Saturday, January 6, 2018

Minor Hotels in Thailand Launches a New Style of River Travel with Mekong Kingdoms Luxury Cruises




Bangkok, THAILAND -- For those who seek a transcendent experience, Minor Hotels is launching a selection of river cruises replete with the colonial romance of river travel but with a modern twist and bespoke itineraries.

 Mekong Kingdoms cruises recreates and elevates the concept of river travel with their fleet of five vessels where guests can enjoy first-class services from gourmet meals to plush cabins with unique, curated experiences both aboard and ashore along the way.


Cruising along the mighty Mekong River from Thailand’s Golden Triangle to the ancient Lao capital and now UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, conjures up images of old Indochina, of languorous days gone by, teeming with river adventure, mystical temples and stunning untouched scenery.

 Mekong Kingdoms boats offers a new way of river travel with a sense of playfulness and discovery that leaves guests with a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience.


Travellers can join Mekong Kingdoms’ flagship ‘Bohème’, a 42-metre, 13 cabin luxury barge at Luang Prabang or Chiang Khong located near Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort. Decorated with intricate Indochinese-inspired artwork and fitted with sumptuously comfortable furnishings from bow to stern, ‘Bohème’ spoils with phenomenal facilities including an expansive sun deck, wine cellar, and spa.

The journey from Chiang Rai/Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang is two nights as it heads downstream. The upstream cruise takes three nights. Voyagers will be captivated by the languid river lifestyle, soaking in nature’s wonders along the Mekong River Valley, marvelling at encounters with fascinating local cultures.



Itineraries include guided jungle treks, a visit to the Pak Ou caves - with its awesome limestone karst formations, these two caves have been gifted thousands of Buddha images, left by pilgrims over the centuries. Guests can make a friend in the Hmong Village at Pak Beng or be taught traditional weaving at Ban Baw and further discover rural Laos by mountain biking in the stunning village of Ban Houy Phalam.

Even while cruising along the placid waters, guests have a range of diversions onboard. Sunrise yoga, Buddhist meditation, sunset cocktails, cooking demonstrations, jewellery making classes, fishing for giant catfish – there is a wide range of activities to while away the time. Then there’s always gazing at the lush scenery as the boat glides by.

For those desiring a more intimate private cruise, personalised to their tastes, there is ‘Gypsy’ an ultra-exclusive two-cabin cruiser perfect for one or more nights along the Mekong for up to four passengers, Mekong Kingdoms can customise almost every aspect of the itinerary and journey to suit guest’s travel needs.




For shorter day trips in complete privacy, ‘Nomad’ provides couples with an exclusive romantic getaway for sunset cruises in Luang Prabang. ‘Play’ is a floating lounge ideal of private events or family adventure; suitable for up to 15 passengers with sundeck, private room, and a sound system. ‘Monsoon’ is a scheduled touring shuttle to the Pak Ou caves with canapés, coffee, tea and soft drinks, offering a lavish option to visit the sacred site.

“Our guests are travellers who desire not just a unique travel experience, but one that enhances the ambiance of the destinations,” explains Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, “Mekong Kingdoms cruises harken back to the days when the journey is savoured as much as the destination.”

Mekong Kingdoms cruises joins Minor Hotels’ existing fleet of Manohra Dining Cruises in Bangkok and Anantara Overnight Cruises that sail from Bangkok to Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

For more information on how to book Mekong Kingdoms please go to http://www.mekongkingdoms.com/



For more information on this news release, please contact:


Hwee Peng Yeo
Vice President
Glodow Nead Communications

San Francisco • New York • Singapore • Shanghai
Level 21, Centennial Tower, 3 Temasek Avenue • Singapore 039190
Level 15, One Corporate Avenue, 222 Hubin Road, Shanghai China, 200021
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 203 • San Francisco, CA • 94111

US:415.394.6500 • Asia: 65.9768.6087 •  E: hweepeng@glodownead.com

The Preiss Company Acquires Two Charlotte, NC Student Housing Properties with New Joint Venture Partner

  
Donna Preiss

RALEIGH, NC and CHARLOTTE, NC Officials of The Preiss Company (TPCO), ranked within the nation’s top 10 largest, privately-held, student housing owner-operator, announced that it acquired at the close of 2017 the 520-bed 49 North complex and the 660-bed University Village at Charlotte in a new joint venture with a private investment group for an undisclosed amount. 

Preiss previously owned the properties, which serve the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, with another joint venture partner prior to the sale and will continue to operate both complexes.  The new joint venture will invest significantly in upgrades and renovations at both properties.

“All of our owners have different investment strategies, and we were able to offer an existing joint venture property to a new, different partner with separate investment criteria,” said Donna Preiss, founder and CEO, The Preiss Company. 

“This is our third consecutive joint venture with these properties which speaks to their ability to achieve investment goals for our JV partners. These are extremely well-located complexes that will benefit from capital infusion and upgrades. 

“During our decade-plus tenure as owner-operators, the properties have enjoyed great success with average occupancy above 97% percent with an average 4 percent annual rent growth.  We remain particularly bullish on the market.”

 University Village at Charlotte

Preiss built the garden apartment and townhouse complex in 2007 at 9915 University Village Blvd., 0.2 miles from campus. The highly amenitized property includes a private shuttle to campus, clubhouse with game room, state-of-the-art fitness center and cardio room, resort-style salt water swimming pool, computer center, private bedrooms and bathrooms, stainless appliances and washer and dryer in every unit.

Upgrades and improvements include replacing common area furniture in 98 units and bedroom furniture in 47 units.  Kitchens and bathrooms will be refreshed with new finishes, lighting and ceiling fans, while carpeted units will be upgraded with faux wood flooring. Common areas will receive new 55-inch smart TVs.

  The fitness center will get new cardio equipment and TVs.  The basketball court will convert to a grill area, the breezeways will be power washed and exterior lighting will be enhanced.

“The University formed a Division I football team that is part of the FBS Conference and has a recently built stadium which can be expanded as the program matures,” Preiss noted.  “The property is across the street from the intramural fields and has a great reputation in the market.  We believe these improvements will continue to attract high occupancy with excellent rental rates.”

49 North

Located at 10035 Dabney Drive, the townhome complex is 0.3 miles from campus.  Amenities include a private shuttle service to campus, saltwater swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, free tanning, computer lab, coffee bar, sand volleyball courts, fire pit, private bedrooms and bathrooms, washer and dryers and patios.

Improvements and upgrades include adding wood flooring, replacing kitchen cabinets and installing new quartz countertops. Washers and dryers will be replaced, building exteriors will be power washed and painted, roofs will be replaced and pool and office furniture will be refreshed. 


For more information on this transaction, please contact:

PATRICK DALY
OFFICE MANAGER
DALY GRAY PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC.
620 Herndon Parkway, Suite 115 | Herndon, VA 20170
Main: 703-435-6293
Mobile: 703-300-8289

or

Amy Barger, Vice President of Marketing
The Preiss Company
(919) 532-1114

www.tpco.com.