Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel opens for Business

The official hotel of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, opens today in preparation for the official opening of the airport at 3am on 28 September 2006.

The airport is set to become one of the world’s most important aviation hubs, and with Bangkok a key hub for flights to Europe, the Middle East, the Indochina region and the rest of Asia, the airport opening will have particular significance for travellers from Australia and New Zealand.

Initially, Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to handle up to 45 million passengers annually, based on two parallel runways with a total capacity of 76 flights per hour. Upon full completion, it will have four runways and passenger terminals capable of handling 100 million movements a year.

The first major component of the airport precinct – the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel – has already been serving meals at its restaurants for airport officials and visitors, and will now take its first accommodation guests.

Opening rates for the hotel begin at Baht 2380++ per night, valid till the airport officially opens on 28 September, when the rates will start from Baht 3380++ per night. Packages including spa treatments and added extras are also available.

A direct rail link currently under construction will connect the hotel to existing transport systems, downtown Bangkok and its central business districts by late 2008. The hotel will also be connected to the main terminal by a 300-metre air-conditioned underground walkway when train service begins, making it just a three minute walk from check in.

The Novotel features 612 rooms in two square-shaped five-storey buildings, covering 10.5 hectares, with large open atrium areas in the centre of each structure. The two buildings are also joined by another massive glass atrium designed as the hotel lobby.

The unique design allows for greater environmental control and incorporates the outdoor atrium areas for swimming and recreation.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is aiming to establish itself as the airport’s premium dining area with four restaurants and a bar. The Novotel brand’s innovative all day dining outlet, The Square, serves a variety of popular Western and Asian dishes from an open show kitchen a la minute, showcasing world cuisine with monthly food promotions and specials.

Authentic Thai cuisine is offered at Sala Thai Pavilion, while guests can enjoy a choice of either Cantonese cuisine at Gold Village Chinese Restaurant or Sushi and Teppanyaki at Kinsen Japanese Restaurant. The hotel’s Atrium Terrace Lobby Lounge adds a perfect venue to unwind and relax.

Leisure facilities include a 20-metre swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens, fitness centre, extensive spa facilities, beauty salon, shopping arcade and babysitting service.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel caters to Bangkok’s growing meeting and event markets with more than 2,400sqm of space including a pillar-less ballroom for up to 800 people and 6 additional meeting rooms. It is also well positioned for delegates attending events at the nearby BITEC Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The hotel joins an extensive network of over 60 Accor airport hotels in 18 countries, including 20 under the Novotel brand. These include hotels at some of the world’s busiest airports in cities such as Paris, London, Frankfurt, Chicago and Sydney.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is Accor’s second major airport hotel opening in Asia this year following the opening of Novotel Citygate near Hong Kong International Airport in April. The third, Novotel Baiyun Airport Guangzhou, is scheduled to open in November this year.

According to Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport sets a new standard for four-star hotels in Bangkok, and will make a significant contribution to Thailand’s tourism industry which is enjoying unprecedented growth.

“Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel will be a stylish addition to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its opening reflects the growing importance of Bangkok as the primary entry point to the country and Southeast Asia as a whole, with the hotel providing an ideal base for visiting business, leisure or transit travelers, as well as being a major new venue for conferences and events.”

A side benefit of the opening of the new airport will be the close proximity of Pattaya, a famous Thai beach destination that has recently completely upgraded its image, attractions and tourism infrastructure. Pattaya will now be just over an hour’s drive from the airport, and two Accor hotels – the Sofitel-managed Garden Cliff Resort & Spa and Mercure Pattaya – have opened in the past year to cater for the growth in domestic and international visitor numbers.

Check special rates and availability at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

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