Stories tagged with hotel
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Chiang Mai convention centre projected restarted
Visitors will soon have another excuse to visit Chiang Mai other than trekking, sightseeing, shopping and relaxing. The much anticipated international convention centre project which was originally floated by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is to be relaunched. Plans to make better use of the Royal Flora Expo grounds have also be announced.
The convention centre, which will be located on 200 acres of land near the 700 Years Stadium, was intended to boost this Northern cities appeal to the MICE market, attracting not just tourists as has been the case until now, but off season conferences, exhibitions and corporate large-scale meetings.
Much optimism was placed in the project when Shinawatra first proposed the project for his home town, and the effect was evident when several major luxury hotel brands started opening new resorts from 2006 onwards. However, the project was immediately put on hold in the wake of the September 2006 coup as the Junta installed government reviewed all mega projects of the Shinawatra government for possible corruption. It has left Chiang Mai in a difficult situation as over supply of hotel rooms following the masses of visitors to the 2006 Ratchaphruek Flora expo, has left many hotels struggling with less than 50 per cent occupancy. Of particular note is the glut of new five star hotels that have opened in this hitherto down-market destination.
Meanwhile, the Royal Flora grounds, which are presently a public park, will now get a new lease on life with plans to use it more often for fairs and permanent exhibitions, starting with a Lanna Culture Fair in mid August. A budget was recently approved by the cabinet to promote the usefulness of this extensive landscaped ground.
Chiang Mai has increasingly relied on its burgeoning tourism industry in recent years to enjoy a renaissance of prosperity for this ancient Northern town which previously depended on agriculture.
Posted by: Andrew on 26 Jul 2008, 10:57 -
Pattaya hotel owners protest expansion
With the sizeable number of new hotels being built in Pattaya, many hotel owners are feeling the pinch as residency becomes more spread out over the various new properties. A complaint on behalf of the Eastern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association has been issued to the government claiming not enough restrictions on new growth have been placed on the hotels in Pattaya, driving prices below those of neighbouring countries Malaysia and Vietnam.
While tourist numbers remain constant if not raised, Pattaya hotel owners feel more like there is a drop in visitor numbers due to the new properties. President of the THA Chatchawan Supachayanont says, “The government should study the number of five-star and other levels of hotels in the country to see if they have rooms corresponding to the number of tourists. They should not only support new investments. They should study the control of rooms in Malaysia and Vietnam. Their governments achieved this, and it resulted in their room rates being different when compared with Thai entrepreneurs.�
Pattaya hotel list
Posted by: Andrew on 22 May 2008, 16:18 -
Another high flier for NE Phuket
Jumeirah Private Island (Ko Raet, NE Phuket)
Jumeirah will not be gracing NE Phuket's Ko Raet with a monumental sail-shaped structure housing a hotel. Ko Raet's 400 meter private white sandy beach (legally private only after some meters beyond the high water mark according to Thai law) and the promise of no money spared on luxury seem the main attractions of the newly-announced project.
Below is the introduction of their press release. Go to (http://www.jumeirah.com/portfolio/future/) for the full report.
"Scheduled for completion in late 2008, Jumeirah Private Island Phuket, will feature 65 lavishly appointed deluxe pool villas, each with a private infinity pool and Jacuzzi, and 12 three-bedroom luxury residential villas. There will also be four restaurants and bars, as well as extensive leisure, spa and fitness facilities, including a large free form swimming pool and a 400 metre private, white sandy beach. In addition, the resort will offer a marina, a private yacht club, a tennis court, several boutiques, a business centre and a library with dedicated reading room."
Posted by: ConcernedExplorer on 12 Feb 2008, 14:28 -
Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket
"This five-star resort is set in lush tropical landscaping within an urban environment. Consisting of two wings, the Beachside and the Lakeside, the 197 and 224 rooms are furnished in rustic resort charm" according to the hotel's official website.
The hotel is located in within the Jungceylon shopping mall complex in the middle of Patong. Its location is very close to the eastern end of Thanon Bangla, Patong's main nightlife street (see 'Bangla Nights' in Exploring Phuket & Phi Phi, pp 52-53)
Millennium Resort Patong Phuket 199, Rat-Uthit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand
T: +66 76 601 999 F: +66 76 601 986
(http://www.millenniumhotels.com/th/millenniumpatongphuket/index.html)
Posted by: ConcernedExplorer on 12 Feb 2008, 13:49 -
Friday / Saturday bbq at the Dusit
Special barbecue dinner buffets can now be had at the Dusit’s new Chiang Mai branch every Friday and Saturday from now until the end of March.
