Our owning company had purchased the land many years ago and in recent years their own studies concluded that now was the correct time to develop . Soi 39 is seeing record levels of development in the luxury condominium market with healthy sales figures - the Soi is destined to become one of the top streets in Bangkok . The new Emquartier shopping center has also helped to spur an upgrading of the entire area .
137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai offers a unique slice of history in the heart of the hotel . What details does 137 Pillars Suites & Residences , and the prospective 137 Pillars Estate Phuket ( scheduled to open in 2019 ) hope to offer the discerning customer ?
We have designed 137 Pillars Suites and Residences with 34 stunning suites all with private dining areas and maxi bars , large balconies and the feeling of a luxurious residence . This combination is fairly unique and combined with high ceilings gives a beautiful sense of space and luxury . The services we offer are bespoke from the London Cab to take you shopping to the Jack Bain ’ s Bar and Leonowens Club connecting our property with its historic partner in Chiang Mai . Added are the Rooftop infinity edge private pool with Cabanas - our own Golf Simulator and Golf practice greens with Resident Professional , our Personal Shopper service , a great Concierge and our Wellness and Lifestyle Spa
with a balanced yet unique menu of pampering and holistic treatments . Our Culinary Chef Peter Marx will set a new benchmark for Soi 39 with his Nimitr Restaurant on Level 26 and our Bangkok Trading Post Deli & Bistro . In-suite dining and dining by design add to the mix - two gyms , a yoga sala and Sleep Therapy Room all add to the excitement of this new bespoke hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 39 .
While Thailand is a popular travel destination for travelers of all nationalities , it also seems to have a turbulent environment with floods , tsunamis , political unrest , protests and a couple of coup d ’ etats in recent years . To what extent have these events affected 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai ?
We opened 137 Pillars Chiang Mai in the year of the Bangkok floods - and we were only marginally affected . In spite of the turbulence of Thai politics Chiang Mai has gone from strength to strength as a destination of choice with record arrivals since we opened in 2011 . The impact of strong growth in Chiang Mai from near Asian markets and , in particular , the emergence of the Chinese luxury traveler has been very positive thus all menus are in Chinese and we have a Chinese speaking Guest Services Officer . In addition , the US market has continued to grow and Northern Europeans are also coming in greater numbers . We look to Japan and
Korea also to add to our growth going forward .
And have any plans been made to minimize future situations ?
I see Thailand as a remarkably resilient destination that has rapidly recovered from many crisis situations in my 17 years here . The infrastructure keeps improving and the famous hospitality of the Thai people is still part of the DNA - with this wonderful country and its people we have every potential to keep growing . We need however to further develop each person which is an integral part of our Roadmap . Our determination to be a leading luxury boutique operator is based on a 30- year development cycle very different from what is found in most modern-day hotels .
With a strong vision and realistic growth expectations , as well as a team of experienced individuals , the future of the 137 Pillars brand seems bright . What started as a chance encounter with an old historical building has developed into an award-winning hotel and soon to be a leading luxury brand in Bangkok and Phuket . What is most noticeable is the focus on the customer throughout the expansion with the development of the 137 Pillars brand aiming to bring the best possible service to their distinguished guests throughout Thailand .
About the author Laura Gibbs is a travel writer based in Thailand , and specializes in Luxury travel and Asian destinations . Originally from the UK , Laura has lived between Thailand and Japan for the last 6 years , and traveled extensively though most of Asia . Laura holds a degree in Business from Oxford Brookes University and a Masters in International Conflict Analysis , and she is able to pick up on the subtle differences between each country . In November 2016 Laura published her third book , a 237-page guide book called Luxurious Chiang Mai showcasing the best places in Northern Thailand . Her writing can be found at www . luxurychiangmai . com