The latest agreement is for Kimpton Pattaya, the two parties’ second collaboration for a Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in the country.
All in one location
Opening in early 2028, the newbuild will be located in central Pattaya, as part of the Aquatique, a concept devised by AWC which will be a first-of-its-kind in Pattaya as an all-in-one seaside destination.
The project will offer a variety of attractions in one place including a shopping mall, hotels, a theme park, performance art space, and F&B seafood market, located just steps from Pattaya’s beach.
Nature inspiration
The 193-rooms-and-suites property will be inspired by, and immersed in, elements of nature.
Facilities include four restaurants and bars, 630 sq m of meeting space, including a cooking studio with dedicated stations, a health and fitness centre, spa and pool with easy links to a community mall.
Continuing partnership
The strategic partnership between IHG and AWC already includes five properties: the 302-room InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping which will open this year, two hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown – the 332-room InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown and 63-room Vignette Collection Bangkok Chinatown, the 234-room Vignette Collection Pattaya, and 124-room Kimpton Hua Hin.
Rajit Sukumaran, MD, South East Asia and Korea, IHG said: “Our partnership with AWC goes from strength to strength and, thanks to this latest collaboration for Kimpton Pattaya, together we have now signed 1,250 rooms across six fantastic properties in the past three years, in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya.
“This will be the fifth Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property signed in Thailand which shows the confidence owners have in the brand. Together with Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Kimpton Kitalay Samui and the upcoming Kimpton Khao Yai and Kimpton Hua Hin, the brand already has a strong following amongst affluent and discerning travellers.
“I’m delighted that Kimpton Pattaya is joining Vignette Collection Pattaya – also situated in Aquatique Pattaya – and two open hotels – InterContinental Pattaya and Holiday Inn Pattaya – in the district, establishing IHG as a market leader in Pattaya.”
Popular destination
Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and president, AWC, said: “We are very pleased to continue our long-term strategic partnership with IHG to bring top quality hotel brands to one of Thailand’s leading beachfront destinations. The launch of the first Kimpton hotel in Pattaya, comes after signing a multi-property agreement with IHG in 2020, with a fantastic brand offering a bold playful design and award-winning dining experiences for a memorable stay. By bringing world-renowned brands to a broader customer base, the Kimpton brand will also strengthen Pattaya as a global beachfront destination only a couple of hours’ drive away from Bangkok.
“AWC sees strong demand in both the lifestyle luxury and family segments in Pattaya, which is one of the most popular destinations for leisure travellers and business travellers and aligns with AWC’s strategy to develop quality assets in prime locations by expanding our portfolio in central Pattaya. Located in AWC’s mega mixed-use project in Pattaya, as part of the Aquatique, the Kimpton Pattaya will help elevate the area to a new level of luxury with a world-renowned hotel operator, and a variety of activities in the complex, to help create long-term value, and enrich the surrounding communities and society.”
Thai doubling
Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG. The signing of Kimpton Pattaya is the latest milestone in the company’s desire to grow its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in the country by 50%, and double its estate across all of its brands by 2026.
Kimpton’s global expansion continues to move at pace, with 76 open hotels as at year end 2022 and a 41-strong pipeline in destinations such as Bali, Roatan in the Caribbean and Mexico City that will see it surpass more than 100 properties worldwide.
