Homegrown EVT Hotels & Resorts has signed its third hotel brand into South-East Asia, with lifestyle-budget brand LyLo set to open in Bangkok, its first property outside Australia and New Zealand.
The 387-bed property, located in Sukhumvit Soi 15, will operate under a management agreement and is targeted to open in 2028. It marks LyLo’s international debut, following four existing properties in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Brisbane, and a flagship Gold Coast property also slated for 2028.
The Bangkok signing follows the 2024 opening of QT Singapore and the recent announcement of Rydges Bangkok – also targeting a 2028 opening – making LyLo the third EVT brand to enter the region as part of the group’s asset-light growth strategy.
The Bangkok property will offer 354 signature pods and 33 private rooms, alongside shared spaces including a rooftop wellness area, pool and bar.
New EVT office for Bangkok
To support the expansion, Harry Thaliwal – reporting to chief development officer Brett Forer – is establishing an EVT office in Bangkok to provide owners with on-the-ground expertise.
EVT CEO Jane Hastings said the Bangkok signing was an important milestone in the group’s South-East Asia growth strategy.
“Alongside QT Singapore and the recently announced Rydges Bangkok, it strengthens our brand presence in the region and reflects our confidence in the growth opportunity ahead,” she said, adding that the group now has “a platform to support expansion through asset-light management agreements”.
LyLo managing director Tim Alpe said Bangkok’s considerable number of budget-conscious travellers made it a strong test of the brand’s international appeal.
“Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, and it’s exactly the kind of market LyLo was built for with high volumes of budget-conscious, style-driven travellers who want more than a generic budget stay. It’s a strong proof point for how far this concept can travel.”
EVT credited Hospitality Capital Advisers, Capstone Asset and Silver Bullet as development partners on behalf of the Boontanonda family, Matalay and KS Hotels in bringing the deal together.
