BY JAMES WILKINSON
Siem Reap’s iconic Hotel De La Paix is set to become the 14th Park Hyatt in South East Asia and the first in Cambodia after the Chicago-based chain signed a management agreement to operate the luxury property.
Hotel De La Paix will close on June 30, 2012 and re-open in the first quarter of 2013 and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts’ Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development for Asia Pacific, Ratnesh Verma, said the acquisition of the property was a key element of the company’s long-term growth plans for the region.
“This globally-recognised property embodies the distinctive experience that our guests expect from Park Hyatt along with a local character that amazes those visiting this wonderful country,” he said.
“We are thrilled to add this remarkable property to the Hyatt family, adding a jewel in our growing portfolio of hotels in Southeast Asia,” Verma said.
Following the refurbishment, the Park Hyatt Siem Reap will feature 107 rooms and suites, along with two restaurants, a bar, bakery, meeting rooms, day spa, fitness centre and two pools.
Owners of the Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Hotel De La Paix, Co. Ltd, have had a strong working relationship with Hyatt for some time – particularly at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa – and the company’s Managing Director, Eddie Kiasrithanakorn, said he was looking forward to extending the working partnership.
“We are excited to work with Park Hyatt and (interior designer) Bill Bensley to build on the success and achievements of our hotel in Siem Reap,” he said. “And we look forward to creating new elements of luxury in terms of product and service for our valued guests.
“We believe that Park Hyatt will continue to strengthen our award winning community service programs and lead the development of the arts in Cambodia,” Kiasrithanakorn said.
Hotel De La Paix, Co. Ltd also owns De La Paix-branded properties in Thailand and Laos, three Nagas hotels in Luangprabang and a share in The Yamu in Phuket.