Page 153 - Masala Weddings in Thailand 2019

"A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime
occasion and it is very

important for us to execute
every event seamlessly."

Simon Bell What gives Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park the

edge when it comes to hosting Indian weddings?
General Manager of Bangkok Marriott Marquis First and foremost, it is the size of our hotel and our
Queen’s Park extensive inventory and event space. As the largest hotel in
the city, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is the only
A highly experienced hospitality professional, Simon Bell option for large weddings of over 300 rooms, all under one
has spent the last 26 years with Marriott International. roof. We have three large ballrooms, meaning that we can
He started at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa in organise back-to-back functions. In addition, we have three
Australia, and worked his way through the leadership outdoor venues for rooftop receptions, pool parties and
ranks. His first General Manager (GM) role came in 2009 al fresco events. No other hotel in Bangkok can offer this

at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square, which he variety of venues and facilities. On average, each wedding
successfully opened and led to the title of the 2010 ‘Hotel has approximately eight different functions which need
of the Year.’ He then served as GM at Renaissance Seoul eight different venues.
Hotel, and Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, before being
appointed the GM of Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s The second factor is our location; we are in downtown
Park, the only Marriott Marquis in the Asia Pacific region. Sukhumvit and have direct access to a BTS Skytrain

station, while the MRT underground train is only five
minutes’ walk away. For destination weddings, our hotel
Which aspect of Indian weddings surprised you the most? has easy access to both airports (Don Mueang and
It has to be the baraat – it is serious! For our most recent Suvarnabhumi) making it easy for all guests to arrive at
procession, we had to close the entire street of Sukhumvit the hotel in a comfortable manner, and we are close to
Soi 22. So this becomes about more than just handling the many attractions, including popular retail malls. Also,
event – you have to manage your neighbours as well. The our hotel is a destination in itself. We have 10 different
baraat also inspires some unique requests. In one event, the restaurants, bars and extensive leisure facilities.
wedding procession featured a full-size Batmobile.
Last but not least is our team of experts; our team has
What has been the biggest Indian wedding you’ve hosted approximately 100 weddings per year since we
hosted so far? opened in 2016, giving us the expertise and experience to
Our biggest Indian wedding to date catered to approximately exceed every couple’s expectations. A wedding is a once-in-
700 guests. It was a spectacular event which our team a-lifetime occasion and it is very important for us to execute
managed to execute seamlessly. every event seamlessly.

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MA S ALA Weddings in Th ailand 20 19
MA S ALA Weddings in Thailand 20 19