Destination Resort Pioneer Set to Enhance “Laguna Lifestyle” in New Era of Development

Launched in 1987 when its first hotel opened for business, Laguna Phuket recently celebrated a quarter century of achievement that has seen it evolve into Asia’s finest destination resort, with a unique and internationally recognised “Laguna Lifestyle” enjoyed by guests and residents alike.

During the past 25 years, its 1,000 acre site on Phuket’s north-west coast, originally a desolate wasteland scarred by tin mining, has been transformed into a lush tropical lagoon-filled integrated complex of luxury hotels and residential villa properties - complete with exceptional restaurants, world-class spas and a renowned golf course - that continues to set benchmarks of excellence.

In addition to attracting millions of guests from around the world to help put Phuket on the international tourism map, Laguna has also created thousands of local jobs to become the island’s leading employer. 

It is a prominent contributor to local communities and charities through an array of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and has become the regional venue of choice for high-profile international sports events.

Also, over the years, Laguna’s development of high quality hotel properties, residences and facilities to anticipate and meet changing demands has garnered numerous international awards.

Future Plans
This philosophy of continual enhancement is being maintained with the unveiling of a design concept for future development featuring a new hotel, condominium, commercial and leisure complex at the heart of the resort.

“We are proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Asia’s first integrated resort, Laguna Phuket, and look forward to an exciting future as we map out a new role for the community to support evolving tourism needs, “ said Mr. Ho Kwon Ping, Chief Executive Officer of Laguna Resorts & Hotels. 

“I want to pay particular tribute to our many long-serving local staff who have devoted years of dedicated service to help Laguna Phuket achieve its international stature as a premier holiday destination.”

The new design concept is for an integrated development on a parcel of land overlooking one of Laguna Phuket’s west-facing beachfront lagoons, between the Laguna Beach Resort and Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

The concept is for an integrated complex of buildings among a series of waterways with a hotel, luxury condominiums, Water Park, and space for up to 1,000 shops and restaurants.

International Appeal
Laguna Phuket’s international appeal is spread across a wide variety of visitor categories as well as those who simply want a holiday in an idyllic Thai location.

The iconic Laguna Phuket Triathlon, now in its 18th year, and the more recently-introduced 70.3 Ironman triathlon, attract triathlon devotees in the thousands from across the globe. The Laguna Phuket International Marathon is also a popular draw for thousands of novice and experienced runners of all ages and nationalities
In April and May of this year, the resort’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) credentials were taken to a new level when Phuket’s largest corporate gathering, an Amway China leadership seminar involving 15,000 delegates in a month-long rolling program of activities, was hosted on property.

Laguna Phuket is the island’s most respected property developer with a portfolio of luxury apartments, townhomes and villas set in beautiful locations around the resort that have drawn consistent worldwide interest from buyers seeking the Laguna Lifestyle.

The picturesque Wedding Chapel, overlooking a tropical lagoon, has hosted hundreds of marriage ceremonies for couples seeking a wedding to remember.

Laguna Phuket Golf Club, host of the 2009 Thailand Open, is consistently popular with local and international golfers, and the resort’s five spas are renowned for their world-class treatments.

In addition to the on-going CSR fundraising activities, which in recent years have rebuilt flood-damaged local schools and taught thousands of local schoolchildren vital swimming skills, Laguna Phuket runs a Kindergarten School for children of employees, a local language school set up as part of its
post-tsunami aid program in 2005, the Banyan Tree Training Academy for staff, and cooperates extensively with local government and authorities to organise annual community-wide events.

Local conservation initiatives include an annual sea turtle release and planting of thousands of mangrove trees with local authorities to reclaim threatened local swamplands.

Laguna Phuket’s success is also being exported internationally with the launch of Laguna Lang Co, currently under construction in central Vietnam. This new seafront development, scheduled to open in November 2012, is based on the Laguna Phuket concept with Banyan Tree and Angsana properties, as well as spas and an international standard golf course.