Luxury hospitality developer and operator Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is expanding its portfolio across Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East with the opening of seven new resorts next year.

The new resorts are scheduled to open in China, the Maldives, Bali, Oman and the UAE by the end of 2011, and reflects a 60 percent expansion of the portfolio in existing and new markets. Anantara plans to operate 50 properties within the next five years. 

The group’s current portfolio includes seven resorts in Thailand, two in the Maldives, one in Bali and two in the Middle East. These include the luxury resort of Qasr Al Sarab in Abu Dhabi, which was voted “Middle East’s Leading Desert Resort” at the 2010 World Travel Awards. Meanwhile Anantara Resort Maldives picked up “Maldives’ Leading Villa” at the World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Ceremony.

(Pure indulgence in an Overwater Pool Villa - Anantar Kihavah Maldives, opening January 2011)

New resorts

Set to open in January 2011, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Maldives will offer of the 78 spacious over-water and beach suites set within the lush tropical nature of the island with private infinity pools. The resort will boast five dining options including an underwater dining experience. Guests can also enjoy the signature Anantara Spa.

Chinese expansion
Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa is situated on the southernmost point of Hainan Island in south China. The luxury boutique property will comprise of 128 guestrooms and 20 pool villas flanked by two beaches, Xiaodonghai Bay and Luhuitou Bay. The renowned Sanya tourism attraction, Luhuitou Park, is located on the hill overlooking the peninsula and provides views of the vast sea, the rolling mountains and Sanya city, which is only 3 km away.

Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa is located in the midst of the Hengduan Mountains, Xishuangbanna in the mountainous Yunnan province, fringing northern Laos. The resort is set on the banks of the Luosuo River and will feature 103 guestrooms with Dai characteristics, including 80 deluxe rooms and 23 pool villas.

Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa, China

Middle East
Anantara Al Madina A’Zarqa Resort & Spa, Oman is set on a natural peninsula jutting into the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Oman. The 122 room luxury resort and spa is located 60 minutes from the historical city of Muscat and just 40 minutes from Seeb International Airport in Muscat.

Al Sahel by Anantara, Sir Bani Yas Island will be a unique addition to the destination of Abu Dhabi. 30 luxury chalets, each with private plunge pools, will be set in the west section of the Arabian Wildlife Park. Overlooking the rugged landscape and salt-dome hilltops, the rustic lodges will be surrounded by a lush grass savannah, affording guests’ uninterrupted views of grazing sand gazelles, as well as Arabia’s elusive mountain gazelle and Oryx.

(The incredible Qasr Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi, voted “Middle East’s Leading Desert Resort” at the 2010 World Travel Awards)

Al Yamm by Anantara, Sir Bani Yas Island will offer tranquil sea facing chalets on the beautiful eastern shores of Sir Bani Yas Island, surrounded by natural sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The spacious chalets will also edge a peaceful lagoon rich with high mangroves, treating guests to stunning views of the elegant flamingos that favour this verdant sanctuary.

Bali
Anantara Uluwatu Resort & Spa is set to open in Bali. Perched high on a limestone cliff on Bali’s south-western tip, each of the suites at Anantara Uluwatu offers unobstructed views of the ocean. The resort will feature 77 spacious suites and three international dining options.

(Anantara will be adding to its Bali portfolio with a new property next year, adding to the incredible Anantara Seminyak)

Peter Carmichael, Senior Vice President, Anantara said: “We’ve come a long way since our first resort opening in 2001. As we move into our tenth anniversary year we will open seven stunning new resorts that will offer guests luxury and tranquility in surroundings that are culturally and environmentally uplifting. As we continue to expand, our initial goal of providing a unique and authentic destination experience for all our guests will always remain the same.”

www.anantara.com