In Thailand, long a popular destination in the tropics, there's a new group helping push the number of visitors higher than ever. Thailand welcomed a record 39 million visitors in 2019, up from 38 million the year before, according to the country's Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Avani Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort. The opening marks the brands first entry into Thailand's resort town of Krabi, which will be followed with the opening of Avani+ Koh Lanta Resort later in the year.
Yee Pin Tan has joined Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas as head of design. In this capacity, Pin will support and lead all creative teams responsible for project design, branding, marketing, sustainability, spa and wellness and information technology.Pin's new role covers all design-related areas that support the global expansion of Six Senses. She will also ensure overall consistency in implementing the brand's vision and alignment to corporate goals, quality of messaging and design concepts.Bringing more than 26 years of experience in hospitality design, Pin has worked alongside industry greats such as Ed Tuttle in Paris, where her talents were honed designing the iconic Aman resorts worldwide. Pin has spent the last three years based in Singapore as the design director of Jaya. During this tenure, she expanded her work and experience across different luxury hotel brands. These included the opening of the Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li - an extraordinary historic property comprising old Shikumen buildings in the French Concession - and more recently, the extensively-redesigned Raffles Maldives in Meradhoo.
Mark Sands has been promoted to vice president of wellness at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. Joining the group in 2011 as Area Spa Director, Mark played a significant role in creating and launching many of the brand's wellness initiatives, while successfully leading spa operations. He's been working closely with the technical services team on many aspects of spa development and most recently supported the launch of Mission Wellness, the group-wide host well-being initiative.Prior to joining Six Senses, Mark worked at the world-renowned Ananda in the Himalayas for six years. A fan of traditional medicine, in particular Ayurveda, Mark's world expanded with the exposure to traditional Hatha yoga and the philosophy of Vedanta. He occasionally dabbles in field hockey, tennis and golf, and loves to 'reset' by returning to the foothills of the Himalayas. Here, he spends time in his wife's former village where they go back to basics by foraging for food in the jungle and tending to the family's farm animals.
Unicorn Hospitality, the forward-thinking Thai hotel management company, has announced that Villa de Pranakorn, its elegant new luxury boutique hotel in Bangkok's historic Sam Yot district, will open for bookings on 14th of February 2020. Nestled in the Thai capital's captivating old quarter, Villa de Pranakorn blends a refined urban style and luxury amenities with Thailand's rich heritage, culture and cuisine. This intimate 47-key hotel provides the perfect base to escape the hustle and bustle of this 21st Century metropolis and discover Bangkok's old-world charm, including landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Yaowarat, the city's vibrant Chinatown. Thailand's world-famous street food can be savoured at a selection of roadside stalls, chic cafés and traditional shophouse restaurants such as Jay Fai, the famous Michelin-starred noodle joint. Then after dark, this trendy neighbourhood comes to life as locals and visitors rub shoulders at hip cocktail bars. Villa de Pranakorn features a choice of accommodation for every occasion, from solo-friendly Superior Rooms to couple-focused Premium and Grand Deluxe Rooms, all the way up to the luxurious Mahachai and Pranakorn Suites. Every room is equipped with contemporary amenities and adorned with a modern yet understated design and images of old Bangkok. Comfortable beds, rain showers and complimentary Wi-Fi ensure that guests can stay well rested, refreshed and fully connected throughout their stay, and some rooms even offer standalone or circular bathtubs.
On January 10th 2020, Meliá Hotels International and Asset World Corporation (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group celebrated the grand opening of Meliá Koh Samui, a stunning nautical-themed luxury beachfront resort in Koh Samui.
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced a strategic partnership with long-standing partner Asset World Corporate (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real-estate group, to manage a portfolio of properties across Thailand. The agreement will see the development of more than 1,200 rooms across Thailand, with the first signing announced today as the 306-room InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping.
Accor has signed an agreement to manage the 571-room Star Convention Centre in Thailand.
Edward E Snoeks has been appointed as the general manager of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and The Residences at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, which is slated to open in April 2020.
A luxury hospitality veteran whose international leadership role include ope ning Resident Manager at the ultra-luxe Cheval Blanc LVMH, Randheli, Maldives, and General Manager at Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, Morocco, the first all-pool-villa resort in Morocco. Throughout his career, Karim played leading roles to successfully develop teams of caring hospitality professionals who exceed the highest expectations of luxury travelers daily.
InterContinental Hotels Group has expanded its portfolio of hotels in the Kingdom of Thailand with the grand opening of the 347-room Holiday Inn and Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha.
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket today announces the completion of its 7-month resort expansion and that this award winning resort will resume the relaxing and peaceful island environment for all guests from December 1, 2019 onwards.
General Manager Jee Hoong Tan brings 25 years of hospitality experience to Sindhorn Midtown, with particular expertise in launching and marketing new hotel properties and brands. He has worked with several established brands across Southeast Asia, including Renaissance, Sheraton, Kempinski, Le Meridien, Westin and Mandarin. His career has spanned three decades, and has focused on sales, marketing and business development. He is skilled at launching new brands, and was part of the launch team for Le Meridien Bangkok, the successful flagship of the now iconic brand.
Absolute Hotel Services' Senior Vice President - Operations Asia Mr. Frank Clovyn is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Pauline Chua as the new General Manager of Eastin Hotel Makkasan Bangkok. Pauline has been in the hospitality sector for over 25 years and started working as the Public Relations Manager at a 4-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2008, she moved into the General Manager role at The Naviti Resort in Fiji, covering strategic development, sales & marketing, P&L management as well as guest service delivery. In this role she successfully improved service quality and staff morale as well as reduced operational expenses and food costs and increased the occupancy rate from 65% in 2010 to 79% in 2012.
The hotel has renovated 204 guest rooms and suites, revamped the ballroom and refurbished the all-day dining restaurant - just in time for the resort's 29th anniversary.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the upcoming entry of its Hilton Garden Inn brand in Pattaya through a management agreement with Honour Hotel and Retail Co. Ltd. Hilton Garden Inn Pattaya City is expected to make its debut in 2022.
-Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., and Grand Tower Enterprise Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement covering the operation of one of Grand Tower Enterprise's hotels.
Siam Sindhorn Co., Limited announces the launch of Sindhorn Midtown, a new Thai-born hospitality brand in the heart of Bangkok's Langsuan neighborhood set to open in March 2020. Situated within two sleek and modern towers with urban city views and Bangkok, Sindhorn Midtown's first property offers a collection of 344 hotel rooms and suites and 49 serviced residences. Inspired by local artistry and designed for a sophisticated lifestyle, Sindhorn Midtown offers a distinctively authentic experience for today's business and leisure travelers alike.
Yothin worked his way up through the ranks, with a stint as Supervisor F&B Department at Novotel Bangkok Siam Square leading to the role of Sales Executive at Novotel Bangkok Siam Square. In 2005 Yothin became Hotel Manager of Cha Da Thai Village Krabi. Yothin quickly acclimated himself with the area and the hotel and earned the trust and respect of the hotel staff. After two years, Yothin was made General Manager of the pre-opening team at U Chiang Mai. Yothin has over 28 years' experience working in hotel management for organisations such as the Accor Group, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Amari Hotels & Resorts and Outrigger Konotta Maldives.
Singapore-based Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd, one of Asia's foremost luxury hotel groups, has announced plans for a new resort in Krabi in the second quarter of 2020.