Looking to escape the summer heat? In need of a vacation from all the troubles you face at work? But where should you spend your next vacay? There's a boatload of hotels popping up in the country but even then one might feel overwhelmed with all the pre-planning, booking and packing you have to do. I mean, you might be bored of the same locations and recommendations given by friends and family or perhaps you are just indecisive and clueless about where to rest your weary head next. Fret not, as Guru has sought out the newest and upcoming hotels worth your attention. So mark your calendars. Holiday times are a go! You got less than 250 days this year, so there's plenty of planning to be made.
Capella Bangkok
With locations already established in Singapore, Shanghai, Dusseldorf, global hospitality brand Capella Hotel Group have announced that they will be opening their first urban resort in Thailand, Capella Bangkok, in the second quarter of this year (which is no later than June).
The Gist
The hotel is notable for being one of the first new properties to open up along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, providing panoramic views of the waterway. You'll be able to appreciate the beauty of the city where the hotel is, and I quote, "a gateway to the eternal beauty of nature and the urban oasis of the city".
Highlights
All of the hotel's 101 suites and villas will offer clear views of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel aims to offer a personal and peaceful space within an area that has a lot going on in a busy city like Bangkok. Not only do you get picturesque views from your room but also when you dine in their signature restaurant, with menus prepared by chef Mauro Colagreco, as well as the bar, which serves desserts and cocktails. You could also relax at their award-winning Auriga wellness spa with their therapies that combine the traditional and contemporary methods of rejuvenation. Capella Living Room lounge area could play host to art, music or food events, as well as Capella Library. Also notable are the Capella Personal Assistants who will provide tours for guests around the property to ensure the maximum amount of enjoyment during their stay.
Opening rates start from US$500++ per night.
Capella Bangkok, 300 Charoen Krung Road / Visit http://bit.ly/2DrRvbD or call 02-098-3888 or email info.bangkok@capellahotels.com.
137 Pillars House
Chiang Mai
You may recognise the name and have probably spent a night or two at Sukhumvit's 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Hotel, and tried their amenities such as the Wellness & Lifestyle Spa, the I-Spy Glass mini skywalk and Sky Bar infinity pool. Well guess what? Their Chiang Mai counterpart has recently had a makeover for vacationers to chill out. It's stylised and based on the Baan Borneo, the headquarters of the East Borneo Trading Company 125 years ago.
The Gist
137 Pillars House originally opened in March 2012, however, in celebration of their 7th anniversary the boutique hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment. The result is a 30-suite boutique hotel with a vintage elegance that hearkens back to the late 1800's as it resembles a colonial-era homestead. The hotel is in an enclave and is within walking distance from the city's Wat Gate Temple, Ping River and the boutique shopping area.
Highlights
Tranquility can be had when you decide to stay at one of the many suites at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, which are luxurious terraces with large beds, rattan rocking chairs and large en-suite bathrooms with separate indoor and outdoor garden showers. The Rajah Brooke and East Borneo Suites contains a bedroom with either one king-sized bed or twin beds with a veranda that overlooks the hotel's tropical gardens, as well as an en-suite bathroom that includes a Victorian bath tub. Or how about relaxing at one of the three 80m² David Fleming Macfie Suites which is named after the former occupant of the teak homestead and offers a wide living area that can hold up to four people and even comes with an al fresco conservatory. The William Bain Terrace Suites have views overlooking the hotel's infinity pool and garden walls whereas the Louis Leonowens Pool Suites give you a private 5.5 × 2.5m swimming pool.
Rates at 137 Pillars House start from B15,000 per night.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, 2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road / Visit http://bit.ly/2Iws9NT or call 053-247-788.
Dusit Thani Bangkok
@ Dusit Central Park
Yes, this is the same iconic five-star Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel that closed down earlier this year after 47 years of accomodating well-esteemed guests. Hotel and property development company Dusit International have announced plans to redevelop their hotel as part of the Dusit Central Park landmark project, in collaboration with Central Pattna, around the Silom and Rama IV intersection area. The new hotel is expected to open in 2023.
The Gist
The Dusit Central Park project, which in addition to including the renewed hotel, will also feature a 69-storey residential building, a 49-storey office building and a new mall with nine floors. The project covers 440,000m² opposite Lumpini Park, so expect to see these huge buildings towering across the night sky as you drive by around the area.
Highlights
Once rebuilt, the hotel will be 39 storeys high with 250 rooms and will feature the latest technological services. The piece de resistance is a grand ballroom that will overlook Lumphini Park. The hotel will also feature a multi-level rooftop bar and lounge.
Dusit Thani Bangkok, 946 Rama IV / Visit http://bit.ly/2VZC5Tc or call 02-200-9000, 02-236-6400.
Rosewood Bangkok
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts have recently opened their second hotel within the Ploenchit area with the all-new Rosewood Bangkok, following the hospitality group's resort in Phuket. Guests are welcome to book now that the hotel has opened.
