By Darren Edmonstone

We are pleased to announce that Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Asia has signed an agreement to manage the Outrigger Koh Samui Resort and Spa in Bhoput Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand, as of February 1, 2011. The 81-key luxury villa and suite resort is currently operating as the Destination Beach Resort & Spa.

The five-star full service Outrigger Koh Samui Resort and Spa will offer a range of accommodations, including luxurious pool villas, spacious pool access suites, and Beach Deco rooms. Guests will enjoy a full array of services and amenities, including a beachside restaurant, a Navasana Wellness Centre, a fitness centre, three swimming pools, including a beachfront pool, two bars, and a Kids’ Club.

Darren Edmonstone, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, said, “We are excited to add Outrigger Koh Samui Resort and Spa to our growing collection of luxury properties throughout Asia. The resort is a perfect fit for us, and we look forward to providing the very best in service and amenities to our guests and patrons.”

Signing the agreement on behalf of the hotel owner, Dungfun Co., Ltd., Ms. Pilaipan Chavalrut, said that Outrigger was “just right” for Koh Samui. “Outrigger brings over 60 years of tropical beach resort experience to the island of Koh Samui. We also chose Outrigger because of their excellent distribution channels and their commitment to a creating a sense of place that matches perfectly with our resort. We have a fantastic luxury beach resort, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with Outrigger.”

Bhoput Beach in the northeast corner of Koh Samui is known for its tranquility, family-focused activities, dramatic sunsets, and Big Buddha temple statue overlooking the sea. Bhoput is five minutes away from Koh Samui’s airport and 20 minutes from the main tourist area at Chaweng.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Koh Samui attracts around one million tourists a year. The island has daily direct flight connections with Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Utaphao (Pattaya). Koh Samui is known today for its large variety of beach activities, water sports, ecotours, and sightseeing into the island’s picturesque interior and to the islands and reefs of the adjacent Angthong marine national park.

Congratulations to our Asia ‘ohana who continue to make significant strides in growing the Outrigger brand in the Asia-Pacific region and putting us top of mind when travelers consider a vacation, whether it be Hawaii, Australia, Asia, or elsewhere in the Pacific.

Yes, Outrigger is a great place to work, grow, and vacation!