Sofitel Magic Lagoon Resort and Spa to open 1 May 2004 in Khao Lak Thailand

Sofitel Magic Lagoon Resort and Spa officially opens on 1 May in Khao Lak Thailand, making it the first internationally managed five-star resort to open in one of southern Thailand’s finest emerging beach destinations.

Khao Lak is located 85 kilometres north of Phuket International Airport, and the Sofitel is less than an hour’s drive from the airport.

The luxury resort has been expanded to 319 rooms and now boasts one of the world’s largest lagoon pools, measuring a mammoth 14008 square metres.

The hotel also features an open-air Thai and Seafood restaurant, Mediterranean restaurant, Fun pub, Lobby lounge, Sushi bar and two pool bars.

The hotel’s 50-sqm rooms (including terrace or balcony) accentuate the spaciousness of the resort. A luxurious 600sqm Spa and Fitness Centre featuring 10 VIP treatment rooms has been added to pamper guests.

The hotel’s attractive Thai-style architecture blends harmoniously with its lagoon-style landscaping. All buildings are a maximum of three stories high keeping the structure under the tree line and offering stunning sea-views from many rooms.

The hotel will remain open all year, unlike neighbouring resorts that close during Thailand’s traditional low season between May to November.

Sofitel Magic Lagoon Resort and Spa is also the closest resort to the Thai Muang Pier, one of the main starting points for dive boats heading out to explore the nearby Similan Islands where sunken shipwrecks and spectacular coral reefs are the highlight of any dive trip.

Excursions to the Khao Lak, Khao Sok or Lam Ru National Parks are prime trekking territory, including the nearby Chong Fah Waterfall, where visitors can cool down in one of the many freshwater pools after a vigorous four-hour walk.

Tucked into a pristine stretch of Khao Khak beach, the area surrounding Sofitel Magic Lagoon Resort and Spa is spotlessly clean and uncrowded except for the occasional deckchair. There are miles of white-sand beaches and around 30 small resort-type hotels in the area but no nightlife, high-rise buildings or shopping malls.

"This is one of the most exciting resorts to have been launched in the Phuket region," said Mr Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific’s Managing Director. "Khao Lak is a relatively new destination but with the area's magnificent natural attractions and the international reputation of Sofitel, we expect great interest from the international market.

"Many travellers are seeking eco or adventure style destinations with top-quality spa and health treatments. Sofitel Magic Lagoon can offer all of these as well as a superb range of dining and entertainment options, so we believe the resort has remarkable future potential."

To celebrate the opening Sofitel Magic Lagoon Resort and Spa is offering an attractive rate of 3,400 baht (US$86) per night, double occupancy with breakfast, from 15 April to 31 October 2004.