Bangkok and Chiang Mai will soon be able to offer ryokan-style accommodation to travellers, thanks to an agreement between Japanese hotel operator Hotel Okura Co. and Thai real estate group Asset World Corporation (AWC).
Both organisations will develop Okura Resort Chiang Mai and The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa. These are slated to open in 2028, expanding Hotel Okura’s offerings in Thailand to seven hotels and adding over 400 rooms to parent group Okura Nikko Hotels’ portfolio in the country.
Okura Resort Chiang Mai will be the first Okura-branded hotel in Northern Thailand. It will feature over 200 rooms with ryokan-style elements such as tatami mats and open-air baths with influences from the Lanna culture of ancient Chiang Mai. The hotel will include a cafe, rooftop bar, and other F&B facilities, offering Japanese cuisine and all-day dining. These amenities will provide guests with a blend of Japanese and Northern Thai culinary experiences.
The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa will offer Japanese-style wellness services and long-term stays in the Thonglor district of Bangkok. It will feature over 200 rooms, including suites with the atmosphere of a traditional ryokan alongside western conveniences.
The two hotels will operate as part of a larger framework agreement with AWC signed in May 2024, aimed at expanding Hotel Okura’s business in Thailand.
Toshihiro Ogita, president, Hotel Okura, said: “We are delighted to reach another milestone with AWC through the development of new projects in Thailand, building on the success of The Okura Prestige Bangkok.”
He added: “Our commitment to offering world-class hospitality, blending the elegance of Japanese culture with local charm, is unwavering. Our global network of high-quality international hotels seamlessly blends the delicate beauty and subtleties of Japanese culture with convenience and functionality. These additional collaborations with AWC will surely offer exceptional experiences and excellent service to both Thai guests and tourists from around the world.”
