World Hotel Travel Blog

Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services Co., Ltd. together with Kavin Kanjanapas, Managing Director of Tanayong Pcl announce the second hotel under the U Hotels & Resorts brand, U Khao Yai which is due to open in late 2010. U Chiang Mai recently opened its doors in June 2008 as the first hotel of the U brand.

U Khao Yai site is located off the Wang Nam Kiew Road and will be set on 6 rai of land with-in a total land area of close to 1000 rai. The resort will consist of 76 rooms and suites with a farmhouse styled restaurant and wine bar. Other facilities within the resort will include a U Spa, reading room and fitness centre. There will also be intimate meeting and event spaces tailored to special occasions and retreat meetings. The overall design will be influenced by the Cape farmhouses of the South African wine country.U’s unique concept of services will also apply at U Khao Yai, such as 24 hours use of room from arrival, breakfast whenever/wherever, free Wi-Fi and more. U Khao Yai promises to be the perfect place to unwind in the peace of the countryside and just a two hour drive from Bangkok.The resort will be the anchor of a low density development which will also include residential housing.

Tanayong’s emphasis is to expand its business not only on the property development but also diversify into other areas including hospitality. The company has joined with several partners, each with expertise, strength and credentials in various areas including finance, construction and hotel management. Read the rest of this entry »

Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts has been voted the Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World and the Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in Asia Pacific for the ninth consecutive year. The votes were cast by frequent business travellers who participated in the 2009 Business Traveller Asia Pacific Readers’ Poll, which was carried out by marketing research company Synovate.

The same poll sees InterContinental Hotels & Resorts voted as the Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe.

“We are delighted that our brands have such resonance with discerning frequent travellers. We are particularly excited that Holiday Inn has once again taken home the Best Mid-Market Brand award. The votes by customers provide a strong indication that our guests continue to appreciate the warm, real service that we provide in our hotels. We are also confident that our customers’ affinity with the Holiday Inn brand promise will increase further, as we implement the changes we have been introducing with the Holiday Inn relaunch. We deliver what customers tell us they value and this will help Holiday Inn keep its leadership position,” said Edwin Yap Hawson, Vice President, Brand Delivery for IHG Asia Pacific.

To date, 1,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels worldwide have been officially relaunched. IHG has more than 3,300 existing Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels, with an additional 1,000 in the pipeline. All these hotels will be aligned with the updated brands standards following the relaunch.

The unprecedented $1-billion relaunch puts in place new standards that were developed based on IHG’s extensive consumer research and gives the world’s most recognised brand enhanced quality and consistency in areas that matter most to guests, along with a more contemporary look.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is IHG’s luxury brand that connects well-travelled guests with what is special about the destination, offering local insights and facilitating authentic and enriching experiences. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the first premium hotel brand in the world to provide destination-specific concierge websites and videos and it is also the world’s first truly international brand.

There are currently 158 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts hotels in the world and there are 67 more in the pipeline.

Originally published by http://www.ihgplc.com

The Metropolitan Bangkok, Thailand has launched FREE Nights Promotion & Ultimate Savings Offer.

Free Nights in Bangkok – Book two nights in a Metropolitan Room, and receive the third night complimentary. This offer is valid until 25th December 2009, subject to availability, with a minimum stay of three consecutive nights required.

Rates are room only and subject to tax and service charge.

Ultimate Savings Offer – Book ahead and get even better value at the Metropolitan Bangkok. Enjoy a City Room from $99, a Studio Room from $119, or a Metropolitan Room from $150.

Reservations must be confirmed a minimum of seven nights prior to arrival and paid in full at the time of reservation. Cancellation less than 72 hours and no-show will incur one-night room charge.

A minimum stay of two nights applies, all rates are room only and subject to VAT, with the offer valid until 31st December 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will begin to standardize the taste and quality of its inflight Thai meals on all flights, effective 1 September, 2009.

THAI’s inflight meals will be based on the same standards for incoming and outgoing flights from 40 different cities, besides its home base of Bangkok.

