HOW DOES A GOOD HOTEL CHAIN LIKE THAILAND'S DUSIT INTERNATIONAL GET BETTER? BY LAUNCHING A HIGH-END, PRESTIGIOUS, PREMIUM AND PRICIER CHAIN CALLED DUSIT DEVARANA!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
DUSIT THANI BANGKOK IS ONE OF THAILAND'S MOST FAMOUS HOTELS WITH ITS DISTINCTIVE SPIRE ATOP ITS TOWER. IT IS AN OLD HOTEL SINCE IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PURPOSE BUILT HOTELS IN  BANGKOK BUT OVER THE DECADES IT HAS MAINTAINED ITSELF TO BE A GRAND 5-STAR HOTEL.

Dusit Thani became so famous and popular it spawned a chain of 5-star Dusit hotels. But not everyone could afford its rates so it launched D2, a small boutique hotel chain. I stayed twice at D2 in Chiangmai and highly recommend this hotel to everyone. Not only is it smack in the middle of Chiangmai's popular malls and night bazaar and market, its rates are really irresistible. And for the price, you even get a charming, adorable 'surprise' each night on your pillow! It can be a key chain, wallet, coin purse or ornament---you are never told what is coming so you get a different 'surprise' each night!

But of course there are high-class, rich and sophisticated travellers like me and you who demand even more.

For us, Dusit International has created Dusit Devarana! The new premium, premier hotel chain!

Dusit International Launches New Premium Hotel Brand: Dusit Devarana Ending the year on a strong note, leading Asian hospitality group Dusit International announces the launch of a new premium hotel brand, Dusit Devarana, fulfilling the needs of a new segment for the group. Catering to the discerning, high-powered sophisticate looking for a more experiential stay, Dusit Devarana leverages on Dusit International’s rich cultural heritage and history of gracious hospitality to offer an intimate sanctuary experience. The brand aims to provide one-of-a-kind resorts that provide an escape from the everyday world – a sense of renewal; a renaissance of the mind. “The Dusit Devarana brand caters to those looking for a truly multisensory experience across all touch points; design that goes beyond the visual and service that goes beyond the extra mile,” says Mr Gerrit Kruger, Director of Branding and Loyalty Marketing, Dusit International. “The brand is highly localised and service-driven. In fact, this is the common theme across all the Dusit brands: gracious hospitality rooted in Thai traditions.” “The Dusit Devarana brand compliments the existing core Dusit brands,” adds Group Director of Development, Mr Rustom Vickers. “Dusit Thani hotels and resorts typically have extensive facilities with larger room inventories, and dusitD2 hotels are typically modern, boutique-style products aimed towards those looking for affordable luxury. The Dusit Devarana brand now offers the group another choice for partners who wish to develop hotels with us, and we see great potential for the brand in 2014 and beyond.” Alongside its Indian joint venture company Dusit Bird Group, Dusit hosted the soft launch of its inaugural resort, Dusit Devarana New Delhi earlier this year. Nestled amongst a thousand mature trees, Dusit Devarana New Delhi offers guests an urban oasis in the heart of Gurgaon. Designed by renowned architect Khun Lek Bunnag, Dusit Devarana New Delhi integrates art, architecture and nature into one unique space. Key to the Dusit Devarana New Delhi experience is the Lifestyle Executive, akin to a personal butler. These highly knowledgeable individuals act at once as concierge and executive assistant, ensuring the guest receives personalised yet unobtrusive service during their stay. Earlier in December, the company announced the Dusit Devarana Dianchi Lake, Kunming resort in China, alongside its Chinese joint venture partners Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts. Located in the most biodiverse area of the country, Dusit Devarana Dianchi Lake, Kunming will be set on the picturesque bank of Dianchi Lake and offers an extensive hot springs experience. This will include a nano hydro revitalizing pool, aromatic pools, therapeutic pools, jade and volcanic stone pools, splash pools, a foot reflexology pool and hot stone relaxation room, all complemented by Thai-inspired massage treatments of Dusit’s famed Devarana Spa. Additional locations planned for the Devarana brand include Hainan, China and Jaipur, India. Photo 1 – Dusit Devarana Pool View Room The arrival court at Dusit Devarana New Delhi Photo 3 – KIYAN Restaurant at Dusit Devarana New Delhi Photo 4 – Presidential Suite at Dusit Devarana Dianchi Lake, Kunming, China Dusit International has more than 60 years' experience in the hotel and hospitality field. Founded in 1949 by Honorary Chairperson Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, whose first hotel was the Princess on Bangkok's New Road, Dusit International has since acquired a unique portfolio of distinctive hotels, building upon Thai culture and tradition to create a personalized welcome for all guests made distinctive under the Dusit International brand promise; the delivery of an 'experience that enlivens the individual spirit, no matter the journey’. Dusit International comprises four hotel brands: Dusit Thani, dusitD2, Dusit Princess and Dusit Devarana. It also operates Dusit Residences and its own signature Devarana Spa.