Spaces That Steal The Show
Shapely chandeliers, creative carpets set the scene in ballroom design.
By Adam Kirby, Associate Editor -- Hotels, 9/30/2009 11:00:00 PM
Designers are getting creative with lighting elements and seeking out bold, thoughtful carpet styles to define the settings of today’s premier hotel event spaces. Gilded crystal chandeliers have given way to a wide range of colors and styles, from elegant pewter candelabras to majestic color-changing ceilings. But the best of the ballrooms, of course, balance memorable character aspects with a chameleon-like ability to turn into whatever space the meeting planner envisions.
Here, then, is a sampling of some of many faces of the modern hotel ballroom.
The Dolder Grand, Zürich
The oval-shaped ballroom of The Dolder Grand, which completed a property-wide US$400 million renovation last year, can hold parties of between 270 and 440 people. The space is dominated by a stunning gold cupola, which can be illuminated in an array of colors. Parquet floors and Alcantara-covered walls assure first-class acoustics. The ballroom opens wide into a foyer and an outdoor terrace for expanded capacities and possibilities.
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
The 202-key Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, opened in March. Designed by Hirsh Bedner Associates, Shangri-La’s Asian-influenced style is exemplified by elegant stacked-sconce chandeliers consisting of 81,600 crystal beads, 8,400 cut drops and 12,000 drops, handmade by Lasvit. Teamed with bespoke flower-patterned bold carpeting in shades of mustard gold and brown, they create a distinct Japanese aesthetic. Flower arrangements created by celebrated artist Nicolai Bergmann give events a lively accent.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Harrah’s Entertainment added 110,000 sq. ft. (10,219 sq. m) of meeting space at Caesars Palace in July, constructed on two levels and including two 52,000-sq. ft. (4,831 sq. m) ballrooms—this one is the Forum Ballroom, and the Octavius Ballroom is nearly identical. Large meetings benefit from more than 50 breakout configurations. The contemporary yet elegant design complements the resort’s existing conference center, intentionally flexible in its décor opportunities. The resort’s ancient Roman theme is subtly referenced in the Doric-style door frames.
Swissôtel Chicago
Swissôtel Chicago’s new meeting and convention center, part of a US$47 million expansion, is headlined by the 14,000-sq. ft. (1,300-sq. m) Zurich Ballroom that can seat up to 1,365. The pillarless space features bespoke Axminster carpeting in classic hues of navy and honey. Hand-painted acrylic fixtures lit with LEDs and fiber-optic cabling offer extensive flexibility in ambient control. Wood paneling made of figured Anigre gives the space depth and warmth, while wood ceiling panels were designed to maximize acoustics value.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu
A recent US$50 million renovation for The Kahala included a complete floor-to-ceiling décor redo. Carved wood panels and Damask wallpaper team for traditional, formal Hawaiian elegance, while custom-designed chandeliers and island-inspired shell mosaic artwork provide captivating focal points. A palette of muted tones keeps the attention on the real star of the space—the glorious view overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its white-sand beach.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Seattle
For the Grand Ballroom of the 733-key Hyatt Regency Bellevue, renovated this year as part of a US$185 million expansion, Susan Marinello Interiors drew inspiration for the walls and carpet from Japanese textile designs. The 48 Charles Loomis-designed chandeliers are intended to absorb some of the ceiling space while creating a sense of grandeur and celebration through the use of effervescent glass bubbles. As the third largest ballroom in the state of Washington, the 17,745-sq. ft. (5,408-sq. m) space can be broken into nine smaller spaces.
Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Resort, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The resort offers nearly 60,000 sq. ft. (5,574 sq. m) of event space, including the 21,000-sq. ft. (1,951-sq. m) Rio Mar Ballroom, which is divisible into 10 sections with unlimited hang points and 22-ft. (7-m) ceilings. With a capacity of 1,760 for banquet events, the space reflects Rio Mar’s old-world Caribbean-style décor, with rustic, wrought iron fixtures and a colorful Puerto Rico-inspired palette. The ballroom opens out onto Ocean Terrace, a beachfront setting ideal for evening receptions. The ballroom was designed with meeting planners in mind, offering easy load-in of exhibits via two large bays.
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