Friday, September 5, 2008

Away Resorts unveiled in Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai


Chiang Mai, Thailand – September 2008 - Astudo Hotel & Resort Management’s portfolio has been expanding rapidly across Thailand over the last few years. After successfully launching several resort properties under its X2 Resorts, Away Resorts and Le Bayburi brands, Astudo has the honor to proudly present their latest development Away Mae-Rim - Chiang Mai, scheduled to open in November 2008.

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping River, which is a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.

In recent years Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

The resort, set on 25 Rai (40,000 square meters), is ideally located in the tranquil Mae-Rim valley. This superb property provides the finest relaxation, a spa and excellent food and beverages. Understated rooms in huge sub-tropical surroundings offer lovely views over the surrounding mountains and a sense of calmness. A perfect place to relax and rejuvenate or to explore the well known Mae-Rim Valley.

The resort offers a combination of 50 rooms, comprising of:
- 2 Duplex Villas of 60 sqm.
- 1 Villa of 45 sqm.
- 13 Mini Suites of 45 sqm.
- 21 Pool Villas of 35 sqm.
- 5 Clubhouse Rooms of 30 sqm.
- 8 Budget Rooms of 20 sqm.

The standard room facilities offer individually controlled air conditioning, a mini bar, a personal safe and hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities, DVD & CD player and satellite TV. The facilities of the resort include a restaurant offering a wide variety of Seafood, Thai and International cuisine, a spa, a swimming pool, a bar, a lounge and library.

Away resorts are the epitome of peaceful hideaways. All resorts offer guests every opportunity to truly slow down and enjoy their holiday but at the same time provide an interesting and unique array of activities and tours to provide a perfect balance for your holiday. A key hallmark of Away Resorts is their relaxed casual atmosphere, blended with high levels of individual service.

About Astudo Hotel & Resort Management
Astudo Hotel & Resort Management (www.astudo.com) is an international hotel management group based in Thailand. It manages 3 brands, with several properties in a growing portfolio and a fourth brand soon to be released.

X2 Resorts (www.X2resorts.com), Thailand’s first designer hotel chain, first launched in Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - December 2007 and followed by Samui, Suratthani - June 2008. Future X2 resorts anticipated to open in mid 2010 are X2 Koh Tan and X2 Koh Kood.

Away Resorts (www.awayresorts.com), Tropical Polynesian favour resorts, first launched in Koh Kood, Trat – October 2007 and followed by Chumphon in September 2008, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui in late 2009.

Le Bayburi (www.lebayburi.com), Luxury private residences, first launched in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan – July 2007 and followed by Koh Samui, Suratthani – scheduled to open in mid 2009.

For more information about Astudo’s hotel management service, please contact Klaus R. Rauter, Group General Manager at klaus@astudo.com

For media enquiries please contact:
Piangporn Chaiphet (Ms.)
PR & Events Manager
Phone: +66 2696 8239 Ext. 119
E-mail: pr@astudo.com

For more information, visit www.astudo.com, www.awayresorts.com

Away Resorts To Manage Chumphon Resort

Chumphon, Thailand – September 2008 - Astudo Hotel & Resort Management, manager of X2 Resorts, Away Resorts and Le Bayburi, is proudly announcing the opening of Away (Tusita) Chumphon, scheduled in September 2008.

Being the first southern province to be reached from every other part of the country, Chumphon is regarded as a gateway through which southbound visitors will have to pass before continuing on their routes to the western or eastern coasts. Chumphon is not only renowned for its abundant seafood, but also known as a province of succulent fruits with various marvelous attractions like beaches, islands, forests and caves.

Chumphon covers a total area of 6,009 square kilometers with a long coast stretching for 222 kilometers and 47 islands. Its boundary reaches Prachuap Khiri Khan in the North, the Gulf of Thailand in the East, Suratthani in the South and Ranong and Myanmar in the West. Geographically, its landscape is alternate plains and mountains. Coconut, rambutan, durian, mangosteen, banana, and pineapple are some varieties of fruits densely grown on eastern plains.

