Westin Shenzhen Nanshan opened in January 2010 and offers 1,100 sqm of conference space across 10 rooms. Westin’s original concept is its Clutter-free meetings, which is essentially a better use of technology to keep meetings paperless. Consequently this means the group creates less waste. The hotel is offering a standard meeting package for US$75 with a special delegate room rate of US$165 per person.
 
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen is one of the city’s newest properties and offers 491 rooms and eight F&B outlets within five minutes of the Hong Kong border crossing at Luohu. It has 13 event spaces across 2,770 sqm. However its signature venue is The Mansion, a two-storey residential-style venue with a fully equipped loft kitchen. There are six private rooms over the two floors all with natural light.
 
Guangzhou offerings
The new Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre is set in the heart of Guangzhou’s commercial and shopping district. The 463-room property features free WiFi throughout and 73 rooms on its club floors. The hotel’s main feature is its wide range of meeting space, including a 985 sqm ballroom. There is also another two ballrooms and eight breakout rooms – all with the latest audiovisual equipment. It is offering a full-day meeting package for US$90 that includes meeting materials, LCD projector and free flow of soft drinks and refreshments. There is free WiFi throughout the meeting spaces and a personal team on hand for meeting needs.
 
Westin Pazhou, Guangzhou will open at the end of March with direct access to the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 325-room property features 10 meeting spaces with 2,800 sqm available. Its largest space can seat 1,200 theatre style. The hotel has a special full-day meeting package for US$75 to celebrate its opening. This price includes two breaks with coffee and tea plus snacks or Westin SuperFoods, buffet lunch, power snacks and regular meeting amenities.
 
New openings
The new Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich will open in early March. The 493-room hotel is set in the TianHe business district near train connections with Hong Kong. As with most downtown hotels, it is 45 minutes by car from the international airport. Its French-themed meeting spaces include a ballroom that can seat 800 people theatre style as well as a further 16 events spaces ranging in capacity from 12 to 350 people, depending on the configuration. Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is offering a full-day meeting package for US$85 per person that includes two coffee breaks and lunch, free WiFi and LCD projector. Rooms are also available at a special delegate rate of US$150 including breakfast.
 
Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe is another new hotel opening soon in the city. It is also near the train links to Hong Kong. The property is set to open in June with 504 guestrooms, which includes 30 suites. The hotel is yet to release its new rates and meeting packages, however it will offer 2,000 sqm of flexible meeting space across two levels. Its largest space will be a 740 sqm ballroom.