CONTINUING a new column, Phuket ResortWATCH, in which Phuketwan will provide the lowdown on the upbeat world of resorts and clubs around Phuket, Thailand and the region.
Social notes, media alerts, club news, celebrity visits, gossip . . . Send your info to editor@phuketwan.com Look for Phuket ResortWATCH regularly.
THERE'S a large ''coming soon'' sign outside the old Courtyard by Marriott in Patong as the resort operates under the Destination Patong Hotel and Spa brand while awaiting new management. Elsewhere in Patong, there's plenty of action as always.
ACCOR, the leading international operator of hotels in Asia Pacific and Thailand, announced the opening of the 303-room Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, ''located right in the heart of Phuket's famous Patong Beach'' - actually at the northern end of Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road - ''and just a three-minute walking distance from the Andaman Sea.'' It's the eleventh Novotel hotel in Thailand and the second Novotel hotel in Phuket, although not the first second Novotel on Phuket.
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that its largest brand, Sheraton Hotels, and its owners are investing more than $350 million to enhance its flagship properties around the world. The Starwood-managed Sheraton Laguna Grande Phuket shut its doors last year in Laguna Phuket. That enabled the owners, Banyan Tree, to renovate, and the newly-branded Angsana Laguna Phuket emerged late last year.
LAUDED as Bali's most exclusive residential development, AYANA Residences Bali has been officially launched following ground-breaking on the 6.5 hectare site adjacent to the award-winning AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. With the development scheduled for completion in 2014, the low-density design offers ''the largest living space of any luxury residences in Bali.''
A DELIGHTFUL culinary experience awaits holidaymakers staying at Club Med Phuket from May 14 to June 10. Guests staying at resort during this period will not only get to taste Club Med's signature culinary specialities, they will also have the unique opportunity to learn how to cook them from Club Med's expert chefs. Apart from cooking classes, guests can also attend garden parties and take part in crepe parties, cocktail making classes, health workshops and exciting family bonding activities.
ON MAY 11 at Phuket's IBAP meeting, Ariya Banomyong, Country Head of Google Thailand will be speaking on 'Getting to know Google in Thailand,' providing an overview of Google's business and focus areas in Thailand, insights into the Thai online market and changing consumer behavior as well as examples of how Google is partnering with businesses and brands. A destination for the meeting has yet to be determined.
Social notes, media alerts, club news, celebrity visits, gossip . . . Send your info to editor@phuketwan.com Look for Phuket ResortWATCH regularly.
Finding a New Destination
THERE'S a large ''coming soon'' sign outside the old Courtyard by Marriott in Patong as the resort operates under the Destination Patong Hotel and Spa brand while awaiting new management. Elsewhere in Patong, there's plenty of action as always.
Accor the Merrier
ACCOR, the leading international operator of hotels in Asia Pacific and Thailand, announced the opening of the 303-room Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, ''located right in the heart of Phuket's famous Patong Beach'' - actually at the northern end of Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road - ''and just a three-minute walking distance from the Andaman Sea.'' It's the eleventh Novotel hotel in Thailand and the second Novotel hotel in Phuket, although not the first second Novotel on Phuket.
Renovation Sweeps Sheraton's Flagships
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that its largest brand, Sheraton Hotels, and its owners are investing more than $350 million to enhance its flagship properties around the world. The Starwood-managed Sheraton Laguna Grande Phuket shut its doors last year in Laguna Phuket. That enabled the owners, Banyan Tree, to renovate, and the newly-branded Angsana Laguna Phuket emerged late last year.
Aya There Yet?
LAUDED as Bali's most exclusive residential development, AYANA Residences Bali has been officially launched following ground-breaking on the 6.5 hectare site adjacent to the award-winning AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. With the development scheduled for completion in 2014, the low-density design offers ''the largest living space of any luxury residences in Bali.''
What's Cooking at Club Med
A DELIGHTFUL culinary experience awaits holidaymakers staying at Club Med Phuket from May 14 to June 10. Guests staying at resort during this period will not only get to taste Club Med's signature culinary specialities, they will also have the unique opportunity to learn how to cook them from Club Med's expert chefs. Apart from cooking classes, guests can also attend garden parties and take part in crepe parties, cocktail making classes, health workshops and exciting family bonding activities.
Google Phuket is Coming Soon
ON MAY 11 at Phuket's IBAP meeting, Ariya Banomyong, Country Head of Google Thailand will be speaking on 'Getting to know Google in Thailand,' providing an overview of Google's business and focus areas in Thailand, insights into the Thai online market and changing consumer behavior as well as examples of how Google is partnering with businesses and brands. A destination for the meeting has yet to be determined.
