In collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Thai actor Golf Pichaya has aptly curated a celebrity experience unlike any other titled “Guest How Golf Pichaya Guests”, at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road — exclusive to IHG One Rewards members. We speak to him in an interview about the intentions behind these experiences and what guests may expect during their stay.
Hotels have long cast a spell: on hopefuls seeking escape, and on tourists eager to experience a dreamy retreat. The fascinating thing about these paradisal spaces is that they have the power to transform you into your best self — a sanctuary for just about anyone.
But a sanctuary exists only when your needs are cared for, just the way you, and your authentic self, would like. This rare touch of hospitality echoes in yet another unveiling of a series of collaborations by IHG Hotels & Resorts which invites travellers to be their authentic selves. First announced in August 2022, IHG has designed unique experiences for IHG One Rewards members where they are invited to have a glimpse of how their favourite personalities like to be cared for at IHG properties — as part of the global marketing campaign, Guest How You Guest.
The campaign kicked off in the US with GRAMMY award-winning artist Jazmine Sullivan and former world number 1 tennis player Andy Roddick and has since launched worldwide. In South East Asia, Singapore’s very own rapper Yung Raja curated a culturally immersive stay at Holiday Inn Singapore Little India — located just in the middle of one of the city-state’s vibrant cultural districts. Meanwhile, Vietnamese actress-model Ninh Duong Lan Ngọc decorates the opulent Presidential Suite with an indulgent experience at the iconic InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, known for its miraculous views.
Thai actor Golf Pichaya makes the list as well, where he has partnered with IHG Hotels & Resorts to design a recharging and relaxed stay itinerary at the Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road. Best known for being a part of the music duet Golf and Mike, Golf is a rising talent who made his acting debut in the drama Ubatruk Karmkobfah and has since starred in numerous series. In addition to his acting and singing talents, Golf Pichaya has become known for sharing his travel experiences with his fans on his YouTube channel, giving an insight into how he stays and relaxes when he’s on the move
Titled “Guest How Golf Pichaya Guests”, the experience — specially curated by Golf Pichaya himself — is inspired by the actor’s favourite ways to ‘guest’ at hotels and elements of his travels around the world. Infused with elements of his creative background, the experience will include a special breakfast set served in the room full of Golf Pichaya’s favourite menu items to start the day, a DIY mocktail kit for “Hole-In-One”, a specially created drink by Golf Pichaya, special sunset mocktails and dinner menu at CHAR (the hotel’s gleaming rooftop restaurant), and a bath ritual to unwind with Thai floral-scented bath bombs.
We speak to him in an exclusive interview about the intentions behind these experiences and what guests may expect during their stay.
Hi Golf Pichaya, it’s a pleasure to speak to you about your collaboration with IHG, in particular, the “Guest How You Guest” experience you’ve curated for Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road. We’d like to start on a simple note about you — how have you been so far?
I’ve been good and really busy. As you can imagine, lots of things happened at the end of 2022. I’ve been travelling quite a lot, I managed to have time to go to some really cool concerts, and I’ve been catching up with friends and family. Also, I managed to go to Singapore and Japan.
I ended November catching up with Jackson Wang and then going to his concert in Bangkok. It was an amazing night. Since then, I’ve been clearing up my work and getting ready for a vacation abroad.
I’ve just been to Wonderfruit, a really amazing festival held a couple of hours outside of Bangkok. Although it’s a music festival, it’s quite a spiritual weekend and you can do yoga, get involved in workshops for the mind, body and soul, eat healthily, and then just have a huge party for 3 nights straight. It’s quite a unique concept and really great fun. This year was super cold though.
Take us through how you’ve curated this unique guest experience for IHG One Rewards members. How does it differ from the run-of-the-mill hotel package?
I think the most important thing when you travel a lot is being able to relax and be comfortable where you’re staying. That means both mind and body, and to do that it’s not just about what you do, it’s where you do it. The whole vibe has to be right if you really want to relax.
Although the Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road is right in the centre of the city it has this great calmness about it, and you really feel like it’s your special apartment in the CBD.
I’m really grateful to the teams at IHG Hotels and Resorts because they really wanted to showcase some of the essentials of how I like to travel, especially since I spend a lot of time on the road – whether it was a luxurious breakfast in bed, or eating my favourite food at CHAR, they made it happen. I love the idea behind the campaign that we should celebrate the individual way that we live and travel, I think it’s really special that I was able to curate my own experience and share it with others.
Now Bangkok is all about the hustle and bustle, but it is also a sanctuary for those seeking to relax and take things slow. What is a relaxing experience you’d recommend to a first time traveller to the city of angels?
You’re right! Bangkok can be a really manic city. I love slowing it down a little and the best way to do that is to head to a roof top bar or restaurant and watch the city work its magic. It’s got a terrific skyline, and being high in the sky means you beat the traffic while enjoying what the city has to give.
How about the food? Thailand is home to the world’s greatest cuisines, can you boil down a few must-tries?
I couldn’t answer this without mentioning CHAR – at the top of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road. From succulent steaks to seafood feasts, the food is really impressive. We got to meet the new head chef while we were there, and he brings a lot of influences from around the world to his food. After dinner, the rooftop bar gives you the retreat from the city I mentioned. It’s perfect.
Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road also makes for a perfect staycation, and now that it is an experience that has been increasingly popular amongst both local and foreign travellers, could you tell fans what you’d pack for a nights stay?
You can find pretty much everything you need at the hotel and if you can’t, the staff are really friendly and helpful and they’ll do whatever they can to make your stay the best it can be.
Which would you prefer — a home within a vacation, or a vacation within a home? Tell us more!
I travel a lot and look for places I can stay at that feel like home – I want to be comfortable, eat food I like, have service that doesn’t feel intrusive. So I guess that means I prefer a home within a vacation.
What are some things you must bring with you on your travels when you’re abroad? We’re definitely taking notes, so do name us a few items!
I always bring my laptop with me and also a Bluetooth speaker that comes with LED lights to create a cool atmosphere at night. Adding a little neon element after sunset always makes it a cool way to do staycations.
Could you take us through the hotel? We’d love to know your favourite spots, especially areas that are perfect for those Instagram selfies!
It’s a very IG-friendly place! I’ve mentioned the CHAR rooftop bar, which gets great sunsets and has a perfect backdrop of sky rise buildings. Being on Wireless Road, design elements around the hotel references the history of Bangkok’s radio city, like the radio-wall in the lobby. Although I don’t really drink alcohol, 22 Steps Craft House is a dedicated beer bar that has some of the best shot settings. It’s got a Harry Potter-type library, a huge, beautiful chandelier, and a secret hidden room if you can find it. It’s very cool.
What’s your definition of a perfect getaway?
The perfect getaway is of course when you feel like you get to recharge yourself.
Lastly, If you could choose anyone in the world, who would you bring along to a once-in-a-lifetime trip and why?
If I could choose anyone, it would be my niece Lizzy because I miss seeing her. She is so cute and adorable, but because she lives in Utah it’s hard to meet her.
The “Guest How Golf Pichaya Guests” experience exclusive to IHG One Rewards members at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road is now available for booking till 31 January 2023. For more information, visit this link.
To book the “Guest How Golf Pichaya Guests” experience, visit the hotel’s website, or contact the reservations team at reservation.hotelindigobangkok@ihg.com or call 02-207-4999. Learn more about the IHG One Rewards programme and how to apply here.
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