Bangkok (Thailand) – June 26, 2015 – Leading luxury boutique resort company AHMS The Collection is eager to bring a touch of hip, urban style to Thailand's northern capital with the upcoming opening of the akyra Manor Chiang Mai on August 1.

The unveiling will take place at the Italics restaurant in Bangkok, an Italian gastronomy concept that will be the flagship of the akyra Manor Chiang Mai.

Italics and akyra Manor Chiang Mai are the result of a bold collaboration between AHMS The Collection and Singapore-based design house Manor Studio, combining the creativity of the pioneering 'barefoot luxury' resort group with cutting-edge architecture and design.

The five-star hotel has 30 suites, including 23 suites measuring 57 m² and seven larger suites of a spacious 98 m², arranged around an inner courtyard. It is already a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

The akyra Manor Chiang Mai was created to fill a market gap saturated with Lanna-style resorts but lacking a hip, urban hotel offering exceptionally spacious suites, a level of privacy and style previously unknown in the "Rose of the North", and an insider charm that comes with its location in the trendy new Nimman Haemin district, a neighborhood pulsating with youth and energy and teeming with art, boutiques, cafes and cool bars and restaurants.

The founder and CEO of AHMS, Mrs. Anchalika Kijkanakorn, said she was thrilled and excited to open the doors of akyra Manor Chiang Mai to the first guests.

“This will be the new place to stay. It’s an all-suite hotel with luxurious bathrooms, separate dressing areas for him and her, and a fantastic centerpiece – a round white marble bathtub in an open-air courtyard, with privacy ensured by a custom-made partition,” she said.

"Here you can really spread out, relax and enjoy life. We offer many individual services. The hotel organizes tailor-made city tours that take you away from the tourist traps to places where you can get to know the authentic Chiang Mai and fascinating locals through exciting activities."

"It is perfect for guests who want to come to Chiang Mai for an extended stay, or for those who travel frequently for business and are looking for accommodation with enough space and style to feel more like a home than a hotel."

"More than that, it's extremely local: This is where the trendy locals meet, and guests can feel this atmosphere and energy while retreating into absolute privacy. 'Hip, cool, first-class service and super private' – these words describe it best. Think of Notting Hill, even before the film Notting Hill."

RISE, the rooftop pool bar with its spectacular glass-walled infinity pool, will become the place to be and the venue for the best events and parties. The daily "Magic Hour" at sunset over Doi Suthep will also become an essential ritual for guests.

Italics would also be a great place for people-watching, not to mention the authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, featuring a wood-fired pizza oven and a cool urban atmosphere.

Chaw Chih Wen, the designer, and his team did an outstanding job designing the hotel, said Ms. Kijkanakorn. The former protégé of Cesar Pelli Architects in New York has exhibited his work at venues including the Triennale di Milano (2007), the 6th International Conference in Tokyo (2006), and Tokyo Designers Week (2010). He is also the recipient of the 2012 A'Design Award in the category of Interior Design and Exhibition Design.

The exterior facade is a masterpiece by Chaw Chih Wen and is inspired by the old city wall of Chiang Mai, which survives in varying states as crumbling masonry throughout the old city district.

“The wall separates old and new, so the ancient city wall served as inspiration for the facade. It has an iconic feel, but we don’t just want to create a wow effect,” said Mr. Chaw. “We want the hotel to be perceived as something natural, a flowing, organic part of the landscape, formed over time through many layers. The colors are also very natural, a palette of browns and grays.”

Ms. Kijkanakorn said: “This is a new chapter in our development. We have been working for more than a decade on beautiful, secluded beach destinations, with unique and high-quality guest experiences at the heart of our offering.”

"The same will be true at akyra Manor Chiang Mai, as we will continue to offer exceptional culinary experiences and destinations, but thanks to our partners in the Manor Group, we will complement these with an increased level of art and style. It is the perfect combination in a perfect place."

The luxury hotel akyra Manor Chiang Mai opens in the art district and the “Coffee Street” Nimman Haemin of the northern capital with an exhibition by the celebrated British portrait photographer Dr. Andy Gotts, who will personally premiere his new show with Hollywood A-list celebrities exclusively at the hotel on August 22, 2015.

John Lim, CEO of the Manor Group, added: “We are delighted to partner with AHMS, a company with such an impressive track record of innovation in the hotel industry, to which we can contribute our creative expertise. We look forward to a long-term collaboration with AHMS.”

For the first three months after its opening, akyra Manor Chiang Mai is offering an introductory price of 4,200 THB++, allowing art and design enthusiasts to visit the Andy Gotts exhibition while enjoying the urban chic and warm service of akyra Manor. The exhibition marks the beginning of a series of regular exhibitions featuring renowned artists and photographers at the new urban resort.

About AHMS: AHMS specializes in the management of small luxury resorts and is the owner and management company of Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga (www.aleenta.com/phuket) and Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi (www.aleenta.com/hua hin). AHMS also operates Akyra Chura Samui (www.theakyra.com). The AKARYN Retreat on Koh Krabay in Cambodia is scheduled to open at the end of 2016.

For further information, please contact: Eugene Oelofse, Director of Brand Communications & PR, AHMS The Collection, Tel.: +66 (0) 2514 8112, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.aleenta.com