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Dusit Pulse KNOWLEDGE Technical Services in focus. Q&A with Khun Ian
EXPANSION Dusit enters the luxury villa rental market
Building a sustainable future How Dusit creates enduring value for all of its stakeholders
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INCOMING Inside dusitD2 Ao Nang & dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu
Dusit Pulse
Warm greetings from Dusit International Welcome to the Q4 edition of Dusit Pulse.
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s a fast-growing international company, we take our role as responsible global citizens seriously. This includes taking every step necessary to ensure our operations always have a positive local impact – no matter where we are in the world.
Our sustainable approach to business, which includes creating enduring value for all of our stakeholders, is highlighted in this issue in our interview with Khun Joy Muangratt, Assistant Director of Sustainability, Total Quality Management (page 4), who explains how a solid sustainability culture benefits hotel owners. We also have news of recent partnerships with the Egyptian Food Bank (page 6) and The Code (page 7), two organisations which aim to leverage our reach to have a profound impact on our wider communities. In this issue, I am also delighted to welcome Elite Havens, the leading provider of highend vacation rentals in Asia, as the newest member of our fast-growing Dusit family (page 3). Marking a strong investment in people, talent and knowledge, our acquisition of Elite Havens brings with it an existing team of hospitality experts who proudly share our mission and values, and we are delighted to have everyone on board as we officially enter the high-end vacation rental market and expand our business to provide new experiences for customers across the lodging spectrum. While Elite Havens will be able to draw on our culinary expertise to enhance guest experience, utilise our training facilities to strengthen team capacity, and leverage our strong hospitality networks to reach new markets, we, too, will benefit from Elite Havens’ expertise and experience, especially in terms of implementing new technology to drive online business for all of our hotels. Speaking of hotels, this December we will welcome two new properties to the Dusit family – dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi, and dusitD2 Thimphu Bhutan. You can read about these exciting new openings on pages 12 and 14, respectively. Rounding out the issue is an interview with Khun Ian Brewis, Vice President of Technical Services, who explains everything you may wish to know about this dynamic department, including how it supervises every step of the development process to deliver the highest possible value for owners and guests alike (page 8). We also have pictures of our press conference to announce the 11th anniversary of Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, which is moving to brand new, bigger premises (page 10). We hope you find this issue useful and informative. If you have any news or updates you would like to share, please do get in touch.
This issue in numbers
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billion tons of food are wasted worldwide every year. Just one of the reasons why every business should embrace sustainable practices. (Page 4)
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The fable of the Four Harmonious Friends is brought to life at dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan. (Page 12)
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The number of years Ian Brewis spent in GM and F&B roles for top hotel brands worldwide. (Page 8)
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The number of modern guest rooms and suites at the new dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi. (Page 14)
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The number of fully staffed properties Elite Havens currently maintains across Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the Maldives. (Page 3)
10,000 The number of qualified personnel Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School has produced for the service and food industries. (Page 10)
Graciously yours, Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International 2
Dusit Pulse
Dusit enters luxury villa rental market with acquisition of Elite Havens Elite Havens’ CEO Jon Stonham says he is delighted to be part of a company where people come first
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usit has officially expanded into the high-end vacation rental market through the full acquisition of Elite Havens,the leading provider of high-end vacation rentals in Asia. Established in 1998, Elite Havens performs integrated marketing, reservations, concierge and management services for luxury villas and currently maintains a network of more than 200 fully staffed properties across Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the Maldives. Dusit’s acquisition of Elite Havens follows the company’s three-pronged strategy for sustainable and profitable growth, which includes balance, diversification, and expansion, particularly into new market segments, which will enhance Dusit’s capacity to provide integrated services and drive revenue growth.
luxury hotels will only enhance these operations further, allowing the dynamic “Our investment in Elite Havens Elite Havens team to leverage marks another important mileour own capabilities to constone in our strategic journey, tinue providing exceptional particularly our two-pronged services for luxury consumers, plan for expansion, which includes doubling our number while simultaneously expanding the brand’s reach in more of hotels in operation, and dream destinations throughout providing broadened expeAsia and other key regions.” riences for our customers.” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Elite Havens’ CEO Jon Stonham Group CEO. is happy to note that he and his staff already share the same “Our current brand line up covers the midscale through to values as Dusit, especially a strong focus on people. luxury hotel segments. Now, with the addition of Elite Havens, “While we, of course, are we are delighted to cover the luxury villa rental segment too. keen to leverage Dusit’s long tradition of hospitality, hotel management and hospitality “While the integrated luxury villa management business is education, this is not what new to us, Elite Havens has an impressive track record in attracted us to the group – it this segment, successfully is its people,” expanding from a small he said. enterprise to the leading company of its kind in Asia. And we are confident that our 70 years of experience in operating upper-upscale and
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“We have found Dusit’s team, right
from the very top, to be wonderfully sincere and deeply interested in everyone’s life balance and happiness. Indeed, the first call I received after the Lombok earthquake was from the Dusit team, and we were very touched to receive a cheque for USD 15,000 collected from Dusit’s staff to put towards helping Elite Havens’ staff in Lombok. “Dusit’s warmth is refreshing, and it has made the decision to be part of the Dusit family very easy.” For more information about Elite Havens visit: www.elitehavens.com
Dusit Pulse
Building a Sustainable Future
MEET DUSIT’S CHAMPION OF SUSTAINABILITY
Khun Joy Khun Duangjai ‘Joy’ Muangratt, Assistant Director of Sustainability, Total Quality Management, aims to make Dusit a leaner, greener organisation for the benefit of our broader communities...
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passionate advocate of sustainable practices, with rich experience in analyzing environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, Khun Joy is tasked with exploring ways to limit the impact of Dusit’s operations worldwide while providing positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Prior to joining the company in July this year, she was a sustainability consultant at Environmental Resources Management and a Corporate Sustainability Manager at Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL., Thailand. She has enjoyed similar roles for multinational companies across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, transportation, food and beverage, and media. Q. What sustainable practices do you hope to implement at Dusit? A. We have developed The Dusit Sustainability Framework which will streamline our efforts to improve our performance in four focus areas – namely Environment, Customers, People and Partnerships. Our aim is to provide benefits for our local communities and the environment whilst ensuring that we apply sustainable principles and practices to help improve business top and bottom line. Q. How do you plan to integrate sustainable practices into the operations of Dusit Hotels & Resorts worldwide? A. To drive sustainability we must start at the top of the organisation. At corporate HQ, we have established the Sustainability Committee which comprises management representatives from various functions. Our next step is to communicate the Dusit Sustainability Framework to ensure that everyone is aligned with the principles. At the same time, we are integrating sustainability requirements into existing guidelines and procedures for implementation to ensure standardisation across the entire Dusit Group. We will then improve our initiatives based on the feedback from frontline staff of each property. Sustainability, for us, is not a one off action, but a daily operational routine. Q. What are the biggest benefits of sustainable practices, and how will they benefit owners of Dusit Hotels & Resorts?
practices actually help to reduce costs and/ or improve revenue in the long run – whether it’s energy efficiency, waste management, or taking good care of staff. Risk management is also a great benefit of sustainability, allowing us to protect our brand image and reputation by ensuring Dusit is not associated with unsustainable practices. Our sustainable approach is also seen in our involvement in many worthy causes that protect human rights and animal welfare. Last but not least, by protecting the environment and promoting the cultural heritage of each destination, we are helping to ensure our local communities remain attractive to visitors for generations to come, which is vital to the long-term success of our business. Q. Do you have a timeframe for the implementation of these practices? A. Administratively, we are targeting the roll out of the Dusit Sustainability Framework by Q1 2019, with more detailed Sustainability Guidelines to follow later. These will build on the sustainability practices we already have in place, such as our food waste management programme, and our soon-to-launch organic rice campaign. As previously mentioned, sustainability will be a continuous improvement process. So you can expect to hear updates of new initiatives and improved performance as time goes on.
A. Sustainability is about being good and feeling good. Many of the sustainability 5
Food for thought Five facts that highlight why sustainable operations are essential
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• billion tons of food are wasted worldwide every year. Just one quarter of this could feed the 795 million undernourished people around the world who suffer from hunger • According to a report from the Guardian newspaper, an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s – that’s equivalent to the weight of more than 800,000 Eiffel Towers.
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• And only % of this plastic has been recycled.
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• % of beach litter worldwide is plastic. • Current statistics indicate that a mere one per cent of the water on earth is freshwater. Given the change in climate, even that one per cent is under threat, and demand could exceed supply by 40 per cent by the year 2030. Sources: www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ plastic-pollution-facts / www.foodtank.com / www.chelseagreen.com/2008/tenfacts-about-the-water-we-waste/
Dusit Pulse
Building a Sustainable Future
Sustainability in action:
DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO GIVES LEFTOVER FOOD A BRAND NEW PURPOSE Hotel joins the Egyptian Food Bank to limit food waste from weddings and events while giving back to the community…
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usit Thani LakeView Cairo has placed a social responsibility focus on helping the community by collaborating with the Egyptian Food Bank.
Leftover food from the hotel’s weddings and events is now safely packaged by trained staff and delivered hot to the programme’s beneficiaries, including orphanages and hostels for the elderly. The hotel team has also committed to periodically arrange volunteer missions to support in the packaging and distribution of the food boxes and meals. The hotel will also donate any replaced uniforms, linen, towels and furniture to the cause. The Egyptian Food Bank maintains that the families assisted by the bank’s programme are receiving consistent care. Food is distributed monthly in the specified amount needed for each household. The bank determines its recipients by their inability to provide themselves with nourishment due to extreme poverty. Families are also provided with nutrition information and education to help them become self-sufficient in the future. The partnership agreement was signed by both Mr Rady Rady, General Manager, Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo, and Dr Moez El Shohdi, Co-Founder & CEO, Egyptian Food Bank.
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Dusit Pulse
Dusit joins THE CODE to help protect children worldwide Company joins global network of organisations making a stand against the sexual exploitation of children.
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ith more than 5.5 million children around the world being exploited in forced labour each year, including prostitution, it’s important that international hospitality companies do all they can to help keep children safe in their communities. Dusit is leading the way in Thailand by joining The Code – a global initiative to raise awareness of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism and to build zero tolerance environments where travellers understand that these crimes are unacceptable and offenders will be prosecuted. Following The Code’s thoughtful criteria – which includes implementing new staff training programmes, and providing in-room information for guests – Dusit will ensure that employees, managers, guests and customers at each of its hotels are aware of this issue and know how to report any suspicious cases. “As one of the world’s largest industries, the travel and tourism industry has huge potential to positively impact children’s rights worldwide,”
said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Dusit’s Chief Operating Officer. “But hospitality companies like ourselves will not achieve anything unless we make a real effort to understand how children living in tourist destinations are affected by our operations. “That is why we are very proud to join The Code in its mission to prevent exploitation of children. As civil rights activist Marian Edelman once said: ‘If we don’t stand up for
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children, then we don’t stand for much.’ Today, with The Code, we’re proud to make a stand. And, in line with our core value of Care, we will always ensure our hotel communities are safe for children.” Dusit’s partnership with The Code was formalised on 8 August 2018 at a signing ceremony held at Dusit Thani Bangkok. More than 300 tourism companies worldwide are now members of the programme.
Dusit Pulse
Bringing an owner’s vision to life:
Technical Services
From signing through to opening, Technical Services (TS) supervises every step of the development process to deliver the highest possible value for owners and guests alike
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he best hotels are built on trust. Just ask Dusit’s Technical Services team, led by Ian Brewis, Vice President, whose role, in brief, is to protect the best interests of all major stakeholders in a hotel project while bringing the owner’s vision to life in a commercially sound way. “Drawing on our rich experience in designing, building and operating hotels, we are here to ensure we develop properties that are commercially viable not only from an investment perspective, but also in terms of operations, so we can maximise the potential of the property to give the best possible return for everyone involved,” says Mr Brewis. During the construction of a hotel, which can take between three-to-five years, the Technical Services (TS) team works closely with property owners and consultants, as well as Dusit’s Development, Engineering, and Operations teams, to scrutinise every aspect of the project to ensure it meets Dusit’s exacting standards in line with the owner’s vision. “This alignment is very important,” says Mr Brewis. “In each project we are not only representing Dusit; we are also representing the owner. We are the owner’s eyes and ears on his or her own consultants. So our team is constantly advising these consultants about optimum design and systems and the rationale behind certain design criteria. In fact, we often
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joke that our TS team is like a design university, such is the vast amount of knowledge that is passed on during development and construction to the consultants.” To ensure that TS can provide the best service possible, the team has been carefully assembled to include top talents in the fields of design, construction and architecture, who are connected with a global network of top consultants. Mr Brewis, meanwhile, draws on more than 25 years in GM and F&B roles for top hotel brands worldwide to bring a unique operations perspective to the role. “Hotels not only have to look impressive, they have to be functional too,” he explains. “That’s why we always stress the importance of finding the right consultants for the right job. And ensuring we review not only the technical aspects of a property, but also the operational aspects. Location, facilities, design, concept and layout all have to work in harmony for a successful hotel operation, and we’re here to make sure this is what happens.” To achieve this, TS provides an area programme which gives the architect all the details they need to design the hotel. The team also produces a room matrix that highlights the different
types of rooms in the property; and coordinates with Operations to produce an initial manning guide and OSE list (Operations, Supplies and Equipment). Alongside working closely with the GM during the pre-opening phase to walk them through the concept and various facilities, TS also liaises with Operations and Owners to determine a practical opening date for the project, and ensure it meets stringent quality controls. “Whether we are working on a new build, renovating an old hotel, or converting an existing property into a Dusit-branded hotel, every step of the way it’s important we always protect the best interests of our guests,” says Mr Brewis. “This includes ensuring that each property meets our strict standards for fire and life safety and security, which is a non-negotiable part of every contract. This is also a basic requirement for any big corporate client looking to book a hotel for its events.” Alongside its focus on guest safety, TS also has a strong focus on staff welfare, recognizing that happy employees equals happy guests, which equals sustainable and profitable business.
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“In Dusit Hotels & Resorts we are focused on making much more livable spaces for our hotel staff; not just functional, but livable and fun. We want to make sure that people enjoy coming to work, like the spaces, and have everything they need, in the right place, to ensure they can do their jobs to the best of their abilities.” But do such high standards mean a lot of extra costs? “When management companies talk about standards, it’s only natural for owners to think that this may mean extra cost,” says Mr Brewis. “But, with Dusit, there is no need for concern, because every decision we make is based on our collective experience and proven track record for success, and we always have everyone’s best interests at heart. “For us, there is nothing better than when, on opening day, an owner walks into a property and says, ‘Yes! This is it. This is exactly how I imagined it.’ And this is, and always will be, our goal.”
Dusit Pulse
LE CORDON BLEU DUSIT CULINARY SCHOOL REINFORCES ITS POSITION AS A TOP CULINARY AND BAKERY INSTITUTE IN THE REGION
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Renowned school marks its 11th anniversary by unveiling new premises with extended facilities
usit International and Le Cordon Bleu International recently marked the eleventh anniversary of their partnership with a press conference at Dusit Thani Bangkok, where the school’s new premises was also announced.
Responding to market trends and demand, short courses in culinary arts, Italian food, sugar, and chocolate work, as well as wine, cheese, and food pairing courses, will also be available. “The success of Le Cordon Bleu Dusit reflects the commitment of our company to emphasise the importance of education in developing a talented and capable workforce,” said Mr Siradej Donavanik, Interim Managing Director, Dusit Hospitality Education. “It is also proof that the path laid down by Dusit’s founder, my grandmother, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, is not only the right guideline, but also a valuable approach for the sustainable and profitable development of our industry.”
With a total investment of THB 300 million, and covering 3,000 square metres, the new school will be located on the 17th to 19th floors of the Zen Tower, CentralWorld Shopping Centre, Ratchadamri Road, in the heart of Bangkok. It will be the best-equipped and most modern culinary institute in the ASEAN region. Since Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School was established at the Dusit Thani Building in Bangkok in 2007, it has produced over 10,000 qualified personnel for the service and food industries.
Mr Michel Peters, Joint Venture Director and Management Representative of Le Cordon Bleu International, said, “We are proud to help develop this school to become a leading culinary school in the ASEAN region, and we remain committed to constantly improving our teaching and learning methods to continuously produce quality graduates for the industry.”
Offering an additional 1,000 sq m of space, and able to accommodate an extra 600 students per year, the new premises will be perfectly positioned to magnify this impressive figure. To further enhance returns on investment, the new school will introduce new savoury cuisine and dessert courses, and management courses such as a programme in culinary management (which will start in April 2019).
Instruction at the new facility will officially start on 14 January 2019.
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Dusit Pulse
News in brief Dusit Thani Dubai launches innovative restaurant concept, 24th St. Hotel responds to growing demand for Asian cuisine by introducing a new hawker-inspired dining experience Dusit Thani Dubai has introduced a distinctive new dining experience simulating a traditional Asian hawker center complete with Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Indian street food choices. Located on the hotel’s 24th floor, the new eatery wears its creative concept with style, complete with contemporary, mismatched furniture, hanging lamps, subtle splashes of colour, and four food kiosks designed to reflect the home countries of their respective cuisines – Kim’s Korean, Lucy Wong’s (Chinese), Momo San (Japanese) and Chatakana (Indian). The hotel officially launched the concept on October 23 with a special party attended by the movers and shakers of Dubai, including social media influencers with more than four million followers combined.
Regional Vice President of Dusit International for EMEA, Prateek Kumar, said, “The hawker dining concept has long been an essential part of the culture in Southeast Asia, and the street-style food model is now steadily winning over people’s taste buds in the UAE. We are confident that 24th St. will be a firm favourite with foodies of all nationalities.”
Dusit officially named ‘Best Company To Work For’ in Guam Dusit Thani Guam’s reputation as a great place to work was recently cemented with a first-place finish in the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ survey conducted by the island’s premier trade publication, Guam Business Magazine.
New college set for Colombo, Sri Lanka
The resort edged out twenty-two companies to earn the top spot in the survey, which considered the opinions and satisfaction of employees who anonymously provided ratings in the categories of Attraction and Retention, Communication, Working Environment, Leadership and Decision Making, and Performance Management and Recognition.
Dusit Hospitality Education is set to expand with its first college in Sri Lanka – the Dusit Omega Centre of Excellence in Hospitality. Located in Colombo and operating under a management agreement with Omega Global, the centre will follow the blueprint pioneered by the Dusit Hospitality Management College in Manila to offer a fully integrated learning experience. The contract was officially signed on 24 August, and the centre is now in the planning stages.
Companies that took part in the survey spanned industries including airlines, banks, insurance, shipping, construction, and telecommunications.
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Dusit Pulse
Spotlight on Bhutan…
Stay in harmony at
dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu
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The past meets the present in vibrant fashion at Dusit’s first hotel in Bhutan’s endearing capital unique hotel with a story to tell, dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu is set to immerse guests in one of the most beloved and universal fables in Bhutan – The Four Harmonious Friends.
all other creatures to follow – and a symbol of how all of life is connected.
A beautiful allegory about the spirit of connection, The Four Harmonious Friends tells the story of an elephant, a rabbit, a monkey, and a partridge, disputing the ownership of a tree and its magical, delicious fruit. After some deliberation, the animals realise that, by working together and using each other’s strengths, they can actually gather enough fruit for all of them to enjoy. So the elephant carries the monkey, the monkey carries the rabbit, and the rabbit carries the partridge. Together, they become an example of peace, harmony and friendship for
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While The Four Harmonious Friends is a popular theme in traditional and contemporary art seen throughout Bhutan, dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu is the first hotel to embrace the folktale at the heart of its interior design. The creatures are all lovingly brought to life via colourful, contemporary motifs that adorn the walls of each guest room, plus locally made, in-room mascots, which can be bought in support of local charities. Each of the four guest floors of the seven-storey property is devoted to a different animal, so guests can simply pick their favourite, or experience a different character, on each stay.
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Following Dusit’s community-focused approach to business, dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu not only reflects The Four Harmonious Friends in its interior design, but it also fully embraces the fable’s values. From the beautiful, hand-woven Gho and Kira outfits worn by the hotel’s team, to delectable organic produce used by its chefs, every effort has been made to source quality goods and materials from local partners, including non-profit organisation Sabah Bhutan, whose talented designer Sheycha Dem created the uniform; and Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth, which helped to arrange special amenities. Factor in Dusit’s distinctive brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, and unique amenities such as the first authentic Thai restaurant in Bhutan, and all elements are in place for an enjoyable, harmonious and unforgettable stay in this remarkable destination. dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu is scheduled to soft open on 19 December 2018.
Property at a glance Location: Located in the heart of Thimphu City, the hotel offers easy access to popular attractions such as Buddha Point (Kuensel-Phodrang), the iconic Tashichho Dzong, the Royal Botanical Park, and Clock Tower Square. Paro International Airport is only one hour away by car. Partners: Yarkay Group Private Limited. Keys: 83 tastefully-decorated guest rooms and suites. USPs: dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu is the first internationally branded hotel in Bhutan. Alongside its unique design, the hotel offers a Thai spa, a fully equipped gym, an international all-day-dining restaurant, a vibrant bar, and the first authentic Thai restaurant in Bhutan.
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Spotlight on Ao Nang…
dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi to offer fun and adventure in Thailand’s enchanting southern province Resort to open on 17 December in Krabi’s most popular beach town
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ocated in downtown Ao Nang on a leafy hillside a short walk from the beach, dusitD2 Ao Nang, Krabi is designed to provide a comfortable experience for families and adventurous types looking to explore everything this exciting destination has to offer.
ballroom, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a separate children’s pool, an extensive children’s playground, and a spa. Rock climbing excursions, jungle treks, and boat trips to nearby paradise islands can all be easily arranged at the hotel.
Operating under Dusit’s renowned dusitD2 brand, and owned by Vogue Pranang Bay Resort Co., Ltd, the resort boasts a modern, vibrant design inspired by local culture. Besides 173 guest rooms and suites with a choice of sea, mountain or pool views, resort offerings include an indoor and outdoor All-Day-Dining restaurant, a 200 sqm
The resort will be the second Dusit property in the popular resort area of Krabi, and is a rebrand of the former Vogue Resort and Spa Ao Nang. The property has been entirely refurbished and updated, with new additions to the existing buildings.
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Property at a glance Location: Located in Krabi’s most popular beach town, the resort puts guests within easy reach of all of the area’s main attractions. Supermarkets, convenience stores, cafés and fast-food outlets are all located nearby. Krabi International Airport is only 30 minutes away by car. Partners: Vogue Pranang Bay Resort Co., Ltd Keys: 173 contemporary guest rooms and suites with a choice of sea, mountain or pool views. USPs: Resort offerings include an indoor and outdoor All-DayDining restaurant, a 200 sq m ballroom, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a separate children’s pool, an extensive children’s playground, and a spa.
The hotel management agreement was signed on 12 July 2018 at a ceremony held at Dusit Thani Bangkok. Mr Watcharaphon Deechaisettha, Vogue Pranang Bay Resort’s Chief Business Development Officer, said, “Krabi is one of the fastest-growing destinations, especially amongst younger travellers. We are very pleased to work with Dusit to present a fresh new option to meet the needs of the tourists who seek a mix of relaxation and recreation in this resort area. We believe that our knowledge of Krabi, and the proven management expertise and Thai graciousness that Dusit will bring to this project, will create a successful collaboration.”
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