Marriott expands apartment offerings

Marriott Executive Apartments has added two properties in the untapped South Sukhumvit area, targeting both long-stay and daily leisure guests as the first five-star international brand in the neighbourhood.
The South Sukhumvit area has welcomed a few large mixed-use projects, led by True Digital Park and the upcoming Cloud 11, both developed by MQDC, in addition to the large exhibition venue Bitec.
However, in terms of branded five-star properties, large international chains have not entered this area, according to the company.
Denis Richter, cluster general manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Bangkok Sukhumvit 101 and Sukhumvit 50, said the locations of the two properties, which are not far from factories along the Bang Na-Trat Road, enable the company to target expatriates who work there and want to stay in serviced apartments near the city centre.
These properties target leisure travellers, including the 200 million guests under Marriott’s loyalty programme, he said.
Mr Richter said the company wants these properties to be the first choice for extended stay visitors in this area, anticipating at least 70% occupancy within the first year of operation.
Its key markets comprise Asian guests, particularly Japanese who work at industrial sites, and digital nomads from Europe and the US.
As the location is not far from international accredited hospitals in central Bangkok, the 140-room apartments at Sukhumvit 101 and 72-room apartments at Sukhumvit 50 are expected to also cater to medical tourism demand, particularly from the Middle East.
As South Sukhumvit has been overwhelmed with condo units, which could also serve long-stay guests, Mr Richter said Marriott properties are unfazed by that competition as its properties are quite distinct from condo rents.
For example, the monthly prices would include electricity and water bills, as well as offering all-day dining options within the properties and small spaces for business meetings.
Supattra Liampitak, cluster director of sales and marketing, said the monthly rents start at 75,000 baht for a 35-square-metre studio, 85,000 baht for a one-bedroom, and 120,000 baht for a two-bedroom unit.
For daily stays, the room rates are 4,200-14,000 baht per night, which are competitive for the products, with full kitchen and home amenities as well as typical hotel facilities.