Prevue March/April 2013 - (Page 98)

Left: Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando look to us for assistance on which event would work best for their group.” One of the most fascinating discoveries was the benefit of having a VIP-guided tour that gave us immediate access to rides, behind-the-scenes access to attractions and an insider’s knowledge of the creative story behind those attractions. If Universal paid such close attention to minor details, such as growing banana trees outside the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction because bananas are Minions’ favorite food, how far would they go to enhance a private event? We also played team challenges on the new Invaders from Planet Putt! Hollywood Drive-In Golf Course, dined on gourmet fare in the Greek God-themed cavernous rock restaurant Mythos—routinely acknowledged as the “Best Theme Park Restaurant in the World,” and heard about Transformers: The Ride 3-D opening this summer. The groundbreaking attraction features 25 to 35-foot Decepticons and Autobots battling one another. Mike West, executive producer/director of Universal Creative says, “We’re going to put you right in the middle of the action with incredible high definition 3-D imagery and amazing special effects. This will be the greatest battle you will ever ride. It’s sure to be the next hot venue for group events.” UNIVERSAL HOTELS Groups who book Universal Orlando Resort don’t just party in the parks. Often, the three four-diamond hotels are a destination themselves, which by the very nature of their elaborate decor spurs creativity. “The value proposition of our hotels is the amenities specific to each, and that we keep current on trends,” says Vince LaRuffa, vp of resort sales/marketing. Last year, over 80,000 sf of meeting and event space has been added to the 1,000-room Loews Royal Pacific Resort and 650-room Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando. In 2014, Universal opens Cabana Bay Beach Resort, a hotel unlike any other on Universal property. Cabana Bay addresses two trends, says LaRuffa: “More meetings are family-inclusive and there’s a need for lodging at a moderate price point.” The 1,800-room hotel will evoke memories of the 50s and 60s with bright period colors and retro flair. 94 | prevue magazine Our group was happily lodged in the 750-room Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, a re-creation of the iconic Italian seaside village of the same name. The 42,000 sf of meeting space includes several piazzas, three pools and eight restaurants that are all designed for events. I was immediately interested in the details of the just-refurbished rooms that particularly appeal to women travelers. Girls will especially love the ornate Italian ceramic tile outlining a giant bathroom mirror and divine 4-tiered salmon curio cabinet. Also, ask for the hotel’s front side overlooking fishing boats moored in the placid lagoon and stone piazza surrounded by boutique shops. The Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a fusion of South Pacific locations, where a bamboo bridge over a tropical canal resembling a rainforest leads into the spacious lobby adorned with Indonesian furniture and an orchid garden. More than 85,000 sf of meeting space was just freshened with new carpeting of vivid large red water lilies, and a South Pacific palette of tangerine, pomegranate and aqua. Harry Potterthemed conferences have used the large function lawn for quidditch matches and wizard chess. An adjacent 42,000-sf pavilion seats 1,500 pax. Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Hotel treats each meeting attendee like a rock star. Literally. Each person receives a hanging backstage pass with the meeting agenda printed on back. The hotel has 6,000 sf of event space easily reconfigured to each group’s needs. The lobby lounge doubles as a second ballroom when ringed by red velvet rope. And the Velvet Lounge is an intimate space for 80, decorated in leopard print carpet and zebra chairs. “Our partnership with Hard Rock International means groups from 200-1,100 can replicate the hotel’s Velvet Sessions concerts,” says Thyag Satgoor, director of conference management/catering. Satgoor says the hotel has exclusive amenities that resonate with music fans, such as a partnership with Fender. Attendees can borrow a Fender guitar, with instructions, to play in private. A new program called “Sound of your Stay” provides attendees at check-in with a free playlist to download, which has already garnered raves. And the Avalon Ballroom just underwent a $250,000 renovation. “Groups usually incorporate music into their programs, and this is the room to do it,” says Satgoor. The carpet is a funky musical score-inspired pattern of red, black and gray. It has metal sculptures, acoustically-padded walls and original platinum and gold albums framed around the room. Satgoor adds, “When you bring a group of 80 to 120 people here, you own this space.” universalorlando.com; orlandomeeting.com http://www.universalorlando.com http://www.orlandomeeting.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue March/April 2013

Planner's Pick: Miami
Fresh Meets: Renaissance Hotels
Bureau Buzz: Austin
Good Business: Washington, DC
Sea Shores: Cruising Sweden
Feelin' Good About Incentives
Special Section: California
On Location: JW Marriott Desert Springs
Caribbean & The Bahamas
On Location: U.S. Virgin Islands
On Location: Aruba
On Location: Omni Amelia Island
The South: Best of Golf & Spa
On Location: Fairmont Scottsdale
On Location: W Singapore
Austria
Ireland
On Location: Mexico City
On Location: Starwood Los Cabos
On Location: Universal Orlando
On Location: Villas of Grand Cypress, Orlando
Check Out: Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland
Club Med

Prevue March/April 2013