virla2017no2

23 / 29

Anantara Vacation Club Chiang Mai AN INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL PREMIER RESORT®
Developer: Minor Hotel Group
Headquarters: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Product: Points program: Jade, Ruby, Diamond, and Platinum
Website:
FAST FACTS
42
“It stretches 111 feet [34 meters] and looks out from the hotel down
to the Ping River — and boasts stunning views of the nearby mountains
and the city of Chiang Mai,” Bisicky says. “There’s no doubt that it’s the
standout feature of the resort. There’s a pool bar, and the wooden deck
provides ample opportunity for leisure and small functions. It’s really an
oasis where guests can unwind and relax.”
Visitors can also access dining facilities equally impressive as the
views from the infinity pool. Known simply as The Restaurant, the resort’s
standard eatery is a longtime guest favorite, according to Bisicky. “The
menu is defined by a delectable selection of Indian and Peruvian dishes
prepared under the craftsmanship of Executive Chef Patricio.”
In fact, The Restaurant remains the only place in all of Chiang Mai
where travelers can partake of Peruvian fare. And yet, it’s not even the
property’s most unique dining experience. That distinction goes to The
Service 1921 Restaurant & Bar.
One of the original buildings on the property, it opened in 1921 and
served as the British Consulate of Chiang Mai. As the resort’s website
explains, “The Service 1921 reimagines the colonial era in an eccentric
and fictitious reinvention of the British government’s secret intelligence
service.”
To properly set that particular stage, there’s a peephole in the door
at the main entrance and even a private dining area that is accessed via
a secret bookshelf entryway in the library. Beyond the fun — if uncon-
ventional — construction elements, the menu offers a delicious fusion of
contemporary Chinese Szechuan, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes.
Guest favorites include the Hue shrimp with vegetable pancakes and
pork dumplings, and — of course — the signature afternoon tea event,
complemented by gourmet pies, quiches, and scones. Despite the vast
array of culinary delights, Bisicky concedes, “People are particularly fond
of the mystery and intrigue that comes with eating at The Service 1921.”
Class Is in Session
Visitors have also become fond of Spice Spoons, the resort’s on-site cook-
ing class. And this is no simple lecture series. Participants discuss menu
options with their personal chef and travel to local markets to shop for the
freshest ingredients before settling in the kitchen to learn about the health
and cultural impacts of Thai cuisine. Of course, they also learn the trade
secrets of constructing some of Thailand’s most popular dishes, such as
coconut chicken soup followed by crispy fish with spicy mango salad.
The culmination of each session is sitting down to enjoy the home-
made meal for lunch. The true reward, though, as Bisicky says, “is the
opportunity to bring your newfound knowledge, skills, and recipes back
home to impress friends and family.”
Flexible Ownership
Anantara Vacation Club has four tiers of ownership: Jade, Ruby, Diamond,
and Platinum. “It’s a unique, flexible vacation ownership program based
on points and multiple destinations,” explains Bisicky. Consumers are
encouraged to purchase the level of ownership that corresponds with the
number of points they’ll need to cover the size of accommodations and
frequency of travel they typically desire.
“After that, based on their points, owners may choose from a number
of destinations, the length of their stay (even just one day), season, room
type, and number of vacations they wish to take each year,” Bisicky says.
“Sometimes they can even use their points to pay for food and drinks.
For the upper ownership tiers, we also offer Royal Programmes that fea-
ture exclusive experiences and vacation packages.”
With the spacious floor plans and distinct amenities on offer at Chiang
Mai, it’s no wonder the location has enjoyed sustained success. “We do
have an active and effective preview center here,” says Bisicky. “But we
utilize a variety of sales and marketing strategies to perpetuate an effec-
tive business model.”
For example, the company’s main marketing focus is Asian
travelers, so “we rely on an extensive and ever-growing network of mar-
keting locations all over Thailand,” Bisicky explains. “Additionally, we have
well-established marketing partnerships with leading financial institutions
from mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines
that help us reach consumers who wish to attend preview presentations.”
Good Partners
Helpful collaborations are a common theme for Bisicky. “As with any
global business, strategic partnerships are vital to ensure our owners
receive the best service and the most comprehensive regional coverage
for their accommodation needs,” he says. “Interval International pro-
vides outstanding resort options in regions where we do not yet have a
footprint — as well as all-around accommodation flexibility and variety.
In a changing marketplace, where choice and flexibility are key business
drivers, this is a vital component of our product offering.”
In a sense, the ChiangMai region itself —not the beach, not amassive
urban center such as Bangkok — is a changing marketplace in Thailand.
So even in the midst of all the marketing efforts and strategic partnerships,
Bisicky is diligent to focus on what’s most important. “For now,” he says,
“our main focus is to continue to welcome guests to our property and
strive to immerse them in the various experiences of the area.”
Looking to boost your sales,
marketing, and operating efforts,
and improve your bottom line?
Take Advantage …
of Interval International’s
Affiliate Advantages!
For more information, contact Nicole Meck at
949-470-8324 or ,
or go to
Bank of America Visa Card | 44
DG Film Company | 45
Entertainment Promotions | 46
Equiant | 47
Fidelity National Timeshare | 48
Harbor Linen | 49
Meridian Financial Services | 50
Quantum Resort Theatres | 51