Sanctuary Resorts assumes management of luxury resort in Koh Raja - Thailand

Sanctuary Resorts, the Hong Kong based resort management company of holistic resorts, has signed a management contract with the owners of a new luxury resort development on Raja Island in Phang Nga bay, Thailand.

The 79 villa, boutique resort will be located 12 miles off the coast of Phuket; on a pristine and natural stretch of beach. The resort will be the first villa type boutique resort on Raja Island, which is otherwise known for its excellent diving spots. Its 79 villas are complemented by an extensive spa and a range of food and beverage outlets and activities; which will form the basis of the body, mind and spirit programs, Sanctuary Resorts’ intends to implement.

Sanctuary Resorts will, prior to the resort’s opening in November 2003, focus on the technical aspects of the development and the concept and design to position the resort as a destination to balance body, mind and spirit in  sustainable, environmentally friendly, tropical island surroundings.

Michel van der Hoeven, head of the regional office of Sanctuary Resorts, states “The design and concept of the resort will be high end yet very informal and tropical. The villas will all feature large, semi-open bath rooms; some of  them with private Jacuzzis or plunge pools. The activities on the island will, besides wellness focus on diving and other water-sports while keeping the individual privacy of the guests central to the overall experience ”.

In commenting on their choice for Sanctuary Resorts, the owners of the resort, felt that besides the ample expertise and dedication as a resort management company, Sanctuary Resorts’ vision & mission of managing boutique resorts  where guests can balance their body, mind and spirit in a environmentally sustainable place, will complement their own philosophy and concepts.

Andrew Jones, guardian and founder of Sanctuary Resorts added “With most guests nowadays looking for a more private and secluded resort experience, we feel that our two resorts in Thailand complement each other and provide different ways to achieve a balance of ones body, mind and spirit”.

It is felt that the new resort; called The Racha, will benefit the existing Sanctuary Resort in Phuket, The Layan. Although in different locations the proximity to each other will provide cross selling opportunities and  multi-destination packaging; providing guests with the best of both destinations.

The Layan has recently completed its first phase of re-positioning. This has included enlarging of the bathrooms of the deluxe rooms (with large, sunken  bathtubs offering a glorious view over Layan bay) opening of a second restaurant on the beachfront; offering Thai and healthy cuisine as well as a meditation / yoga room. The resort has recently started the Sanctuary Resorts’ “Master in Residence program”; where the resort hosts various specialists in the field of balancing body, mind and spirit and make their expertise available  to the resort guests. During the last week of February, renowned author and Tao Health specialist Dan Reid and his wife Snow, will be The Layan’s “Masters in Residence” and will share their skills and expertise with the resort’s guests.

Sanctuary Resorts also manages The Bale, in Bali and has started construction on Hotel de la Paix, in Siem Reap, Cambodia; which will open mid 2004.