Interchange 21, 36 Storey-165M : Sukhumvit-Asoke

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Jo

Is that one of those phone/pda hybrids? I want one.

yes, its the newest and smallest little black pda/phone (with Windows Mobile 5)...even smaller than O2 xda Mini!! O2 set up a small boutique in the middle of Paragon Dept store and had only 20 in stock.....if you get one make sure you get one with the up-dated ROM software --otherwise it works slow

Little Black O2 Atom

[Speed]

Originally Posted by BKKinTO

Thanks Speed for the information..so excited about the opening..

By the way, about W hotel... I think they and other luxury chains should come to Thailand and see, like ZARA did..

yes I agree...actually W Hotel probably already sent out scouts looking for good locations/opportunities after all, its Starwood brother and sister hotels are already in Bangkok (Westin, Sheratons, Le Meridiens)

[Jo]

Thanks Speed. The o2 Atom seems nice.
My next mobile will probably be similar since I rarely carry the PDA anymore but still miss it's software features and screen.

[Speed]

Im addicted to the PDA functions

now that the PDA/phones are the same size as regular phones....I really cant do without it...does most things that my laptop or desktop does (plus a so-so 2 megapixel camera)...regular Internet Explorer surfing (not stupid WAP surfing)....FM radio.....MP3 songs and equalizer on 512MG disk (really dont need to carry a separate iPod Nano)....SMS, MMS, email (both hotmail and also work Outlook email)...voice commands for phone dialing and programs....MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Java....MS Money....eWallet, ListPro, voice and regular notes, Stock Manager international portfolio (all major exchanges around the world) and investment and currency updates...games (Monopoly, Casinos, etc.)....WIFI, Bluetooth.....I even recorded the entire "Gladiator" movie video for when Im stuck on a train or bus and totally bored

[Mosaic]

Congratulation, Speed. You 've got a new and cool gadget. Use it well!!!

[Arewethereyet?]

Originally Posted by Speed

yes! but we already have a Luxury Collection Hotel (Grande Sheraton Sukhumvit)...I dont know Movenpick Hotels...but I always eat Swiss Movenpick ice cream at The Peak in Hong Kong!

Maybe the new luxury brand Waldorf-Astoria Collection by Hilton?
or new luxury brand Crillon Hotels by Starwood?
or luxury St. Regis Hotels by Starwood?
or luxury Ritz-Carlton Hotels by Marriott Group

Huh? Movenpick has manage in Hotel business ?? Never known before

Talking bout Luxury chain.I would love to see Designer hotel in bangkok such as Bvgari hotel,Giorgio Armani hotel or even The Pallazzo from Versace.

[Chad]

yes, Movenpick is quite famous actually.

We will soon see Bvlgary Hotel in Phuket, including The Taj Hotel...

[Speed]

oh great! Bulgari Hotel in Phuket!!! (I heard they are opening in Bali very soon)....

I also like the Taj Hotels....I stayed with friends (on a Thai airways tour) at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai (right next to the ocean) wow...very rich in heritage feel...... and also at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi....very nice experiences at least in the hotel...city itself is a bit difficult and those little black vintage taxis from the colonial days are expensive!! ....

Armani Hotels will probably take a longer time to come to Thailand...because they seem to now concentrate on Dubai, Milan, New York, London..... oh well...they will surely come....but in the meantime, if you want that level of lux and style try Amanpuri

Movenpick Hotels seems to be only interested in Europe, Africa and Middle East (nothing in Asia) oh well.....

[Chad]

Amanpuri is actually more expensive than Armani Hotel, I think...

[Speed]

yes, I think yr right but both are expensive !

[Chad]

But Bangkok is getting one Hotel from AMAN chain right? by Natural Park. Next to The Oriental Hotel.....

[Speed]

oh yes!!! I completely forgot about that announcement!

all the great houses wanna come to Krungthep!!!

[Chad]

and imagine!, only 25 rooms!!!, how expensive it will be!

