Bangkokpost.com, November 06, 2006
The announcement of two major investments in Phuket the very week the military coup took place and the huge success of the Barama Bay project clearly show the recent political upheaval has not affected the popular resort island, says Bill Barnett, the managing director of C9 Hotelworks.
Kingdom Hotel Investments, controlled by the billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has bought land across the bridge in Phangnga to develop a new hotel and villas. The proposed Raffles Phang Nga Resort and Residences will have 150 rooms and 25 luxury villas and is expected to start operations in 2009. The investment is estimated at US$115 million.
Kingdom Hotel earlier this year made its first investment in Phuket, acquiring the Karon Beach Hotel Phuket and rebranding it as a Movenpick.
Destination Properties Company also acquired Felix Resort, a 125-room beachfront resort on Karon beach, which will also be rebranded with an international name yet to be announced.
Mr Barnett said Barama Bay was probably the hottest project to be introduced in Phuket this year. Developed by TGR Group Asia, it is actually a private island off Phuket's east coast and will have a five-star resort to be managed by the Dubai-based Jumeirah Group. There will be 79 pool villas with prices starting from US$3 million, plus a host of facilities including a 73-berth marina and yacht club.
"I think Barama Bay is unique because everyone is saying. 'How can you top Amanpuri? How can you top Banyan Tree?"' Mr Barnett said, referring to two of the region's most exclusive resort brands.
"But by having a private island you're only a few hundred metres from the mainland. How much more exotic can you get than having your own island?"
