Phuket (Thailand) – September 10, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts hosted an exclusive familiarization trip to Phuket, giving media representatives the opportunity to experience the tranquil south coast of this popular Thai island and stay at the brand new Best Western Plus The Beachfront resort in Rawai.

The three-day, two-night familiarization trip invited leading editors, journalists, and bloggers to discover the "real" Phuket, away from the bright lights and busy streets of the west coast. Although Phuket is one of the world's most popular beach destinations, the south coast has retained an authentic and charming atmosphere that sets it apart from other parts of the island.

Located directly on Rawai Beach and overlooking the azure Andaman Sea, this stunning beachfront hotel offers 179 rooms and suites. All rooms feature modern amenities, a kitchenette, and a private balcony or terrace; some even offer direct access to the resort's outdoor pool. Other facilities include the all-day dining restaurant "The Quest," a stylish beach bar, a children's pool, and a fitness center.

On the first day, guests had the opportunity to discover the delicious flavors of southern Phuket. First, they participated in a cooking class with the hotel's chef, where they were introduced to the fresh, local ingredients. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed lunch at "The Quest" restaurant, where they were treated to some of the region's most delectable dishes. Following a relaxing afternoon, the group was treated to an unforgettable dinner at a nearby seafood restaurant.

On the second day, the guests had the opportunity to explore the landscape and sights of southern Phuket. After lunch at another excellent restaurant, the media representatives were taken to two of the most picturesque spots in southern Phuket: Karon viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the west coast, and Cape Promthep, the southern peninsula known for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

The group then had the opportunity to explore the rich Buddhist traditions of the region at Wat Chalong, one of Phuket's most important and impressive temples, located just a 5-minute drive from the hotel, before returning to the Best Western Plus The Beachfront for an unforgettable dinner right on the beach at The Beach restaurant.

On the third and final day, the guests enjoyed a city tour of Phuket's Old Town, a charming destination where colorful 19th-century commercial buildings and distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture stand side by side with bustling markets and street food stalls, before being taken to the airport for their return flight to Bangkok.

“Phuket is visited by over nine million* international visitors annually, along with many more domestic guests. But how many travelers get a real glimpse into the island’s cultural heritage? Thanks to its unique location on Phuket’s tranquil south coast, Best Western Plus The Beachfront surrounds its guests with local treasures such as fishing villages, fish markets, and secluded sandy beaches. This press trip provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase this idyllic part of the island to our media partners. I look forward to introducing even more guests to the wonders of southern Phuket in the future,” said Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director International Operations – Asia at Best Western.

The Best Western Plus The Beachfront is one of four Best Western hotels in Phuket, along with the Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa, the Best Western Patong Beach and the Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort.

Journalists, bloggers and other media professionals who would like to experience Best Western hotels and resorts in Asia can contact our Marketing Communications Department by email at [email protected] and [email protected] or by phone at +66 (0) 2 656 1260.

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 developers and guests in every market. Best Western brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, 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