Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement for a 222-room Holiday Inn Express on the popular Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, Thailand. The hotel will mark the entry of Holiday Inn Express, one of the largest and fastest growing hotel brands in the world, into Krabi when it opens in 2017. Also slated for a 2017 opening is a new 240-room Holiday Inn Express Bang-kok Chinatown, which will cater to value-conscious travellers who want to explore Bangkok’s colourful heritage.
KRABI DEBUTHoliday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach will be a scenic 30-minute drive from Krabi International Airport, or a two-hour drive for those arriving from Phuket International Airport. Developed on a sprawling site along the coastline, guests staying at the hotel will enjoy the close proximity to the beach which is a short three-minute walk away. The new hotel will also be situated near the existing Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach.
The hotel will be surrounded by a range of local restaurants and bars, including some of the area’s most renowned seafood estab-lishments offering guests a wide variety of dining options. Guests who wish to explore the span of Krabi’s sandy white beaches can venture to Noppharat Thara beach a few minutes north of Ao Nang: famous for its peaceful waters, magnificent sunset views and quaint local eateries.
Leanne Harwood, vice president, operations, South East Asia, IHG, says: “As Krabi International Airport becomes more accessible to key global cities and international direct flights to Krabi increase, we anticipate a surge in visitor arrivals over the next few years. ”
U&M Hospitality Company Limited, owned by the Kitprasan family in Krabi, had previously partnered with IHG for the development of Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach which opened in 2012. BANGKOK INCREASE
IHG also signed a management agreement with Grand Uniland Company Limited to open a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Slated to open in 2017, the hotel will be part of a mixed development with retail shops, restaurants and bars catering to travellers looking for a refreshing and fuss-free stay in the colourful district of Bangkok’s Chinatown, known locally as Yaowarat. Guests will appreciate the central location of the hotel along Chareon Krung Road – the district’s business hub – and the close proximity of the hotel to the upcoming Chinatown train station, which is expected to begin operations in the same year.
One of the main draws of the hotel will be its connectivity to main shopping districts such as Siam Square and Silom and key tour-ist spots such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun along the Chao Praya River.
The bustling night food market at Yaowarat will also offer guests a variety of dining options during their stay.
Harwood says, “Bangkok retains its position as one of the world’s top travel destinations and tourism is set to grow with over 18 million visitors expected to visit the city this year. We are seeing an increasing number of travellers looking for hotels where they can get a good night’s rest, in a great location and at a reasonable price. Over the years, our three Holiday Inn Express hotels in Bangkok have seen strong occupancy and we have received great feedback from our guests on their experiences staying with us.”
Grand Uniland Company Limited is an affiliate of one of Bangkok’s leading property developers, Imperial Real Estate Group, known for key developments such as the design-led village mall in the Sam Yan district in central Bangkok.