JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa held its Grand Opening Celebrations on 1st and 2nd March, 2002, following its soft opening on December 15, 2001.

It is the first JW Marriott Resort in Asia and is a joint venture between Marriott International Inc. and Royal Garden Public Company Ltd.

Comprising 265 rooms including 13 suites, the resort is located on 17 kilometers of undeveloped beachfront adjacent to the Sirinath National Marine Park and protected sea turtle nesting area, 15 minutes north of Phuket’s International Airport.

The resort also shares the site and is fully integrated with Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club featuring luxurious two bedroom villas under the banner of Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. This is also the first MVCI project in Asia.

The Official Opening was conducted by Khun Anand Punyarachun, a former Prime Minister of Thailand and Past Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries. He is currently the Chairman of Saha-Union Public Company Co. Ltd.

Grand opening celebrations consisted of an elegant poolside cocktail reception on Friday evening with a traditional entertainment and a showband.  A special launch of ‘khom loys’ (traditional Thai style hot air balloons), made a magical sight as they slowly drifted into the night sky.

The following morning, religious ceremonies were held at the resort’s spirit house, after which Khun Anand announced the resort officially open at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

In keeping with Marriott International tradition, a key breaking ceremony symbolizes that the resort is always open to welcome guests.A giant size key carved from ice by the resort’s culinary artist, Khun Prajak, was broken by Jerry Phelps, General Manager.

During the celebrations, a cheque for two million baht (approx US$45,000) was presented by Bill Heinecke, Chairman of Royal Garden Resorts and Bill Shaw, President and Chief Operating Officer, Marriott International, to Khun Smarn Pongsacharoennong, Director of Operations of the World Wildlife Fund of Thailand to launch the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Protection Foundation Charity Fund.

Rates at the resort start at US$180 per night, and Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club Villas are US$250 per night, subject to applicable service charge and government taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s central reservation office on tel 662 656 7707, fax, 662 656, 7711 or email [email protected], through any Marriott worldwide toll free reservation number, marriott.com or your travel counselor.

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