Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention

In a clear sign of inner city regeneration, the area just north of Rama IV – Klong Toey intersection in downtown Bangkok is now home to half a dozen new buildings, all monuments to 21st Century development. Three of these modern marvels sport the name ‘Queen’, in reference to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother; namely the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre; the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT subway station and Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre.

 

 

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre first opened in August 1991 and up until it closed for renovation in 2019, it was the Kingdom’s premier convention and exhibition centre playing host to everything from inter-governmental meetings to classical music concerts and IT shows to book fairs. Unfortunately, the original plans for the convention centre did not include a hotel, meaning the only way to get there was via road transport. Not always the easiest of tasks in Bangkok.

 

Even now, as the new centre readies to open in September 2022 after a complete top-to-bottom makeover that cost in excess of Bt12 billion (US$350 million), the much-loved complex is now an ultra-modern convention centre with triple the original venue’s floor space, but again there were no plans for a hotel for delegates, exhibitors and attendees.

 

 

And this is where Siamese Asset, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Kew Green Hotels have come to the rescue of all those who will attend future events. Just a five minute walk from the convention centre, through the subterranean tunnels of the MRT station, sits Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre, a 34-storey, mixed use building that offers a limited number of high-end condominiums for sale, plus 150 luxury guest rooms and suites ranging in size from 35-sqm to 77-sqm.

 

Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre is designed in a modern, monolithic architectural style that seamlessly incorporates natural and man-made elements such as granite, marble, glass, steel, trees, shrubbery and flowing water. Accommodation options include duplexes and suites, which provide long- and short-stay guests with a fully functioning kitchenette, washing machine, comfortable living and dining areas, 55-inch flat screen television and high-speed Wi-Fi Internet. Guests also have access to a rooftop garden, infinity swimming pool, modern gym and a soon to open spa.

 

 

Vern Silananda, Cluster General Manager, Wyndham Bangkok Hotels, said, “With the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre currently being redeveloped, it made sense to bring a world-class hotel to this area. This is a mixed use structure that includes private ownership, long-term residences and short-stay guests in the same building. The whole area around the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and Benjakitti Park, as well as Rama IV and Ratchadapisek roads have all recently been redeveloped.

 

“Our target is long-term residents as well as short-stay guests in terms of those who are exhibiting or attending conferences at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Prior to the opening of Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre, the nearest hotels for those attending a conference were in the Asoke – Sukhumvit area. On a bad day, that short journey could take more than an hour by car. The MRT has made life easier, but if you are taking bulky materials with you to the centre, then road is the only option.

 

 

“Now, with Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre open for business, any guests staying with us and exhibiting or needing to take materials over, they can use our concierge service to move their equipment. Executives can then take their time, have a leisurely breakfast and then walk across worry free of being caught in traffic. Also, for guests that want to host an after-event, they can use our Falcon Secret Bar, a rooftop soul bar that’s scheduled to open in Q3 2022.

 

“We’re gradually reopening to foreign tourists here in Thailand and when Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre comes online, I am sure it will bring lots of guests to this area. While this area may not be an immediate draw for the average tourist, with the opening of the new extension to Benjakitti Park, which is a real bonus for a city like Bangkok, more guests will surely look at Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre as somewhere to stay,” Vern says of the pleasant greenery and wide open natural space now within walking distance of the hotel.

 

 

An accomplished hotelier with over 30 years of hotel management experience, Vern has worldwide experience having worked in the US as well as his home country of Thailand. Most recently, he has held General Manager positions with a range of luxury hotels in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai including Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Amara Hotels & Resorts, Oriental Residence Bangkok and Amari Hotels & Resorts. And with a keen eye for pre-opening and hotel launches, Vern had the proven track record of delivering exceptional customer service that Wyndham Hotels & Resorts were looking when it set about opening four hotels in close succession.

 

Since late last year, Siam Asset, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Kew Green Hotels have opened four properties in Bangkok that include Ramada By Wyndham Bangkok Sukhumvit 87 (opened March 2022), Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Sukhumvit 48 (opened March 2022), Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre (December 2021) and Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42 (December 2021).

