by Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen

Angsana Resorts & Spas

Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru

Laguna Phuket is to add a seventh hotel to its portfolio, the Angsana Phuket. Construction of the hotel is expected to start in late 2008. The Angsana Phuket will have 132 hotel rooms, as well as sky pool villas, meeting rooms and a spa. 

The hotel will be built on the beachfront, next to the Laguna Beach Resort, where Quest Laguna Phuket Adventure is currently located. Quest will be moved to another site within Laguna Phuket. Launched in 2000, Angsana is the sister brand of Banyan Tree.

Angsana resorts are designed as “contemporary, chic, vibrant retreats”.

First Dusit Thani Pool Villas complete

Dusit Thani Pool Villa

Also within the Laguna complex, 28 exclusive Dusit Thani Pool Villas are under construction. Each will have 292 square meters of living space and its own pool with a view. The first 14 were due to be ready for soft opening on July 15, 2008.

The self-contained, luxury three-storey villas will have two large bedroom suites with adjoining bathrooms on the ground floor. On the second floor, a fully equipped kitchen, dining and living area opens onto a patio.

The rooftop sundeck has an infinity-edge plunge pool with a view overlooking either Bangtao Beach or a peaceful lagoon.

Budget hotel chain sets its sights on Phuket

Tune Hotel in Kota Kinabalu

The ambitious Malaysian budget hotel company Tune Hotels is heading for Phuket. The company, which currently operates one hotel in Kuala Lumpur and another in Kota Kinabalu, aims to have 100 hotels under its management, under development or fully operational by 2011.

Tune Hotels’ founder and director Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes – who is also a major shareholder in low-cost carrier AirAsia – told a press conference on June 21, “The group aims to have 100 hotels up and running within three years. These would include sites outside Malaysia such as in the Philippines and Thailand.”

Mark Lankester, Tune Hotels’ Chief Operating Officer, said earlier that, starting in March 2008, the company plans to develop at least 25 sites, of which one would be in Phuket. Tune Hotels advertises “a five-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price” and quotes prices as low as US$3.00 a night.

by Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen