Starwood Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest international upscale hotel groups has continued its aggressive expansion momentum with an addition of nearly 2,400 rooms to its portfolio in Thailand and Indochina so far this year.

These new hotels signify the greater penetration of Starwood’s brands in Thailand and Indochina, undeniably one of the top-rated regions in the world for its unforgettable beauty, luxury, culture and adventure.

The hotels under development include the first W hotel in Southeast Asia and the third W resort worldwide – W Retreat & Residences, Koh Samui. Four Points by Sheraton is also opening its first hotel in Southeast Asia – Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia and Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay, Vietnam. In addition, Starwood is opening five Le Méridien hotels in some of the region’s most compelling destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Suvarnabhumi and Pattaya.

Other new hotels include a Luxury Collection hotel in Koh Samui and Sheratons in Hua Hin and Halong Bay.

The most recent additions to Starwood’s portfolio are Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia and Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. This latest Le Méridien announcement highlights the significant development of the brand in Asia-Pacific. Right now, Le Méridien has five properties in Thailand and Indochina and five more under development.

In total, Starwood currently operates thirteen hotels in Thailand and Indochina region in Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket, Khao Lak, Saigon, Hanoi and Siem Reap under the Sheraton, Le Méridien, The Luxury Collection and Westin brands. In three years’ time, Starwood’s Thailand and Indochina portfolio will expand to 24 hotels and resorts in order to meet the growing demand for lodging.

Following the 28% increase in tourist arrivals to Thailand and Indochina last year, the region is anticipating another year of vigorous growth in its tourism industry. “It’s no surprise that tourists and business travelers are flocking to Thailand and Indochina in droves, drawn by the region’s stunning landscapes, exciting metropolises and luxurious resort enclaves,” said Wayne Buckingham, Regional Vice President for Starwood hotels in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

“We are excited to offer travelers a range of fine Starwood properties in the cosmopolitan cities of Bangkok, Saigon and Hanoi, the northern resort cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the lush province of Krabi, the resort haven of Phuket, the popular beach destinations of Pattaya and Hua Hin and the historical city of Siem Reap and World Heritage site Halong Bay.”

Le Meridien Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort located in Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province as well as its premier hillside resort destination, this newly built resort will open in early 2008.  Giving travellers a new way of seeing the world, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort will also be the first internationally branded hotel to be built in Chiang Rai City.  Just 10 minutes from Chiang Rai international airport and five minutes from the town centre, the 160-room resort will be built along the Kok River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong River and will surround a 53,000 square feet man-made lake.”  Its spectacular design will incorporate two 100-year-old majestic rain trees, creating landmarks of the hotel.”  Other facilities include approximately 8,900 square feet of meeting space, four restaurants and lounges, a swimming pool, health club and spa.

Le Méridien Bangkok located in the central business hub of Bangkok, Le Méridien Bangkok will be close to prominent business and banking headquarters, embassies, major entertainment and shopping centers. The hotel will be a thirty minute drive from Bangkok International Airport and just a five minute walk from the Sky Train. Scheduled to open in 2007, Le Méridien Bangkok will encourage guests to explore the modern culture of destination through its partnerships with leading contemporary artists and art institutions. In addition to several restaurants and bars, the property will include a ballroom, a choice of meeting rooms, a fully equipped business center, a health club and separate spa, and state-of-the-art technology.

Le Méridien Chiang Mai located in the heart of Thailand’s second city, this new build hotel will be next to the famous Night Bazaar and the main shopping district at Chang Klan Road. Scheduled to open in 2007, Le Méridien Chiang Mai will offer 391 state-of-the-art guestrooms, a choice of restaurants and bars, meeting and banqueting facilities, a swimming pool and fully equipped spa. Guests will delight in the unique sensorial elements and richly textured cosmopolitan ambiance offered by Le Méridien while exploring the exciting city of Chiang Mai. Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa

This newly built resort opening in July 2008 will be one of the first international upscale hotels to be built in the fast-growing Suvarnabhumi area, home of the new Bangkok International Airport. The 214-room golf resort and spa will be located in Samut Prakarn district, part of a 160-acre mixed-used enclave which includes the Summit Windmill Golf Club, an 18-hole Nick Faldo designed golf course and serviced apartments. A 40-minute drive from Bangkok on the newly completed highway, the resort will be ideally located for meetings and incentive groups from Bangkok and nearby Southeast Asian countries, as well as the weekend leisure market. Offering guests unique cultural opportunities and a European-influenced coffee culture, Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa will also include a 15,000 square feet spa with eight treatment rooms, health club, 900 square meters of meeting space, four restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool. Le Méridien Pattaya Resort The Le Meridien Pattaya Resort will be part of Pattaya’s first upscale beachfront resort development, just one and a half hours by car from Bangkok and less than an hour’s drive from Bangkok’s new International Airport. Guests will relish the sophisticated, cultured ambience created by Le Méridien, while enjoying the full range of resort facilities. The property will feature 250 rooms, 11,000 square feet of meeting space, three food and beverage outlets, an outdoor swimming pool and a full service spa.

