Phuket News / Island’s Latest Updates

News by The FINANCIAL
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) will introduce its upscale, deluxe Marriott lodging brand in Phuket in 2008 with a 202-room resort under a management agreement with Kamala Bay Terrace Co, Ltd., a subsidiary of Destination Properties. According to Marriott International, the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove is the 11th hotel Marriott currently has under construction in Thailand and the fifth that it is developing with Destination Properties.

The chic boutique-like, 202-room Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove is a conversion of the Kamala Terrace Resort which originally opened in 1993.  The hotel was closed in 2005 and is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion. Given its location south of Kamala Beach, the hotel will have easy access to the array of attractions offered by Phuket, arguably one of the world’s most appealing holiday destinations.

“We are thrilled by the rapid expansion of our lodging brands not only throughout Thailand, but specifically in Phuket,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott. “Phuket is the largest and most-visited island in Thailand. When this resort opens, it will be our fifth property and third hotel brand on Phuket which positions us to offer travelers a lodging choice in the luxury, upscale and upper-moderate tiers. We are also delighted to be continuing our strong relationship with Destination Properties.”

“We are excited to be teaming up this property with Marriott under their full service, deluxe brand. The combination of the Resort’s chic boutique-like design, Marriott’s strong management capabilities and the fantastic location in Kamala Cove will make the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove one of Phuket’s most sought after vacation destinations,” said Gary Murray, chief executive officer of Destination Properties.

Marriott’s upscale, deluxe Marriott lodging brand is committed to providing travelers with an effortless, sophisticated and welcoming hotel stay so that they can accomplish as much as possible whether they are traveling on business or pleasure.

Located on a hill south of Kamala Beach, the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove will provide unobstructed, panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and will boast many rooms with large terraces, most of which will offer either a plunge pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi or a personal pool. Guest rooms will have Marriott’s renowned plush bed and bath linens, flat screen TVs, internet access and in-room safes.

For dining and entertainment, the resort will have two restaurants, one of which will be an all-day casual outlet offering a grand buffet and the other will offer specialty dining.

Additionally, the resort will have an open lobby lounge featuring elements of Marriott’s “Great Room” concept and a pool bar.

Recreational amenities will include the largest swimming pool in Phuket, a spa offering eight treatment rooms; a fitness center with a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi; a lap pool and a children’s pool; a recreation pavilion with a library and games room. Other amenities will include a gift shop and a business center.

For social events and conferences, the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove will have 345 square meters of space comprised of the following:  a 225-square meter ballroom which will be divisible into two section and three individual meeting rooms, each measuring 40 square meters.

Currently under construction in Thailand, and scheduled to open through 2010, are the following 10 Marriott International-branded properties:

• 195-unit Sathorn Vista, Bangkok—Marriott Executive Apartments (early 2008)
• 300-unit Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok—Marriott Executive Apartments (early 2008)
• 385-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Patong (mid-2008)
• 256-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach (early-2008)
• 180-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Kamala Beach (mid-2008)
• 243-room Courtyard by Marriott Hua Hin at Cha Am Beach (early-2008)
• 333-room Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel (late 2008)
• 310-room Renaissance Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel (early 2010)
•  92-unit Benshasiri Place, Bangkok—Marriott Executive Apartments (2010)
• 175-room Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa (2010)

The existing Marriott International portfolio in Thailand today consists of eight properties including its luxury JW Marriott brand, its deluxe Marriott and Renaissance brands, its upper-moderate-priced Courtyard by Marriott brand and its Marriott Executive Apartments properties for extended-stay travelers.

Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with 3,000 lodging properties in 69 countries and territories worldwide. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 yearend. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE magazine. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billions.

Destination Properties is a leading resort real estate developer and hospitality investor in Thailand with interests in hotels, golf resorts and real estate developments in several key resort destinations throughout Thailand.