Work This Way

DISCOVER OUR EVENT CENTRE

TEN steps. That’s the shortest walk a delegate will have from their Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns hotel room to the Event Centre.

Allan Horne, Director of Business Development – Conventions and Incentives, says the proximity of rooms to the hotel’s conferencing facilities helps set a relaxing tone for those attending events at the waterside Cairns address.

“Being so close gives delegates back more time,’’ he explains standing at the entrance to one of the hotel’s contemporary Deluxe Sea View Rooms.

“They do not have to walk for 10 minutes outside if they need to go back to their room because they have forgotten something.

“Every room has undercover and air-conditioned access to our considerable conference facilities.”

The five-star hotel boasts 18 function spaces, that can be set to host everything from small meetings attended by just a few to significant conferences claiming a guest list of up to 255 people, with nine of these adaptable sites just in the Event Centre which can be booked for exclusive use. The hotel’s MICE space features two entrances including one that’s separate from the hotel, on the Esplanade side of the building and another that descends from the guest floors and pool area.

The quiet and versatile space boasts three function venues – Trinity Room, Marlin Room, Lagoon Room – that can be divided into smaller sections for more intimate occasions, a balcony that sits beside Trinity Bay to savour Coral Sea views, and a calm pre-function area.

“We hosted an event in October for four people in our Boardroom,’’ Horne says.

“At the other end of the scale, Amway China booked the entire hotel for six weeks when they had their conference in Cairns a few years ago.

“Reserving our dedicated Events Centre keeps everything in one area, and with so many flexible spaces just in that part of the hotel we can meet the needs of most clients.

“Our event spaces are private which is very important if you are launching new products or need to discuss sensitive subjects.’’

Work this way Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns couldn’t make it any easier with everything needed to meet – hotel room, event space, restaurant, swimming pool – all under one roof.

Horne notes bookings for events and conferences in 2022 are looking strong and he already has four international events in the diary for 2023.

While face-to-face events are coming back to Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns the five-star hotel continues delivering dynamic hybrid meetings.

“We have IT capability to deliver hybrid meetings so people who can’t travel can still join the conference,’’ the Edinburgh native says.

“If you attend online, the only thing you will miss is the amazing food that comes from our kitchens.’’

But event organisers are choosing Cairns because it offers so much more than conference facilities.

“I think one of our recent clients summed it up best when they said having a conference in Cairns feels like work, but without feeling like you are at work,’’ Horne says.

“You are in the tropics and during winter it’s 27C outside and you’re having your evening cocktail party under a palm tree. People enjoy having the freedom to relax, even when they are at work.’’ While Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns’ Event Centre is a standout in the Far North capital it’s not the property’s only unique feature.

Apart from the elegant Ballroom, with its grand soaring ceilings and sophisticated styling, each indoor eventing space is flooded with natural light and promises impressive views while outdoor facilities are immersed in the hotel’s lush tropical gardens.

“Our events and meeting spaces are certainly not windowless rooms. Vast floor-to-ceiling windows let an abundance of natural light in to keep conference attendees invigorated, wide awake, and eager to engage,’’ Horne says.

“Conference attendees also see Cairns as a tourist destination so it’s not uncommon for our guests to extend their bookings beyond the conference and invite family and friends to join them for a short break in Tropical North Queensland.

“Cairns – with the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics, Tablelands, and Coral Sea islands – offer so many post-conference activities, why wouldn’t you stay a little longer?’’

Executive Marina View Room

Our Executive Marina View Rooms feature either a king or two queen beds and occupy the eastern side of the hotel’s first and second levels looking across the fleet moored in Marlin Marina to the magnificent mountains on the far side of Trinity Inlet.

Deluxe Seaview Room

Deluxe Room

The hotel’s 98 Deluxe Rooms feature a king or twin queen beds positioned across two levels to take in city, mountain, swimming pool or garden views from each private balcony or veranda.

ROOM WRAP

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns offers 51 Deluxe Sea View Rooms to guests that want to gaze across the blue. These rooms have a king or twin queen beds, are positioned beside the Coral Sea, and take in the fiery colours of the Far North sunset.

Horizon Club Room

Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts are famous for their Horizon Club Rooms. Our 32 Horizon Club Rooms boast Marlin Marina or Trinity Bay views, a functional deck, comfortable sitting area, and indulgent bathroom.