Dusit Hotels and Generator Partner to Redefine Global Hospitality

Dusit Hotels and Generator Partner to Redefine Global Hospitality

By Author

Published on September 2, 2024

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, has entered into a strategic partnership with Generator and Freehand Hotels, an award-winning developer and operator of experiential hostels and boutique hotels in Europe and the USA. This collaboration aims to combine the strengths of both companies to drive sustainable international growth and explore new markets where they have yet to establish a presence.

Under this groundbreaking partnership, Generator and Freehand Hotels will leverage their extensive experience in developing lifestyle hybrid accommodation models in the affordable lifestyle segment across Europe and the USA. They will focus on introducing Dusit Hotels and Resorts in key European cities such as London, Paris, and Rome, as well as popular stateside destinations like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

On the other hand, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, with its established presence in Asia and the Middle East, will explore opportunities to bring Generator and Freehand's award-winning boutique hotel-hostel hybrid model to prime city destinations such as Bangkok, Manila, Kyoto, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, along with renowned island retreats like Phuket and Bali.

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"This partnership is a win-win situation for both companies," said Mr. Siradej Donavanik, VP – Global Development, Dusit International. "It allows us to expand our development horizons without compromising our existing brand portfolios. We are thrilled to collaborate with Generator and Freehand and look forward to breaking new ground with many exciting new signings ahead."

Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio includes a diverse range of brands such as Dusit Thani (luxury), dusitD2 (lifestyle/midscale), Dusit Princess (midscale), Dusit Suites (upscale/long stay), ASAI Hotels (affordable lifestyle), and the recently introduced Devarana – Dusit Retreats (wellness luxury) and Dusit Collection (bespoke luxury). The partnership with Generator and Freehand will also explore development opportunities for all these brands.

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Mr. Alastair Thomann, CEO of Generator and Freehand Hotels, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "This partnership marks an exciting new chapter in the growth trajectory of our companies. Dusit's unique blend of tradition and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision for delivering culturally rich experiences for inspired travelers worldwide."

Dusit’s portfolio currently spans 18 countries, comprising 57 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia. Additionally, more than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the development pipeline globally.

Generator and Freehand oversee a total of 21 global properties across Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, and North America. Their collaboration with Dusit represents a strategic move to introduce their innovative accommodation models to Asia and the Middle East, opening up new avenues for growth in these regions.

This strategic partnership is set to redefine the global hospitality landscape, combining the best of both brands to create unique and culturally immersive travel experiences for guests around the world.

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About Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group's portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

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About Freehand Hotels

Freehand is a standout collection of beloved hotels operated by the trailblazing hospitality brand Generator that combine innovative design, award-winning food and beverage, and community spirit. Each Freehand location – across the US's most vibrant cities New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami – takes its cues from its surrounding neighborhood, with spaces that are a microcosm of the best each city has to offer ensuring every experience at each Freehand property is completely one-of-a-kind. Acquired by London-based Queensgate Investments in 2019, Freehand and its award-winning renowned food and beverage concept, Broken Shaker, joins the trailblazing the globally revered, boutique Generator properties in offering affordable, design-centric accommodations – that include sophisticated yet comfortable private and shared rooms – alongside thoughtful communal spaces, and a lively, youth-driven social culture.


Banyan Tree Samui Launches Speedboat Tours Inspired by The White Lotus

Banyan Tree Samui Launches Speedboat Tours Inspired by The White Lotus

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 25, 2025

Set-jetting just got an upgrade in Thailand! The luxurious Banyan Tree Samui resort is now offering speedboat tours that let guests experience the stunning island locations seen in HBO’s hit series The White Lotus.

Fans of the show will recall the final scene where characters sail away from Koh Samui into the sunset — a moment now recreated in real life thanks to "Sense of the Sea," the resort’s sleek new 12-metre speedboat. This 400HP beauty is specially designed for luxury day trips, complete with personalized service, onboard comfort, and the same scenic views that lit up TV screens worldwide.

Guests can join eight-hour excursions through the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, a breathtaking archipelago of 42 islands with limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and turquoise waters — all of which served as a dreamy backdrop in The White Lotus’ third season.

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Prefer shorter getaways? There’s a six-hour trip to Koh Phangan, made famous for its Full Moon Party depicted in the series. Or you can unwind on the 5 Islands Sunset Cruise or take a leisurely tour of Koh Taen and Koh Matsum, the latter affectionately known as Thailand’s “Bay of Pigs” for its beach-loving wild pigs.

Each tour is customizable for private groups or special occasions, with plenty of time for snorkeling, swimming, lounging, or even popping champagne mid-sea. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life—from colorful fish and coral reefs to turtles, sharks, and dugongs.

Back at the resort, the White Lotus spirit continues. From locally-inspired welcome gifts to wellness programs featuring yoga, meditation, and healthy cuisine, the property is embracing what many now call "The White Lotus Effect."

