Country overview: Thai hotel market to grow by over 31,000 rooms [Infographic]
Thailand’s hotel market has strong growth prospects despite the Covid19 crisis slashing international arrivals, according to our analysis of the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database.
The Thai hotel pipeline for the coming years certainly shows no lack of ambition. Our researchers have found that 123 properties with 31,163 rooms are slated to expand the country’s offering. We find out more about these new projects.
Hotel openings by year
Our research indicates that 123 hotel projects are currently in the pipeline in Thailand:
2020 will be by far the strongest year in terms of new openings. 41 hotels are scheduled to open their doors in the second half of the year and will bring 8,795 rooms in total. Due to coronavirus and its impact on the hospitality industry, some of these projects may still be delayed however.
Yet even without counting openings that may have to be pushed back, 2021 will see 29 hotels open with a total of 7,077 rooms. Another 23 properties with 6,522 keys are on the books for 2022, while 30 more have been signed off for 2023 and beyond.
Thailand’s top five urban hotel markets
Bangkok, Thailand’s sprawling capital of over eight million inhabitants, is home to the country’s largest collection of hotels. In the coming years, this inventory will grow by another 42 properties and 11,104 rooms.
Some way behind in the development stakes, the popular island of Phuket will get 17 new hotels with 2,175 rooms, while the famous beach town of Pattaya will see 16 properties open, adding 4,984 keys.
Five projects will soon be completed in the idyllic resort town of Khao Lak on Thailand’s west coast, meanwhile, and the emerging resort destination of Rayong will get three new hotels with 988 rooms.
Top three hotel brands growing in Thailand
Catering to an ever-increasing demand for extended-stay properties, Citadines apart’hotels is currently the most active hotel brand in Thailand with five projects spanning 945 keys on its books.
This puts it just ahead of Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Meliá Hotels & Resorts, both of which are launching four properties each. However, Holiday Inn’s projects are significantly larger on average, and will bring a total of 2,550 rooms versus Meliá’s 901 keys.
Noteworthy hotel projects in Thailand
The Pattaya Marriott Marquis Hotel is the largest project currently in Thailand’s pipeline, the database indicates. Upon opening in 2024, it will offer guests 900 rooms, 11 F&B venues and approximately 10,000 sq m of convention, event and meeting spaces. This new Marriott Marquis will be part of a dual-property development, which will also include the 398-room JW Marriott The Pattaya Beach Resort & Spa.
In the capital, Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai Bangkok will be part of a mixed-use complex with direct access to the Phayathai BTS skytrain station. Facilities will include a 1,200 sq m all-day-dining market-style restaurant, specialty restaurants, a wine bar, an outdoor swimming pool and pool bar, a gym, an executive lounge and 4,285 sq m of event space complemented by a 285 sq m wedding studio.
Designed to cater to families and leisure travellers seeking a fun-filled escape, meanwhile, the 518-key dusitD2 Hua Hin Hotel and Residences is conveniently located close to Hua Hin’s largest shopping, dining and movie theatre complex, BluPort, the Cicada Night Market, and the Vana Nava Waterpark, which boasts some of the fastest and longest waterslides in Thailand. Onsite facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool, kids’ club, rooftop bar, and 300 sq m of banqueting space. In keeping with the dusitD2 brand, the property will boast a modern design with bright and colourful décor.
Last but not least, New World Grand Rama 9, Bangkok Hotel will be part of the prominent Grand Rama 9 mixed-use development located near the Phra Ram 9 MRT station and close to the new Stock Exchange of Thailand. This 285-room property will feature New World Hotels & Resorts’ signature Residence Club executive floors and lounge. F&B choices will encompass a lobby lounge, café, specialty restaurant and rooftop pool bar. Meeting and function facilities totalling 1,300 sq m will include a grand ballroom with a landscaped outdoor terrace on the top floor and four meeting rooms, while a rooftop outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre will help keep guests active on their travels.
Let’s take a look at some more upcoming hotel projects in Thailand:
