Meliá Chiang Mai to Celebrate April Grand Opening
Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 25, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel in the heart of Thailand’s mountainous Chiang Mai, with some of the city’s most spectacular views and its highest rooftop bar, will open on 10 April 2022.
Owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), and launched by Meliá Hotels International, Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic. Situated on the lively Charoen Prathet Road, soaring over the River Ping and bustling Night Bazaar, the hotel is part of a roll-out of the Meliá brand in key destinations across Thailand that began with the launch of the nautical-themed Meliá Koh Samui, Thailand in January 2020.
With a design that pays homage to contemporary aesthetics and Chiang Mai’s charming history and culture, Meliá Chiang Mai is located six kilometers from the Chiang Mai International Airport, near an array of tourist attractions including the Old Town with its ancient moat and red-brick walls. The city’s oldest temple Wat Chiang Man, and the scenic Ang Kaew Reservoir are also within close proximity, with the elephant rescue center Elephant Nature Park, the stunning Mae Ya Waterfall, and UNESCO’s latest biosphere reserve Doi Chiang Dao in the mountainous surrounds.
Housed in a 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building, Meliá Chiang Mai’s host of top-notch facilities includes two restaurants, two bars, and two lounges, one with an executive lounge on the 21st floor. Other facilities include Meliá’s signature YHI Spa with seven treatment rooms, a fully equipped fitness center, swimming pool, ballroom, four other meeting spaces, and a kids and teens club.
DINING
The hotel’s pièce de résistance is a 360-degree rooftop bar on the 22nd floor named Mai The Sky Bar. Comprising two bars connected by a glass bridge, the bar affords views of the River Ping to the city’s east and the famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west.
Under the stewardship of multi-award-winning executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip, the hotel draws on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrates Spain’s famed gastronomy at its signature restaurant Mai Restaurant and Bar, on the 21st floor, and all-day dining restaurant Laan Na Kitchen.
Seating up to 38 diners, Mai Restaurant and Bar specializes in sumptuous contemporary Lanna (Northern Thai) style dishes with Mediterranean influences, as chefs prepare each dish à la minute from an open kitchen. Signature dishes include ‘Baked salmon trout fillet with nam prik oung pimentos‘ and ‘Pappardella soi curry noodles with yellow curry chicken and homemade pickled cabbage‘.
Laan Na Kitchen serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine ranging from ‘Salmorejo con tomate triturado’ to ‘Fideuá de marisco’ in a vibrant marketplace setting. In addition to its indoor area seating 110 diners and patio area catering to 26 more people, Laan Na Kitchen also features four private dining rooms.
Mai The Sky Bar serves an array of authentic Spanish tapas and pinchos as well as a vast selection of beverages including imaginative cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders.
The open-air Tien Pool Bar, located above the lobby on the second floor, embraces the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool ambience and lures guests with a variety of tasty snacks, many with a Spanish flair such as ‘Bocadillo serranito’, and a variety of refreshing beverages.
Next to Laan Na Kitchen on the ground floor, Ruen Kaew Lounge serves a healthy, small bites menu under the ‘My Balance by Meliá’ program as well as a wellness-inspired afternoon tea, coffee, and more.
The hotel also offers a 24-hour in-room dining menu including five distinct healthy breakfast sets, as part of ‘My Balance by Meliá’, as well as a Spanish, Chinese, and local breakfast selection.
In partnership with ‘Ori9in, The Gourmet Farm’, Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing the ‘farm to table’ social movement by establishing its own sustainable farm in San Sai District to harvest organic fruit, vegetables and herbs for its restaurants. Under its ‘360° Cuisine’ program, the hotel works closely with local farmers to improve sustainability, encourage ethical production, and help the farming community, give guests a peace of mind about where their food comes from and make communities and the overall food system more resilient.
Of the property’s extensive room portfolio, 38 rooms and six suites belong to ‘The Level’, an upgraded level of service and benefits that provides exclusive access to The Level executive lounge. A sophisticated area for savouring an upgraded breakfast, complimentary all-day snacks, afternoon tea and evening cocktails, the lounge is also suited to casual business meetings. Private check-in and check-out at The Level Lounge, late check-out until 2pm (subject to availability), complimentary ironing of garments, and a 10% discount at the YHI Spa are among other The Level benefits.
GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES
Meliá Chiang Mai’s nine categories of contemporary, bright, and homely accommodations include rooms ranging in size from 30sqm to 54sqm and suites starting at 62sqm and topping out at 113sqm. All accommodations feature a king-sized bed (with two single beds also available) and mod-cons such as a flat-screen TV with a selection of international channels, tea and coffee-making facilities, and ironing facilities.
The lead-in ‘Meliá Room’ offers city vistas with west-facing rooms providing a window on sunsets over one of Thailand’s most iconic attractions, the historical Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep mountain, and east-facing rooms that take in sunrise over the Ping River.
The ‘Meliá Corner Room’ and ‘Meliá Premium Room’ are both fully soundproofed and feature a chaise-longue that stretches the entire length of the glass wall. The 54sqm ‘Premium Corner Room’ is fully equipped with a sofa, table and chairs, and modern amenities including a mini-bar and alarm clock. The Family Room, also 54sqm, offers ample room for additional beds, with connecting rooms available upon request.
Located on the higher floors of the hotel, the 62sqm ‘Level Suite’ offers a round bathtub and sweeping views of Chiang Mai. Commanding 113 sqm on the 20th floor, ‘The Level Presidential Suite’ is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The Level Lounge is available to guests staying in ‘The Level Room’, ‘The Level Premium Room’, ‘The Level Suite’, and ‘The Level Presidential Suite’.
SPA AND WELLNESS
Meliá Chiang Mai’s YHI Spa will feature seven private treatment rooms, designed in an underwater theme, and a traditional Thai herbal sauna to help cleanse, detox, and ease muscle tension.
The YHI Spa features four single treatment rooms, two double (or couples) treatment rooms, and one double room for Thai massage as well as a separate room for pedicures with two seats.
The spa’s professional therapists use ancient Asian healing wisdom combined with modern wellness techniques in a full range of body treatments from massages and scrubs to wraps and facials, leaving spa-goers revitalised and refreshed. Treatments are based on organic Thai wellness brand HARNN’s products, made with natural ingredients via methods handed down the generations of Thai artisans.
Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool on the second floor, the gym includes premium fitness equipment from the latest Matrix line by Johnson including treadmills, elliptical trainers, and exercise bikes, as well as a free weights station and a collection of weights machines.
MICE FACILITIES
An idyllic venue for events and weddings, the property’s extensive conference facilities include a 358-sqm ballroom named Yi Peng Grand Ballroom and two function rooms on the tower’s second floor above the lobby, and a 185-sqm multi-purpose function room on the podium building’s top floor, the seventh floor.
The ballroom’s 173-sqm pre-function area is connected to the outdoor swimming pool and Tien Pool Bar. As part of the ‘Power Meetings by Meliá’ program, the Power Lounge features a pool table, drinks area and funky seating suited to down-time between meetings.
Khom Multi-Function Room, on the seventh floor, opens to a 222-sqm outdoor terrace that also lends itself to events due to views of Chiang Mai, the river, and the mountains. The Khom Multi-Function Room adjoins a secret garden, that makes for a welcome surprise during coffee breaks.
“As one of the most popular places to visit on any travel itinerary to Thailand, we can’t help but be optimistic about the future of Chiang Mai’s tourism industry,” said Mrs Wallapa Traisorat, Meliá Chiang Mai’s owner and AWC’s CEO and President. “Trading on the mystic splendor of Northern Thailand, this flagship hotel is part of AWC’s efforts to build a better future for Thailand’s tourism landscape and economy amid the new normal.”
“Following the successful launch of Meliá Koh Samui, Thailand, Meliá Chiang Mai marks an exciting expansion of Meliá Hotels International in Thailand,” said Mr Ignacio Martin, Area Managing Director South East Asia of Meliá Hotels International. “To deliver Meliá’s warm Spanish hospitality, distinctive passion for service and focus on the customer’s wellbeing, this hotel’s launch is all the more remarkable in these trying times.”
“Meliá Chiang Mai will open with about 160 employees and will eventually employ a total of 240 people,” said Meliá Chiang Mai’s General Manager, Mr Edward E. Snoeks. “In addition to being hugely beneficial for local employees and their families, the launch of the first five-star hotel to open in the city since the start of the global pandemic is a much-needed morale boost for the local tourism industry.”
To celebrate its opening, Meliá Chiang Mai is offering rates starting from THB 2,499 (USD 76) per night for a Meliá Room with breakfast. The offer also includes a 20% discount on food and beverage and YHI Spa treatments. For stays of two nights or more, the hotel offers a complimentary round-trip transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport, cocktail, and tapas plate per stay. Bookings of four nights or more come with a complimentary guaranteed upgrade to the next room category, for bookings from now until 30 April 2022 for stays from 10 April until 31 October 2022.
About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.
About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe in 2020, according to the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking).
