m of beachfront. The grand ballroom, divisible into three rooms, and three meeting rooms will open later this year.
It joins The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh which opened last June, featuring a grand ballroom, two naturally-lit meeting rooms, a boardroom and lush lawns for cocktail receptions.
Meanwhile, the 300-room Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River opened in May, a city alternative to the string of coastal properties. It has 10 function rooms with natural light, the Summit Room on Level 45 being the highest event venue in the city centre.
Accor also has a slew of new hotels in Asia, such as Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole, which opened in August. Part of the new Eastpole Complex, it offers flexible event venues with modular layouts, advanced technology and lighting systems, positioning the hotel as a new MICE hub in Eastern Seoul.
Fairmont Tokyo opened in July, marking the brand’s entry into Japan. The hotel occupies floors 35 to 43 of Blue Front Shibaura Tower South, with 217 rooms and suites. While the fourth-floor, 1,000m2 grand ballroom is one of Tokyo’s largest, gatherings of between 50 and 230 pax may enjoy unique open-kitchen dining and panoramic views at five venues on the 43rd floor.
