Nakheel to develop island resort in Thailand

Bangkok: Nakheel, Dubai's master developer, has joined Thailand's Amburaya Hotels & Resorts to transform Thailand's idyllic Koh Samui Island with the launch of a stunning integrated resort development comprising 17 luxurious private residences and a 75-key all-villa hotel.

The joint-venture project is positioned on an exclusive 27-acre headland site with 900 metres of private beachfront, approximately 15 minutes' drive from Samui International Airport.

The W Koh Samui Retreat & Residences will be among the first W-branded residential projects in Asia when the 17 residential villas are completed in 2010 and will boast some of the most prestigious real estate in Thailand right on the shores of the Gulf of Siam.

Joe Sita, CEO of Nakheel Hotels said: "The W Koh Samui Retreat & Residences will surely be a star property in our global development portfolio. In selecting hotel assets to invest in we look for assets with high real estate value in exceptional locations. The project, located on the north-shore site in Maenam, is one of the most spectacular headland sites in Thailand and will be a significant boost to the ongoing development of Koh Samui into one of the world's most exclusive tropical resort locations."

Sunny Bajaj, Managing Director Amburaya Hotels & Resorts said : "In an upmarket resort destination such as Koh Samui, quality is a big driving factor in smaller boutique developments where thoughtful, indulgent facilities and services take the place of overcrowded beaches and tourist traps."

"W Koh Samui Residences is moving away from the mass market and catering to an elite group of luxury real estate owners who want to be wowed by the finer things in life."

The W Koh Samui Residences, will comprise three-, four- and five-bedroom villas with owners able to take advantage of all hotel facilities and services at the adjacent 75-villa Retreat. The Retreat is due for completion and opening in 2010.