Travel News for August 2015

Phuket – Variety Hotels, a Thai-based hotel management company, has announced the addition of the Sea Sun Sand Resort & Spa to their portfolio this month, making it the group’s fourth hotel in Phuket. There are a total of 10 hotels and resorts nationwide — in destinations such as Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Khao Lak — that are under Variety’s management. Variety Hotels and Resorts took over the management of the Sea Sun Sand Resort & Spa July 1.Nestled on the quieter side of Patong Beach, against a dramatic hillside overlooking a breathtaking view of Patong, Sea Sun Sand Resort offers 240 rooms comprised of five types, with amenities normally associated with four-star hotels. The resort also boasts high-tech conference facilities catering from small meetings to up to 200 delegates. And with a Spa to rival many top end hotels, the resort’s unusual and welcoming serenity is surprisingly only a pebble’s throw from the frenetic pace and color of Patong’s shopping, eating, and nightlife district.

Hong Kong – In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Shangri-La’s loyalty program, Golden Circle, the luxury hotel group introduces an “Anniversary Extravaganza” at participating Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen, and Traders hotels from now till Sept. 30. The special offer enables Golden Circle members to earn 5,000 bonus Golden Circle Award Points (GC Award Points) for qualifying stays at five or more hotels or 1,000 bonus GC Award Points for stays at three to four hotels. Members can also receive double GC Award Points for stays in addition to double tier nights that can be used toward membership upgrades.

Guests who would like to enjoy the promotion must register at www.anniversary-extravaganza-shangri-la.com to qualify for the bonus GC Award Points and extra tier nights. New members enrolling online to join Shangri-La’s Golden Circle program will receive 500 GC Award Points as a welcome bonus when they make a qualifying stay during the promotion period.

For more information about Shangri-La’s loyalty program or to register, visit Golden Circle’s dedicated website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com.

Bangkok — Thailand’s based hotel management company, Well Hotels & Resorts recently announced the opening of its first property “Well Hotel Bangkok” which is set to open in Q4/2015.

Located in prime location on Sukhumvit 20, with easy access to public transportation systems BTS (Sky train) and MRT (Subway), Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is a 235-room lifestyle wellness hotel that is not only aiming to deliver the lifestyle experience but also promoting wellness through its tailor-made spa and healthy cuisine.

The design concept is urban and stylish, influenced by the combination of the Art-Deco interior with a touch of modern art. The brand aims promote lifestyle and wellness and targets stylish, tech-savvy travelers.

Phuket – Phuket’s premier lifestyle destination, Royal Phuket Marina, announce a five-year, THB 5-billion (approx. USD150 million) investment plan under the new campaign #DestinationRPM.

The project includes two hotels, a low-rise condominium development, a first-of-its kind water facility, marina expansion, and the addition of a state-of-the-art RPM Children’s Zone, with the aim to position Royal Phuket Marina as a leading destination in Asia.

“The planned investment is part of my vision to make Royal Phuket Marina an iconic waterfront lifestyle destination,” said Gulu Lalvani, chairman of Royal Phuket Marina.

Covering approximately 200 rai and with just a third developed so far, the site is prime for additional development. The project is expected to be finished in five years.

Hua Hin — Dusit Thani Hua Hin has received the prestigious 2015 Certificate of Excellence award, which places the hotel in the top-performing businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor. The award is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers.

Bangkok – ONYX Hospitality Group supports the Hospitality & Catering Training Center (HCTC) with a student sponsorship worth THB 100,000. HCTC is located at Mae Sot in northwestern Thailand.

The sponsorship will help support underpriviledged young Thai adults of Karen heritage to undergo hospitality training, receive general education and develop relevant skills training to meet the current and future needs of the hospitality industry in Thailand, which is significantly growing.

“Education and skill development is an important element of the success of young people and it is one of the activities that ONYX Hospitality Group generally provides support, especially for underprivileged young people. We are happy to play a part in helping them,” said Peter Henley, president and CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group.

Chiang Mai — RarinJinda Wellness Spa Chiang Mai has been selected as one of the eight “Most Luxurious Spas in the World” by agoda. RarinJinda is the only spa from Thailand that has been awarded this recognition. Other seven spas are leading spas in Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

This recognition assures RarinJinda Wellness Spa’s status as the leading wellness spa choice in Thailand. “We are honored and privileged to received this global recognition. We strive to continue to deliver exceptional spa service to our patron guests,” said Narun Wiwattanakrai, executive director of Siam Wellness Group Public, owner and operator of RarinJinda Wellness Spa.

RarinJinda is an urban spa fully equipped with all of the latest spa technology and facilities at high international standards, yet deeply rooted in the Thai massage and healing traditions with facilities in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Bangkok — Spa InterContinental at InterContinental Bangkok hotel recently launched the spa’s new “East meets West” treatment package, which features two luxury brands, Thailand’s Primmalai and Kerstin Florian from America.

Representing the brands were Jannisa Kuvinichakul of Primmalai and Carine Peh of Kerstin Florian. The ladies shared their considerable knowledge about skin care and discussed the many benefits of the “East meets West” treatment, including advanced skin mapping techniques for focused therapeutic effectiveness.

A number of Bangkok’s top business figures, celebrities and media professionals attended the event.

Chiang Mai — Luxury akyra Manor Chiang Mai, a hip urban concept hotel in the northern capital’s art precinct and ‘coffee street,’ Nimmanhaeminda, has announced a special introductory rate for its opening.

From Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, the starting rate for a Deluxe Suite is only THB 4,200++ per night – a deal that allows guests to luxuriate in a capacious 60sqm environment highlighted by a chic stylishness and a large, absolutely private balcony bathtub.

The introductory rate provides a perfect opportunity for travelers to experience akyra Manor Chiang Mai’s urban chic, warm service. The hotel marks a debut partnership between Thailand’s award-winning boutique hotel operator AHMS – The Collection and the design visionaries at Singapore-based Manor Design Studio.

Hua Hin – Electric Mango Resort & Lounge, Hua Hin (EM) held a grand opening event recently. The event started with a press conference on the first day, and ended with a concert featuring Jennifer Kim, one of Thailand’s leading female artists. The crowd enjoyed a whole night of great entertainment and performances, including performances by an acoustic band and a jazz band, a traditional Thai dance show, and the performance by one of the world’s best acrobatic artists.

Lars Castenlund-svendsen, CEO and founder of EM, briefly explained about the concept of Electric Mango and what it expects the future to bring in line with keeping Hua Hin as an ultimate destination for quality modern lifestyle. Among those who attended the celebration were: Lt. Gen. ML. Punsak Kasemsant, assistant commissioner, General Royal Thai Police; Lt. Gen. Manoo Mekmok, commander in chief, Office of Police Forensic Science, General Royal Thai Police; and Monthien Thongnid, mayor of Petchburi.