Pool Villa Suite at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas—the newest of Starwood’s 21 Thailand hotels
There is always a frenzy of hotel openings in Thailand. Travel Agent has tracked down two of the newest that ought to be on your radar when booking travel to the destination.
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| In Phuket, Paresa’s accommodations include one-bedroom Cliff Villas that offer private infinity pools, and views of the Andaman Sea |
In Thailand’s popular beach destination of Phuket, Paresa is one of the newest resorts. The resort sits cliffside, overlooking the Andaman Sea, and is surrounded by forests and gardens. Based on Southern Thai cultural traditions, the concept behind Paresa is a modern-day reinterpretation of Southern Thai architecture and design (think Frank Lloyd Wright meets Thai village).
The resort has 49 guest suites and villas, each with views across the Sea. All rooms have king size beds, private exterior verandahs with daybeds and sun loungers, Wi-Fi, TVs and DVD players.
The largest suites are the six Cielo Residences, which have large private infinity pools, private living and dining pavilions, verandahs, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, kitchens with wine cellars and a personal butler. But even the standard units are impressive. The 13 Talay Suites have outdoor balconies and joint access to an infinity pool.
Dining options include Diavolo for all-day dining, which fuses modern and traditional Italian flavors. There is also Talung Thai, which serves authentic Thai cuisine on the sunset balcony. For something over-the-top, ask about Infinity Dining, which involves a custom designed menu and an atmosphere on a private island.
For those interested in taking a Thai cooking class, which seems to be all the rage these days, Paresa has its own Thai Cooking School, which offers daily traditional Thai cooking classes led by the resort’s master chef. Guests will visit the market and pick herbs from the resort garden. The class also offers a private dining experience and customized menu for up to 12 guests.
The spa has five double treatment suites with baths and steam showers, and a Salon that can accommodate manicures, pedicures, waxing and hair styling.
Travel agents can contact Director of Sales Kornrawee Eakabutr ([email protected]).
In Hua Hin, Starwood Hotels and Resorts has debuted the Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas. The 10-acre beachfront resort overlooks the Gulf of Siam and has 55 private villas, each with its own pool, sun lounges and walled garden.
Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas is the newest addition to Starwood’s portfolio of 21 properties in Thailand under eight of its brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton. Sheraton currently operates four hotels in the Thai kingdom, including Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort, and Sheraton Pattaya Resort.
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Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas has a beachfront location south of Hua Hin, a luxury resort destination. In recent years, Hua Hin has become a weekend destination and holiday home community for Bangkok residents.
Guests can choose between one-bedroom Pool Villas, Pool Villa Suites with an additional living room, and Duplex Pool Villa Suites with a ground-floor living room and bedroom on the first floor. For larger groups, the hotel also has the Pranburi two-bedroom Pool Villa Suite. All villas boast a private swimming pool, sun lounge, wall garden and the service of professional villa butlers. Rooms are equipped with the king-sized Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed; sunken outdoor bathtub and a rain shower in the garden; LCD flat panel TV; DVD player, including an iHome docking station; work area; and Internet access.
Sheraton Hua Hin offers all the Sheraton brand’s popular amenities and services including the signature Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft, and a Link Café. Guests may also enjoy spa services by the private pool.
Dalah Restaurant and Bar, the hotel’s signature all-day eatery, serves Thai, Asian and Western dishes in a pavilion with garden and pond views. In late 2014, the property will open another food and beverage venue, the main swimming pool, a Kids’ Club, and a gym. For bookings reach out to Director of Sales & Marketing Khun Chatchaya ([email protected]).
Thailand’s TV Ads
If you’re a frequent, or even casual, TV watcher you may have seen the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT; www.tourismthailand.org) new “Forever Young” ads. TAT’s first-ever U.S. TV campaign targeting baby boomers is part of an integrated effort targeting major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
New York-based Global Advertising Strategies has been tasked with carrying out the campaign with ads running during flagship shows on History Channel, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, CNN, AMC, TNT, and ABC, among others. They portray once-in-a-lifetime trips and destinations. The ads position Thailand as the premier choice for active adventures and other pursuits that appeal to boomer demographics.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is gradually increasing its promotional activity in the U.S. after losing market share to the easily accessible Caribbean getaways. In addition to the TV spots, the current campaign includes print and online advertising, as well as a revamped social media effort. If you haven’t seen the TV ad yet, you can check it out at www.travelagentcentral.com; search “Thailand video.”