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LaSalle Investment Management Giving the Karon Villa
Phuket Beach Resort a US$20 million Refurbishment,
Appoints InterContinental Hotel Group to
Manage as a Crowne Plaza Hotel

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Singapore, 20th May 2004 - LaSalle Investment Management has appointed InterContinental Hotels Group to manage the first Crowne Plaza Hotel in Phuket, formerly known as Karon Villa & Royal Wing Phuket. The resort, to be known as Crowne Plaza Karon Beach Phuket, is set to capture the meetings market in Thailand when it opens in December 2004.
 
"The appointment of InterContinental Hotels Group by LaSalle Investment Management is timely as the new Crowne Plaza Karon Beach Phuket will capture the burgeoning MICE and leisure markets. This latest development is in line with the Group's strategy to establish its premium business hotel brand, Crowne Plaza, in popular leisure destinations to target the meetings segment, as they are increasingly becoming the choice destinations for meeting planners," said A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing
Crowne Plaza Karon Beach Phuket
(formerly The Karon Villa Phuket Beach Resort & Spa)
Director, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific. 

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the meetings industry  is a major component of the government's plan to make Thailand the Tourism Capital of Asia by 2006. In addition, Thailand is expecting a surge of visitors next year and a growth of no less than 25 percent, with an influx of 12 million foreign tourists by 2010. One of the factors contributing to the growth would be increased access to provincial destinations. 

The owner, LaSalle Investment Management, has commenced a US$20 million refurbishment of the resort  and retained the Who's Who of Asian resort designers, including Bensley Design Studios for landscaping, P49 Interior Design, Tandem Architects and Hawaiian-based Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo.  "We view Phuket as Asia's premier resort destination and our substantial refurbishment programme demonstrates our confidence in this market", said Andrew Heithersay, National Director, LaSalle Investment Management. 

"Upon opening in December-2004, Crowne Plaza Phuket will be a first-class beach-front resort with outstanding accommodation and facilities for the MICE and family leisure markets", added Mr Heithersay. 

Crowne Plaza Phuket is the seventh addition to the InterContinental Hotels Group's brand portfolio in Thailand. The 150 villas and 210 rooms resort is the first Crowne Plaza branded hotel in Phuket. In Thailand, it is the second Crowne Plaza branded hotel following the development of Crowne Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok, which is scheduled for opening in January 2006.

"International, regional and domestic business travellers travelling to Thailand will now have the option of the attractive city location and a luxury seaside retreat with these latest Crowne Plaze developments in Bangkok and Phuket respectively," added Mr Imbardelli.

Crowne Plaza Phuket will boast one of the largest meeting facilities available in Phuket with a fully staffed business centre, seven meeting and boardroom facilities, as well as a grand ballroom which seats 750 guests.

For dining, Crowne Plaza Phuket presents three restaurants, including a new signature beachfront restaurant capturing the spectacular sunsets of Karon Beach. In addition, the hotel offers a luxurious new spa centre with 12 treatment rooms and a variety of beauty treamtments including facial, massage, manicure as well as pedicure. 

Situated on the beach-front at Karon Beach, the second largest of Phuket's principal beaches, the expansive 20-acre Crowne Plaza Phuket is within walking distance to Phuket's most popular shopping, dining and entertainment districts and an hour's drive from the airport. 

Crowne Plaza Phuket is scheduled to open in December 2004. 

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Contact:
InterContinental Hotels Group
Joanna Ong
Tel: (65) 6395 6074
E-mail: [email protected]

LaSalle Investment Management
Andrew Heithersay 
Tel: (65) 6534 0276
Email: [email protected]
www.lasalle.com

Also See: Hong Kong Entrepreneur Gordon Oldham Building a 30 Villa Balinese Themed Resort at Bang Tao Bay / May 2004
Panwaburi Resort to be Re-branded in 2004 as the Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa / July 2003
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Keepgrand Hotel Co Ltd Developing 399-room Crowne Plazai in Pudong, Shanghai / Aug 2003


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