Best Western to Open New Hotel in Pranburi, Thailand
Best Western is to open a new resort on the Gulf Coast of Thailand, just beyond the boundary of one of Thailand’s most spectacular national parks, Sam Roi Yod.
Best Western Sam Roi Yod is a full-amenity, 76-room property with optional family suites located in Pranburi, about 35 km south of Hua Hin, or a 3.5-hour drive from Bangkok. It is scheduled to open in December 2009.
The resort is set amidst a natural coconut grove at Sam Roi Yod Bay, just three minutes from the beach and adjacent to the park. Deluxe amenities include everything adventurous but comfort-loving vacationers seek, including a swimming pool and a choice of three quality dining outlets offering Italian, Mediterranean/Thai and South American grill cuisine. A Bhuvana my spa, Best Western’s own spa brand, will also be available, as will fitness facilities and a tennis court. Broadband high-speed internet access is available on demand. Guests’ business needs are facilitated with a private meeting room, open air ball room and business center.
Besides this new hotel in Pranburi, Western’s coastal portfolio in Thailand so far includes three hotels in Phuket, three in Krabi and two in Pattaya. Several more Best Western beach resorts will open along the East Coast on the Gulf of Thailand within 2009.
BWI vice president international operations – Asia, Glenn de Souza said that Best Western sees Thailand’s opposite coast to the Andaman as having particular promise as it is attractive to both domestic and regional/international travelers as an alternative to more familiar but overcrowded destinations.
“The figures tell the story. Over the past difficult year, domestic visitors to destinations on Thailand’s Gulf Coast have risen 30%. International numbers have fallen by 10% but that is still substantially less than the declines elsewhere,” the executive said.
As for the target market, the executive explained that Thai visitors are expected to make up a large proportion of the guest list, along with a core of long-stay European and Scandinavian families and retirees as well as other travelers seeking something an extra bit special.