Hilton Pattaya Hotel Opening Brings the Chirathivat Family to Pattaya

The new luxury hotel is owned by the Central Group of Companies' CPN division. The Hilton Pattaya is a 302-room, upscale, full-service hotel located above Pattaya’s Central Festival Shopping Mall on Beach Road also owned by the group. The development in Pattaya is the brainchild of Central Group of Companies Executive Chairman Sudhitham Chirathivat.

Central Group of Companies Founder and Executive Chairman Sudhitham Chirathivat was at the Hilton Pattaya to cut the ribbon with Pattaya Mayor Ittiphol Khunplume, Central Group of Companies Chairman of the Supervisory Board Suthichai Chirathivat, CPN Executive Vice President Suthipak Chirathivat, Central Festival Shopping Center Manager Sarun Tuntijumnun and Hilton Pattaya General Manager Harald Feurstein.

In an exclusive interview with the Pattaya Times, Central Group of Companies Founder and Executive Chairman Mr. Sudhitham Chirathivat said, "The idea to come to Pattaya was mine.  The others didn't even know about it.  In 1998 I found some land on Second Road leased by an Indian and made the deal with him so we could build what was then called Central Festival shopping Center. It is between Sois 2 and 3. I believe in Pattaya and have continued focusing on this area because of all it has to offer. I wanted to build on the seaside of Pattaya so we found this land to build Central Festival Pattaya Beach and the Hilton Pattaya."

Sudhitham Chirathivat's groups dominate the retail sector in Pattaya and in Thailand. His CPN company is operating two of the three shopping malls in Pattaya. His family's other holdings like Central Department Store, Supersport, B2S Bookstore, SF movie theaters and many more retail outlets are also successfully operating in Pattaya. Sudhitham Chirathivat's Big C division has two stores in Pattaya and a HomeWorks center with many other stores. Soon the Big C group is taking over the Carrefour in Pattaya.

This is an amazing story starting with his father owning a newspaper and magazine stand in Bangkok and noticing the pictures of American cosmetics and other products in the fashion magazines. He asked some of his customers if they would like to have the products.

When many ladies said, "yes", he imported a few products from America to his news stand. The sales of the American products only he was offering in Thailand were so good he opened Thailand's first department store, Central. His son Sudhitham Chirathivat grew up in the business and now the Central Group of Companies, CPN Property Development and Investment and related companies are the strongest retailers in South East Asia. Now Sudhitham Chirathivat is opening the Hilton Pattaya.

 A group of more than 150 invited guests at the Hilton Pattaya Grand Opening were then taken on a tour of the hotel and enjoyed a champagne reception in the Executive Lounge located on the 16th floor.

The views from the Executive Lounge are astounding, the decor modernistic and the ambiance superb.  The wicker beds in streams of water on the terrace look so comfortable you don't need a room to relax," joked the affable Tourist Police Chief Major Aroon Promphan who also attended the Hilton Pattaya Grand Opening Party.

General Manager Harald Feurstein thanked the guests for coming and introduced a fashion show of the well-designed uniforms worn by the more than 350 strong workers working to assist guests at the Hilton Pattaya.

“Harald is the ideal candidate to lead the team at Hilton Pattaya. His outstanding track record and strong network in Asia formed through his years in the industry will aid in establishing Hilton Pattaya’s position as the upscale hotel of choice for both business and leisure travelers,” said Martin Rinck, President, Hilton Worldwide – Asia Pacific.

CPN Public Relations Manager Preeti Prapandvidya and her team were on hand to support the event and mingle with invited guests.

"The Grand Opening was well managed and offered an insight into what guests can expect in the way of service. The best concierge, front desk, reception, housekeeping, kitchen, valet, marketing and management professionals have been hired from competitive hotels in Pattaya and Bangkok to form a team of the best staff in any hotel in Thailand," opined one of the guests from Bangkok also in the hospitality industry. 

The Hilton Pattaya complements the existing Hilton Hotels in Thailand by offering upscale accommodation in Thailand’s premier seaside resort.  Owned by CPN Pattaya Beach Co. Ltd., the hotel is located in the heart of Pattaya and is a major compliment of the new Central Festival Pattaya Beach complex, which is Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront, lifestyle, shopping and entertainment center with over 300 shops and restaurants.

All guest rooms have been designed with the property’s beachfront location in mind, offering stunning views overlooking Pattaya Bay from individual private balconies.  Selected suites have also been fitted with panoramic outdoor bathtubs. The hotel resort will have three restaurants, including the only rooftop sky venue in Pattaya, a lobby lounge bar, a poolside restaurant and bar as well as 24-hour room service.  It will also have a spa, an outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool and a health club.

To meet the growing demand for quality MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) facilities and services, Hilton Pattaya has a 635-656 square meter ballroom and four individual meeting rooms, including a boardroom.  All rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and the ballroom also features an outdoor balcony with stunning sea views.

Hilton Pattaya is the fifth Hilton hotel in Thailand. Hilton Worldwide currently operates five hotels in the country: Hilton Bangkok, Hilton Hua Hin, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Conrad Bangkok and Hilton Pattaya. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors® where frequent guests win incentives for stays and partner program participation.

From left: Banglamung District Chief Officer Mongkol Thamkittikoon, General Manager of Hilton Pattaya Harald Feurstein, Executive Vice President, Business Development & Construction Management Wallaya Chirathivat, Central Group of Companies Founder and Executive Chairman Sudhitham Chirathivat, Chonburi Governor Pichit Chartpaisit, Central Group of Companies Chairman of the Supervisory Board Suthichai Chirathivat, Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Senior Executive Vice-President for Finance and Accounting Naris Cheyklin, Director Advisory of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Advisory of Risk Management Committee Prin Chirathivat and Regional General Manager Thailand and General Manager of Millennium Hilton Bangkok Thomas Hoeborn as they toasted to wish Hilton success at its grand opening party recently held.