Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is about to add its first property in Phuket to its portfolio. The international hotel group has been appointed the manager of the existing Courtyard by Marriott at Kamala Beach, which will be re-branded as Swissôtel Resort Phuket on 1 April 2012. This will be the group's third property in Thailand and its first resort property in Southeast Asia.

Just 30 minutes south of the Phuket International Airport, Kamala Beach is located in western Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea and is one of the best-known resort destinations on the island. The resort boasts 180 well-appointed suites, with a choice of one to three bedrooms. Designed for the discerning modern traveller, each spacious suite is equipped with a separate living room and private balcony. The enclosed bay and forested hills surrounding the resort makes it the ultimate choice for both leisure and business travellers who are seeking a relaxing retreat.

The resort provides an extensive range of facilities, including a lagoon-style pool, spa and fitness centre, an adventure club for families with children and an array of recreational activities. Guests can choose to relax in the comfort of the resort, visit nearby attractions, enjoy water sports on Kamala Beach or simply indulge in the breathtaking views in the area. Featuring eight versatile function rooms and a pre-function area, Swissôtel Resort Phuket has a conference capacity of 450 square metres, making it ideal for corporate meetings or events for up to 150 persons.

"Phuket is one of the most visited regions in Thailand and after operating two hotels in Bangkok for years, we are set to finally open our first resort property in Asia. This project will strengthen our presence and complement our expansion strategies within the region," says Meinhard Huck, President of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

Swissotel Hotels and Resorts ( http://www.swissotel.com) Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts got its start in Switzerland, a country known for big mountains and equally high standards of living. Its contemporary Swiss style and locally inspired flair attracts business and leisure travellers who enjoy high-end hotels but prefer fresh innovation to stale pretension. Conveniently located where travellers want to be, Swissôtel provides guests with the opportunity to stay in the heart of city centres worldwide where access to business and shopping districts are right around the corner. Swissôtel properties can be found in over 30 well-located properties around the world, with many more in development. As guests of the world, every Swissôtel upholds Swiss sustainability standards. In fact, Swissôtel has a mission: to treat guests, team members, and the environment with equal respect. Swissôtel is part of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with over 110 hotels under the Raffles, Fairmont, and Swissôtel brands. But no matter how international Swissôtel becomes, just like the country it was founded in, it remains a small hotel at heart. For more information or reservations, please visit swissotel.com.