by Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen

Kempinski takes over Sofitel Khao Lak resort

Kempinski’s CEO Reto Wittwer

The Sofitel Magic Lagoon in Khao Lak is to reopen soon under a new flag – as the Kempinski Hotel Cher Fah.

Kempinski’s President & CEO Reto Wittwer announced that the first phase of the refurbished hotel will open in November this year, with the second phase scheduled for completion in 2009. When both phases are complete, the five-star resort will have 320 rooms, including 40 pool villas, on a total of 80,000 square meters of land, surrounded by tropical gardens and lagoons and with a 300-metre-long beachfront.

Mr Wittwer said “Kempinski is pleased to be part of the recovery of Khao Lak after the 2004 Tsunami. With the Khao Lak resort, we can offer our guests the chance to experience the grace and elegance of traditional Thai hospitality.”

The Kempinski Hotel Cher Fah is one of two properties in Thailand that will soon bear the company’s name. The other is the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

Sarojin makes it two in a row

The Sarojin's lobby-reception

The Sarojin, the independent resort just north of Khao Lak, has been named “Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel” for the second year running at the World Travel Awards 2007. The World Travel Awards have been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars”.

Kate Kemp, Co-owner and Executive Director of the resort, said, “All the team at The Sarojin are extremely honoured and proud to have retained this global award for a second consecutive year. To know that The Sarojin team has continued to significantly innovate and improve on such high standards is a wonderful acknowledgement of the staff’s hard work and truly exceptional spirit. We are deeply proud.”

Opened in October 2005, The Sarojin has since garnered a variety of awards. It won the title “World Luxury Romantic Hotel” at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2007, and was included in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Asia’s Best Beach Spas 2007” and “Hot List Hotels and Spas 2006”. It also appeared on the front cover of Condé Nast Traveler’s October 2006 issue.

See The Sarojin's rates
The Sarojin has rooms available on Latestays with special bargains for the next 28 days, starting at THB 10,000

Meridien Khao Lak first to get five stars

Le Meridien's award

Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort was recently awarded five stars by Thailand’s Foundation for Standards and Human Resources Development in the Hospitality Industry – also known as the Hotel Standards Foundation – making it the first hotel in Phang Nga Province to receive such an award. The certificate was presented to Martin Raich, the resort’s General Manager, by Dr Suvit Yodmanee, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports.

The five-star rating was awarded based on an evaluation of the resort’s physical aspects, including location, surroundings, construction, architecture, safety and security systems, as well as its guest facilities, quality of service and quality of maintenance.

“Le Meridien is extremely gratified to earn this prestigious five-star rating,” said Mr Raich. “We believe it illustrates our superior quality of services and facilities, and [recognises] our consistent [efforts] to surprise, delight and make our guests feel at home.”

The Hotel Standards Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1999 by the Thai Hotels Association, backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Association of Thai Travel Agents. For more information call the foundation at +66 (0) 2281-9496

See Le Meridien Khao Lak's rates
Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort has rooms available on Latestays with special bargains for the next 28 days, starting at THB 8,665