Royal Orchid Plus members can earn flyer miles from Okura stays

From January 1, stay at any of the Okura hotels worldwide and stand to gain flyer miles if you're an Royal Orchid Plus member.

The reputable hotel chain, with about 50 hotels in Japan, and another 22 worldwide, is the first Japanese hotel chain to have the flyer-mile partnership with Thai Airways International.

Royal Orchid Plus members will be entitled to earn 300 or 500 miles when they stay at a hotel managed by the Okura Group.

To make it more enticing them, members can chalk up double or triple miles for a start from January 1 to May 31 2014 in the launch promotion.

In addition, 20 lucky winners will be invited to dine at the award-winning Yamazato Japanese restaurant at Okura Prestige Bangkok. The restaurant, a branch of the renowned Yamazato in Okura Tokyo, recently snagged the best Japanese restaurant title in the annual Bangkok's Best Restaurants Awards.

Today, there are more than 2.6 million Royal Orchid Plus members worldwide who can earn miles with Thai Airways, Star Alliance airlines and more than 50 travel partners. Miles can then be redeemed for an array of perks, including award travel and upgrades with Thai Airways and Star Alliance airlines, hotel stays, Thai Airways products and services, and other lifestyle benefits.

The Okura Group, Thai Airways and Royal Orchid Plus regard one another as well-suited partners as they all believe in offering gracious hospitality services.

Thai Airways operates 68 fleets weekly between Bangkok and Japan. Visa waiver for Thai nationals visiting Japan, and results of a survey by Japan Association of Travel Agents confirming Bangkok as a top destination for Japanese tourist are likely to see an increase in travel between the two countries.

Thai Airways, which boasts the new state-of-the-art Airbus A380 and Boeing B777 aircraft among its fleet, will fly to more cities in Japan. The latest addition is Sendai, which is its 7th destination there.

As of December 2013, Thai Airways operates a fleet of 101 aircraft. By the end of the winter season of 2013-2014 ending March 29, two more - Boeing 74F freighters - will be added. The company is 51.03 per cent owned by the Royal Thai Government through the Ministry of Finance.

The national carrier operates an average of 144 daily departures on domestic and international routes to 78 cities (79 airports) in 34 countries spanning five continents, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.

Leisure travellers contribute over 80 per cent of the company's total passenger transportation revenue.

Okura Prestige Bangkok

Founded in 1958, Hotel Okura Company Limited opened its flagship hotel, Hotel Okura Tokyo, in 1962. With a capital of 3 billion yen, the company has extensive business operations in the hospitality and related industries, such as asset ownership, management, and technical assistance and consulting.

Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. operates international hotel group Okura Hotels & Resorts with a corporate philosophy that includes food - "Best A.C.S." or Accommodation, Cuisine and Service. Since its inauguration, Hotel Okura Co., Ltd has built a high-quality global network in and outside Japan.

Okura's winning formula combines its signature hospitality, Japanese sensibility and attention to detail with western high-functionality to offer comfort and relaxation to guests.

Reflecting this is its sophisticated venture in Thailand - the five-star Okura Prestige Bangkok, which occupies the upper floors of ecoplex Park Ventures in the embassy district of Ploen Chit.

Within a short time in operation, the 240-room hotel has garnered rave reviews from travellers, with some calling it the No. 1 new hotel in the capital.

Apart from being spoilt by the ultra-comfortable room and bed, hi-tech toilet and guest services, they are also impressed with the touch-screen console for controls in the room, jaw-dropping sight of the infinity pool and the high-quality cuisines at its restaurants.

Most notable of course is the Yamazato restaurant, where the head chef has worked at the Tokyo 'HQ' for a few decades.

Using top-notch produce from Japanese, the restaurant has kept its original Kansai-Kyoto approach in its culinary style from its famous Tempura to its exquisite multi-course Kaiseki feasts and sumptuous New Year Osechi Ryori in tiered boxes.

- chenj@sph.com.sg