Hua Hin (Thailand) – January 9, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of a contract for a stylish new beachfront hotel in the popular resort town of Hua Hin on Thailand's Gulf Coast. The Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao will feature over 410 guest rooms and a variety of leisure facilities to suit all types of guests, including couples and families. Located near the beach south of Hua Hin town center and just a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok, the modern resort is the perfect destination for locals, expats, and international travelers seeking a relaxing escape from city life.

The centerpiece of this elegant resort is a series of free-form lagoon pools, slides, waterfalls, and a dedicated children's water playground, all surrounded by tropical palm trees, sun terraces, and comfortable cabanas. Each room offers modern amenities and a balcony overlooking these water features, while the spacious ground-floor rooms feature terraces with direct pool access.

A sunken pool bar invites guests to enjoy refreshing drinks during the day, while the beach bar offers a relaxing spot to unwind with cool drinks and views of the sparkling Gulf of Thailand. The hotel also features a restaurant serving breakfast and Thai and international cuisine all day, a daytime café, a modern fitness center, and on-site parking.

The Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao is owned by One Place Estate Co., Ltd. The signing ceremony took place on December 17, 2018. Present were Mr. Pongpipat Kanjanasupat (4th from the right), Mr. Suvichai Janethanaarthakij (4th from the left), CEOs of One Place Estate, and Olivier Berrivin (3rd from the right), Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

“Hua Hin has transformed from a charming coastal town into a thriving international destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. Thanks to new international flight connections, the city now offers a wealth of attractions, including world-class golf courses, wineries, restaurants, and fascinating cultural sites. The Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao allows its guests to experience the best of this impressive destination in comfort and style – with spacious accommodations and fantastic facilities, most notably the exotic outdoor pools,” said Olivier Berrivin.

“Whether guests are looking for a romantic beach holiday, an unforgettable family vacation, or an exciting trip with friends – this new resort offers something for everyone. We look forward to working with our valued partners at One Place Estate to bring this exciting project to life,” he added.

Hua Hin is easily accessible by road from Bangkok and its two international airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and is a lively resort town that has attracted Thai and international visitors for many years. Thanks to the recently established ferry services from Pattaya and direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Hua Hin Airport, the town is now better connected than ever before. The Thai government is also investing in a major project to expand Hua Hin Airport, which will be completed within the next five years.

Thailand is one of Best Western's most important strategic markets. The company currently operates nine hotels nationwide, including in top tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Buriram. This nationwide portfolio will be significantly expanded in the coming years. At least 15 new Best Western hotels are planned to open in popular and emerging destinations such as Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Prachinburi.

The Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao will be the first Best Western hotel in Hua Hin.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts: Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in over 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 13 hotel brands designed to meet the needs of hoteliers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Sadie HotelSM, Aiden HotelSM, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western, and BW Signature Collection® by Best Western; as well as the recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western, and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. Celebrating over 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers worldwide with operational, sales, and marketing support, along with award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to break industry records in awards and accolades. In 2018, 66 percent of Best Western'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 segments. Fast Company recognized Best Western Hotels & Resorts as one of the ten most innovative companies in augmented reality/virtual reality. Best Western was also named AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year nine times in a row. This award recognizes the brand's commitment to exceptional service and value for money for AAA/CAA's nearly 58 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western hotels achieved top rankings in the JD Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study 2017 – first place for breakfast (food and beverage category) in the midrange segment and second place for overall guest satisfaction. Over 35 million travelers are members of the award-winning Best Western Rewards® loyalty program, one of the few programs where points are valid indefinitely 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 interact with 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. *All Best Western and SureStay branded hotels are independently operated. *Figures are estimates, subject to change, and include hotels currently under development.

Contact information: Best Western Hotels & Resorts BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd, Gaysorn Place Office Building, 999 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Phone: +662 656 1260, Fax: +662 656 1252, Website: www.bestwesternasia.com

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