Outrigger Enterprises Group has been selected to manage a new luxury 400-room full service hotel in an exciting new, mixed use resort being built on the island of Phuket in Thailand. The resort, located on Mai Khao Beach along the unspoiled northwest coast of Phuket, will be called the West Sands Resort, Phuket and will feature the new West Sands Outrigger Resort, Phuket hotel, 98 villas and 336 condominiums, along with stand-alone restaurants and a world class water park.
Central & City Developments Limited, whose principals include Sir Terry Leahy, a former European Business Leader of the year, and Paul Mercer, well-known developer and president of Central & City Developments, is the developer of West Sands, which is the first in a series of lifestyle resorts to be developed by Central & City Developments.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Outrigger,” said David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group. “We’ve had our sights set on Thailand – Phuket in particular – for some time now; and we’re thrilled to be associated with such a prestigious project and a team of experienced developers known for their high standards and quality projects.”
Work is already underway on the West Sands project, with the first 140 villa and condominium units set for completion by the fall of 2008. The West Sands Outrigger Resort hotel facility is part of phase two of the project and is slated to open by end of 2009. Resort amenities will include a water park, a beach club, private clubhouse, fitness center, tennis courts, a holistic fusion spa, as well as a selection of retail shops and restaurants.
Condominium units will be located in five-story buildings set amidst their own free-form swimming pools. The one, two and three-bedroom apartments will feature large balconies, high ceilings, fully equipped kitchens and luxurious bathrooms. Ground floor units will have their own gardens with private access.
The most luxurious of accommodations will be the Beach, Sea View and Lake View Villas – large apartment units offering spacious living and dining areas, each with its own Jacuzzi, swimming pool and maid’s quarters.
According to Sir Terry, a unique aspect of West Sands is its commitment to being environmentally friendly. “What makes West Sands so remarkable is its emphasis on harmonious living. Luxurious, yes, with exclusive leisure facilities throughout; but the development also has been made as environmentally friendly as possible.
Solar energy, superior insulation, biodegradable refuse plants, hydrothermic air-conditioning and hot water systems – all have been carefully planned for the least ecological impact while at the same time maximizing a quality experience.”
Although not yet complete, West Sands has already begun garnering recognition for its commitment to being environmentally friendly. On December 1, 2007, West Sands was recognized with the Lighthouse Club Green Development Award at the 2007 Thailand Property Awards ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.
Phuket is one of Asia’s most popular beach destinations, offering an unbeatable combination of soft, white sand beaches and superb hospitality. Set in the Andaman Sea off the southwestern coast of Thailand, Phuket is connected to the mainland by a causeway allowing easy road access. The island is serviced by the Phuket International Airport, which is the second busiest passenger airport in Thailand, behind only Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Since the early 1980s, tourism has been Phuket’s main economic driver. Whether it is world class diving in the Andaman Sea, golf at world-standard championship courses or exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, Phuket is a favorite visitor destination.
“West Sands is Outrigger’s first venture into Thailand, but it certainly won’t be our only venture,” said Mr. Carey. “We’re looking forward to gaining a significant presence within Asia over the next few years. With two projects presently underway in Bali, we are currently looking at other potential projects in Thailand, Vietnam and Hainan Island, China. Outrigger brings a strong reputation and more than 60 years of experience in hospitality management and development to the table, and we look forward to establishing Outrigger’s presence in other areas of the Asia Pacific region.”