The hotel will mark the entry of Holiday Inn Express, one of the largest and fastest-growing hotel brands in the world, into Krabi when it opens in 2017.
Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach will be a 30-minute drive from Krabi International Airport, or a two-hour drive for those arriving from Phuket International Airport.
Developed on a sprawling site along the coastline, guests staying at the hotel will enjoy the close proximity to the beach which is a short three-minute walk away. The new hotel will also be situated near the existing Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach.
Leanne Harwood, Vice President, Operations, South East Asia, IHG, said: “Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing strong growth and we are seeing beach destinations such as Krabi gaining popularity amongst travellers seeking a relaxing retreat away from the hustle of the city.
“As Krabi International Airport becomes more accessible to key global cities and international direct flights to Krabi increase, we anticipate a surge in visitor arrivals over the next few years. It is a great time to be bringing the Holiday Inn Express brand into Krabi and we are delighted to be working with U&N Hospitality Co Ltd to open the new Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach in a great location along the coastline of the beautiful Ao Nang Beach.”
U&M Hospitality Co Ltd, owned by the renowned Kitprasan family in Krabi, had previously partnered with IHG for the development of Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach, which opened in 2012.
Sornkom Kitprasan, Director of U&N Hospitality Co Ltd said: “We are delighted to once again be working with IHG to grow our hospitality portfolio in Thailand following the strong performance of the first hotel we launched together in Krabi: Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach.
“With the growing global following of the Holiday Inn brand family and projected increase in visitor arrivals in Krabi, we are confident we will also see strong results from Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach when it opens in 2017.”
There are nearly 2,400 Holiday Inn Express hotels across the globe today, and more than 550 hotels in the development pipeline. One of the world’s fastest growing hotel brands, the first Holiday Inn Express in Southeast Asia opened in Thailand in 2012.
IHG currently has four Holiday Inn Express hotels open in the country and Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach is the sixth hotel under the brand to be added to the company’s pipeline in Thailand.