Hilton to open Four new Hotels in Thailand

Hilton International is poised to open three new resorts in southern Thailand and a city hotel in Bangkok by early 2006. The new additions will take the group's total room count from 296 to 1852.

“The long term vision,” Hilton International Vice President Operations, Asia, Simon Barlow said “is to double this figure and operate more than a dozen properties throughout Thailand using a mix of Hilton’s three brands: the luxury Conrad, the upscale Hilton and the mid-market Scandic brand.”

The hotel group is eyeing the untapped potential in Asia for both short-haul breaks and the MICE market.

“We will work with our travel industry partners to increase our share of Asian travellers who visit Thailand annually,” said the newly appointed Director of Sales, Ms Angelia Chew. “All properties are within a four hour flight of the major hubs in Asia, placing Hilton within easy reach of the weekend traveler. Added to this, Hilton Phuket Arcadia has the largest conference facilities on the island of Phuket and will provide a convenient and exotic backdrop for the region’s meetings and events market.”

Hilton currently operates a resort in Hua Hin which successfully handles conference groups as well as independent travelers seeking rejuvenation and relaxation at the resort’s spa and leisure facilities. The three new resorts, which will strengthen the line up of Hilton Worldwide Resorts in Thailand and in Asia, will include:

· The 695-room Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort which will be rebadged Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa this October following a multi-million dollar renovation program and a stunning transformation. Set in 75-acres of landscaped gardens, the resort will have the largest conference and meetings facilities on the island of Phuket.

· The Panwaburi Resort which is currently closed for conversion into an ultra-luxurious Conrad due to open in early 2005.

· The Hilton Krabi Resort and Spa, a 200-room luxury low-rise resort on the beach-front of Krabi. The resort is now in planning phase.

In addition, the Millennium Hilton Bangkok is set to open in mid 2005. This 542 ultra contemporary property is believed to be the last high-rise hotel to open along the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river, following a change this year in zoning laws. All rooms will offer sweeping river views, with vistas of the Emerald Buddha to the north and a Bangkok city panorama to the South.

Barlow said all new properties will comply with the group’s focus to operate properties that are “contemporary without being minimalist and fresh without targeting a niche designer set.”

“When completed, we will have a portfolio of very smart, contemporary hotels in Thailand, each with an obvious sense of place. Guests will be greeted in a traditional manner by staff in Thai uniforms, art will come from the local galleries, spas will feature time-honored treatments and be administered by trained Thai masseurs, and the cuisine will obviously reflect the recipes of the local community.”