Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/110172
HOTELS www.travelweeklyweb.com A touch of Christian Lacroix at Sofitel So Bangkok SINGAPORE ��� From haute couture to lifestyle products, his works have been the envy of many in the fashion world. Now, moving to murals, mobiles, uniforms and emblems, Monsieur Christian Lacroix has landed his inimitable touch to the fine designs at the Sofitel So Bangkok. Collaborating with the French couturier redefines the hotel���s identity, as the city���s first truly urban design hotel, carrying style merged with fun, fantasy and flair. The journey started in 2011, where Lacroix was invited to be Sofitel So Bangkok���s Signature Designer, in the early stages of the hotel���s construction. At Sofitel So Bangkok, Lacroix has combined his personal take on French elegance, theatrical flair, fantasy and folklore with the symbolism of the traditional Five Elements of oriental philosophy ��� Water, Earth, Wood, Metal, and Fire ��� that have inspired the hotel���s overall design concept, along with touches of Thai influence. Centrepiece of it all is the TREE OF LIFE, the hotel���s emblem that encapsulates all of the Five Elements, creating a harmonious balance, enriched by the spirit of time and of the seasons. Overflowing with a rainbow of colour, this ���Neo Arbre de Vie��� is an Asian inspired reinterpretation of an ancient symbol of nature found Christian Lacroix (centre) with the Sofi tel So Bangkok team donning his designs in the West and East and perfectly epitomizes the essence of Sofitel So Bangkok, rooted in its locale, growing upward and outward. Marriott to expand in Thailand BANGKOK ��� Thailand can expect to see more of Marriott hotels this year. That���s because hotel brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and Marriott Hotels & Resorts will see their total numbers double up as Marriott International signs a landmark deal with TCC Hotels Group for the management of two existing hotels and five new build properties across the country in the strategic tourist destinations of Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Bangkok, Simon Cooper, Marriott International���s president and managing director Asia Pacific, said: ���We are delighted to announce this landmark deal for Thailand. TCC Hotels Group is very well established as a hotel owner and operator around the world and these seven hotels will add to our already strong portfolio of hotels in the (left to right): Shawn Hill, regional VP, Hotel Development APAC, Marriott International; Paul Foskey, executive VP, International Hotel Development APAC, Marriott International; Simon country.��� Cooper, president & MD, APAC, Marriott International, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, chairman of TCC Hotels Group expects to invest approximately TCC Group, Charles Mak, MD & president, International Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley, US$500 million for the seven hotels including an Wallapa Traisorat and Soammaphat Traisorat - president and CEO, TCC Hotels Group. extensive refurbishment of the existing Imperial Queen���s Park Hotel, Bangkok and the Imperial Adamas Phuket Beach business sectors of Thailand,��� said Wallapa Traisorat, president, TCC Resort before being rebranded and opened under the Marriott Hotels Hotels Group. & Resorts brand in 2016. These 3,000 rooms are in addition to Marriott International���s ���TCC Hotels Group believes that Thailand and the group existing pipeline in Thailand of more than 1,000 rooms, and the could benefit from the global network and standards of Marriott company expects to be managing almost 7,000 rooms in Thailand International. We are very excited to be working together with by 2017 to support the continued tourism growth for Thailand as Marriott International, an experienced global operator to support it becomes a strategic location of the Asian Economic Community our growth strategy and our confidence in both Tourism and MICE (AEC). 10 | ��� TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | FEBRUARY 2013 www.travelweeklyweb.com