The hotel will be closed from 1 July 2011 for extensive renovation and refurbishment works to the sum of US$30 million. The works will include all rooms, meeting facilities, and public spaces such as the lobby and restaurants. When completed, the hotel will be re-branded under Banyan Tree’s sister brand, Angsana Hotels & Resorts, as Angsana Laguna Phuket.

Scheduled to open by 1 December 2011, this will be the flagship and largest resort under the Angsana brand with 384 keys. Angsana Laguna Phuket – which is located in Laguna Phuket, Asia’s first integrated resort – will be the fourth (4th) hotel in Thailand that is managed and operated by the Banyan Tree group.

Commenting on this development, Mr Arthur Kiong, Managing Director, Hotel Operations - Asia Pacific & Senior Vice President, Group Marketing Services, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts said, “We chose Laguna Phuket in Thailand to have our Angsana flagship property as that will drive our operation standards from a strong operations base, and to also set new benchmarks for 15 more Angsanas in the pipeline for the group.”

Located in Bang Tao Bay, Angsana Laguna Phuket will offer a destination beach club and introduce new concepts such as a tree house-inspired double-storey Kids’ Club, and a Rice Bar featuring classic rice-based Asian favourites. Other facilities include an Angsana Spa, an Angsana retail gallery, numerous meeting rooms, and a 358 square metre ballroom.

“An Angsana resort will further complement the existing facilities and hotels in Laguna Phuket and will draw a new segment of younger affluent travellers that is currently not targetted by the existing hotels and resorts,” adds Mr Michael Ayling, Managing Director, Laguna Resorts Holdings.