We’re going to see one Marriott property in Thailand go upmarket, as it transitions from Westin to Ritz-Carlton.
Continue reading: Ritz-Carlton Phuket Opening 2025 (Westin Rebrand)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
For me personally this sucks - I really like this hotel and it’s at a great price point and in a good location. I almost certainly won’t be able to afford it once the switch happens!
Really sad that a legendary chain, R-C, has now sunk to the Marriott level...Here comes shoddy and putrid customer service!...
"historically it hasn’t necessarily been that premium."
Premium should be judged by the product not the brand. You would expect most places would convert down not up, the opposite here.
This is a country that Courtyard or Four Points would put most of Marriott or Sheraton in North America to shame.
To be fair, Phuket or few other Thai islands are already expensive compared to Thailand standards. So one might say, it's already premium.
This particular property definitely shows some aging, but I would say if it's called a (US standard) Ritz Carlton today, I could barely tell the difference.
That being said, what I don't think this is RC material would be the beaches, too much elevation, and your fellow guests (likely change after the rebrand).
Agree with Eskimo - Many properties in Asia it is not necessarily about the branding. Many Courtyards or Marriott's are much nicer than they are in the US even with club lounges in Asia. The problem is that many may not want to stay there because they know that it is a convert from a Westin. Generally speaking, I think St Regis is much nicer than Ritz Carlton anyway (except some properties or the reserve).
Ritz-Carlton has been part of Marriott since 1998. So nothing really new there....