BANGKOK - Hilton International Hotels has cemented an
agreement with Krungthep Rimnam to manage the Millenium
Hilton Bangkok, a high-rise property on the edge of
Bangkok's Choaphraya River near to the Peninsula. The
property, which boasts 542 rooms, all with river views, is
scheduled to open next June, Simon Barlow, vice president,
Operations-Asia told TravelWeekly. "We're looking at
somewhere towards the end of the second quarter. Getting it
ready is actually not going to take as long as people might
think," said Barlow. Koos Klein, Hilton's president -
Middle East & Asia Pacific, said he didn't believe the
hotel would lose out by becoming only the third major hotel
chain set up on the Thonburi side of the river. "Was it a
great disadvantage to the Marriott? Was it a great
disadvantage to the Peninsula? People now realise there can
also be good places to stay on the other side of the river
that may even offer some advantages." According to Klein,
an agreement has been reached with River City to set up a
hotel lobby in their shopping complex, providing guests
with a uniquely romantic boat ride across to the hotel
after checking in.