Bangkok’s new airport offers exciting stop-over options

Bangkok’s new international airport – Suvarnabhumi – opened officially on September 28th with the touchdown at 03:02 of a Lufthansa cargo plane.

The airport is set to become one of the world’s most important aviation hubs, and with Bangkok a key hub for flights to Europe, the Middle East, the Indochina region and the rest of Asia, the airport opening will have particular significance for travellers from Australia. In particular, it will open up new stop-over destinations in Thailand, such as Pattaya, which will now be just 1½ hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Initially, Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to handle up to 45 million passengers annually, based on two parallel runways with a total capacity of 76 flights per hour. Upon full completion, it will have four runways ankd passenger terminals capable of handling 100 million movements a year.

The first major component of the airport precinct – the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel – opened earlier this month and experienced its first 100% occupancy last night, with the 612 room hotel forced to turn away many extra requests.

Opening rates for the hotel start from Baht3380++ (approx AU$120) per night. Other packages including spa treatments and added extras will be made available in coming months.

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. 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. The two buildings are also joined by another massive glass atrium designed as the hotel lobby. With a lobby covering 2,800sqm five-stories in height, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel boasts one of the largest hotel lobbies in the world.

The unique design allows for greater environmental control and incorporates the outdoor atrium areas for swimming and recreation.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is aiming to establish itself as the airport’s premium dining area with four restaurants and a bar. The Novotel brand’s innovative all day dining outlet, The Square, serves a variety of popular Western and Asian dishes from an open show kitchen a la minute, 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. The hotel’s Atrium Terrace Lobby Lounge adds 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. Packages to be offered include:

* Jet Lag Recovery Package - 2hours @ Baht 3,400++
* Jet Lag Recovery Express Treatments in 30 minutes (starting from Baht 900.00++)

The spa centre will also offer treatments for guests who are flying into Thailand and need to prepare their skin for the hot, sunny conditions. Treatments will include waxing, tanning, body wraps and exfoliating body scrubs.

Until the opening of the spa Thai massage & foot massage will be offered as an in-room guest service

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel caters to Bangkok’s growing meeting and event markets with more than 2,400sqm of space including a pillar-less ballroom for up to 800 people and 6 additional meeting rooms. It is also well positioned for delegates attending events at the nearby BITEC Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The hotel joins an extensive network of over 60 Accor airport hotels in 18 countries, including 20 under the Novotel brand. These include hotels at some of the world’s busiest airports in cities such as Paris, London, Frankfurt, Chicago and Sydney.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is Accor’s second major airport hotel opening in Asia this year following the opening of Novotel Citygate near Hong Kong International Airport in April. The third, Novotel Baiyun Airport Guangzhou, is scheduled to open in November this year.

A side benefit of the opening of the new airport will be the close proximity of eastern beach destinations such as Pattaya and Rayong. Pattaya is a famous Thai beach destination that has recently upgraded its image, attractions and tourism infrastructure. Pattaya will now be just 1½ hours (instead of three) drive from the airport, and two Accor hotels – the Sofitel-managed Garden Cliff Resort & Spa and Mercure Pattaya – have opened in the past year to cater for the growth in domestic and international visitor numbers. Accor also operates the beachfront Novotel Rim Pae Rayong, a short drive from Pattaya.