Barbecues will be held in the dusitD2 beer garden from 17:00 onwards every Friday and Saturday.
Barbecue dinners feature an extensive selection of bbq dishes by renowned chef Chalong Sakkapalangkul.
Dishes will be served on an open grill station and include such delights as spitfire roasted whole beef, hoy sin duck wrap, marinated ruby fish, and tiger prawns with cashew nut pesto.
Chilled chardonnay and draft beer will also be available and tickets are priced at 299 baht person. A pitcher of draft beer is 150 baht or 50 baht a glass.
The Dusit Chiang Mai is located just off Chang Klan road in downtown Chiang Mai, within easy reach of the famous Night Bazaar and numerous bars and restaurants.
Facilities in this trendy hotel include a beautiful foyer area, well-appointed rooms, a devarana spa and health club, conference rooms, a pool, the Moxie restaurant and a snazzy cocktail bar.
The Dusit is beautifully decorated and the open beer garden is the perfect venue for a bbq during the cool February and March evenings.
More on Chiang Mai Hotels
Posted by: Andrew on 08 Feb 2008, 09:41 -
New hotel to open on Thailand's border
A one billion bhat hotel project has just been launched on the part of a group of investors from China. The hotel will be located in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai.
The 300-room hotel will be built in the Chiang Khong district along the bank of the Mekong River, according to Nivat Teeprueksa, the project manager for Chie Chou International. The company is based in Yunnan but registered in Thailand in June this year.
The company believes that the North South Economic Corridor will experience an economic boom in the future, partially due to the construction of a new bridge connecting Chiang Khong in Thailand with the Huay Sai sub district in Laos.
The new bridge is currently open for trail service while final construction will be finished in two years. ''It takes only three hours for people who want to travel from Huay Sai to China's border by car,'' Mr Nivat said.
The site for the new hotel is located only three kilometers from the new bridge and will be ready to open in two years. When complete, the hotel will have eight stories and a mini golf course, a resort and a landing pad for helicopter.
Posted by: Jen on 03 Dec 2007, 16:18 -
Mandarin Oriental offers ultimate luxury weekend
The new Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi resort in Chiang Mai has been rated as one of the world’s most extraordinary hotels and is now offering couples a chance to experience this ultimate luxury in a Romantic Escape Package. Until March 31st, visitors to the North will be able to benefit from special rates at this remarkable hotel.
Set in 60 acres of lush, purpose-developed grounds, the Dhara Dhevi is a living work of art, recreating temples, palaces, villas and gardens from ancient Mandalay and Lanna royal compounds. With its own paddy fields, exotic plantations and historically inspired architecture, this hotel is a unique experience akin to wandering into a timeless theme park of long lost kingdoms.
The hotel is like no other in Thailand, combining five star hospitality with a masterpiece in recreation of ancient buildings. And in addition to hosting royalty and major celebrities in its short life, the hotel is now making it possible for a wider range of travellers to afford the experience for a couple of nights.
Their package includes, airport transfers, a candle-lit dinner for two, served on the couple’s suite terrace, gift on arrival and complimentary bottle of wine, and a romantic flower bath, with accomodation in a Deluxe Colonial Suite including American buffet breakfast. This pampering cost US$1300 per couple and affords access to a range of facilities, as well as optional extras such as their world-class spa.
“We are confident all couples we welcome to Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi – whether they are celebrating their engagement or marriage, an anniversary or purely indulging in a romance-filled getaway - will agree their stay with us was the perfect romantic sojourn in one of Thailand and Asia’s most romantic destinations� said the hotel’s General Manager Mark Bradford.
For those who prefer an evening of hospitality to experience this stunning hotel, they can enjoy a drink in the Hotel’s Horn bar, or dinner at the Akaligo Mediterranean restaurant or Farang Ses, French Silver Service venue. At the hotel entrance are two highly recommended lunch restaurants, Le Grand Lanna (Thai) and Fujian (Cantonese).
For reservations email: mocnx-reservations@mohg.com
Posted by: Andrew on 13 Nov 2007, 17:14