The official soft opening of Centra Taum Bali, the Centara group’s first overseas venture with its value brand Centra, took place on December 14. The traditional Balinese Hindu ceremony known as Melaspas, which is used to purify land or a new building and which had begun with prayers on the previous day, marked the opening of the resort. Centra Taum Bali is located at Seminyak, one of Bali’s best known leisure and nightlife areas, and is within a five minutes’ stroll of the beach. The resort has a total of 90 Studios, Duplex Suites, Family Suites, and Pool Suites, with several units offering private plunge pools. Each room features a spacious balcony with double day-bed, and all units include a kitchenette with electric hob. There is a swimming pool with children’s pool and sundeck, a Wellness Spa that includes tranquil treatment rooms and a relaxation area, and a fully-equipped fitness center. The Centra brand, as the contraction of the Centara name indicates, offers affordable hotels and resorts that provide a quality experience designed to exceed expectations but not over-deliver to the point not required by guests. Centra properties, therefore, offer spacious accommodation with quality furnishing and fittings, at least one restaurant, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. All are located in a convenient setting, with restaurants and shops nearby, and those in a seaside location are within an easy walk of the beach. Centara Hotels&Resorts is Thailand’s largest operator of hotels, with 38 deluxe and first-class properties covering all the major tourist destinations in the kingdom. A further 16 resorts in the Maldives, Philippines, Vietnam, Bali Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius Indian Ocean, brings the present total to 54 properties. Brands and properties within Centara ensure that specific categories such as couples, families, individuals, and meetings and incentives groups will all find a hotel or resort that is appropriate to their needs. Centara operates 25 branches of Spa Cenvaree, one of Thailand’s most luxurious and innovative spa brands, and the company’s Kids’ Club is available at all the family-friendly resorts to ensure that the youngsters and teens are taken care of. Centara Hotels&Resorts also operates two state-of-the-art convention centers in Bangkok, and one in Udon Thani in northeastern Thailand.