20 New International Venues for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events

As one of the biggest wine producers in the world, it’s no surprise that SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites sought to call the South American country home when it opened in April 2022. Located in the famed wine region of Mendoza, the luxury hotel was opened by renowned female winemaker Susana Balbo, alongside her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, and is designed to make guests feel like they’re staying on a private estate. It does just that with intimate gathering spaces—including a 115-square-foot private room equipped to host virtual and hybrid meetings, a dining room for up to 28 diners, and an outdoor garden that can accommodate up to 16 around a firepit—and the option to buyout the entire property (for 30-plus guests) as if it’s your own home. When not gathering for a corporate meeting or celebration, there are seven spa rooms, La VidA restaurant, a swimming pool, and curated wine experiences hosted by the mother-daughter duo themselves. An experience curator is also on-hand to assist groups in booking bespoke culinary or exploratory experiences, including at the local bodega and in the nearby Patagonia region via SB Winemaker’s seaplane.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort opened in Eagle Beach on Feb. 1, 2023, and captures the spirit of its tropical location adjacent to the Caribbean Sea. Aside from 330 two-room suites designed with Aruba’s beaches and the Bubali Bird Sanctuary in mind, the hotel’s entire look is characterized by natural woods, blue hues evoking the ocean, and large windows to let in the sunlight—including in the 9,343 square feet of venue space. The Bubali Ballroom is another nod to the nearby bird sanctuary and wetland. It spans 4,017 square feet, can host receptions with up to 300 guests, and is divisible into three smaller, 1,327-square-foot rooms for standing events with up to 120 guests. For smaller affairs or business meetings, the 708-square-foot Hooiberg Meeting Room and the 597-square-foot Arikok Meeting Room are on offer, with the ability to host 51 and 40 guests, respectively, in a theater-style seating arrangement. Also at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort are five F&B outlets, a pool and fitness center, and an underground walkway that gives hotel guests direct access to the famed Eagle Beach.

IHG expanded its already-global portfolio in July with the opening of Holiday Inn Werribee in Victoria, Australia. The 150-key property is a business traveler’s paradise thanks to amenities like a 24-hour business center, an e-bar with free access to computers, and about 5,300 square feet of designated gathering space across three meeting rooms, a prefunction area, and a terrace. The Peregrine, Spoonbill, and Latham rooms span 2,174, 1,582, and 1,528 square feet, respectively, and can each host up to 48 professionals in a boardroom-style seating arrangement. The prefunction space, meanwhile, can accommodate as many as 135 for a cocktail reception in its 1,700 square feet. And all spaces are blank canvases for planners to play with, boasting arched doorways and clean lines with modern lighting fixtures. To take a to-do outdoors, look no further than the 1,528-square-foot Moonah Terrace for standing soirees of 120.

Say “g’day” to The Langham, Gold Coast, which became the first luxury beachfront hotel to land in the area when it opened in late June 2022. Nestled between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the property is a 169-key, five-star hotel and is home to 170 residences. Here, 11 designated event spaces and 10 breakout rooms span a total of nearly 13,000 square feet. Highlights include the 6,652-square foot Diamond Ballroom—which is notable for its ability to flex into three different spaces, its 25-foot-tall ceilings, and its capacity to host as many as 576 guests—as well as the 1,044-square foot Cullinan Room for more intimate to-dos of up to 90. Event spaces boast decor reminiscent of the Hamptons, but The Langham, Gold Coast’s on-site dining concepts are each unique in its design. Take the Tang Court, for example, a Cantonese fine-dining destination where striking art murals are sure to catch guests’ eyes. Meanwhile, the Palm Court is where invitees can lift their pinkies while sipping on afternoon tea and reveling in views of the property’s lagoon pool. And the Lobby Bar is the perfect place to wine and dine guests or clients. The space was designed with sailboats swaying through the ocean breeze in mind, and an extensive selection of wines, bubbly, and spirits are on offer.

Characteristic to Rosewood’s collection of hotels—each with its own design that draws on the property's destination—Rosewood Sao Paulo debuted in January 2022 with an impressive, 450-piece collection of artwork courtesy of local artists. The first Rosewood property to open in South America, the 160-key hotel is located in Brazil’s historic building complex, Cidade Matarazzo, and honors the tradition of the Matarazzo family with cozy lounge spaces reminiscent of a family room, as well as a grand foyer and a soon-to-open penthouse. A six-treatment-room spa is forthcoming, and other amenities include rooftop pool and lush garden spaces, plus more than 200,000 square feet of designated event space. Highlights include the 8,396-square-foot Matarazzo Ballroom for as many as 900, the 1,500-square-foot Filomena Cucina for up to 120 (boasting an open-kitchen concept and its own outdoor deck), and the 3,770-square foot Pavilion, which can be combined with the 800-square-foot Foyer upon request.

