Bangkok (Thailand) – November 8, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Following the successful launch of Vana Nava Water Jungle in Hua Hin, one of Thailand's leading water parks, which has been operating for three years, Proud Real Estate has invested a further 1.8 billion THB in the construction of the Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin. The Vana Nava Sky, a rooftop terrace with a viewing platform, bar, and restaurant, as well as a new children's area within the water park, have also been opened. The hotel represents the second phase of the nearly 4 billion THB development project on a 35-rai site. The third and final phase comprises premium residences, scheduled to open in 2018.

“As the tourist demographic in Hua Hin shifts from traditional European senior couples to younger Asian families, guests are seeking a more adventurous and playful holiday experience. Beyond beaches and local culture, more and more customers are looking for memorable, fun activities to share with loved ones, creating a joyful travel experience for everyone. Vana Nava Hua Hin is the first resort project in Thailand developed according to the ‘playcation’ concept, offering facilities for all types of guests, including families, couples, and corporate groups,” said Proudputh Liptapanlop, Managing Director of Proud Real Estate.

The 300-room Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, at 140 meters tall, is the tallest building in Hua Hin, offering guests uninterrupted panoramic ocean views. The hotel primarily caters to families, who are its main target group due to the popularity of the water park. It also boasts one of the largest MICE facilities in Hua Hin, with over 1,500 m² of meeting space, as well as a wide range of amenities, including a 24-hour, 300 m² fitness center, infinity pools on the 26th floor, a lobby bar, a spa, a well-equipped kids' club, and separate children's suites. All guests enjoy unlimited access to the water park during their stay. Thanks to innovative technology, such as an electronic entry system, there are no queues or ticket purchases.

Another key component of the project, "Vana Nava Sky," an observation deck with a restaurant and bar, which Proud envisioned as another landmark for Hua Hin, was designed by Bangkok-based consultant Ashley Sutton. Sutton has previously designed world-renowned destinations such as Maggie Choo's and Iron Fairies in Bangkok, as well as Ophelia in Hong Kong. The glass-bottomed platform sits 110 meters above ground level and offers panoramic views of Hua Hin Bay, Khao Takiab, offshore islands, and even Sam Roi Yot National Park.

“The Playcation concept is more than just a hotel next to a water park. It’s about providing a seamless customer experience. All 300 rooms include unlimited access to the water park for all guests. Upon arrival, guests receive an RFID wristband that not only grants them access to the water park but also unlocks their hotel room and pays for all food and other purchases. The wristband can be pre-loaded or pre-loaded, allowing parents to load it for their children and monitor their spending. There are also plans to extend this technology to other services such as room service and e-commerce in the future,” said Ms. Liptapanlop.

To make the offerings even more attractive for families, the water park is being expanded with a new area for toddlers. The 600 m² "Vana Wonderland" features a spacious paddling pool with water toys and toy guns, decorated with colorful, oversized artificial animals and plants. The water park will also offer modernized restrooms, more seating and shaded areas, and new and improved dining options, such as the Vana Cave Café, where guests can dine in a cave. Additionally, the "Vana Learning Center" provides classrooms and learning spaces for students visiting Hua Hin.

The synergies between the hotel and water park extend far beyond catering to families. The Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin offers unique conference packages that allow, for example, company groups to combine a long day of meetings with a private dinner and a party in the wave pool that lasts late into the night. The water park is also introducing a new program for team building and school trips. This includes games uniquely integrated into the exciting rides and slides, tasks and challenges that can be completed throughout the park, and numerous other activities designed to teach basic physics and water management principles, and even improve English skills.

By leveraging the group's other properties in Hua Hin, including the BluPort Hua Hin Resort Mall (a 50:50 joint venture with the Mall Group, which opened last year) and the True Arena Hua Hin with its diverse sports facilities, Ms. Liptapanlop is confident that the project will offer a unique experience. "We expect the average daily rate (ADR) to be at least 20 percent higher than the competition, and occupancy rates to stabilize at between 60 and 70 percent. With this model, we should also increase water park attendance by at least 100,000 per year, bringing the total to at least 350,000 per year," Ms. Liptapanlop explained.

Given the model's anticipated success, Proud Real Estate is already planning to implement the "Playcation" concept at other locations in Thailand and potentially in other Southeast Asian countries. The company recently acquired a large plot of land in Phuket. Furthermore, last year it established the joint venture WhiteWater Southeast Asia with Whitewater West Canada to offer turnkey solutions to developers looking to build water parks in the region. Within its first year of operation, the joint venture has already completed six projects in four different countries.

The Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin opens its doors this month for a trial period. Opening rates start at THB 2,999++ including entry to the water park for stays between December 15, 2017 and April 20, 2018.

Reservations can be made from November 9th onwards by calling +6632 809 999.

About Proud Estate: Proud Real Estate is the real estate development arm of the Prayoonwit Group, one of Thailand's largest and most established construction companies. The company focuses on creating attractive residential areas and neighborhoods through visionary real estate projects in the hospitality, entertainment, residential, and retail sectors. The company's projects set new standards for modern living, exceeding industry benchmarks and not only meeting but far surpassing required quality standards. Groundbreaking concepts, flawless execution, harmonious integration with nature, and the promotion of the common good are integral to the company's mission. Proud recognizes that its success is closely linked to the communities in which it operates. Therefore, one of Proud Real Estate's responsibilities is to promote local communities through economic development – ​​directly and indirectly through job creation, knowledge transfer, environmental responsibility, and opportunities for collaboration for all. Proud Real Estate is the main owner of a number of innovative projects, including the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, Vana Nava Hua Hin, True Arena Hua Hin, the BluPort Resort shopping mall, and other projects planned for the near future.