Best Western announces a new hotel in Lao Cai, Vietnam, opening December 2009

(Bangkok) Best Western International, The World’s Largest Hotel Chain®, has confirmed the upcoming opening of Best Western Sapaly, Lao Cai – Vietnam in December 2009.

Lao Cai is a well developed city, the Northwest gate of Vietnam links with Yunnan, the West of Greater China. The city is a bridge for the economies of the two countries, especially regional industries.

The area is also a recognised tourist destination featuring stunning scenery, colorful cultural activities, and bustling markets overflowing with unique handicrafts and other products. Tour highlights include a dramatic boat cruise into remote, unspoiled areas.

Best Western Sapaly, Lao Cai forms part of the Lao Cai International Frontier Gate Trading Plaza, a multi-purpose complex with shops, restaurants and convention facilities located in the heart of the business area of Lao Cai City.

The plaza, in turn, is located just 200m from the International Frontier Gate. As such, target guests for the hotel include business people participating in the booming trade and investment. Such guests are further facilitated by the hotel’s proximity to nearby industrial parks.

Specially designed to meet the needs of the modern traveler, the 180-room hotel features a New Millennium design and a full range of the latest business and leisure facilities. Rooms are of Superior, Luxury and Suite standard while amenities include a 100-sq m swimming pool, health club, restaurants, bar, and Jacuzzi. A ballroom offers seating for up to 450 guests. Also included are a karaoke club and a disco. Businessmen are well served by meeting rooms and a fully-equipped business center.

Best Western opened its first property in Vietnam in 2008; the 101 room Best Western Pearl River Hotel in Hai Phong. The company has established an area development office with a target to open five hotels in Vietnam within three years in key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Halong View, Hoi Anh, Nha Trang, and Dalat.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest growing countries in Asia with rapidly developing infrastructure, vibrant business life and other compelling attractions to explore,” said Glenn de Souza, BWI Vice President International Operations – Asia.

“The major share of inbound tourists to Vietnam come from China, South Korea, US, and Japan,” he added.

The executive continued that: “Besides business, Lao Cai is also ripe for tourism with vibrant cultural activities and beautiful natural scenery that includes the highest mountain in the region, Phanxipang. The surrounding region of North Vietnam and nearby Yunnan, China, is one of mountains and rivers which Best Western Sapaly, hotel guests also have the opportunity to enjoy to the full.”