The skybridge on the fourth storey of ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay overlooks the lush garden landscape within the atrium. (Pan Pacific Hotels Group)
SINGAPORE - Meeting planners now have a new line of green hotels to consider with the launch of UOL Group and hotel subsidiary Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG)'s new ParkRoyal Collection, a move that affirms its commitment to sustainability hospitality.
The new brand is guided by core values of environmental responsibility and well-being while emphasising modern architecture and design.
"ParkRoyal Collection is created for those with a sense of purpose and responsibility at heart. It demonstrates that sustainability and the modern lifestyle can co-exist through conscious design and efforts," said Choe Peng Sum, CEO of PPHG.
Part of the new brand are PPHG's properties ParkRoyal Collection Pickering (formerly ParkRoyal on Pickering) and ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay (formerly Marina Mandarin), which will undergo a S$45 million renovation that will bring greenery and nature-inspired elements through interiors of the hotel.
The core of the hotel, its towering 21-storey indoor atrium, will be turned into landscaped gardens with trees that stretch nearly four storey high and can be admired from a skybridge on level 4.
Other nature-inspired features include delicate bird nest-shaped pavilions, a soaring 13m-high green landscape wall and an all-day halal concept Peppermint with open kitchens and greenhouse-like private dining areas.
The Atrium Ballroom opens to a private cocktail area overlooking the atrium gardens. (Pan Pacific Hotels Group)
The renovation will also open up meeting venues to bring delegates closer to greenery. The Atrium Ballroom (formerly the Vanda Ballroom) will open to a private cocktail area that overlooks the atrium gardens.
Guests can relax in 'bird nest' pods that are nestled among lush greenery. (Pan Pacific Hotels Group)
The hotel will also have eco-friendly design features to reduce electricity usage such as a giant atrium skylight with UV-treated glass to allow in natural light.
The ParkRoyal Collection's focus on well-being is also reflected, with an entire floor dedicated to wellness such as an infinity pool, St Gregory Spa, fitness centre and a two-storey waterfall and garden walk stretching 300m.
A cosmic-inspired swimming pool features some 1,380 twinkling fibre optic lights at the base. (Pan Pacific Hotels Group)
All 575 guestrooms will also be renovated and will feature bathroom amenities made from environmentally-friendly materials and water filters to discourage the use of single-use plastic water bottles.
The hotel will remain operational through the renovation works, which will be carried in phases and by floors, completing by the first quarter of 2021.
The launch of the ParkRoyal Collection brand burnishes PPHG's sustainability credentials, which it established with the launch of ParkRoyal Collection Pickering in 2013.
The hotel put PPHG on the map for sustainable hospitality when it first opened doors in 2013, and has helped garner awards such as the "World's Leading Green City Hotel" and "Asia's Leading Green City Hotel" at the World Travel Awards.
"It's not just about filling the hotel will lots of plants, but about introducing aspects like zero-energy skygardens, 200% Green Plot Ratio and eco-friendly practices," said Liam Wee Sin, group chief executive of UOL Group.
The Group is definitely not "stopping at two", as PPHG's Mr Choe "has the mandate to go out and find more hotels".
Pan Pacific Hotels Group launched its new ParkRoyal Collection Hotels & Resorts brand in Singapore on Tuesday (Jan 7). (Naomi Neoh)