Accor’s new Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel “opens”

While Bangkok’s new international Suvarnabhumi airport opened officially yesterday morning with the touchdown at 03:02 of a Lufthansa cargo plane, nearby another “opening” was taking place through the opening of Accor’s new Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

Located within the airport precinct, the 612 room Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, actually opened earlier this month and experienced its first 100% occupancy on the day of the airport opening.

The ultra-modern hotel is located just a three-minute walk from the airport’s main terminal connected by a 200 metre, air-conditioned underground walkway and a direct rail link currently under construction will connect the hotel to existing transport systems, downtown Bangkok and its central business districts by early 2008.

The Novotel complex is made up of two square-shaped five-storey buildings, covering 10.5 hectares, with large open atrium areas in the centre of each structure, with the two buildings joined by another massive glass atrium designed as the hotel lobby, which covers 2,800sqm and is five-stories high, providing the Suvarnabhumi Airport with another boast as one of the largest hotel lobbies in the world.

The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel aims to establish itself as the airport’s premium dining area with four restaurants and a bar and The Novotel brand’s innovative all day dining outlet, The Square, serving a variety of popular Western and Asian dishes from an open kitchen 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 with the hotel’s Atrium Terrace Lobby Lounge adding a perfect venue to unwind and relax.

Leisure facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens, fitness centre, beauty salon, shopping arcade, Dolfi Kid’s Corner and babysitting service.

A spa centre specializing in jet-lag treatments will open in October for both overnight guests and transit passengers.

The Hotel also offers more than 2,400sqm of meeting and conference space including a pillar-less ballroom for up to 800 people and 6 additional meeting rooms, being well positioned for delegates attending events at the nearby BITEC Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Bookings for the new Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel and other Accor hotels in Thailand can be made via via travel agents or www.accorhotels.com/asia, or by calling Accor Reservations (Australia 1300 65 65 65; New Zealand 0800 44 4422).

A Special Thailand Report by The Mole