The hotel will be called Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport. The 271-room hotel is scheduled to open late next year on Bang Na-Trat Road, close to the new airport.

"We decided to go with the Best Western Premier brand for our property, as it is quite flexible and also provides excellent management support," said the hotel's owner Phairach Choothamkhajorn.

He said another reason he chose Best Western was the power of its global brand as the world's largest hotel chain. It shared its database and promoted its hotels in both local and international markets.

The seven-storey hotel will be decorated in contemporary design with some resort facilities. The surrounding area is currently being transformed into a lively commercial zone with entertainment complexes,

shopping centres, restaurants and office buildings.

The hotel will offer five suites, 36 deluxe guestrooms and 230 superior rooms. To conserve energy, the hotel will install blackout shades and double-glazed windows. It is targeting a mix of business travellers and tourists.

The hotel expects 20 per cent of its capacity will go to airline crews, while the remaining 80 per cent will comprise bookings through Best Western's distribution system and from its Gold Crown Club International members.

The hotel will also aim for corporate and government conference business.

Best Western International is the world's largest hotel chain, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to 4,200 independently owned and operated member hotels in 80 countries.

The Choothamkhajorn family runs many businesses, including curtain manufacturing and importing glass. It won a concession for curtain instalment at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation