Singapore's Amara opens first Bangkok hotel

SINGAPORE - Local lifestyle group Amara Holdings has opened its first hotel in Thailand.

The 250-room Amara Bangkok is located in Surawong, near the central business district and the city's popular shopping and nightlife area. It is also a short distance away from two BTS Skytrain stations.

"Bangkok is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting leisure cities in Asia, so we are delighted that our first Amara hotel in Thailand will be in Bangkok, and we are confident that Amara Bangkok, with its personalised service, our unique offerings and our experience in the hotel business, will do well," Amara's chief executive Mr Albert Teo said in a statement.

To celebrate the opening, the hotel is offering a special rate of 2,558 baht++ (S$108++) for bookings made until May this year.

It is also having a promotion that coincides with the Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai New Year, which takes place from today to Wednesday. For stays between now and Friday, a night at a Deluxe Room costs 2,888 baht++, inclusive of breakfast and in-room Wi-Fi. Guests arriving before Wednesday will receive a Songkran "survival kit", which consists of a water gun and a waterproof bag.

The hotel is designed to encapsulate the essence of contemporary Thai culture while still embracing some of its own popular Singaporean heritage, Amara said in a statement.

For instance, its ballrooms are named Tanjong Pagar 1 and 2, while Hainanese chicken rice and bak kut teh are found on the menu of its all-day-dining restaurant.

Other highlights of Amara Bangkok include a distinctive exterior comprising 597 timber fins and a 24-hour mini bar boutique, which allows guests to enjoy snacks and drinks at corner-store prices. They can even choose to have the items delivered to their rooms.

huizhen@sph.com.sg