As of 1 September, inflight meals on every flight departing from European and Australian destinations will feature a different dish in each month. Yellow curry (Massaman), spicy salmon, and chicken stir fry with basil will be served on board during the months of September, October, and November, respectively. During those months, spicy duck curry, panang curry, and green curry will be served on flight departing from Europe (Stockholm, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Copenhagen) as well as the Bangkok-Narita route. All meals will be served with jasmine rice. Read the rest of this entry »

Exotissimo Travel Thailand will be hosting a grand opening party at their new Nanglinchi travel agency on Friday, 18 September 2009.

Kicking off at 6pm, the evening will include drinks and snacks as well as raffle prizes to be given away. Clients, local residents and the media are invited to attend the opening and Exotissimo managers and travel consultants will be on hand to discuss new products and emerging destinations.

Travel Agency Manager, Chi Phan, said ‘We are excited about the launch of our second location and wish to invite our clients to join us in the celebration. A festive evening is planned with dozens of prizes to be given away as well as a chance to meet with our friends and new neighbors in the Nanglinchi area.’ Read the rest of this entry »

Best Western International has announced the opening of Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, a newly-built high-end hotel catering to the needs of upscale business and leisure travelers while also serving the residential and commercial community surrounding Bangkok’s international airport.

“This is our 18th Best Western Premier hotel in Asia and our first in Bangkok and it is a fine example of the Best Western’s luxury product,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western International Vice President International Operations for Asia.

“Best Western Premier delivers upgraded services and enhanced amenities with international sense and style complemented by the refined essence of each hotel’s cultural and geographical setting,” the executive continued. “The result is that the hotel goes beyond guest expectations, whether they be business or leisure travelers.”

“While we are re-launching the Premier brand with service, amenity, decor and image upgrades starting 2010, BWP Amaranth already meets all the new applicable standards and as such gives guests an opportunity to experience the future of Best Western Premier today.” Read the rest of this entry »

Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) today announced the signing of 21 management contracts for hotels and resorts in its Asia-Pacific Region.

The 21 hotels are scheduled to open through the end of 2013, represent four of the company’s lodging brands and will add nearly 7,000 rooms to Marriott’s previously-announced Asia-Pacific pipeline of 37 hotels and 9,400 rooms now under construction. They are part of the company’s global development pipeline of 110,000 rooms.

When opened, the 58 hotels now under development will add over 16,000 rooms to Marriott’s Asia-Pacific portfolio. This growth will bring the company’s presence in the region to 154 hotels offering 51,500 rooms in 18 countries by the end of 2013, ranking it among the largest international hotel operators in China, India and Thailand with 70, 31 and 26 properties respectively in each country.

In addition, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. portfolio in the region currently consists of 16 hotels and resorts offering approximately 5,000 rooms with nine properties and 1,500 rooms under development. Included are Ritz-Carlton hotels opening in Shanghai-Pudong and Hong Kong-Kowloon next year. Read the rest of this entry »

Compass Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio in Thailand, announcing the launch the new President Palace as its latest property in Thailand. The property is now open and is taking reservations. Located in the trendy Sukhumvit Soi 11 of downtown Sukhumvit Road – home to some of Bangkok’s best shopping, dining, entertainment, leisure and business offices. The property is just a short stroll away from Nana BTS Skytrain Station and Asoke-Sukhumvit Interchange MRT Station, offering fast and comfortable train rides to all major destinations in this vibrant capital city. Nearby expressways link to airports, industrial areas, world class golf courses, and onwards to outlying hill retreats and getaway seaside resorts.

President Palace features 236 spacious rooms, ranging in size from 34 to 48 square meters, specially fashioned with elegance, comfort and convenience in mind. Standard amenities include double-glazed windows, comfortable beddings, a living cum working area, 32-inch LCD TV with local and international channels, broadband and wireless Internet access, bedside control panel, personal electronic safe, minibar, and coffee and tea making facility. Ensuite bathrooms are designed with glass mosaic accents and feature hair dryer and premium bathroom amenities.

For the discerning leisure and business travelers, President Palace offers 60 well-appointed Superior and Deluxe Club rooms equipped with special amenities that include an entertainment system. Club floor guests have all the right connections and privileges to enjoy exclusive access to the facilities and services at the Club Lounge. Occupying the 16th floor of the property, the spacious lounge provides guests staying on the club floors with private check-in and check-out, daily Continental buffet breakfast, evening cocktail with canapés, Internet workstations, wireless Internet access, and usage of boardroom and meeting services. Read the rest of this entry »