The resort’s spa has even launched a "Sense of Lotus" treatment — a 120-minute refresh that begins with a White Lotus Polisher, made with lotus seed beads for gentle exfoliation.

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And what better way to toast your experience than with the resort’s new cocktail, the White Lotus? It’s a tropical blend of vodka, white rum, lychee and lime juices, coconut milk, and fresh lychee, topped with Damask rose petals.

With 88 hillside villas each offering a private infinity pool and sweeping ocean views, Banyan Tree Samui is the kind of place where cinematic beauty meets real-world comfort. Add to that three top restaurants, a MICHELIN-listed dining experience at Saffron, an award-winning spa, private beach, and coral-fringed coastlines, and you’ve got the ultimate retreat for fans, adventurers, and romantics alike.


Metropole Hanoi Unveils Wartime Bunker Tours to Commemorate 50 Years of Peace

Metropole Hanoi Unveils Wartime Bunker Tours to Commemorate 50 Years of Peace

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 24, 2025

As the world remembers the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is inviting its guests to step into a unique chapter of history—literally. The hotel has launched a commemorative edition of its signature “Path of History” tour, featuring a guided visit to its underground bomb shelter, which once sheltered renowned guests like Joan Baez and Jane Fonda during wartime air raids.

Discovered by accident in 2011 beneath the Bamboo Bar, the shelter had remained sealed since the war ended in 1975. Now, it stands as a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage that defined that era.

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Led by the hotel’s own historian, the tour—available exclusively to in-house guests at 5 pm and 6 pm daily—blends powerful storytelling with rare visual artefacts. From century-old room keys to black-and-white photographs of famous guests like Charlie Chaplin, the experience brings the hotel’s storied legacy to life. But the emotional highlight remains the descent into the bomb shelter itself, where guests are immersed in the haunting audio of Joan Baez’s “Where Are You Now, My Son,” echoing with the sounds of air raid sirens and wartime reflections.

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Adding to the commemorative spirit, the hotel recently welcomed back Uzaki Makoto, a former journalist with Japan’s Nihon Denpa News, who lived at the Metropole between 1971 and 1974. During his return, Uzaki revisited the very room he once worked from and reflected on moments spent huddled in the shelter alongside Baez during the 1972 bombings. His presence served as a living link to a time when the hotel stood as both sanctuary and silent witness to history.

Now 124 years old, Metropole Hanoi continues to blend heritage with luxury. Last year, its historic Heritage Wing, comprising 103 rooms and suites, was revitalized through a 21-month renovation project. The restoration honoured the building’s original charm while incorporating contemporary comforts and vivid elegance.

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From its three iconic suites named after legends like Graham Greene and Charlie Chaplin to its vibrant dining options—ranging from the classic French Le Beaulieu to the sophisticated Angelina lounge—the Metropole remains a timeless symbol of Hanoi’s cultural richness.

For bookings or more information, guests can contact +84 24 3826 6919 (ext. 8500), email metropolehanoi.reservations1@sofitel.com or visit www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com.


​Saudi Crown Prince Extends Royal Hospitality to PM Modi with Fighter Jet Escort

​Saudi Crown Prince Extends Royal Hospitality to PM Modi with Fighter Jet Escort

By Author

Published on April 23, 2025

In a remarkable gesture of diplomatic goodwill, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) dispatched Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jets to escort Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft as it entered Saudi airspace. This unprecedented move underscores the strengthening ties between India and Saudi Arabia, highlighting a new era of strategic partnership and mutual respect.​

The escort, captured in a widely circulated video, showcases Saudi fighter jets flanking PM Modi's plane, symbolizing a warm welcome and the high regard in which the Indian leader is held. PM Modi's reaction, visible in the footage, reflects his appreciation for the honor, marking a significant moment in India-Saudi relations.​

This event is not only a testament to the personal rapport between the two leaders but also indicative of the broader geopolitical alignment between India and Saudi Arabia. Both nations have been collaborating on various fronts, including energy, trade, and security, aiming to bolster their bilateral relations.​

In the realm of hospitality and diplomatic protocol, such gestures are profound. The fighter jet escort serves as a modern-day equivalent of a ceremonial guard of honor, reflecting the host nation's respect and the importance of the visiting dignitary. It sets a precedent in international diplomacy, where traditional hospitality intertwines with contemporary expressions of alliance and camaraderie.​

For the hospitality industry, this event underscores the significance of cultural sensitivity and the role of symbolic gestures in fostering international relations. As nations seek to strengthen ties, the nuances of hospitality—be it through state ceremonies or personalized welcomes—play a pivotal role in diplomacy.​

As PM Modi continues his engagements in Saudi Arabia, this gesture by Crown Prince MBS will be remembered as a highlight, reflecting the deepening bond between the two nations and setting a new benchmark in diplomatic hospitality.

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