An urban hub of recuperation and marital merrymaking.

By Mahmood Hossain

The overall wellness provided by a reputable hotel and resort is based on services that can accommodate nearly every single type of traveller or guest. When the property is situated in the heart of the city, such as Bangkok’s booming metropolis, catering to everyone is crucial. Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok is the perfect example of the aforementioned attributes, facilitating visitors who may seek respite or those who want a blowout Indian wedding. From staying at any of the hotel’s 211 rooms and suites of eight different styles to tantalising the tastebuds with its elevated dining experiences, this hotel is a revamped hideaway for fervent festivities and a brief cessation from the capital’s controlled chaos.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Rubel Miah, General Manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, who gave us a better understanding of the resort’s approach to catering to grand Indian celebrations.

Rubel Miah, General Manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok

What makes Mövenpick BDMS Wellness ResortBangkok ideal for an Indian celebration?

As we all know, Thailand has a lot to offer when it comes to weddings; it’s normal to see couples heading to Hua Hin, Phuket, or any other scenic island getaway for their wedding celebrations. We believe that Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok offers the best Thailand has to offer, right in the heart of the capital. We have the convenience of being in the centre of the city, providing the feel and amenities of an actual resort, and having the entire property to use to our advantage.

There are four critical components to an Indian wedding from my experience and understanding. First, the environment itself: the location, space, and atmosphere set the tone. Second, the food. I don’t think I have to say much more about this topic besides putting a plan in place that can cater to South Asian tastebuds. Next is the service. Guests need to feel the care and attention that they expect from world-class brands, which is something my team here is more than capable of delivering. Lastly, we have to emphasise flexibility. It should not be a surprise that when working with couples, especially Indian couples, you are working with their families. And of course, there are the last-minute changes that come with hosting these types of events.

How many Indian weddings have you hosted over the last year, and what makes them stand out from the rest?

With all honesty and transparency, both our meeting and wedding facilities are fairly new, as they were completed in October of last year. So, the only Indian wedding we have hosted was this past February, with up to 120 guests. As you can imagine, compared to a standard Indian wedding, that is incredibly small. Although it was still lovely and intimate, we are looking for opportunities to facilitate larger weddings.

This property may be considered a boutique-sized hotel in the world of Indian weddings, but we are able to privatise an entire wing so that guests can enjoy the proximity between the hotel rooms and the venues where the events are to take place. They have both privacy and high-quality service in one place.

F&B and catering are critical components of Indian Weddings. Do you offer Indian cuisine, and are you incorporating your F&B outlets at Indian events? If so, how are they facilitated?

We definitely have the ability to cater Indian cuisine, which we provided earlier in the year for the February wedding. Our Thai cuisine offerings are exceptional, and guests can experience them at our Khum Hom restaurant, headed by Chef Ian Kittichai. However, we are currently in the process of finding a talented young Indian chef who can provide the most authentic taste and experience of Indian food and beverages. While Khum Hom offers contemporary Thai cuisine, with Indian-influenced dishes, we want to specialise in high-quality Indian cuisine for any kind of Indian celebration.

Which venues at the hotel are most popular for Indian events?

Depending on the size of the wedding, there are a couple of different venues on the property. On the fourth floor, there is an oval room with an outdoor terrace attached, with a 120- to 140-person capacity indoors, while the outdoor space can hold between 150 to 170 people. Then, we have our Grand Ballroom, which opens up to a beautiful garden with a wonderful water fountain. You can imagine using it as a backdrop to your wedding festivities, accompanied by fresh floral decorations in an absolutely stunning and spacious area. There is plenty of space around the pool as well that we can make private for an event.

How has your personal experience been with Indian weddings? What makes it fun and exciting for you?

What I have experienced at Indian weddings is that you know what time it starts, but you have no idea what time it finishes! It may seem a bit exhausting, but I believe it is worth noting the most memorable part of each wedding: the genuine joy of the people around you. It’s truly a moment to celebrate life.

What are some current challenges you’ve faced in facilitating Indian events?

I don’t necessarily see any difficult challenges per se. The only real obstacle is the process of acquiring an Indian chef to cater to our Indian couples. We are dedicated to bringing the best for Indian weddings, and without this critical element, we cannot be satisfied. Fortunately, for the time being, we do have a large network of Accor hotels, as well as in India. So, we have the flexibility to bring in individuals that specialise in Indian weddings and F&B. Again, we desire to have an in-house chef that is readily available. Ultimately, we are here to provide the best, and if we need to fly in an Indian chef to achieve that, we most definitely will.

Are there any new additions to the property or future plans that would elevate celebratory events?

We’ve already done most of our planned renovations here at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, from building and completing the convention centre in October last year to revamping the guest rooms and swimming pool. At the moment, we are planning to open a bar in the open space near the pool so that guests have easier access to F&B options, rather than having to wait on service that is coming from across the property.

Moreover, we want to create more awareness of the new offerings at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok to the Thai-Indian community. To Masala Magazine’s readers: this hotel can facilitate various kinds of celebrations, and these unique spaces can create some of the most memorable events of your lives!

MÖVENPICK BDMS WELLNESS RESORT BANGKOK

2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Tel: 02 666 3333

Facebook: @MovenpickBDMSWellnessBangkok

Instagram: @movenpickbdmsbangkok

www.movenpickbdmsbangkok.com