Hong Kong travel series “Travel Thailand” (冲遊泰國) on TVB Plus returns for a 12th season, blending tourism tips with short comedy sketches. Host Roger Hu, a longtime Thailand travel expert, and co-host Jojo Wong showcase a new ultra-private Pattaya hotel and a whimsical, pink-drenched restaurant inspired by the film The Grand Budapest Hotel—where even the food is dyed with beetroot.
The episode airs Tuesday evening, with Hu and Wong performing in a mini-drama. Hu plays a bumbling bodyguard nicknamed “Mr. Help,” protecting Wong’s wealthy socialite character. The skit serves as a playful vehicle to introduce a Pattaya hotel that opened less than a year ago. The property boasts only five room types, each with distinct design features. Prices range from roughly 3,000 baht (about $85 USD) for the most affordable option to over 7,000 baht for a presidential suite. The top-tier suite places the bathtub at the center of the room, allowing guests to soak in style.
Wong, a self-described “pink fanatic,” was particularly drawn to the hotel’s carousel-themed restaurant. “The restaurant, combined with the crystal chandeliers, feels like a theme park,” she said. “I love the super-saturated color palette—deep pink, pale pink, and gold. Even the staff uniforms are pink. Everyone should come here to take photos.”
She revealed that the restaurant design directly riffs on Wes Anderson’s 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel. “If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll love this place,” she added. “Many of the scenes and even the uniforms pay homage to that classic.”
Beyond decor, the dining experience leans heavily into pink hues. Menu items include pan-seared salmon served with pink mashed potatoes, pink spaghetti, pink waffles, and pink mushroom soup. The kitchen achieves the color naturally by adding beetroot, ensuring every dish is both photogenic and edible.
The show’s new comedic approach aims to reach younger audiences while still delivering practical travel advice. Hu noted that the “short drama” segments break up standard travelogue format. “We want people to laugh and then remember the place,” he said in a separate interview.
The hotel and restaurant sit at the intersection of two growing travel trends: experiential accommodation and Instagram-centric dining. Privacy-focused boutique hotels with limited rooms appeal to travelers seeking exclusivity. Meanwhile, theme-driven restaurants—especially those tied to iconic films—draw social media–savvy visitors eager for shareable content.
Industry observers say such niches are becoming essential in competitive markets like Thailand, where tourism authorities are pushing higher-spending, experience-oriented travelers. The use of natural colorants like beetroot also taps into demand for visually appealing yet healthy alternatives.
The 12th season of “Travel Thailand” will feature additional destinations across the country, with each episode including a short skit. For viewers planning a trip, the hotel offers a rare combination of seclusion and whimsy—though bookings are likely to rise after the broadcast. As Wong put it: “This is the spot where movie magic meets real-life travel.”
