TGR Group- Asia has appointed the group to manage the luxury five star private island resort, on Koh Raet Island, Ao Po Bay, Phuket.

Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the Jumeirah 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."