[pon]

Originally Posted by Chad

and imagine!, only 25 rooms!!!, how expensive it will be!

25 rooms for 36 storey??? omg....

[Chad]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

We were talking about The Natural Park hotel on the site of Roi Chak Sam Building by The River....

[Speed]

Aman Resort Bangkok plans a new high-end hotel set in an historical old building close to the Oriental Hotel on the Chao Phraya river.

it will probably be a wonderful lo-rise

[Speed]

yes, we need more cool boutique hotels and retreats like:

Chakrabongse Villas (built by HRH Chao Fah Prince Chakrabongse) on the river

The Davis on Sukhumvit 24

Reflections Rooms on Phaholyothon (Soi Aree)

Ibrik Resort near Patravadi Theater (and Supatra River House Restaurant and Show--one of my TOP favorite eateries in Bangkok)

Ibrik in the City near the Blue Elephant Restaurant (my aunt likes this restaurant, but I think its too fancy for me )

Bangkok Boutique Hotel on Asoke

Siam Heritage on Surawong Rd

[Chad]

California Wow to launch more clubs


Nitida Asawanipont

American fitness club California Wow Xperience Plc has set an aggressive plan to expand its business by opening six more branches this year.

The company is to invest between Bt600 million to Bt1 billion and is confident its brand image is strong after five years of building awareness in Thailand.

California Wow chairman and CEO Eric Levine said yesterday his company will open one six-star and five five-star fitness clubs.

The six-star club will open at the Asoke junction near the Sukhumwit subway station, close to an current outlet in Jasmine Building.

The club launched its first six-star club in Siam Paragon shopping complex yesterday.

The Bt240-million outlet, which also includes a cafe serving health food and beverages, will begin operations in two weeks.

The new five-star clubs will be located on Pinklao, Ratchayothin, Chaeng Watana, Ekamai/ Ratchadaphisekand Sukhumvit 31.

Levine said the branch on Sukhumvit 31 will be the first especially designed for women and will also be the largest yoga centre.

All the clubs will require 21 months to reach break-even point, according to Levine.

California Wow last year posted a 387-per-cent net-profit growth from Bt15 million in 2004 to Bt73 million last year. Its revenue also grew from Bt374 million to Bt796 million.

Of the total revenue, 32 per cent was generated from services like personal training, yoga and pilates.

This year the company expects 70 to 80-per-cent revenue growth and 50-per-cent membership growth.

Levine says the fitness industry has plenty of room for growth as only one per cent of the Thai population has membership of a club compared to 15 per cent of the American population.

His company also plans to expand to Pattaya and Chiang Mai next year.

To maintain healthy growth, one tactic to increase membership will be to publish a monthly Wow Fitness magazine, featuring articles on good health using examples from celebrities. It will also broadcast a California Wow yoga TV series on UBC's Money Channel. Both projects will start next month.

The company plans to publish 45,000 copies of the magazine each month, which it will sell for Bt60 per copy.

A further 5,000 copies will be given free to members.

Source : THE NATION : Feb 28, 2006

[Arewethereyet?]

Originally Posted by Speed

yes, we need more cool boutique hotels and retreats like:

Chakrabongse Villas (built by HRH Chao Fah Prince Chakrabongse) on the river

The Davis on Sukhumvit 24

Reflections Rooms on Phaholyothon (Soi Aree)

Ibrik Resort near Patravadi Theater (and Supatra River House Restaurant and Show--one of my TOP favorite eateries in Bangkok)

Ibrik in the City near the Blue Elephant Restaurant (my aunt likes this restaurant, but I think its too fancy for me )

Bangkok Boutique Hotel on Asoke

Siam Heritage on Surawong Rd

Never heard of Ibrik Resort ..any info or pic??

chad.any news bout Bvgari hotel in phuket????

[pon]

Originally Posted by Chad

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

We were talking about The Natural Park hotel on the site of Roi Chak Sam Building by The River....

Sorry.