Jumeirah to manage exclusive private island resort in Phuket, Thailand

Jumeirah Group, the dynamic Dubai based luxury international hospitality group and member of Dubai Holding, has been appointed by TGR Group – Asia to manage the five star private island resort currently under development in Ao Po Bay, Phuket, - Thailand.

Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the Jumeirah Groups’s Phuket Private Island Resort will feature 65 lavishly appointed deluxe pool villas each with private infinity pool and Jacuzzi, 12 three-bedroom luxury residential villas, four restaurants and bars as well as extensive leisure, spa and fitness facilities including a large free form swimming pool and a 400 metre private, white sandy beach. In addition, the resort will offer a marina, a private yacht club, a tennis court, several boutiques, a business centre and a library with dedicated reading room.

Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort will be situated on the shores of Koh Raet, an untouched tropical island located just 500 metres offshore from Ao Po Bay, north east of Phuket Island in Thailand, providing easy access for guests to the main tourist areas of Phuket Island. The resort can be reached by a four minute private motor yacht ride or island ferry from the access point on the mainland which is located just fifteen minutes from Phuket International Airport.

Set on 56,000 square metres of private land, Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort will be an exclusive, luxurious island resort offering spectacular views of the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay to the north, views of the beaches of Ao Po Bay to the west and kilometers of white sandy beaches with views of both Naka Yai and Naka Noi.

This news follows Jumeirah’s recent announcement of its intention to accelerate its portfolio growth, and closely follows the Group’s entry into the Southeast Asian market with the planned opening of Hantang Jumeirah Shanghai in July 2008 and the announcement of several senior management appointments, including the set up of Jumeirah’s regional operations in the Asia Pacific region.

Partner and Managing Director for TGR Group – Asia, Mr Dilokpol Sundaravej, commented: "It is with great pleasure that we appoint Jumeirah Group and we feel this partnership will provide our clients with a unique and exclusive luxury experience unparalleled by any other in the region."

Gerald Lawless, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group commented: "We are very pleased to have been appointed by TGR Group – Asia to manage what promises to be one of the most exclusive private island resorts in the Asia Pacific region." He added: "The essence of Jumeirah can be expressed in two words – ‘Stay Different’ – and we believe that this exciting new resort development represents a unique opportunity to create one of the world’s exclusive and most individual hospitality experiences."

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Note to Editors:

About Jumeirah

Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai based luxury international hospitality group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

The group’s activities are however, not restricted to hotel and resort management. The Jumeirah portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, regarded as one of the premier water parks outside of North America and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region’s only third level academic institution specializing in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Jumeirah has also expanded internationally and manages the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in London and Jumeirah Lowndes Belgravia hotel.

Building on this success, Jumeirah has become a member of Dubai Holding, a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, in a step that aims to initiate a new phase of growth and development for the group.

As of January 15th 2006, Jumeirah has assumed management of the most prominent New York Hotels, Essex House.

For reservations contact:
reservations@jumeirah.com

PR Contact:
Anne Bleeker – Director of Public Relations & Communications

Jumeirah
Al Sufouh Road
PO Box 73137
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
http://www.jumeirah.com/

Email: Anne.Bleeker@jumeirah.com
Telephone: +971 4 3300111, Extension 762