Marriott will add four hotels in Thailand, IHG will add two

Two of the world’s leading hotel groups are giving a huge vote of confidence in post-pandemic Thailand as Marriott announced it would add four new properties in Bangkok and Pattaya, and IHG said it would add two in Phuket.

The companies are betting that when the pandemic passes or a vaccine is widely available, Thailand’s thriving and lucrative tourism sector will recover, making the new properties well-timed and wise investments.

Marriott International said it had signed a “milestone agreement” with Asset World, a public company, to add four new landmark properties under three brands in Bangkok and Pattaya.

The new properties will include a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Thailand’s first JW Marriott Marquis hotel in Bangkok, and two Autograph Collection hotels. The last two will debut the Autograph Collection brand in the Kingdom.

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bangkok, will be designed to serve as a private, ultra-luxury boutique urban resort set on the Chao Phraya River’s scenic curve.

“We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Asset World Corporation in this landmark signing,” said Craig Smith, Group President, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

“This agreement is a testament to the confidence owners and franchisees such as AWC have in Marriott International. We are excited to play a role in AWC’s vision of expanding its diverse portfolio of hospitality and lifestyle projects in Thailand,” he said.

Meanwhile, IHG or InterContinental Hotels Group signed a management agreement with K.W. Group to open both the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands at Phuket’s Kata Beach.

“We remain on track to double the size of our mainstream estate across the Kingdom in the next three to five years, and the combined strength of this partnership will ensure we deliver on our brands’ promise and delight guests when the two hotels open in 2022,” said Serena Lim, Vice President, Development for IHG, Southeast Asia.

Photo courtesy of https://thai.tourismthailand.org/