In August 2022, Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove opened in China, and embodies the spirit of the region in everything from its temple-like facade to its calming gardens. The opening marks the first Kimpton hotel in mainland China, bringing with it 11,560 square feet of gathering space. The 6,307-square-foot, pillarless Star Light Ballroom—which can host as many as 550—is undoubtedly a highlight, along with the 4,144-square-foot outdoor Water Stage for up to 220. Meanwhile, the Azure room is the perfect, 861-square-foot landing spot for events with up to 60 guests, while the 753-square-foot Moon Stone (pictured) room is a serene setting for up to 50. The pet-friendly hotel was inspired by the architectural style of the nearby Prince Zhoug Mansion, and puts wellness at the forefront of its guest experience—there’s a yoga mat in each of the 178 rooms, wellness activities abound, and rental bikes are on offer.

Hilton rang in the new year by opening an outpost on the Colombian coastline—Hilton Santa Marta—on Jan. 5. Inspired by its location overlooking the Caribbean Sea and adjacent to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the 261-key hotel boasts a design characterized by stones, woods, metals, and crystals. And in a further nod to nature, furniture throughout the property boasts green hues, and pops of live greenery are plentiful. For events, look no further than the 3,293-square-foot Main Ballroom for up to 450 guests, or the 2,357-square-foot Sky Bar Meeting Room for groups of 300. Also a part of the property’s 11,431 total square feet of venue space are four meeting rooms, ranging from 828-1,280 square feet for receptions of 110-170 guests. For food-focused affairs, consider one of Hilton Santa Marta’s four on-site dining concepts, which range from a Colombian soul food eatery named Nuggu, meaning “salt,” to a bright seafood spot called Waku, meaning “fish” in Arhuaco.

Set to open in summer 2023 is IHG’s latest boutique resort, Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort & Spa. Upon opening, it will boast 119 guest rooms, 43 one- and two-bedroom suites, and one presidential suite—all designed by Caribbean design firm Theresa Fatino Design with the local heritage in mind. Aside from winding, treetop-level walkways that will connect the five buildings set to make up the Kimpton campus, guests can expect 6,000 square feet of venue space at their fingertips, including a 2,100-square-foot ballroom (pictured) and adjacent boardroom that will have direct access to private outdoor spaces. Common areas, including the lobby, are set to boast oversized windows and open-air spaces with jungle and oceanfront views, plus decor characterized by neutral tones and no shortage of lush greenery—making for a seamless transition from the outdoor foliage to the indoor space, where indigenous artwork will adorn the walls.

The Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park opened in the heart of Bengaluru’s premier business district in May 2022. Meeting spaces abound here—with 47,307 square feet of venue space across 22 on-site meeting rooms at the Hilton hotel, 39,546 square feet of gathering space across 13 on-site meeting rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn, and an additional 60,000 square feet of convention space at the adjacent Hilton Convention Center. The development boasts a total of 619 guest rooms, plus five dining outlets and a retail zone. The convention center can accommodate up to 2,000 attendees, plus boasts its own poolside terrace venue (pictured) that can host large celebrations of up to 400. The largest on-site venues at the hotels are their Grand Ballrooms, which each span 12,378 square feet of pillarless space for as many as 1,200 guests theater style, 900 for a reception, or 500 for a banquet.

Situated on the white-sand shoreline of a bay in Quintana Roo, Mexico is the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, which opened in May 2022. The five-star hotel is home to 13 restaurants and bars, not to mention 735 rooms and suites—each with its own private balcony—as well as 56,281 square feet of indoor event space, plus 9,489 square feet of outdoor gathering space. Event spaces are shared between the Hilton property and the neighboring Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, and were designed with Mexico’s breathtaking beachfront views in mind (hello, large windows!). The largest space on offer is the massive Tulkal room, which spans a total of 31,458 square feet for receptions with an extensive guest list of as many as 2,860. It’s divisible into four smaller spaces, or planners can look to the Hilton outpost’s 2,983-square-foot Ballroom for a cocktail hour with 235 guests, or a seated dining affair of 150. Corporate groups, rejoice—there’s also the Boardroom and Meeting Room on offer. They span 744 and 741 square feet, respectively, and are each designed to accommodate a conference of 14.

The Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort added La Mezcaleria to its long list of desirable amenities in October 2022. The signature mezcal bar is located atop Maxal, the all-inclusive property’s Mexican restaurant. At the 3,616-square-foot open-air lounge, guests can expect to sample as many as 13 different mezcals from the region while overlooking the ocean and palm tree-lined pool area. La Mezcaleria can host up to 60 mezcal connoisseurs, with partial and full buyouts available (inquire within for pricing). Elsewhere at the resort, expect to find Auma, a swanky steakhouse; Noriku, featuring signature sushi rolls; authentic Italian eatery La Luce; and other dining destinations that nod to global cuisines.

When Courtyard Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort opened along Mexico’s Pacific shoreline in November 2022, it added 195 guest rooms to Marriott’s portfolio. Aside from catering to leisure travelers with oceanfront views from their balcony in the heart of Zona Dorada to cabanas accompanied with cocktail menus, the Courtyard Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort is equipped to host business groups in its 1,410 square feet of meeting space. There are four rooms for gathering here—Ballroom 1, 2, and 3, which each span about 156 square feet for banquets welcoming up to 120 guests, and the 355-square-foot Executive Room for seated affairs of up to 80. Event pricing can start anywhere from $60-$150 per person, depending on a planner’s needs, and an 85-inch smart TV is available upon request for presentations and virtual and hybrid capabilities alike.

The November 2022 debut of Waldorf Astoria Cancun marks the second Waldorf Astoria outpost to open in Mexico. With 173 guest rooms, 100 acres of beachfront, a 21-room spa, and 18,000 square feet of venue space—all located just 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport—the hotel is primed for destination events. For large-scale celebrations with up to 380 guests, the 3,796-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Ballroom is sure to play the perfect host. Other spaces with square footage on their side include the 4,987-square-foot Waldorf Astoria & Breakouts Foyer, as well as the 2,174-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Terrace that's situated outdoors and overlooks the ocean. Five meeting rooms are also on offer, ranging from 576-3,938 square feet to accommodate boardroom setups with 14-20 professionals. To truly immerse attendees in the tropical location, consider taking advantage of Waldorf Astoria Cancun’s outdoor wedding pavilion, which can accommodate receptions of up to 180, or alfresco amphitheater for live performances with an audience of up to 311.

Touchdown in the largest of the Balearic Islands for a meeting to remember at Kimpton Aysla Mallorca, which opened in the Spanish islands in October 2022. The 79-key hotel is part of IHG’s portfolio, and defines itself as “a modern sanctuary of calm.” There’s 8,340 square feet of meeting and event space on-site, including the 2,690-square-foot LLUM Ballroom for up to 200, the 2,315-square-foot GUAITA Rooftop Terrace for up to 180, and an event hall with four conference rooms on offer—each spanning 355 square feet for 16 at a round table or for a seated dinner. Kimpton Aysla Mallorca is also equipped to meet other event needs, such as catering, registration, and printing. And event planners should know that wireless internet access is also available throughout the entire property. Event pricing starts at 140€ (~$150) per person—which includes the room rental, a coffee break, lunch, and basic AV equipment—but is subject to change depending on the type of event.

Nestled in one of Oslo’s oldest neighborhoods is Sommerro, which opened in September 2022 in the circa-1931 Oslo Light Works property. The 231-key hotel fits right into the area, which is notable for its 19th-century architecture and Nordic charm. Eight on-site venue rooms located on Sommerro’s third floor span a total of 15,220 square feet and all nod to the building’s rich history with frescoes on the ceiling and preserved elements of the original director’s office. However, amenities are anything but out of date, and planners can take advantage of a stage with its own sound and lighting system, projectors for corporate meetings, screens for displaying branding, plus other AV capabilities. Highlights include the Lysverker Scene, a 100-seat gilded theater that can also host cocktail receptions of up to 200; the 2,637-square-foot Krohgsalen room—part of The Heritage Rooms collection—for 150 seated; and the Søstre (pictured), a versatile space for up to 100 standing guests. For groups looking to build stronger bonds, each of Sommerro’s seven on-site restaurants offer unique culinary experiences designed to do just that.

Set to open on April 17, 2023 is Sommerro’s highly anticipated Villa Inkognito, which is located adjacent to the hotel in a former residence that dates back to 1870. The 11-suite private villa is available for events and off-site retreats via buyouts, offering groups their own private entrance, an intimate dining space, an open kitchen, a bar, several opulent living rooms, and a personal host throughout the duration of their stay. Situated atop Villa Inkognito is the 322-square-foot Tower Room, which overlooks Solli Plass, a popular square in Norway. An on-site, 947-square-foot suite outfitted with a dining table for six and its own balcony, plus access to a rooftop pool and sauna, is the perfect hideaway for a food-focused affair. All spaces inside the up-and-coming venue will also have access to a 15,000-square-foot wellness floor with a private gym, which can be used for R&R or a heart-pumping team-building activity. Full Villa Inkognito rentals will run planners $10,200 per night.

Hilton further expanded its global portfolio with the February 2022 opening of Hilton Singapore Orchard, a massive destination with more than 1,000 guest rooms. And with its central location on Orchard Road, the property gives business and leisure travelers alike direct access to the city’s premium shopping and entertainment district, not to mention subways with connections to Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands. But groups don’t have to be so quick to leave—there’s 25,833 square feet of venue space on-site. The largest space is the 13,121-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which can host receptions of up to 900 or can be divided into smaller spaces—ranging from 2,228-5,446 square feet—for banquets welcoming 140-330 guests. The fifth and eighth levels of the hotel, meanwhile, are bursting with meeting rooms, from the 1,894-square-foot, divisible Mahogany room to the 516-square-foot, intimate Ficus room. Planners should also note that all eighth-floor meeting rooms (there are five of them) are equipped to host corporate conferences of 40 in rooms that span 602-645 square feet. Pricing for full-day meetings starts at $150 SGD (~$112 USD) per person, while half days will run planners $125 SGD (~$93 USD) per person.

Expected to set sail on the River Thames by the end of Q2 2023, Oceandiva London is debatably London’s most unique, memorable event venue. Upon its debut, the three-level vessel will be the U.K.’s first CO2-neutral event venue on the famed river. It will boast 28,255 square feet across its three decks—which will be 282 feet long and 55 feet wide—to accommodate up to 500 seated or 1,000 standing revelers. The outdoor Main Deck is a highlight as it can seat up to 120 for a dining affair, and offers the most unobstructed, unparalleled views of London landmarks located along the Thames (think: the Tower Bridge, the London Bridge, the Tower of London, and more). Indoor space, meanwhile, is home to a viewing platform with its own bar, as well as the Lower Deck, which has a capacity of 380 in a space notable for its dance floor and stage. There’s also AV capabilities and a creative team of chefs to heighten the guest experience aboard Oceandiva London, which is powered by green energy—Samsung Lithium battery packs and mounted solar panels to be exact. Event pricing starts at £29,000 (~$35,508) for a 12-hour hire, and £3,000 (~3,673) for sailing; inquire within for more details.

Following a four-year period of lying dormant, the 3,725-square-foot, bilevel space that was previously Il Bottaccio reopened as The Belgravia in January 2023. The high-end event space is housed in a building that was originally constructed in 1867 in a French Renaissance style. It’s grandiose by nature, overlooking the gardens of London’s Buckingham Palace, welcoming guests through a grand entrance, and boasting crystal chandeliers in its event rooms. On the 971-square-foot ground floor, find The Library, Office, and Cloakroom, which can be bought out for receptions of 140, dinners of 40, or conferences of 60. Meanwhile, the first floor spans 2,754 square feet, where the Grand Gallery space can accommodate receptions of 400, dinners of 200, or conferences of 170. Amenities include a bridal prep room and terrace.

A blank-space venue for planners to let their imaginations run wild, THE BLOCK added 16,500 square feet of venue space to London’s portfolio when it opened in January 2023. The industrial-style, urban venue covers 16,500 square feet of space conveniently located between King’s Cross and Old Street—just steps from the Angel Underground Station. The 8,220-square-foot Ground Floor is the perfect canvas for a bespoke event, such as receptions for up to 500 or conferences for up to 400, with planners welcome to outsource vendors and suppliers of their choice. And the 4,901-square-foot Lower Ground Floor is notable for its high ceilings (nearly 13 feet up) despite its subterranean location. Here, there’s enough space to accommodate receptions, conferences, and seated dining affairs with up to 400 guests.