Avani Hotels and Resorts plans to open seven new properties this year

Avani Hotels & Resorts plans to open seven new properties this year, including three in countries where the company does not yet have a presence – South Korea, Cambodia and Indonesia.

The Thai hospitality company now operates more than 4,500 keys and has another 5,000 keys in the pipeline. These are spread across 24 hotels and resorts in 15 countries.

The seven new properties guests can look forward to later this year are:

• Avani Adelaide Residences (soft opened in April 2019; anticipating full opening by mid-year)
• Avani Seminyak in Bali (opening June 1, 2019)
• FCC Angkor managed by Avani (opening June 1, 2019)
• Avani Central Busan (opening June 2019)
• Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok (opening July 2019)
• Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences (opening September 2019)
• Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (opening December 2019)

Avani Adelaide Residences features 76 suites, a heated lap pool, a rooftop terrace with outdoor barbecue and lounge, a gym, steam room and sauna, a cinema, a library, and a golf simulator.

Rooms have king- and queen-size beds, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, private balconies and smart TVs. The five room types are the 46-sqm Avani Room, the 55-sqm One Bedroom Suite, the 60-sqm One Bedroom Superior Suite, the 65-sqm Two Bedroom Suite and the 71-sqm Two Bedroom Superior Suite.

The property is nearby to Adelaide Central Markets, Rundle Mall, Adelaide Aquatic Centre, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Zoo, Art Gallery of South Australia and South Australian Museum.

Avani Seminyak is close to attractions including Seminyak Beach, Petitenget Temple, Seminyak Square and Seminyak nightlife. The property has 12 one-bedroom pool villas and four two-bedroom pool villas.

Features include king beds, a sofa bed (on request), a private pool, a coffee machine and tea-making facilities, a 32-inch TV with DVD player, a sound dock, an IDD-phone, a safety box, a bathtub and semi-outside shower, a kitchenette with refrigerator, toaster, microwave, and a yoga mat.

Dining options include Serai Restaurant and Bar (open 7am to 11pm), as well as in-villa dining and private dining (upon request).

Following a US$7 million renovation, which includes the addition of 60 new rooms, the FCC Angkor (pictured above) is set to reopen its doors in the second quarter of 2019. The hotel is one of Cambodia’s best-known hotels and features “authentic French colonial architecture intrinsic to the historic and cultural fabric of Siem Reap”.

The town’s many day and night markets, eclectic restaurants, and the popular Pub Street are all walking distance from the hotel. Angkor Wat, the internationally renowned Unesco World Heritage Site, encompassing 400 sqkm of ruins dating from the 12th to 15th century, is 10 minutes from the hotel. The Preah Ang Chek Prea Ang Chorm shrine, known as the spiritual protection of Siem Reap, is a three-minute walk from the FCC along the river.

Along with the new and refurbished rooms and suites, FCC Angkor has updated and expanded its facilities. A brand-new bar called Scribe now complements the Mansion’s renovated restaurant, where guests can now experience “relaxed, personalised service whether sipping a refreshing signature cocktail or dining on authentic Cambodian cuisine featuring fresh, local ingredients”. Other additions include a spa, pool, and lounge.

The 289-room Avani Central Busan will be located a 30-minute drive from Gimhae International Airport in the city’s Munhyeon Finance Complex, which includes the tallest building in Busan, the Busan International Finance Centre (BIFC). The hotel is a part of a 37-storey twin-tower mixed-use complex (see photo above) that includes offices, residences, a retail mall, and the largest theatre (1,800 seats) in Busan capable of hosting international stage productions.

This location should be convenient for business travellers, as the Munhyeon Finance Complex includes the Bank of Korea Busan headquarters and the regional headquarters for several government financial bodies. The complex also has a direct connection to the Busan subway system and is a 15-minute drive to Korea’s bullet train KTX stop and international cruise terminal.

Avani Central Busan Hotel will “fulfil every detail that matters for guests”, Avani says, starting with the signature Avani Living Spaces upon checking-in. “Delicious meals and snacks” will await guests at the Sky Restaurant and Bar, an all-day dining restaurant, and Pantry at Avani. An 800-sqm event space will host “everything from seminars to parties”, while the AvaniSpa offers “relaxing and revitalising treatments” and the AvaniFit gym “provides the latest equipment to keep in shape”.

Thirty minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the newly built, 382-room Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok (main photo) will be part of the ‘Century The Movie Plaza 2’ retail complex, providing guests with a “wide range of cinematic and shopping choices”. The hotel will also have direct access to Bangkok’s Transit System (BTS) train line.

Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel includes an all-day dining restaurant, modern event spaces, “spacious meeting rooms”, as well as an AvaniSpa and AvaniFit gym.

This property is located 14 kilometres from Melbourne’s city centre and a 40-minute drive from Melbourne Airport. It is also a short walk to the Box Hill Train Station or tram.

Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences offers both one- and two-bedroom suites. Amenities include indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, a heated outdoor infinity swimming pool, an on-site spa and sauna, a gym, on-site parking facilities and a lobby café and bar.

The 372-room Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai hotel (pictured above) will be developed by Nakheel Properties and will be located adjacent to the Ibn Battuta Metro Link, which is directly connected to Ibn Battuta Mall. The new-build 18-storey hotel will feature a pool, a spa, a gym, an all-day dining restaurant, a coffee shop and car parking.

Ibn Battuta is located in a strategic and rapidly developing area of Dubai. The mall currently has 400 shops, restaurants and entertainment outlets across 1.5 million sqft of retail space.

Last year, Avani launched a new “upscale brand extension” of its existing Avani Hotels and Resorts brand, debuting with its first property in the Laos city of Luang Prabang. This was followed by the opening of another Avani+ property in Koh Samui.

“Opening Avani+ Luang Prabang demonstrated that travellers wanting a modern, laidback experience can also expect premium touches to their stay,” said Javier Pardo, Avani’s vice president of operations.

“As we grow with our owners, we will ensure that every Avani+ exudes that extra special signature that merges well with the destination, from distinct dining experiences to locally inspired spa treatments and amenities.”

However, none of the new openings this year will be Avani+, the brand’s director of public relations Adhiyanto Goen confirmed to Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.

“No Avani+ opening for this year, as we are quite strict on criteria for the Avani+ collection,” he said.

In 2017, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific reviewed Avani’s Riverside Bangkok property, praising its “refreshing room product, modern aesthetic and sheer range of facilities”.