Phuket, one of the world”s most popular international resort destinations is to gain both Shangri-La and Jumeirah properties next year.
Shangri-La's Phuket Resort and Spa will be situated on the west coast of the island on the five-kilometre Bang Tao Bay beach, 25 minutes drive from the international airport.
The 20-hectare property is set amidst lagoons, gardens and a natural river flowing to the sea.
The 315-room resort hotel is comprised of 223 guestrooms and suites, and 92 grand/deluxe villas. All villas include water features with either plunge pools or positions suspended over lagoon waters.
Private gardens will be accessible from large terraces. Resort rooms will be a minimum of 50sq m in size, while the one and two-bedroom villas will measure from 90 to 280sq m.
Fifty pool villas will shortly be released for private sale through international property consultants CB Richard Ellis; they will be an integral luxury component of the resort, operated by Shangri-La.
Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort will feature 65 lavishly appointed deluxe pool villas each with private infinity pool and Jacuzzi, 12 three-guestroom luxury residential villas, four restaurants and bars as well as extensive leisure, spa and fitness facilities including a large free form swimming pool and a private 400m white sandy beach.
In addition, the resort will offer a marina, a private yacht club, a tennis court, several boutiques, a business centre and a library with dedicated reading room.
The development will be situated on Koh Raet, an untouched tropical island located just 500m offshore from Ao Po Bay, north east of Phuket Island in Thailand, providing easy access for guests to the main tourist areas of Phuket Island.
It can be reached by a four minute private motor yacht ride or island ferry from the access point on the mainland, which is located just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport.
Image: the Jumeirah Phuket private island