Centara Hotels & Resorts plans to launch new budget hotels in partnership with PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) as early as next year.
Through this strategic collaboration, Centara and OR plan to develop a network of budget hotels located adjacent to PTT filling station complexes, providing convenient and accessible accommodation for travellers.
The first phase of the project involves the development of six budget hotels across Thailand, with openings scheduled between 2027 and 2028.
The hotels are slated for Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Chon Buri and Songkhla, targeting travellers along major highways and regional transport routes.
Each property will feature 69-80 rooms, with rates expected to start at 800-900 baht per night, while the Bangkok property is expected to offer around 120 rooms at 1,200-1,300 baht per night.
The joint-venture investment is roughly 700 million baht, with Centara holding a 51% stake and OR 49%.
By leveraging OR's network of more than 2,000 PTT filling stations nationwide, the project offers highly accessible locations that already combine fuel services and electric vehicle charging with food and beverage outlets, convenience stores and rest areas.
The collaboration also integrates the loyalty programmes of CentaraThe1, The 1, and OR's Blue Plus programme.
With a combined membership base of more than 40 million, Centara and OR can co-create enhanced benefits, superior experiences and greater value for customers across both organisations in the future.
"This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for Centara as we expand into the budget hotel segment and continue to diversify our portfolio," said Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
As demand for convenient and affordable accommodation continues to grow, the new brand will complement Centara's portfolio, which spans luxury resorts, upscale hotels, lifestyle properties and family-focused destinations, he added.
"This partnership marks an important milestone that reflects the combined strengths and expertise of Centara and OR in jointly developing a budget hotel project to respond to evolving travel behaviour," said ML Peekthong Thongyai, chief executive of OR.
