The Marriott Grand Ballroom Set to Host the Most Prestigious Events in the Philippines

A hotel as luxurious as Manila Marriott Hotel deserves an equally grandiose hotel ballroom that can host the most prestigious local and international events in the Philippines. The Marriott Grand Ballroom formally opens this July and sets new standards to hotel ballrooms in the Philippines in terms of space, design, luxury and technology. This architectural wonder is strategically located within the Resorts World Manila complex, an integrated resort right across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

(L-R) Ms. Anja Silling, Art Consultant and International Interior Decorator from Melange Interiors Ltd; Mr. Brendan Mahoney, Director of Food and Beverage Manila Marriott Hotel; Mr. Ralph Frehner, Vice President Food and Beverage Operations, Asia Pacific at Marriott International; Mr. Bruce Winton, General Manager Manila Marriott Hotel; and, Mr. Stephen Reilly, Chief Operating Officer Resorts World Manila

During its press launch, Marriott executives shared that the 8,000 sqm Marriott Grand Ballroom will open up the Philippines to greater prospects in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry which will create new employment opportunities to our local hospitality professionals who are globally recognized for their excellence. With a total investment of about US$140 million for the development of this project, the Marriott Grand Ballroom takes pride in its world-class, luxurious and technologically advance facilities with a distinctly Filipino touch.

Executive Chef Meik Brammer (right) and his culinary team

A fabulous event held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom won't be complete without the finest culinary creations by Manila Marriott Hote's award-winning Executive Chef Meik Brammer and his team, and during the press launch. we got to sample some of his wonderful creations through a four-course lunch served at the Diplomatic Hall.


For appetizer we had the Norwegian Salmon Tartar Lemon Mustard with Brioche and Garden Greens. It is then followed by a soup of Beef Brisket, Potato Hash, Poached Egg Yolk in Velvet Potato Cream. For the main course, we were served with a Sous Vide Australian Veal with Organic Vegetable Ragout on a bed of Green Pea Puree and Truffle Veal Jus. Lunch was brought to a glorious ending with a dessert of Coconut Semifredo Popsicle with Mango Lychee Compot, Coconut Malto and Mango Rum Lime Gel.  It was truly a grand dining experience.



After our sumptuous lunch at the Diplomatic Hall, we were given a tour of the whole Marriott Grand Ballroom and joining us was Hong-Kong based international interior decorator and art consultant, Ms. Anja Silling of Melange Interiors Ltd who was responsible for procuring modern art pieces that would add a touch of elegance in every corner of the grand ballroom.


A total of about a hundred art and statement pieces beautifully blended into the interior of the grand ballroom which took inspiration from the culture of the Philippines. Works of various international and local artists are showcased inside the grand ballroom including those of Filipina sculptor Impy Pilapil and Filipino contemporary artist Roberto Robles. Signature design elements from Kenneth Cobonpue are also integrated into the ballroom's interior.



Finally, our mini tour brought us to the Grand Ballroom. We a height of 12 meters, this ballroom literally dwarfed us. We instantly noticed the wall patterns which took inspiration from kaing, a Filipino fruit basket made of bamboo, and banig, a handwoven mat made of dried palm tree leaves.

the Skyfold Technology that subdivides the main ballroom into four sections 

State of the art technology adds to the world-class event experience that is distinctly Marriott Grand Ballroom, such as the Skyfold Technology, a vertical partition that unfolds from the ceiling and retracts quietly and effortlessly through a click of a button. During our tour, the Skyfold was retracted to the ceiling to reveal the whole expanse of the pillar-less Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,000 persons in a banquet setup or 4,000 in a cocktail setup.

Pillow Ceiling Lights in red, green and blue, with 10 to 12 meters of ceiling height

Another high-tech feature of the Grand Ballroom are the 176 Programmable Pillow Ceiling Lights that changes to 360 colors and can be lowered down to adjust the ceiling height from 12 meters to 10 meters for a more intimate event setting. These technological features make the Marriott Grand Ballroom a very versatile venue that can suit any event size and theme, from weddings, to fashion shows, from debuts to car shows, and from corporate parties to rock concerts.

Executive Suite West

In addition to the Grand Ballroom, 28 break-out rooms are also available for smaller corporate of social events of 15 to 230 persons depending on the venue setup. The Executive Suite West for example can accommodate up to 440 guests in a theater setup. The Executive 12 West on the other hand can fit up to 35 guests in a conference setup.

Executive 12 West

Located at the ground floor of the Marriott Grand Ballroom are three new dining destinations which will complement the existing F&B outlets of the adjacent Manila Marriott Hotel. Allegro is an organic-based grab & go that serves sushi rolls, cheese tarts, dessert jars, gourmet salads and chilled sandwiches. Crema is a gourmet coffee shop specializing in premium coffee creations


(clockwise from top left) Allegro, Crema, Event Studio, Mian (photo from Marriott Manila)
Mian is an Asian inspired noodle bar that offers a variety of dumplings, rice bowls and desserts. Also on the ground floor is the Event Studio where certified meeting planners and certified wedding planners can help you turn your dream events to reality.



According to Mr. Bruce Winton, General Manager of Manila Marriott Hotel, they have already received bookings for some of the biggest and most prestigious events happening in the Philippines this 2015 and even in 2016. For it's world-class features and amenities, the Marriott Grand Ballroom is currently the most sought after five-star events venue in the Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, you can call Marriott Grand Ballroom at +63 (02) 988-9999 or visit their website at manilamarriott.com.