The Gist
The 30-storey luxury building's stylised vertical design is inspired by the wai gesture as a celebration of the country's spirit. Whether you see that or not, the hotel has a lot to offer which leads us to...
Highlights
...varied dining restaurants and eateries from Nan Bei's contemporary Chinese cuisine and Lakorn European Brasserie's western menu to upscale cafe G+O and speakeasy Lennon's, which includes a private cigar lounge for you smokers out there. You could also get pampered at their Sense Spa with their many forms of relaxing therapeutic massages. Of course, these facilities are available with their "Redefining Bangkok" and "Signature Suites Stay", which also includes one-way or roundtrip airport transfers in their own limousine for convenient traveling. Rates of of these packages start from B9,450 and B17,550 respectively.
To celebrate the hotel's launch, special introductory offers are available until Jun 30.
Rosewood Bangkok, 1041/38 Ploenchit Road / Visit http://bit.ly/2IzEctI, call 02-080-0088 or email bangkok@rosewoodhotels.com.
Mason Pattaya
Pattaya just got a whole slew of slick luxury pool villas that family, friends and couples alike should set their eyes on for their next place of sanctuary -- MASON.
The Gist
Designed by architect Vasu Virajsilp, this artistic beachfront resort, the latest to be a part of the Design Hotels collective, is in Na Jomtien Beach. The pool villas sit atop a hill where guests can enjoy scenic panoramic views of the roaring ocean waves and romantic sunsets.
Highlights
MASON features 35 pool villas of varying sizes, you can bet that each of the elevated residences will offer views of the sea, as well as the resort's garden should you choose their Garden Pool Villa. You can take a dip in their infinity pool or if you are in a relaxed mood you can sip cocktails from the Krok-A-Café Espresso Bar or dine on their locally sourced seafood at Zila Street Bistro & Bar. The Beachside Bar includes a terrace and patio which could be ideal for relaxing or taking nice photos for social media. The MASON Spa offers both Western and Eastern massage treatments with the use of stones found in the Ang Sila fishing village.
Mason Pattaya, 285 Moo 3, Sukhumvit Road, Na Jomtien / Visit http://bit.ly/2Xri9ZM, call 038-194-699 or email hello@masonpattaya.com.
Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort
Opening its new wing this month, SALA Hospitality is a luxury boutique beach resort on the sandy island of Koh Samui near Chaweng Beach. As you check-in you will notice the resort's architecture is curved and round from its arc entraces to their their swimming pools, reflecting the different phases of the moon.
The Gist
All of the hotel's suites and villas have distinct moon-like shapes. The new Garden wing of suites and villas are shaped like half moon whereas the Oceanfront wing of suites and villas are inspired by full moons.
The brand new Garden Wing is intricately guided by the half moon and dark moon concepts. These areas feel cosy and private, with the ambience enhanced by trees and plants, creating a sense of deep natural tranquillity. This family-friendly wing will feature 82 rooms, pool villas and pool suites, ranging from 45-181m² in size and all elegantly designed to reflect the lunar motif. All guests will have access to state-of-the-art IPTV and audio systems, coffee machines, mini-bars and full-size daybeds, and more than half of the units will feature a private pool.
Highlights
Amenities include a gym, a moon-shaped swimming pool, a beachfront bar that includes gazebo area and a service that transports guests to the beach. You can even go kayaking and take cooking classes from your very own personal chef!
If you're on a romantic getaway, you also can enjoy a private dinner under the stars on Chaweng Beach with a five-course meal!
SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort / 99/10 Moo 5, Bo Phut, Koh Samui / Visit http://bit.ly/2VTTJYt, call 07-7905-888 or email reservations@salachaweng.com.
Shama Hub
The Onyx Hospitality Group are introducing Shama Hub -- serviced apartments and co-living spaces that cater to travellers by making good use of space efficiency. The rooms are said to offer flexibility for any kind of activity you're involved in whether its for working, playing, dining or sleeping. One moment the room could be your bedroom, and then the next it could be your kitchen (after moving certain furniture around of course).
No Shama Hub properties has been built in the country yet but development deals have been signed in China, and ONYX is set to make additional announcements acorss the Asia-Pacific region in the coming months.
The Gist
As of now, the Onyx Hospitality Group has developed a studio apartment prototype in Pratunam as a proof-of-concept so no actual rooms have been built yet. However, we can expect some key features within these rooms which are listed below.
Highlights
The Shama Hub studio apartments will include flexible features such as a mini-kitchen with fridge, microwave and sink, a king-sized bed with foldaway wall that includes two additional beds (which could potentially house up to four people), a flexible lounge where you are able to arrange seating for various purposes, and a separate shower room with dedicated spaces in which up to three people can use the bathroom at once. These studios will be complemeted by a social lobby where guests can hold informal meetings, socialise and grab food and drinks from a cafe/bar.
Visit http://bit.ly/2ViHJmc.
