Marriott Raises the Bar in Five-Star Conferencing on the Gold Coast Following an Extensive Refurbishment of the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa

SURFERS PARADISE, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - Jun 26, 2012) - The award-winning Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa has set a new benchmark in the five-star conference and incentive industry on the Gold Coast following the completion of a major $20 million refurbishment in late 2011.

The Gold Coast hotel's extensive makeover has seen an upgrade to all conference rooms and facilities on its dedicated events floor, guest rooms, lobby, front entrance area, exterior landscaping, a new patisserie-style eatery, Java+, and a new interactive restaurant, Citrique.

Renowned as Marriott's flagship property in Australia, the refurbishment has seen the beach resort reach new levels of luxury that rivals five-star properties the world over.

The Surfers Paradise resort's dedicated events floor is set aside exclusively for conferences and special events, and can accommodate everything from a small boardroom meeting with two delegates up to major conferences with 800 delegates or special events with up to 500 guests.

With eight flexible, state-of-the-art meeting rooms totalling 2112 square metres, a dedicated Wi-Fi area, business centre, grand ballroom, two award-winning restaurants, lobby lounge bar and over 2.5 acres of pools, waterfalls, Balinese poolside daybeds and spas, the variety of event spaces on offer is almost limitless.

The new meeting rooms are light, bright and airy with spacious balconies and patios, designed to keep delegates energised and alert for the duration of their conference or meeting. New carpets, lighting, wall coverings and restrooms means the areas are pristine and refreshed and will leave delegates feeling the same way.

The Grand Ballroom is just that; vast and extravagant, the 700 square meter pillar-less space forms the centrepiece of the conference and convention area, and with the Marriott's dedicated team of creative designers, there is no job too small or large for this signature space.

A fully enclosed Garden Terrace with terracotta tiles, new chandeliers, air-conditioning and an abundance of natural light is the perfect interval from a day in the boardroom and allows delegates to rejuvenate over morning or afternoon tea, or for organisers to hold luncheons and special events with stunning views of the Gold Coast.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa's director of sales and marketing, Ken Duddy, says every inch of the new-look conference and convention floor has been designed with corporate and special events in mind, making it among the most popular Gold Coast event venues for organisers and delegates alike.

"We've raised the bar and taken the words 'five-star' to new levels," he said. "From the new-look lobby with its sense of arrival, luxurious rugs, lavish furniture and $500,000 worth of breathtaking chandeliers; to the upgraded lagoon area with its oversized daybeds and lush landscaping; to the new Citrique restaurant and state-of-the-art events floor -- the attention to detail is astounding and the facilities are world-class at our hotel in Surfers Paradise.

"Our new marquee and deck area, complete with mesmerising fire bowls and sculptured gardens, gives organisers yet another option for event space, while our heated saltwater lagoon pool with man-made coral reef and over 400 tropical fish provides the perfect playground for delegates on free-time as well as a magical setting for cocktail parties and outdoor dinners.

"The refurb has allowed us to offer the conference and incentive market a new level of luxury on the Gold Coast and the very latest in modern technologies, equipment and facilities."

Duddy says another drawcard for conference organisers is the onsite office of Australia's largest event staging company, Staging Connections which gives PCO's solid assurances that everything will run smoothly -- a luxury scarcely afforded in their field. 

"Organisers can relax, knowing all staging, audio and visual aspects will be looked after by experts and that everything will go off without a hitch," Duddy said.

"With the support of the highly-trained Marriott event planning team, organisers can revel in the confidence that their event will be handled with the utmost professionalism by a team with a wealth of experience at the top of their game."

Food and beverages are always important elements of any occasion and can be the make or break of an event. The Surfers Paradise resort's award-winning chefs will provide organisers with infinite options and menus, all serving world-class food and an array of dishes that will both excite and impress.

"We've dedicated $20 million to making the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa the ultimate location for leisure travellers, weddings, corporate events, incentives, conferences and conventions. Combine that with our exceptional menus, facilities, sought-after location and second-to-none service synonymous with the Marriott, and you've got a combination that's hard to beat anywhere in the world."

For further information about the Gold Coast resort hotel or to make reservations, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oolsp-surfers-paradise-marriott-resort-and-spa/ or contact the resort on 61-7-5592 9800.