Jan. 17, 2003 - Amid the glut of five-star hotel rooms in central Bangkok, the Conrad Bangkok believes an attractive pricing policy will fill slightly more than half of the 392 rooms in the first year of the luxury hotel's operation. 

General manager Gregory Meadows said the new hotel on Wireless Road should initially achieve a 55-60 percent occupancy. The number of hotel rooms in Bangkok currently exceeds 75,000. 

During the initial period, the hotel is charging only US$125 (plus 10 percent service charge and 7 percent VAT) for a regular room, compared with $230 charged by the Hotel Plaza Athenee next door. 

The Conrad, which held its soft opening last Saturday, aims to compete with nearby top-end hotels including the Sukhothai, the Regent, Grand Hyatt Erawan and Hotel Plaza Athenee. 

Apart from offering attractive room rates, the Conrad would also offer competitive food and beverage prices, Mr Meadows said. 

The hotel was now in the final stages of decoration. 

When it was ready for full operations in March, it wanted to "create a buzz" in the market with advertisements that stressed a new attitude in the industry, he said. 

For example, the music in its restaurants would be loud, compared with that of other luxury hotels and the staff would not have to be in the hospitality business before joining the Conrad. 

"Conrad is breaking the mould (of a conventional hotel concept)," said Mr Meadows. 

He said that the hotel focused on the corporate market, which was expected to contribute 70 percent to its business. Its major markets would be Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. 

As a new property, the hotel has an advantage to attract corporate clients. All rooms and function rooms were equipped with the latest technology to accommodate meetings and conferences, he said. 

Mr Meadows believes the reputation of the Conrad hotels in Hong Kong and Singapore would help spur the business in Thailand, as guests are loyal to the brand. 

The Bangkok property is the third Conrad hotel in Asia. 

The fourth is soon to be opened in Bali. It is the 15th Conrad property worldwide. 

As the luxury brand of the Hilton Group, Conrad is part of the multinational's extensive reservation system. 

Conrad Bangkok is owned by All Seasons Property Co, the international hotel group which is a joint venture of M Thai Group and China Resources (Holding) Co. 

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(c) 2003, Bangkok Post, Thailand. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.