Hotel Okura and Asset World Corporation to Open Ryokan-Style Accommodations in Chiang Mai and Bangkok in 2028

Asset World Corporation CEO & President Wallapa Traisorat (center left) and Hotel Okura President Toshihiro Ogita (center right) at the signing ceremony — Photo by Okura Nikko

Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., the leading global Japanese hotel operator, is pleased to announce the conclusion of a new management agreement with Asset World Corporation (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group. Signed on December 19, 2024, the agreement paves the way for two new hotels - Okura Resort Chiang Mai in the historic city of Chiang Mai, and The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa in Bangkok's trendy Thonglor district. Both properties are slated to open in 2028, expanding Hotel Okura's Thai offering to seven hotels and adding over 400 rooms to Okura Nikko Hotels' portfolio in the country.

Hotel Okura's relationship with AWC, a major operator of Thai development projects, has gradually strengthened since the 2012 opening of The Okura Prestige Bangkok. Their most recent joint venture is the Okura Cruise, a Chao Phraya River dinner cruise ship that launched on December 20, 2024.

Okura Resort Chiang Mai, located in Thailand's second-largest city, will be the first Okura-branded hotel in Northern Thailand. The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa will offer Japanese-style wellness services and long-term stays in the Thonglor district of Bangkok, home to many Japanese expatriates and other foreign residents. Both hotels will blend Japanese hospitality with local culture, aiming to create luxurious and sustainable experiences, and in line with the rise of health-conscious travel, both properties will also focus on wellness.

Okura Resort Chiang Mai will be situated on the bustling Chang Klan Road, a major tourist hub known for its night markets and local cuisine. It will feature over 200 rooms, with sizes ranging from 40 to 120 square meters; their design will blend ryokan-style elements such as tatami mats and open-air baths with influences from the Lanna culture of ancient Chiang Mai. The hotel will feature a cafe, rooftop bar, and other food and beverage facilities, offering Japanese cuisine and all-day dining. These amenities will provide guests with a blend of Japanese and Northern Thai culinary experiences.

The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa will be located in Thonglor, a district of Bangkok popular with expatriates. The hotel will offer long-term stays and a wellness program combining traditional Japanese approaches with modern wellness techniques. It will feature over 200 rooms averaging 45 square meters in size, including suites with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese-style ryokan and with western-style conveniences. Guests will be able to enjoy views across Bangkok from the sky lobby and rooftop bar, and dine on healthy meals at the outdoor pool cabana.

Toshihiro Ogita, President, Hotel Okura, said: "We are delighted to reach another milestone with AWC through the development of new projects in Thailand, building on the success of The Okura Prestige Bangkok. We are particularly excited to bring the Okura brand to Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand for the first time. Our commitment to offering world-class hospitality, blending the elegance of Japanese culture with local charm, is unwavering. Our global network of high-quality international hotels seamlessly blends the delicate beauty and subtleties of Japanese culture with convenience and functionality. These additional collaborations with AWC will surely offer exceptional experiences and excellent service to both Thai guests and tourists from around the world."

The two hotels will operate as part of a larger framework agreement with AWC signed in May 2024 aimed at expanding Hotel Okura's business in Thailand. By the time of their planned opening in 2028, Okura Nikko Hotels expects to be operating seven hotels and approximately 2,000 rooms in Thailand. Under its long-term partnership with AWC, Hotel Okura will continue to develop hotels aimed at welcoming residents of Thailand and overseas visitors. The two companies thereby aim to contribute to the further development of Thailand's tourism industry, offering unique experiences rooted in the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

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