 

 

“All four of our hotels in Bangkok are signed under a license agreement with Siamese Asset and Kew Green Company Limited. This is a joint partnership between one of Thailand’s leading local property developer, Siamese Wealth Company Limited, and the international hotel management operator, Kew Green Hotels,” added Vern. “Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest hotel franchisor with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 95 countries. We are also a leading provider of hotel management services.

 

“As a property developer, Siamese Asset wanted to have a branded residence with a hotel in the same complex to add value to the condominium owners. Siamese Asset saw the value of the Wyndham brand and the prestige that comes with it. To complete the deal, Kew Green Hotels was appointed as the management company as it brings global expertise in managing franchises of this nature.

 

 

“Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre has 150 exceptional guest rooms and suites. We are located just a five-minute walk from the MRT station, yet close to the greenery of Benjakitti and Lumpini parks and the oasis of Bang Kachao. The hotel serves as a home away from home for leisure and business guests and from the comfort of their living room, guests have panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River and the bustling Port of Bangkok, or the stunning new Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and Benjakitti Park. Thanks to our floor-to-ceiling, soundproof windows guests can allow in ample natural light without letting in any of the noise,” commented Vern.

 

“One of the outstanding qualities in this property are the enclosed balcony spaces in each room. These relaxing areas feature contemporary Thai design coupled with modern conveniences and really give our guests the feeling of being in a resort type environment. I’ve been here since construction began and I truly believe the hotel has been designed to capture the most beautiful views of the city by day and by night,” he added.

 

The hotel is also gearing up to attract not only in-house guests but also visitors from around town with some exceptionally good culinary treats, including Royal Thai cuisine. The renowned fine-dining outlet Marie Guimar, which specialises in traditional Thai gastronomy as well as Portuguese-inspired desserts, is already proving a huge hit among Bangkok foodies with its amazing fare and equally amazing city vistas. Also on the horizon is a trendy rooftop bar called Falcon Secret Bar. Accessible only via an internal staircase, the bar will surely be a favourite for Bangkok’s after-dark crowd.

 

 

“At Queen, we expect our first short-stay guests will be business executives, especially when the convention centre open in September for the APEC Summit. We’re confident that tourists who want to see another side of Bangkok will also follow as we are close to all the major shopping, dining and entertainment centres. What’s more, with the MRT on our doorstep, getting around Bangkok has never been easier.

 

“Without a doubt, the Covid pandemic has put everyone in the travel and hospitality business back to zero. I think the behaviour of consumers will change and by that I mean the way they travel and the way they view accommodation. Hotels that are now open may have a little advantage over us, but as a new property this also give us an advantage too.

 

“Since we opened in December last year, we’ve welcomed guests from Singapore, India, the UK, the US, Canada, Japan and Australia. There are a number of Japanese guests in our long-stay, serviced apartments and with our strategic partner Kew Green being owned by China Travel Service, we believe that will bring us a whole new line of customers once China reopens again. But for now, we’re seeing a lot of guests coming through feeder markets in Asia and Southeast Asia.

 

 

“For our other hotels in the Ekamai, On-Nut and Phra Khanong areas, we’re looking more for the leisure market, whereas at Wyndham Queens it is more for business and exhibition travellers. From Wyndham Hotels & Resorts perspective, these four hotels will be well established when Thailand fully reopens towards the end of 2022 to the international travel market,” said Vern.

 

As the Kingdom inches ever closer to taking down the barriers of restricted international travel such as Thailand Pass and mandatory Covid insurance, guests will be looking for something new and adventurous and Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre has plenty to offer. The relaxed atmosphere at the new property is sure to attract guests that prefer not to stay in the high foot-traffic areas of Sukhumvit and Silom, but want to be somewhere that’s slightly off the beaten track.

 

Further in the future, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts plans to grow its property footprint in Thailand with one or more of the 23 different brands in its portfolio. Alltra, the all-inclusive lifestyle brand, is one such hotel that could soon be welcoming guests in a Thai city or beach destination.

 

For more information and reservations at Wyndham Bangkok Queen Convention Centre, call +66 (0) 2258 – 3888 or click here.

 

 

 

Source: Punch Media Digital.