Going to Thailand in high season and staying at a high end hotel? Read this

[Gaybutton]

You might want to make your bookings now - before the rates go up.
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High-end Hotels Plan Rate Hike Amid Tourist Surge

October 17, 2024

As the tourism sector anticipates a booming high season, posh hotel operators are expected to increase room rates. The latest hotel operator sentiment index suggests a rise in tourists, especially impacting luxury accommodations, while budget hotels are struggling to keep up.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), revealed that September's average occupancy rate stood at 55%, a drop from August's 62%. This is also lower than pre-pandemic levels, with 2019 figures showing 63.4% occupancy in the same period.

Diving deeper, Thienprasit noted that three-star hotels and below reported a mere 45% occupancy for September. In stark contrast, four-star and above accommodations enjoyed a higher rate of 58.7%.

Regional variations were also significant; northern hotels were hit hardest with a drop to 25.7%, primarily due to severe flooding. Meanwhile, central hotels led with a 64.4% rate, and the eastern region followed at 57.1%. The South and Northeast both logged 49% occupancy.

During the high season, luxury hotels plan to raise rates modestly, with an increase of less than 10%. However, four-star and above establishments predict room rate surges of over 20%, given their robust performance in the third quarter.

October's occupancy rates so far stand at 55.6%, with a predicted tourist uptick of 5-10% in the last quarter. The Chinese market remains unpredictable, with 35% of hoteliers not foreseeing more arrivals, while 27% anticipate a decline. Nonetheless, 38% expect a 10-20% rise, primarily favouring four-star hotels.

Concerning domestic tourism, 65% of operators foresee flat or declining bookings, with 19% predicting a drop exceeding 10%.

Thienprasit expressed concerns over persistent flooding, urging government intervention with relief measures to help hotels recover in time for the upcoming season. Tourism recovery heavily depends on financial assistance and reduced utility costs to offset damages caused by recent floods, reported Bangkok Post.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1340920-high ... rist-surge

[Jun]

You might want to make your bookings now - before the rates go up.

I suspect quite a few members don't go anywhere near high end hotels.

Once I have clean, quiet, comfortable, an adequate bathroom, good wifi and a convenient location, anything extra is nice, but I don't need it.

High end hotels add lots of features I don't need.
This reminds me of high end UK hotels trialling a service where they send human bed warmers around in one piece body suits. https://theweek.com/articles/497376/wei ... bedwarmers

Now whilst beds don't need warming in Thailand, of course I'd rather spend the money on a naked bed warmer.....

[Gaybutton]

I suspect quite a few members don't go anywhere near high end hotels.

Most probably don't, but if the high end hotels are going to raise their prices, what do you think the average hotels are going to do?

[Jun]

Most probably don't, but if the high end hotels are going to raise their prices, what do you think the average hotels are going to do?

A good question.
Well the article is reporting higher occupancy figures in high end hotels than normal ones. So the supply demand situation is different.

There is no reference to average hotels talking about increasing prices.

We might compare this with airline prices. Pre covid, I could buy a Premium Economy seat to Thailand for about 50% more than the economy seat. Now the Premium seat is often more than double the price of the Economy seat. So price increases are not necessarily uniform.

So whilst we don't know, we can't be sure that the price of an average hotel will go up.

However, for my next trip, the accommodation for the first 6 weeks is already booked.

[Gaybutton]

So whilst we don't know, we can't be sure that the price of an average hotel will go up.

However, for my next trip, the accommodation for the first 6 weeks is already booked.

That's the idea. I think those who already know their travel plans ought to book as soon a they can. We can't be sure whether prices will go up, so it makes sense to me to lock in the current price in case they do go up.

[christianpfc]

This reminds me of high end UK hotels trialling a service where they send human bed warmers around in one piece body suits. https://theweek.com/articles/497376/wei ... bedwarmers

In my trip in Dec2023 in China, they had electric heating blankets, and I was glad they did! I think they were rated 100 W, that's about the same amount of heat a human gives off, however I would have to run the heating blanket for an hour to make the bed feel warm. Having a human in your bed for 5 min (see link) will give no perceptible warming of your bed.

In Germany, there was a hotel that offered goldfish in a glass bowl for rent in case you feel lonely.

[Gaybutton]

In Germany, there was a hotel that offered goldfish in a glass bowl for rent in case you feel lonely.

In Thailand you would not only have to pay the rental fee, but the goldfish would expect a tip . . .

[KeithAmbrose]

Or a brown envelope...

[KeithAmbrose]

So whilst we don't know, we can't be sure that the price of an average hotel will go up.

However, for my next trip, the accommodation for the first 6 weeks is already booked.

That's the idea. I think those who already know their travel plans ought to book as soon a they can. We can't be sure whether prices will go up, so it makes sense to me to lock in the current price in case they do go up.

I'm afraid I do stay at high end hotels, Le Meridien. As I can afford it, I like the additional space, and Club facilities, etc. I always book well in advance, on a refundable basis, and check prices regularly. On my second visit in November, I am staying at the new Dusit, for old times sake, the old Dusit was my favourite hotel, and have rebooked twice, getting a cheaper price each time.

[Jun]

I'm afraid I do stay at high end hotels, Le Meridien

Good for you.
If my bank balance resembled that of Bill Gates, I'd also stay in high end hotels. And fly first class.
I certainly wouldn't be like the founder of Ikea, who was worth billions and allegedly flew in economy !

As it is, I could afford high end hotels for short holidays. However, I'm spending about 4 months a year on various holidays and am intending to increase that.

As a general observation with hotel bookings. Booking.com group now seem to have the lions share of the online booking market in many countries. In some cases, the prices they offer have stiff cancellation policies.
The worst cases would be no refunds, which mounts up if booking for several weeks and then you had to cancel.
Although, I absolutely never have booked something under such terms.

For my next trip, I can cancel my hotel in Bangkok up to about 3 days before the trip. After that, I will be charged for the full 4 days.
My Pattaya accommodation was booked by e-mail, with no deposit.