Na Jomtien, Pattaya (Thailand) – June 19, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts celebrates the signing of a full management contract for Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, which will be the first newly built BW Premier Collection hotel in Asia.

On June 13, 2019, the well-known hotel group signed a Professional Service Agreement (PSA) with Habitat Group, Thailand's leading real estate developer for capital investments, for this striking new hotel located in Na Jomtien, Pattaya, a quiet beach resort on Thailand's popular east coast.

Through the Partnership Agreement (PSA), Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, now benefits from Best Western's over 70 years of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry, as well as comprehensive operational support. This includes day-to-day operations, global sales, marketing and distribution, revenue management, state-of-the-art technology, human resources, training, and much more. The hotel will also become part of the Best Western Rewards® network, the company's industry-leading loyalty program.

The Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western is located just 100 meters from the beach, minutes from the attractions of downtown Pattaya, and about a 1.5-hour drive from Bangkok. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2020, the hotel will feature 195 modern suites, ideal for family vacations, weekend getaways, and romantic escapes. The eight-story building will also offer a range of exclusive amenities, including a stylish rooftop swimming pool.

This exciting project has already won a number of awards, including “Best Low-Rise Architectural Design (Resort)” at the Thailand Property Awards 2017 and the title “New Hotel Construction & Design – Thailand” at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018.

“The signing of the production participation agreement for Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, is a significant milestone in our development strategy. At Best Western, we strive to build an exceptional portfolio of hotels and resorts across Asia, and we believe that comprehensive management agreements are the best way to achieve the highest standards of hospitality,” said Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director International Operations – Asia at Best Western.

“The Habitat Group is a fantastic, forward-thinking partner, and their team has demonstrated great skill and vision in creating such an outstanding project. We are honored that they have entrusted us with the management of Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, and I look forward to presenting guests with an exciting new era of upscale hospitality in 2020,” added Olivier.

Habitat Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Habitat Group, manages the group's portfolio of resort properties. With a strong focus on Thailand's east coast and a commitment to partnering with the best brands in the hotel industry, Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, is the first Habitat Hospitality hotel to be operated by Best Western.

“We are delighted to be working with the professional team at Best Western. I am convinced that Bluphere, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, will set new standards for the hotel industry in the region and will be a valuable addition to the leisure industry on Thailand’s east coast,” added Chanin Vanijwongse, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat Group Co., Ltd.

The signing of the purchase agreement continues the successful partnership between Best Western and the Habitat Group; the two companies are also collaborating on the Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya – another upscale project on the east coast of Thailand, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2020.

Best Western's rapidly growing Thai portfolio now includes a number of established and emerging business and leisure destinations across the Kingdom, including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Buriram and Prachinburi.

Pictured at the PSA signing ceremony: Mr. Chanin Vanijwongse, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat Group (3rd from left); Ms. Sasivimol Sutthibut, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat Group (2nd from left); Ms. Vimolsiri Sutthibut, Marketing Communications Director, Habitat Group (left); Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, Best Western (3rd from right); Rodney Simpson, Senior Regional Director of Operations – Asia (2nd from right); and Cyrill Czerwonka, Regional Director of Development – ​​Asia, Best Western (right).

About Habitat Group: Founded in 2012, Habitat Group is a leading Thai real estate developer in the premium segment. The company has extensive experience in developing branded residences and boasts a proven track record of award-winning resorts and strong returns for investors. Habitat Group's portfolio includes exclusive branded resort residences in prime locations in Pattaya, as well as high-quality residential developments in Bangkok's central business district. For more information, please visit www.habitatgroup.co.th.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts: Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned hotel brand with a global network of approximately 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 16 hotel brands that cater to the needs of hoteliers and guests in every market. Best Western brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, AidenSM, SadieSM, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through a recent acquisition, Best Western now also offers the WorldHotels® Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, and WorldHotels Distinctive brands. Complementing its portfolio, Best Western offers the SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, and SureStay Collection® franchises**. For over 70 years, Best Western has been synonymous with hospitality, providing its hoteliers worldwide with operational, sales, and marketing support, as well as award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to break industry records for awards and accolades. In 2018, 66 percent of the brand's North American hotels received the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Business Travel News® ranked Best Western Plus and Best Western as the number one hotel brand in the upper-midrange and midrange categories, respectively, for two consecutive years. Fast Company recognized Best Western Hotels & Resorts as one of the ten most innovative companies in augmented reality/virtual reality. Best Western has also been named AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year for ten consecutive years. This award recognizes the brand's commitment to exceptional service and value for money for AAA/CAA's nearly 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada. In the 2018 JD Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, Best Western hotels ranked first in the food and beverage category for breakfast—first in the midrange and second in the upper-midrange. Nearly 40 million travelers are members of the award-winning Best Western Rewards® loyalty program, one of the few programs where points have no expiration date and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. Best Western's partnerships with AAA/CAA and Google® Street View offer travelers exciting ways to experience the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size to introduce a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and revolutionizing how guests experience hotels. *Figures are approximate, subject to change, and include hotels currently under development. **All Best Western, WorldHotels, and SureStay branded hotels are independently operated.

Contact information: Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia Email: [email protected]

Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia Email: [email protected]

Best Western Hotels and Resorts BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd. | Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor, Gaysorn Place Office Building, 999 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand | Tel.: +662 656 1260 | Fax: +662 656 1252 | www.bestwesternasia.com