Noteworthy Hotel Openings in 2021 | RAKxa Wellness & Medical RetreatBangkok, Thailand

RAKxa Wellness & Medical RetreatBangkok, ThailandOpening early 2021

Tucked in Bangkok’s undiscovered ‘Green Lung’ island on the Chao Phraya River, the RAKxa Integrative Wellness & Medical Retreat is set to deliver tailored wellness programs incorporating both advanced medical treatments and holistic therapies. This groundbreaking wellness retreat will feature 60 private villas, providing guests a fully transformative experience through personalized three-to-fourteen-day programs based on the retreat’s next level wellness testing technology.

Ashley Lai Appointed General Manager At Sheraton Samui Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand

Ashley Lai

Marriott has appointed Ashley Lai as General Manager of the Sheraton Samui Resort in Thailand.

Ashley, a graduate of the University of Hawaii has worked with Marriott International for over 15 years, initially at the JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur.

In December 2013, Ashley transferred to the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa as Resident Manager where she was recognized for her leadership as JW Marriott Rooms Leader of the Year.

Ashley then moved to Siem Reap in Cambodia, her most recent position prior to Samui, to take on the challenge of being General Manager of the first Courtyard by Marriott branded hotel in the country.

Returning to Thailand, Ashley has joined the popular Sheraton Samui Resort as GM.

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Marriott International Signs Agreement With Asset World Corporation To Bring Four World-Class Hotels To Thailand

Project expected to add 1,638 rooms under three global brands in Bangkok and Pattaya by 2027

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced it has signed a milestone agreement with Asset World Corp Plc. (SET: AWC) to add four new landmark properties under three world-class brands across Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand. The multi-property agreement features a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Thailand’s first JW Marriott Marquis hotel in Bangkok and two Autograph Collection hotels, set to debut the Autograph Collection brand in the country.

“We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Asset World Corporation in this landmark signing,” said Craig S. Smith, Group President, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “This agreement is a testament to the confidence owners and franchisees such as AWC have in Marriott International. We are excited to play a role in AWC’s vision of expanding its diverse portfolio of hospitality and lifestyle projects in Thailand.”

Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bangkok at Asiatique the Riverfront
Targeted to open by 2027 in Bangkok’s newly revamped Asiatique The Riverfront, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bangkok is expected to serve as a private, ultra-luxury boutique urban resort set on the scenic curve of the Chao Phraya River. With 124 meticulously designed guest rooms, the urban sanctuary will showcase the rich culture, history and heritage of Bangkok’s 19th Century maritime trade.

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Thai Hotel Offers To Drop Lawsuit Against Complaining Guest

A hotel in Thailand that filed a criminal defamation suit against a guest who posted negative reviews about it online said Friday it will drop the complaint if he makes apologies and other gestures to restore its reputation.

The lawsuit filed last month by the Sea View Koh Chang Hotel could result in up to seven years in prison for American Wesley Barnes, who teaches English in Thailand, if he is found guilty of defamation and violation of the Computer Crime Act by posting false information online. He spent two nights in jail after he was arrested before being granted bail.

The hotel was also criticized for taking such harsh action. The Sea View said it was necessary to protect its reputation and that Barnes had failed to respond to its demands that he retract his reviews on travel websites.

The hotel said in a statement emailed Friday that it "would be pleased to conclude the complaint under conditions that Mr. Barnes shows his sincerity and takes full responsibility for what had happened and remedy the situation."

Barnes did not reply to an emailed request for comment about the settlement offer, which the hotel said came after he requested mediation. The American said last month he had been trying to reach out to the hotel to resolve the issue.

Thai media reported that Barnes offered a formal apology at a mediation session on Thursday and agreed to the hotel's terms.

According to the hotel on Koh Chang, an island about 300 kilometers (185 miles) southeast of Bangkok, the dispute began when Barnes and a friend brought an alcoholic beverage to dinner at the hotel's restaurant on June 27. When they were told there was a 500 baht ($16) corkage fee, they complained, and after some negotiation with the food and beverage director were allowed to pour from their own bottle without paying extra.

Barnes' version was broadly similar, but added that afterward he saw the food and beverage director, whom he called the restaurant manager, treat a Thai employee abusively, and that was why he decided to post his critical reviews.

"Do not sleep here! Don't support modern day slavery of Thai people!" began the most strident review. It singled out the restaurant manager as being "really bad." Later postings were similar in tone.

Thai hospitality firm Dusit International announces re-entry into India

Thailand-based hospitality firm Dusit International has announced its return to India with a plan to open at least two Dusit-branded hotels per year 2021 onward in tier I and tier II cities.

The company will focus on markets such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru – as well as key leisure destinations such as Goa.

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Brand overview: Pullman to grow portfolio by 40 hotels with strong APAC focus

Growth in the coming years

According to the TOPHOTELCONSTRUCTION database, Pullman Hotels & Resorts has 15 hotels in its pipeline for 2020, which will bring the company 4,410 new rooms

9 properties are planned for 2021 and things pick up again in 2022 with 12 scheduled openings. 4 more hotels are on the books for 2023 with more likely to be added by then.

Pullman’s main regional focus

Of Pullman’s 40 new hotels, 31 will launch in the APAC region, adding 8,732 rooms to this area. Africa comes in a very distant second place with 4 projects and 1,074 rooms followed by the Middle East with 3 openings. South America and Europe will each see one hotel launch.

China leads the pack with 17 projects and 4,833 new rooms. Despite the coronavirus wreaking havoc in the local hotel industry, investors are still keen on new projects there since they expect everything to go back to normal in the near future.

Vietnam and Indonesia share second place with 3 hotels each, followed by New Zealand and Australia which will get two new hotels each.

Noteworthy Pullman hotel projects around the world

The largest project currently in Pullman’s pipeline is the Pullman Doha Bridge Towers (West Bay) with 468 rooms. The hotel will open in late 2020 and offer guests easy access to Doha’s West Bay business district.

Visitors to Thailand’s serene islands will look forward to the late 2020 opening of the Pullman Khao Lak Resort. The 251-room property set on a stretch of gently sloping beach is the ideal family getaway thanks to its large kids’ club and family-friendly facilities. Couples can avail of the private villas to have their peace and quiet or go for a dip in the adult-only infinity pool overlooking the sparkling Andaman Sea.

Set within Accra’s Airport City enclave, the Pullman Accra Airport City will become a hub for business travellers visiting the city. Slated to open in early 2021, the 214-room property is anticipated to become a major venue for conferences and events thanks to its seven meeting rooms and banqueting facilities as well as its convenient location just a few minutes from Kotoka International Airport.