Bt1.5b resort to open in Phuket in 2012

PHUKET: A new 350-room, five-star luxury resort will open in the South Patong hillsides of Phuket by the end of 2012.

News of the 1.5-billion-baht project was announced by Bangkok-based hotel and resort consultants Mai-BS (Thailand). The firm is headed by Klaus Rauter, former general manager at Andara Villas and Suites.

“We are extremely proud of having been selected and appointed as the consultant to the owner for this 1,500 million baht five-star resort owned by truly experienced and professional developers,” said Mr Rauter.

“Mai-BS (Thailand) will work with the owners and current team as consultant to select the right management company for this stunning property, to ensure best use of space in all areas of the hotel, to ensure best comfort for guests and employees through modern and efficient designs in all areas of the resort,” he added.

Mai-BS has inked a deal for Phuket-based Yangrangsi Co Ltd to develop the project at the south end of Patong.

The site is located after the Amari Coral Beach resort, with views overlooking Patong Bay, local analyst Bill Barnett wrote in his thephuketinsider.com property website.

The hotel, which has yet to be named, is scheduled to open year-end 2012 with 100 pool villas and 250 rooms, said the company press release.

The resort will be managed by an international-brand management company to be announced by the end of this year.

Facilities at the 100-rai resort will include three themed concept restaurants, a freshwater lake covering about seven rai and a conference room.

The resort spa will feature up to 16 treatment rooms built in a lush, rocky area. A natural waterfall will flow right through the center of the spa facilities, the developers say.

“We will do our best to ensure not to cut any trees for this development,” said Yangrangsi Managing Director Narachai Chumsri.

“The overall concept, setting, landscape and business plan of the resort will make our guest experiences the best in Phuket. We will also build a brand-new employee condominium where we can house our high quality employees to give best comfort to our people.”

“We are fully aware that our hotel will be only as good as our employees; therefore we must focus at all times on people development, career opportunities and on the creating of a working atmosphere where people feel comfortable,” he added.