The resort, (previously known as Tusita Resort), covering a total area of 25 Rai (40,000 square meters), is located on a beautiful unspoiled beach, Had Arunothai. Dozens of stunning limestone islands rising out of the sea are in full view. Nearby is Paknam Tako, an estuary where guests can observe the lifestyle of the local fishermen and watch the fishing boats bringing home the day’s haul close to sunset. Koh Tao, the premier diving area in the Gulf of Thailand is directly to the east with Arunothai providing the closest access point on the mainland and is closer to Koh Tao than the usual point of departure Koh Samui.

The 22 accommodations in the resort comprise of:
- 1 Residence Villa of 150 sqm,
- 2 Beach Suites of 80 sqm,
- 1 Beach Pool Villa of 90 sqm,
- 2 Beach Rooms of 60 sqm,
- 16 Garden Villas of 80 sqm.

The facilities of the resort include a restaurant serving Seafood, Thai and International cuisine, a spa with two treatment rooms and two outdoor massage “Salas”, a swimming pool, a bar, a lounge/library, a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access system) without entering the password throughout the resort.

Away resorts are the epitome of peaceful hideaways. All resorts offer guests every opportunity to truly slow down and enjoy their holiday but at the same time provide an interesting and unique array of activities and tours to provide a perfect balance for your holiday. A key hallmark of Away Resorts is their relaxed casual atmosphere, blended with high levels of individual service.

About Astudo Hotel & Resort Management
Astudo Hotel & Resort Management (www.astudo.com) is an international hotel management group based in Thailand. It manages 3 brands, with several properties in a growing portfolio and a fourth brand soon to be released.

X2 Resorts (www.X2resorts.com), Thailand’s first designer hotel chain, first launched in Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - December 2007 and followed by Samui, Suratthani – June 2008. Future X2 resorts anticipated to open in mid 2010 are X2 Koh Tan and X2 Koh Kood.

Away Resorts (www.awayresorts.com), Tropical Polynesian favour resorts, first launched in Koh Kood, Trat – October 2007, Chumphon, Mae-Rim Chiang Mai in end 2008, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui in late 2009.

Le Bayburi (www.lebayburi.com), Luxury private residences, first launched in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan – July 2007 and followed by Koh Samui, Suratthani – scheduled to open in mid 2009.

For more information about Astudo’s hotel management service, please contact Klaus R. Rauter, Group General Manager at klaus@astudo.com

For media enquiries please contact:
Piangporn Chaiphet (Ms.)
PR & Events Manager
Phone: +66 2696 8239 Ext. 119
E-mail: pr@astudo.com

For more information, visit www.astudo.com, www.awayresorts.com

Juhani Sotka Appointed as Resort Manager at Away Resort Koh Kood

Bangkok, September 2008 - Astudo Hotel & Resort Management has announced the appointment of Juhani Sotka as Resort Manager for Away Resort Koh Kood.

Juhani, a Finnish National, will supervise the entire operation of Away Resort Koh Kood, including food and beverage, rooms operations, engineering, human resources and spa to orchestrate and maintain a 4-star service and operational standards and to promote unity and teamwork amongst all areas.

Juhani graduated from the University of Upsala, Sweden with BBA and BSc and speaks 6 languages, including English, German, Swedish, Finnish, Thai and French. He has been working in management and consultant positions for several international companies in Poland, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as well as resort manager in boutique resorts throughout Thailand in Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui.

Away Resort on Koh Kood is the epitome of an island hideaway. The resort features spacious luxury bungalow villas, with private terraces and sea views from almost every room. The resort has the largest activity and dive centre on the island, so guests can enjoy not only the beauty and peacefulness of the resort, but also everything the island has to offer.

Astudo Hotel & Resort Management operates and manages X2 Resorts (www.X2resorts.com), Away Resorts (www.awayresorts.com) and Le Bayburi (www.lebayburi.com). Away Resorts tend to be designed in a simple but comfortable manner with a distinctive tropical Polynesian theme and traditional Thai hospitality. The first Away resort opened in October 2007 in Koh Kood, followed by Away Tusita Chumphon in September 2008 and Away Suan-Sawan Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai scheduled to open in November 2008.

For media enquiries please contact:
Piangporn Chaiphet (Ms.)
PR & Events Manager
Phone: +66 2696 8239 Ext. 119
E-mail: pr@astudo.com

For more information, visit www.astudo.com, www.awayresorts.com