Holiday Inn brand to Debut in Pattaya

InterContinental Hotels Group is to open a new Holiday Inn Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. The 367-room Holiday Inn Pattaya hotel is scheduled to open at the end of 2008. It will mark the Holiday Inn brand’s entry to Pattaya, a popular resort city less than two hours by road from capital city Bangkok and an hour’s drive from the new Suvarnabhumi international airport.

Situated along the beach front, on the bustling North Beach Road, the hotel will offer panoramic views of Pattaya Bay and is a stone’s throw away from the city’s thriving tourist belt.

The Holiday Inn Pattaya is owned by The Erawan Group, a well-established real estate holding company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with a strong track record in commercial and hotel developments.

Pattaya’s strong appeal as a holiday destination is reflected in the significant increase in tourist arrivals. In 2005, more than 5.3 million tourists visited the resort city, up 6.4% over the previous year. This provides a strong base for Holiday Inn Pattaya. In addition, there will be opportunities to dynamically package this hotel with other InterContinental Hotels Group properties in Bangkok, Phuket and Cha-Am.

“Extensive investment into tourism-related developments in recent years has given Pattaya a completely new appeal, and this is attracting travellers from all over the world. We are confident that Holiday Inn Pattaya will be well positioned to benefit from the tremendous opportunities for further growth in this dynamic resort city,” said Kasama Punyagupta, president & chief executive officer, The Erawan Group.

“InterContinental Hotels Group is pleased to be part of the rapid developments taking place in and around Pattaya. With the new Suvarnabhumi international airport, travel time to Pattaya will be significantly reduced and this will further attract both local and international leisure and business visitors,” said Jan Smits, chief operating officer, Southern Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific.

At the Holiday Inn Pattaya all rooms and suites will have unobstructed views of the sea and beach as well as contemporary design features including an open-concept bathroom. The hotel will also have a health club, an infinity pool and a “floating” spa overlooking the pool terrace.

While its key focus is families and leisure travellers, the meeting and conventions market will also be catered to. The hotel will offer a dedicated function floor with a 450-seat ballroom as well as two function rooms, a boardroom and a business centre.

Guests at the hotel will be able to choose from a wide range of dining facilities offering both international and local cuisines. This includes a lively beachfront restaurant as well as an all-day dining restaurant overlooking the infinity pool. In addition, a casual guest corner located near the lobby will offer a deli and sandwich bar, takeaway gourmet coffees, retail section and wireless Internet access.

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