Bali’s AYANA Resort and Spa has been appointed a host hotel for the APEC Summit scheduled in Bali this October, following the launch of an expanded Ballroom and new meeting rooms at the high-security resort.

AYANA has been chosen as the official venue for meetings of the ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) delegation, comprising top business leaders from all APEC member countries. Meanwhile, Bali’s regional government welcomed the launch of the resort’s expanded Ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting facilities, calling it ‘Bali’s newest MICE destination.’

The upgrade to AYANA’s meeting and conference facilities comes ahead of the opening in September of sister hotel, RIMBA Jimbaran Bali, a 297-room hotel located on 8 hectares of gardens within AYANA’s 77-hectare grounds. Linked to AYANA by scenic trails and shuttle bus service, RIMBA’s strategic location will enable it to support accommodation needs and additional function and meeting space for APEC sessions and other events held at AYANA.

“The government welcomes the launch of Bali’s newest MICE destination at AYANA Resort and Spa, and the upcoming opening of RIMBA Jimbaran Bali,” said Rizki Handayani, director of MICE and Special Interest Promotion at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

“AYANA is a multi-award-winning resort and these new 5-star facilities, along with the new airport and road infrastructure, support the continued growth of Bali as a destination for international conferences and meetings. Bali is no longer just a leisure destination, it now has the capacity and facilities to be a serious contender for major MICE events. This is an important element in the island’s economic growth and we are proud to offer world-class venues such as AYANA Resort and Spa.”

AYANA’s enhanced facilities, which were launched at a gala event at AYANA Ballroom on 21 June, enable it to cater for high-profile multinational meetings, conferences and other private events.

The clever design of the resort – with a variety of private venues spread over 77-hectares of gardens along a 1.3 kilometer coastline overlooking Jimbaran Bay – enables it to host grand conferences in seclusion from other guests, ensuring AYANA maintains its reputation as one of the world’s most romantic resorts and a breathtaking venue for destination weddings in Bali.

Located off the main lobby and secluded from restaurants and pools, the AYANA Ballroom has been extended by 45 percent to 846 square meters, with capacity for reception-style events increasing by 80 percent to 900 people from 500 previously.

The private courtyard garden is flanked by six new break-out rooms, including a purpose-built classroom-style auditorium with tiered seating for 150 people, the latest touchscreen conferencing equipment, computerized conference microphone system, mezzanine translation room, and high-definition video and sound systems. There are three additional meeting rooms each catering for up to 140 people; a 22-seat VIP boardroom with private catering facilities; and a prayer room. RIMBA will also offer a Ballroom with capacity for up to 300 people and three versatile conference rooms for smaller meetings and break-out sessions.

These new facilities coincide with a major infrastructure upgrade by the Bali Government to prepare for the APEC Summit scheduled for October.