Escape to Pattaya Polo Escape
SHILAI LIU WINS ANNUAL 137 PILLARS POLO PUISSANCE EVENT AT THE BEAUTIFUL POLO ESCAPE OUTSIDE PATTAYA THAILAND, WRITES FLOYD COWAN.
Christopher Stafford, COO of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, cocktail in hand, leaned back in his chair and gazed out over the beautiful green polo pitch and sighed, “This is my favourite place in the world.” A one-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangkok and 20 minutes from the seaside resort of Pattaya, Polo Escape is set among Casuarina trees, pineapple and coconut plantations, and it is far away from day to day hustle and bustle. The blue sky and the tropical greens are a comfort to the eyes and the soul. It is no wonder that Chris and 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts hold their annual polo event here.
SILVER CUP TOURNAMENT
After an introduction to the players, the Silver Cup Tournament kicked off, followed by the 137 Pillars Polo Puissance Cup competition, and then, in the evening an Argentinean asado-style dinner and dance party. During the break, 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts served their renowned
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea to the VIP guests.
Being a global luxury sport with many people travelling to polo tournaments around the world, Christopher is confident that it is the perfect match for the luxury boutique 137 Pillars brand.
SPORT OF KINGS
Each year 137 Pillars Polo Puissance brings all the thrills and style synonymous with the ‘sport of kings” to Thailand. The recent tournament was held on December 21, 2019 and featured four teams, King Power, Polo Escape, Axus and Siam Ace. Several top international and local players, including the Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Angad Kalaan, and ranking Argentinian players. The guests included many high society Thais and CEOS of leading companies.
Set on the 70-acre estate in Chonburi, Pattaya, Polo Escape offers one of the best polo destinations in the world. From its high-quality Tifton Sport grass polo field to well-designed stabling facilities, superbly trained polo ponies, beautiful grounds, wholesome menus, unique and rustic accommodations, Polo Escape is for discerning travellers.
SHORT FORMAT
An avid horseman and passionate polo enthusiast, Christopher Stafford, is the power
behind this popular event. Looking to raise awareness about the “sport of kings” in Thailand, he connected with his friend Peter Prentice, a renowned polo commentator, to organise an annual tournament.
The two created a short format competition that would generate excitement among the spectators. In a polo puissance tournament, horse-borne competitors have to shoot a ball between two goalposts located at a fair distance. Players require strength, precision and accuracy. Top polo player Karen Kronenbourg won the tournament in the first year it was organised
THRILLING SHOOTOUT
Shilai Liu from the AXUS team won the 3rd
Annual 137 Pillars Polo Puissance Cup in a thrilling shootout in the twilight of the day. In the Silver Cup tournament, the King Power team battled three other teams to emerge victors and take home the trophy.
“With the Puissance Cup, we intend to build a relationship with international polo, a sport played by ladies and gentlemen across the globe. The synergy of this high-society sport matches our ambition to collaborate with others in the luxury goods and services market. This can mutually enhance our business growth and offer our clients unique and memorable experiences,” said Christopher Stafford.
This year’s sponsors of the event were Thai
Airways, Thai Smiles Airways, Royal Salute, and Perrier-jouët, and Polo Escape.
LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE
Accommodation at
Polo Escape consists of boutique bed & breakfast lodging with 23 uniquely designed rooms, including all amenities. Rates include made-to-order breakfast. Flavourful Western or Thai lunch, dinners, picnic baskets and its famous Asado. Cooking by fire can be arranged upon request. At Polo Escape, on purpose, they do not have television in every room. You are there to escape and enjoy the animals and nature.
Owners Robin and Susy Lourvanij, together with world renowned polo field consultant Alejandro
Lavista Llanos, created and redesigned a former rubber and pineapple plantation 10 years ago into a world class travel destination – offering complete privacy for a highly international guest list including royalties, celebrities and business moguls. Apart from its understated grace, Polo Escape’s appeal for many of their guests, who return each year, is the warm hospitality extended by their charming owners. The property is more than just a polo club; it’s a lifestyle experience.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Polo Escape’s extensive facilities include a fully equipped gym, a well-lit tennis court, an infinity lap pool, overlooking the full-size polo grounds, a large dining / function villa and a manmade island monkey bar for romantic hideaways, open air theatre and parties.
Recently two luxury tents have been added at Polo Escape. Their overall size is 9.0 x
4.2m meters, providing spacious and cosy accommodation. The terraces and the bathrooms have wooden decking and the bedrooms have jute floor covering. The bathrooms feature recycled teak walls (from an old teak house) to mount the shower mixers at the side of the bathtubs and the wash basins to mount the mirrors and wall lights. The bedrooms have ceiling fans as well as air conditioning.
If you are looking to get away from it all, Polo Escape is the perfect place to do it.