HRH Princess Ubolrat Rachakanya of Thailand opens Millennium Resort Patong Phuket

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C) celebrated its newest hotel opening in Phuket on Tuesday, 29 July 2008. The 421-room Millennium Resort Patong Phuket joins M&C’s growing number of new hotel openings this year.

London-listed M&C, in which Hong Leong Group Singapore has a majority stake through its property arm City Developments Ltd (CDL), is one of Singapore’s largest hotel groups with a portfolio of more than 110 hotels in 18 countries with nearly 35,0000 rooms.

The Millennium Resort Patong Phuket enjoys a prime location on Rat-Uthit Road at the intersection of Bangla Street in Patong and is part of the new landmark mega Phuket Jungceylon shopping and leisure complex.

Phuket Square Company Ltd owns the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket and is also the owner and developer of the Phuket Jungceylon complex. Real Estate Capital Asia Partners LP acquired a 95% interest in the 2 million square foot hotel and retail Phuket Jungceylon project in 2006. RECAP is a private real estate fund in which the CDL has a significant interest with other limited partners.

“The resort and the Jungceylon complex are combining to change the face of Patong Beach and to inject new life into the area. We are excited to be part of the rejuvenation of Phuket,” said Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group Singapore and Chairman of M&C. “The resort incorporates Thai elements in its design and offers warm Thai hospitality which will bring the guest experience to a new level.”

Mr Peter Gibbons, General Manager, Millennium Resort Patong Phuket, said, “With its unique infrastructure and lush surroundings, the resort meets all needs in terms of design. Offering two distinctive wings, we are able to provide the perfect choice, whether you are looking for a vibrant and trendy atmosphere or a slightly more stylish and elegant ambience.

“We are deeply honoured that HRH Princess Ubolrat Rachakanya, who is widely recognized for her dedication to promoting the Thai tourism industry, has agreed to grace our grand opening,” added Mr Gibbons.

The opening of the Phuket property is the latest in a stream of hotel openings by M&C in Asia and the Middle East. These include the Copthorne Hotel Qingdao (May), Grand Millennium Beijing (April), Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen (January), the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok (November 2007) and the Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur (September 2007).

Scheduled to open in late 2008 or early 2009 are two more hotels in China - Millennium Wuxi and Millennium Chengdu. In April, M&C also announced a joint venture with Indian group Rakindo to build 20 to 30 branded hip business class hotels in India, the first of which will open in 2009 in Chennai. M&C will also open a hotel under this business class hotel brand in Singapore’s trendy dining and nightspot area of Mohamed Sultan Road in 2009.

In the Middle East, M&C recently opened two new properties in Dubai and one in Kuwait under management contracts, and announced the signing of a further seven management contracts in the United Arab Emirates and one in Dubai.

“We believe that that our strategy of expanding our hotel portfolio in Asia in 2008 and beyond is the right one, as demand for hotel accommodation is strong and is expected to rise,” said Mr Richard Hartman, Chief Executive Office (CEO) of M&C Hotels.

“The Phuket property is also M&C’s first resort property in East Asia and this allows us more options to deliver the kind of service the more discerning traveller expects,” added Mr Hartman.

M&C currently already has resort properties in Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

See also: Selection of High Resolution Pictures from the Millennium Resort Patong and Millennium Resort Patong Phuket launches Grand Opening Promotion.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Promotions, New Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne, Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket