Regal Hotels Group has tapped into the metaverse by acquiring a “Land” at Mega City 2 of The Sandbox and launching MetaGreen, said to be the first green metropolis in the decentralised gaming virtual world.
The first phase of the development will launch on January 12, with support from pioneering strategic partners Hang Seng Bank, UOB Hong Kong, City Super Group and The Mills.
It includes an array of eco-friendly facilities, including Regal Hotels as the first eco-friendly hotel built in the metropolis. Gameplay highlights comprise Hang Seng Bank Metaverse Branch where the community can learn about ESG investments; UOB Art Space in MetaGreen’s Art Park; The Mill’s sustainable techstyle space; and more.
Poman Lo, vice-chairman and managing director, Regal Hotels Group, shared: “Regal Hotels group seeks to co-create a powerful collaborative ecosystem with strategic partners to inspire decarbonisation and behavioural changes in the consumer and business communities.
“MetaGreen is a progressive green movement aimed at promoting green actions in (the) metaverse and real life through immersive edutainment experiences, online and offline rewards. By harnessing the power of technology, MetaGreen will help accelerate the transition to a circular economy and a brighter, greener net zero future for us all!”
Sebastien Borget, chief operating officer and co-founder of The Sandbox, added: “The MetaGreen initiative from Regal Hotels Group is a first pillar that will set an example for additional environmentally-focused projects in the metaverse, to be followed by other large brands and companies worldwide.
“In the coming months, we hope to encourage more ESG-related development to boost the long-term environmental sustainability of The Sandbox.”
He was most recently the general manager of InterContinental Budapest before taking the helm at InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping.
The resort is located in a quiet cove on Choengmon Beach, 10 minutes’ drive from Samui International. The white sand beach stretches over one kilometre, long enough for a good stroll. Kimpton’s neighbours include the Sala next door and, at the other end of the beach, Melia and Royal Muang hotels. In between is a motley collection of accommodations, restaurants, bars and shops, some of which could do with a spruce up.
Rooms
There are 138 rooms, suites and villas with open-plan layouts and large terraces, many with direct pool access and sea views. Room sizes are generous, ranging from 58m2 to 224m2, and 628m2 for the only two-bedroom villa in the house.
I was brought to my room, a 115m2 one-bedroom suite, and my feet took me straight to the supersized outdoor terrace which boasted a stunning view and cool breeze – it was well furnished with a sofa bed, coffee table for two and dining space for up to six people.
Inside, the suite was just as luxurious, spotless and thoughtful – there’s even a shelf with paraphernalia for making cocktails, including a book with tips and recipes from award-winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido of Katana Kitchen in New York. A beautifully-illustrated The Great Gatsby book on my bedside, and other little touches like a Bluetooth mini speaker, gave the room a homely and lifestyle feel.
F&B
A “village community” spirit permeates throughout the resort, thanks to the hotel’s efforts to bring people together, such as a social hour every evening at Boho Thai Lifestyle Cafe, where all guests were treated to free wines and canapés.
The open layout of this main restaurant is fantastic – with sea view and breezes, and tables smartly spaced out. Here, daily breakfast is served, and where key executives of the hotel, including general manager Michael Janssen and F&B manager Potjanee Tretipakid, were always present to greet everyone and support the team in taking orders and delivering them.
Another restaurant I dined at during my stay was Fish House – no guessing what it serves.
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is also pet friendly, featuring one of GM Janssen’s creations – Paws Park. He also works with a recognised dog shelter in Samui to bring in healthy dogs to the resort and inviting guests and kids to walk them in the small but cute park that has its own paws towel house. The initiative has raised thousands of Thai baht in donations for the shelter, while a couple of dogs have actually been adopted by guests.
Facilities
Kids can rejoice at what’s probably the largest hotel kids club (500m2) on the island, which comes with its own slide. Thrice-daily activities, such as making towel animals and umbrella painting, are offered. Not only that, kids have their own social hour at 16.00.
Adults can be kids again with fat tire biking on the beach, aqua aerobics and making floating flower art, among an equally exhaustive list of daily activities as that for kids. As for me, I headed straight for the gym, then enjoyed a 90-minute signature massage at Pimãanda by Harnn, where just entering its peaceful garden compounds de-stressed me.
Service
Every Kimpton staff I met always greeted me by name and all of them were youthful, friendly, cheerful and helpful, creating a uniform, happy service wherever I went – one of the resort’s biggest achievements.
Verdict
As the second Kimpton hotel in South-east Asia, the resort reinforces the brand’s promise of relaxed, fun luxury while staying in line with local culture, architecture and flavours.
Contact details
Tel: +66 77 951 999
Email: kimptonkitalay.reservations@ihg.com
Website: www.kimptonkitalaysamui.com