W Hotels W Retreat & Residences, Koh Samui W Retreat & Residences–Koh Samui will be the brand’s third retreat in the world, following W Maldives which opened in September 2006 and W Vieques, which will open in late 2007. The W Retreat & Residences, Koh Samui will be located in the Gulf of Thailand, 435 miles south of Bangkok, on the third largest Thai island. With an opening scheduled for 2008, this whimsical retreat will feature 70 villas, each approximately 1,722 square feet, W’s signature Living Room and lounge, a restaurant, bar, pool and spa. Other amenities include W’s signature beds as well as W’s signature Whatever/Whenever service commitment, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge that provides guests with whatever they want, whenever they want it.

The Luxury Collection Vana Belle Samui Resort & Spa a Luxury Collection hotel Scheduled to open in 2010, this new addition to the Luxury Collection will offer unrivaled views of the Gulf of Siam from its stunning beachfront location.

Offering 180 rooms, including 30 stand-alone villas, the Vana Belle Samui Resort & Spa will be a welcome addition to The Luxury Collection, famed for its portfolio of more than fifty-five magical hotels in some of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. Additional facilities will include four restaurants, meeting facilities, a spa and fitness center, business center, swimming pool, gourmet restaurants and a wide range of modern amenities. Integrating the local surroundings into the design of the resort, the property will also include beautifully landscaped lush greenery.

Sheraton Sheraton Hua Hin Resort Scheduled to open in 2007, the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort is strategically located in northern Hua Hin. The only internationally branded resort within close proximity to Bangkok, it will feature 250 rooms including 80 lagoon villas, three restaurants, a variety of water sports, and a large spa and health club with nine treatment rooms. Giving guests a sense of belonging, comfort and familiarity in a stunning resort setting, the property will also offer easy access to the excitement of downtown Hua Hin. Facilities will also include more than 2,600 square feet of meeting and function space suitable for small to medium-sized meetings or group activities.

Sheraton Halong Bay Resort – Scheduled to open in 2010, Sheraton Halong Bay Resort is located in Halong Bay, in northeastern part of Vietnam, and will be the first upscale international hotel to open in Halong Bay. The resort features 300 rooms, 4 restaurants and lounge, over 1,500 square meters of meeting space, a gym, spa and outdoor pool.

Four Points by Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia scheduled to open in 2009, the Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia will deliver the simple pleasures guests enjoy while traveling, such as warm pie, fresh coffee, free bottled water, and a wide selection of beers. Featuring 150 rooms and 8,500 square feet of meeting space, the hotel will also house three restaurants, a health club, spa, swimming pool and a business center. The Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia is ideally located just a 10-minute drive from the airport, a five-minute drive to the city and a 10-minute drive to the famous Angkor temples. Siam Reap is ripe for further hotel development as half of all tourists to Cambodia visit the historical city. The Four Points by Sheraton Angkor will be the city’s first internationally branded hotel in the moderately-priced, select-service category.

Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay, Vietnam – The Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay will be the first Four Points by Sheraton hotel to open in Vietnam. Scheduled to open in early 2008, the hotel will feature 160 rooms, 4 restaurants and lounge, 2 meeting rooms, a gym, spa and indoor swimming pool. Both the Four Points by Sheraton and Sheraton Halong Bay hotels will be developed on a 12 hectare site, which is slightly undulating and gently sloping upwards, offering guests breathtaking views of Halong Bay, a World Heritage site that consists of 1969 limestone monolithic islands which rise from the ocean along a 120 kilometer coastline, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Halong Bay is also attached to the glorious pages of Vietnamese history and home to the great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forests. Halong Bay is also popularly known as the film site for the James Bond movie “Tomorrow Never Dies” and was also featured on Amazing Race 10 in 2006. Halong Bay is approximately 170 km east of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam (approximately 2.5 hours by car).

For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com and www.starwoodhotels.com/thailand

Report by The Mole

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