Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced its world-renowned Sheraton brand will continue to expand its footprint in Thailand with the signing of Sheraton Samui Resort in Koh Samui. The agreement with TCC Hotels Group, a member of the TCC Land Group, marks the conversion of the existing 141-room Imperial Samui Beach Resort to a Sheraton, anticipated to take place by December 2014.
“We are pleased to be able to continue the partnership and further strengthen our relationship with TCC Hotels Group, one of the leading developers in Thailand, on this conversion in Koh Samui, a popular resort destination,” said Lothar Pehl, Starwood Senior Vice President, Operations and Global Initiatives and Regional Vice President, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. “Sheraton is a global icon, with a strong reputation in key feeder markets for this location, and the hotel will strengthen our growing presence in Thailand.”
(L to R): June Ng, Regional Director HR, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Indochina; Serena Lim, Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific; Matthew Fry, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific; Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Chairman TCC Group; Wallapa Traisorat, President TCC Group; Soammaphat Traisorat, CEO TCC Group; and Georges Baurin, EVP-Asset Management, International Branded Hotels in Thailand, TCC Hotels Group, all pose for a photo during the signing ceremony for the soon to be rebranded Sheraton Samui Resort.
Sheraton Samui Resort marks the 7th property managed by Starwood under the ownership of TCC Hotels Group and is testament to the strength of the relationship. The other six properties that have resulted from the long-term partnership in Asia Pacific include the Le Meridien Angkor, Le Meridien Bangkok, Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui and The Westin Kuala Lumpur; alongside Plaza Athenee, a Royal Meridien Hotel that recently re-committed to an extension under Starwood’s management.
Approximately a 15-minute drive from the Koh Samui International Airport, Sheraton Samui Resort sits on Chaweng Noi Beach, one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand on the east coast of Koh Samui.
“The expansion and rebranding underscores TCC Hotels Group’s confidence and commitment to the future of Thailand’s tourism industry as it continues to embrace the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015,” highlighted Wallapa Traisorat, President of TCC Hotels Group, a member of the TCC Land Group.
Matthew Fry, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific, added: “Starwood has developed a conversion-friendly strategy for existing hotels to meet the demands of owners and guests. With our powerful platforms, we are able to help our partners reposition existing assets in a cost-effective manner. Given that many are well-located but under-branded hotels, they present untapped opportunities for Starwood and is another channel for our growth. Thailand has already seen three conversions in the past few years.”
Sheraton Samui Resort is the newest addition to Starwood’s dynamic portfolio of 23 properties in Thailand under eight of its brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton. Sheraton currently operates five hotels in the Thai kingdom, including Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas, Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort, and Sheraton Pattaya Resort.
