Istithmar Unveils Plans for Koh Samui W Hotel

THAILAND-Local developer Amburaya Resorts has partnered with Dubai-based Istithmar Hotels on a 70-unit hospitality project that will introduce the Starwood Hotels & Resorts W brand to this Asian Pacific country. Slated to open by the end of 2008, the W Hotel & Residences at Koh Samui will be funded and constructed by Amburaya and Istithmar in what represents their first joint undertaking.

“We wanted to bring world class financial and operational experience into this project and Istithmar Hotels was the obvious choice,” Amburaya managing director Sunny Bajaj says. “We expect this to be just the start of a long and expanding relationship.”

Istithmar Hotels CEO Joe Sita was equally optimistic, stating that the project “fits right into our portfolio of luxury hotel brands in key markets around the world. For Istithmar Hotels, it is the people with whom we work that make the difference, and Amburaya’s team [checked] all the boxes for us.” Sita continues, “We know this will be a successful project.” Along with 15 luxury villas on the hotel grounds that will be available for purchase, the main resort complex will include the 70 hotel rooms along with W’s signature lounge, restaurant, pool bar and spa.