What is unique about Royal Cliff Hotels – what philosophy do you incorporate could you tell us more about the style, character and ambiance of each hotel?

Our brand message is ‘The State of Exclusivity and Fascination’.  It’s our promise that all visitors will receive exclusive service and be fascinated by our product.

As for the 4 luxury hotels, we have positioned them to target different lifestyles. It is through recognition of these preferences that the hotels were designed. The Royal Cliff Beach Hotel is a casual luxury hotel targeting people that want luxury service, without the formality. For couples and honeymooners, we recommend the Royal Cliff Beach Terrace: a cliffside boutique style hotel. MICE groups should choose the Royal Cliff Grand for its numerous meeting rooms. And the Royal Wing Suites & Spa offers ultimate luxury.

Could you tell us more about some of the facilities and dining experiences as well your location?

We have a myriad of facilities: 6 bars, 7 swimming pools, 2 private beaches, island charters, sports club, health spa, Thai cooking school, 53 meeting rooms, auditorium, ballrooms and convention centre. The Exhibition Hall can accommodate 10,000 people.

The group is perfectly situated in a 64-acre estate overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. We are fortunate to be situated on top of the cliff and yet be by the beach. The tranquil ambiance coupled with proximity to downtown give our guests the best of both worlds.

We also have 11 restaurants, and are proud of our chefs, who are challenged to craft exciting menus and source the best ingredients.

There is a changing perception of Thailand as a high-end luxury travel destination, what is your opinion on this; can Thailand become such a destination?

We are thankful for the Minister of Tourism’s support, whose vision is Pattaya as a destination for sports and families. Each month, we see major events including music festivals, art exhibitions, air races and more. There are water parks to rival some of the best in the world and mind-blowing acrobatic shows using the latest technology.

An infrastructure action plan worth 895.8 billion baht have been approved for 2017, as the government ramps up projects boosting the economy. This includes 36 infrastructure projects, covering rail, road, air and sea travel nationwide. The government will open bids for 15 Bangkok railway routes next year, while construction of five other projects, such as airport expansions and highway projects, are pending.

All this will help us rival other destinations in the luxury sphere.

What sets an exceptional hotel apart?

When guests start choosing the hotel before the destination, that is when your hotel has become exceptional. This means that this hotel has a differentiator. For example, the views or the location can be a huge advantage. Another important factor is the service.

A hotel reaches an exceptional level when the guests say that it has a soul.

Do you have any plans for the hotel going forward in terms of expansion?

We have begun working with architects and interior designers to enhance our guests’ experience. As travelers become more appreciative of design, this is our emphasis.

However visuals need to be balanced with functionality, so we emphasise fundamentals: fast and stable Wi-Fi, efficient service, cleanliness, and comfortable furniture. Moreover, we are developing a loyalty programme to ensure that returning guests get a personalised service to enhance their experience.

A parallel project is the upgrade of our sports club. We have invested significantly to improve our Fitz Club. Tennis courts have been renovated to Grand Slam standard, with vibrant colours so players see the ball better. The swimming pools will be redesigned to give a tropical ambiance, and we will be inviting renowned instructors in various areas to give personal training.

Final Message to our readers?

I really want people to get the most out of their stay. The myth that hotel restaurants are not as good as stand-alone outlets is false. Some hotels even hire Michelin star chefs. But exploration of hotels go further than the restaurants; this applies to all the facilities. You may get one of the best spa treatments of your life, play tennis with a pro who improves your game or your children could have the time of their lives in the kids club. Each hotel has quirks and charm you may miss if you don’t look for it.