IHG Signs Two Luxury Hotels in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Dark/Light Mode (16/11/23)  Asset World Corp (AWC), one of Thailand’s leading real estate groups, has extended its long-standing partnership with IHG by signing an agreement for two luxury hotels in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.

Scheduled to open in 2025, InterContinental Chiang Rai Golden Triangle Resort will offer 68 one and two-bedroom pool and plunge pool villas.

The other hotel, the Kimpton Chiang Rai Golden Triangle, which currently operates as the Imperial Golden Triangle, will undergo an extensive renovation and convert to the Kimpton brand with 68 suites, along with a range of facilities.

The two resorts, which are adjacent to one another, will mark IHG’s entry into Thailand’s Golden Triangle, an area that is popular with travellers for its rich history, immersion into Lanna culture and the scenic mountain and river landscape which borders Laos and Myanmar.

From left: Rungruang Wirojcheewan, Head of Hotel Operations, AWC; Matthew John Knights, Chief Hospitality Group Officer, AWC; Saowarin Chanprakaisi, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG; and Patrick Both, AGM Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG

“Chiang Rai is an unique destination in Thailand that showcases the beauty in nature and the arts as well as many beautiful temples, hilltribes and local villages, offering different organic and cultural sustainable experiences for travellers. This partnership with IHG will put this most northern province of Thailand top of mind for many local and global tourists, and aligns perfectly with our vision to transform Chiang Rai into a luxury ecotourism destination,” said Khun Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and President, AWC. “With the special riverfront location, the two hotels will offer restaurant and bars by the river as well as lifestyle cruise experiences linking Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The hotels will not only elevate the hospitality landscape in northern Thailand but also contribute to sustainable tourism, showcasing the rich Lanna nature and heritage.”

An hour away from Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) and 90 minutes’ drive from Chiang Rai city, the resorts are located amidst mountain ranges and an unspoiled jungle setting with a wonderful vantage point overlooking the Mekong River, as well as Laos and Myanmar in the distance.

Established as a wellness destination, guests will be able to enjoy sustainably sourced and organic culinary experiences to nourish and energise as well as try a plethora of Lanna wellness experiences.

There’s so much to discover in the area, including coffee plantations, hill tribe visits and scenic dining cruises, in addition to learning the art of batik and traditional craftmanship.

“On the back of the recent opening of InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, this signing is another milestone in IHG’s and AWC’s more than 10-year relationship and will provide travellers with the opportunity to explore more of northern Thailand,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG. “We remain on track to grow our luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Thailand by 50%, and it’s fantastic to be expanding the InterContinental and Kimpton brands into new destinations. The luxury boutique and design-forward Kimpton brand has enjoyed a huge period of growth since it debuted in Thailand three years ago, and now has six open or pipeline properties in market, including two operating and much-loved hotels in Bangkok and Koh Samui. Globally we continue to grow across our six brands in the luxury and lifestyle space and this segment represents 14% of our system and 22% of our pipeline, which is around twice the size from five years ago.”

With 34 hotels across nine brands and 39 hotels in the pipeline, Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG and the business is on track to double the size of its estate within the next three to five years.

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