IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its rapidly expanding premium brand, voco hotels, in Thailand through the opening of voco Bangkok Surawong, marking a significant milestone for the hospitality group’s growing portfolio in Southeast Asia.
The impressive 244-key property transforms the original Tawana Hotel, which renowned Thai architecture firm A49 and acclaimed interior design studio P49 Deesign meticulously restored and remodeled. The renovation seamlessly blends the building’s rich heritage with traditional Thai artistry while creating a comfortable, contemporary atmosphere that appeals to modern travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences alongside luxury amenities.
Introducing Premium Hospitality with Thai Character
“We are thrilled to introduce voco hotels to Thailand and offer travelers a stay that is upscale, familiar yet refreshingly different,” stated Walid Ouezini, general manager of voco Bangkok Surawong. “We look forward to inviting guests to immerse in the brand’s playful nature and enjoy delightful, uplifting voco experiences provided by our thoughtful hosts here in Surawong.”
The statement reflects IHG’s strategic positioning of the voco brand as an approachable premium option that balances sophistication with personality, differentiating itself from traditional luxury hotel experiences through distinctive character and local flavor. This positioning resonates particularly well with travelers seeking memorable stays that feel personalized rather than standardized.
Prime Location in Bangkok’s Dynamic Surawong District
voco Bangkok Surawong occupies a strategic position on Surawong Road, situated just steps from Bangkok’s vibrant Silom district, an area renowned for shopping destinations, entertainment venues, dining establishments, and business centers. The location provides guests convenient access to Bangkok’s extensive BTS Skytrain network, facilitating easy exploration of the city’s diverse attractions, cultural landmarks, and commercial districts.
The Silom area’s blend of traditional markets, modern shopping malls, street food vendors, and upscale restaurants creates an authentic Bangkok experience that appeals to both leisure travelers and business visitors. The hotel’s proximity to key business districts and tourist attractions positions it advantageously for diverse guest segments seeking central Bangkok accommodations.
Signature Welcome Experience Sets Brand Tone
Upon entering voco Bangkok Surawong, guests receive the voco brand’s signature welcome treat—a distinctive offering unique to each property worldwide. At this Bangkok location, visitors are greeted with mango sticky rice cookies, a creative interpretation of Thailand’s beloved traditional dessert that immediately establishes local cultural connection while showcasing the brand’s playful personality.
This thoughtful welcome gesture exemplifies voco’s commitment to creating memorable first impressions through localized touches that celebrate destination character. The approach distinguishes voco from competitors by prioritizing guest delight through culturally relevant, unexpected moments that enhance overall stay experiences.
Comprehensive Dining and Recreation Amenities
The hotel features three distinctive restaurants and bars offering diverse culinary experiences. Tasca Sabio presents Spanish-inspired cuisine and beverages in an atmospheric restaurant and bar setting, while Deckles Smokehouse provides all-day dining options featuring comfort foods and international favorites. These dining venues cater to varied guest preferences, from casual meals to special dining occasions.
Recreation facilities include an outdoor lap pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens on the fourth floor, creating an urban oasis where guests can swim, sunbathe, or relax while enjoying Bangkok skyline views. The property also houses a modern fitness center equipped with contemporary exercise equipment and an onsen spa offering traditional Japanese bathing experiences and wellness treatments that provide relaxation and rejuvenation.
Meeting and Event Capabilities for Business Travelers
Recognizing Bangkok’s importance as a regional business hub, voco Bangkok Surawong provides comprehensive meeting and event facilities. The property features a spacious ballroom accommodating up to 200 attendees for conferences, corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings. Additionally, four flexible meeting rooms offer versatile spaces for smaller gatherings, board meetings, training sessions, and private functions.
These business facilities position the hotel competitively within Bangkok’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) market, attracting corporate clients, event planners, and business travelers requiring professional event spaces combined with quality accommodations. The combination of central location, modern facilities, and attentive service creates attractive value propositions for business-focused bookings.
Architectural Heritage Meets Modern Design Excellence
The transformation of the original Tawana Hotel into voco Bangkok Surawong represents collaborative achievement between A49 architecture firm and P49 Deesign studio, both recognized leaders in Thai design. The restoration carefully preserved architectural elements reflecting the building’s history while introducing contemporary design features, sustainable materials, and modern hospitality technologies.
Thai artistic influences appear throughout the property in artwork, textiles, decorative elements, and architectural details that celebrate local craftsmanship and cultural heritage. This design philosophy creates spaces that feel authentically Thai rather than generic international hotel environments, enhancing guest connections to destination character and local culture.
The 244 guest rooms and suites feature thoughtful layouts, comfortable furnishings, modern amenities, and design elements reflecting both voco’s playful brand personality and Thai aesthetic sensibilities. Room categories accommodate solo travelers, couples, families, and business guests with varying space requirements and amenity preferences.
voco Brand Growth Trajectory and Global Expansion
IHG launched the voco hotels brand in 2018 as part of its strategy to capture growing demand for premium upscale accommodations that offer distinctive character beyond traditional hotel experiences. Since inception, the brand has achieved impressive expansion, with 117 properties now operating globally and an additional 108 hotels in the development pipeline across diverse markets.
The voco brand appeals particularly to conversion opportunities where existing independent hotels or properties from other brands seek affiliation with major hospitality groups while maintaining individual character. The flexible brand standards allow properties to retain unique features while benefiting from IHG’s reservation systems, loyalty programs, and operational support.
Thailand represents a strategic market for IHG’s continued Asian expansion, with Bangkok serving as both a major tourism destination and regional business center. The successful launch of voco Bangkok Surawong positions the brand for potential additional Thai properties in destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya where premium upscale hotel demand continues growing.
Appealing to Modern Travelers Seeking Authentic Experiences
The voco brand positioning resonates with contemporary travelers who increasingly seek accommodations offering personality, local flavor, and memorable experiences rather than standardized luxury. This demographic values comfort and quality while appreciating distinctive character, cultural authenticity, and playful touches that create Instagram-worthy moments and lasting memories.
voco Bangkok Surawong’s combination of heritage architecture, Thai design elements, localized welcome experiences, diverse dining options, and attentive service aligns perfectly with these evolving traveler preferences. The property demonstrates how premium hotels can deliver sophisticated experiences while maintaining approachable, unpretentious atmospheres that encourage guest relaxation and enjoyment.
As international travel to Thailand continues recovering and growing, properties like voco Bangkok Surawong are well-positioned to capture increased demand from leisure tourists, business travelers, and regional visitors seeking quality Bangkok accommodations that offer value, character, and authentic Thai hospitality within established international hotel brand frameworks.
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