THAILAND HOTELWATCH Top 5 Growing Brands

Posted: 06 Jan 2010 | 6:00 am

While lifestyle boutique brainchild's the world over try to find new brand names that start with the letter A, Thailand has a number of up and coming chains which are set to see growth not only here but regionally in Asia -

1.U HOTELS & RESORTS

Billed as "uncomplicated, and inspiring this deluxe chain is Thai listed Tanayong PCL hospitality venture. Current operating properties are in Chiang Mai and Khao Yai. New projects in Thailand include Bangkok (Sathorn), Phuket, Kanchanaburi, and overseas Hanoi, Bail and India.

2.ALEENTA/ AKYRA

Using beachfront locations in Hua Hin and Greater Phuket (Phang Nga) as a launching pad this brand was the brainchild of former international financier Anchalika Kijkanakorn. Through the recently launched Akaryn management arm the two brands have firm expansion plans on the books to pursue outside contracts to fuel growth.

3.ATIVA

Long time Asian hotel guru Bill Black's start up which first came to life as Bed Management Company at the indie favorite Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap and now has teams with Nadathur Hospitality to grow Ativa. SilQ Bangkok opened last year with new properties coming up in Vietnam, India and Laos.

4.ASTUDO HOTELS & RESORTS

A multi brand offering, with X2, Le Bayburi, Away and Case under the umbrella. X2 has been the expansion platform with properties in Pranburi, Koh Samui, Rayong and Koh Kood, the brand got into mixed use residential products in 2009 and this looks to be fueling growth together with recently announced regional management contracts back of its wide portfolio coverage.

5.TUNEHOTELS.COM

Okay so this is not a Thai based brand, being common shareholding with brand giant AirAsia in Malaysia. Its recent franchise agreement with Bangkok based Evolution Capital PCL has firmed targeted Thailand in a significant way and expectations are for a number of these limited service properties including Phuket to seriously turn the budget and economy lodging sector on its ear.

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