TravTalk India Online Magazine
Amid a rising trend for destination bachelorette parties among Indians, Thailand’s Courtyard Phuket by Marriott, Patong Beach Resort has become the go-to spot for pre-wedding revelries, offering a seamless segue into a dream wedding celebration at the nearby Le Méridien Khao Lak.
Amita Pandey
As destination bachelorette celebrations gain traction among Indian travellers, Marriott International is strategically positioning its properties in Thailand to meet this rising demand. The Courtyard Phuket by Marriott, Patong Beach Resort has emerged as a preferred venue for pre-wedding festivities, offering a perfect blend of beachside leisure and large-scale event infrastructure.
This 445-key resort, complete with its own beach club, has seen a notable increase in enquiries, particularly from Indian groups. “The property is witnessing a rise in bachelorette enquiries,” said Shannon Creado, Market Director, Sales & Distribution – South Thailand and Cluster Director, Sales & Marketing, Marriott International, underscoring its popularity among MICE and celebration-focused travellers.
Crucially, Marriott offers an extended, hassle-free experience by pairing The Courtyard Phuket with its sister property, Le Méridien Khao Lak, for wedding ceremonies. This dual-destination strategy allows guests to enjoy a multi-day celebration without the inconvenience of navigating multiple airports or shifting logistics.
“We already host many weddings at Le Méridien Khao Lak, with around 70 per cent of the clientele being NRIs from countries like the US, the UK, Canada and Africa,” highlighted Creado, adding, “They prefer to attend all events in a single trip, considering the fact that they are already travelling such a great distance to attend the wedding. They would not want to make the trip twice to the same destination.”
Ease of connectivity adds to this appeal. Phuket International Airport serves as a common gateway to both the properties, enabling a smooth transition between pre-wedding and wedding events. “We have successfully executed multiple events, where guests arrive for bachelorettes in Patong and move on to Khao Lak for the wedding, making it a five-day celebration instead of the usual three,” Creado emphasised. “The Courtyard’s central location — close to local markets, Indian restaurants and Phuket’s nightlife hub Soi Bangla — makes it an obvious choice for events.”
Le Méridien Khao Lak
Le Méridien Khao Lak has become synonymous with Indian weddings. With a capacity of 125–150 rooms, it regularly hosts around 300 guests per event. The hotel’s deep Indian connection sets it apart. “Half of our executive committee is Indian, including the General Manager, Executive Chef, F&B Director and Event Manager,” shared Creado. “It gives Indian families a sense of comfort as they are ensured that the hotel staff is properly equipped to understand Indian cultural and culinary sensibilities, especially for luxury weddings.”
Marriott as a pro-customer brand
Marriott is also mindful of price sensitivity, offering flexible packages across different properties while maintaining its brand standards. “We offer multiple options of properties in this region based on client requirements to ensure value for money,” Creado said.
While Marriott as a brand is in sync with the evolving trends of MICE and wedding festivities through its properties like The Courtyard Phuket by Marriott and Le Méridien Khao Lak, it is not shying away from pushing the message of social inclusivity and sustainability. To that end, Marriott will soon be hosting an LGBTQ+ wedding at Le Méridien Khao Lak. “This reflects our commitment to diversity and social responsibility,” concluded Creado.
