TRAVEL UPDATE
- Published: 5/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Brunch
NEW X2 RESORT
The Thailand-based Astudo Hotel and Resort Group has opened X2 Rayong on Laem Mae Phim beach. It is the group's third resort, in addition to X2 Kui Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and X2 Samui, in Surat Thani.
The X2 Rayong features 15 rooms with sea views, a swimming pool, conference rooms, spa and an open air barbecue area. Each room has a terrace, entertainment system including satellite TV with 40-inch LCD screen, a music and movie library and free wireless internet access. Two further X2 resorts will be opened in mid-2010, said CEO Anthony McDonald, adding they would be X2 Koh Kood in Trat province and X2 Koh Tan in Surat Thani.
RETAINING LANNA STYLE
The U Chiang Mai hotel recently won the 2009 Historical Architectural Conservation Award from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.
The awards are offered to private individuals or organisations to honour their efforts in restorating or conserving original structures or buildings of national importance.
The U Chiang Mai hotel has preserved the original architectural structure of the past residence of Chiang Mai's governor and now use it as the resident's lounge. It has also designed and decorated its 41 deluxe and superior rooms in a contemporary Lanna style.
"We encourage our guests to step into the local environment and experience the surrounding culture and heritage at their own pace to create a unique experience," said U Hotels and Resorts CEO Jonathan Wigley.
SCANDINAVIAN FAVOURITES
Centara Karon Resort, Phuket, and Centara Kata Resort, Phuket, have been voted the world's first and the third resorts for guest satisfaction respectively by customers of TUI Nordic, a leading Scandinavian leisure travel group.
Both properties are listed on TUI Nordic's Blue Hotels list of its preferred properties worldwide. Centara Karon Resort is located on Karon beach.
It has three swimming pools, a Spa Cenvaree and a sports centre with a host of recreational activities including two floodlit tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnasium, snooker and darts.
Centara Kata Resort is on Kata Beach. It is ideal for family leisure trips. It features three swimming pools, a children's club and a SPA Cenvaree.
NEW LOOK FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL
The InterContinental, Bangkok, has finished its refurbishment programme at a total cost of 890 million baht.
The new look is apparent throughout the hotel from guest rooms and suites to dining areas, entertainment venues, the sky-high Spa InterContinental and a fitness room with panoramic views of Bangkok.
