Airport mania hits hotels
The opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport has caught the attention of the hotel industry, with about 2,000 rooms expected to open at hotels in and around the new airport.
Prakit Shinamourpong, vice-president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) said the presence of the airport would boost revenue for surrounding hotels as well as resorts in Pattaya. According to the THA, local operators including Central Hotels and Resorts, Amari Hotel Group, Four Wings Hotel and Miracle Grand Convention Hotel are likely to invest near the airport. Central Hotels and Resorts plans to invest in a hotel next to its shopping centre, Central City Bangna, Four Wings will add a property on Srinakarin Road, Miracle will develop its hotel and residential building on King Kaew Road, and Amari Group is still considering its next move. Five three- and four-star hotels in east Bangkok, Novotel Bangna, Novotel Suvarnabhumi, Royal Princess Srinakarin, DC Srinakarin and Grand Inncome Hotel on King Kaew Road, are jumping on the bandwagon. Prakit said many hotels in Bangkok and Pattaya would have refurbished in time for the opening of the new airport. Royal Princess Srinakarin has done up 198 rooms and turned its top floor into a club for business travellers. It will renovate its lobby by October and plans to add 100 to 150 rooms. Novotel Bangna has completed a new lobby, new restaurants and new guest rooms.
Suchat Sritama The Nation
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