PHUKET, November 2, 2012 -- The Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa officially opens this weekend in southern Thailand. As of November 3, the stunning 156-key 70-acre property, formerly known as the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa, will be run by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, the 65-year old Hawaii-based company that continues to expand throughout Asia-Pacific from its regional headquarters in Phuket, Thailand.

Outrigger took over the sales and marketing of the property in October of last year. Since then, extensive improvements have been made, including the addition of 44 new Deluxe Garden Bungalows. Food and beverage venues have been enhanced, and the gym has been improved.

"We have started to implement Outrigger international standards across facilities, food and beverage and human resource services," said Darren Edmonstone, Managing Director Asia-Pacific for Outrigger. "It’s a completely new era for one of the most beautiful beach resorts in Thailand," he said.

The new 571 sqf (53 sqm) Deluxe Garden Bungalows are the highlight of the changes. They are located in clusters giving the atmosphere of a traditional Thai village. Inside, the interiors are contemporary with Thai touches. Each one features a walk-in wardrobe, a flat screen television, and iPod/iPhone docking station.

"The new Deluxe Garden Bungalows now give our guests superlative comfort and amenities on a par with the idyllic standards set by Mother Nature all around," said the property’s General Manager, Marc Landgraf, who was appointed in July.

A new executive chef with extensive luxury hotel experience has also been hired to implement a completely refreshed food and beverage offering. He will bring acclaimed culinary expertise in Thai, French, Italian and Japanese cuisine to the Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa . His new creations will be available in the resort very soon.

The property already wins consistent accolades on TripAdvisor. The unique location in a quiet peninsula of northeast Phi Phi allows guests to step from the resort right on to a nearly half-mile (800-metre) white sand beach with translucent sea water. Outrigger guests can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, private boat excursions, fishing and a full spa facility.

"Guests seeking a wonderfully unique beach setting in Thailand with high quality international standards of service and comfort, should take a new look at what we offer on Phi Phi Island with Outrigger," said Landgraf.

A 360-degree virtual tour of the new Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa is available here.

About Outrigger Enterprises Group