GHM returns to Thailand with The Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang

GHM returns to Thailand with The Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang
GHM returns to Thailand with The Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang
GHM returns to Thailand with The Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang

Aquarius International Development (AQI) embarks on a major expansion across Southeast Asia, as it unveils its first project, Aquarius Residences & Resort, Koh Chang, a collection of luxury pool villas and condominium residences along with a 200-key luxury resort, The Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang.

It will be managed by General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) and will also house an all-day restaurant, a cliff-edge restaurant, rooftop bar, spa, infinity pool with pool bar, and conference facilities, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Guests and residents will be offered private boat transfers to AQ Privilege Beach Club & Residences, Koh Man Nai, a private island destination featuring four Presidential Suite Villas, a private marina, beach club, infinity pool and water sports.

Tommy Lai, chief executive officer of General Hotel Management Ltd said, “For some time now, we’ve been on the lookout for exactly the right blend of attributes; the right setting, the right partner and the right ambition so that we might touch down again in Thailand with the Chedi brand. With Aquarius International Hospitality Development Ltd, we’ve found all of this and more.”

These projects are set to elevate the tourism profile of Koh Chang, which is blessed with breath-taking, natural beauty, white sands and warm, shallow seas. The island is connected to Bangkok by road and sea, or via direct domestic flights to Trat Airport, and will benefit from a new high-speed railway line along Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, which is being extended to Trat in 2023.

AQI is further helping its high-end clientele explore Southeast Asia’s tropical seas with AQ Ventures, a luxury yacht business. Based in Koh Chang and Phuket, the operator will provide a full range of professional services, including yacht chartering, sales and management. It will also help clients transform their lives by purchasing their own yacht with expert advice, and then provide full management assistance to let customers maximise the value of their asset.

The development is scheduled to open in three phases from 2022. Sales are now open for the 23 Pool Villa Residences, which comprise seven One-Bedroom Ocean Cliff Pool Villas (223 sqm, starting from THB 43 MB), five One-Bedroom Ocean Duplex Pool Villas (293 sqm, starting from THB 41 MB), eight Two-Bedroom Ocean Cliff Pool Villas (448 to 485 sqm, starting from THB 58 MB), and three stunning Three-Bedroom Ocean Cliff Pool Villas (861 sqm, starting from THB 100 MB).

Credit by: http://www.lookeastmagazine.com/

AQI makes most of Koh Chang’s nature with resort

AQI makes most of Koh Changs nature with resort
Aquarius Residences and Resort Koh Chang, AQIs flagship project, is scheduled to open in three phases starting in 2022.
Aquarius Residences and Resort Koh Chang, AQI’s flagship project, is scheduled to open in three phases starting in 2022.

Aquarius International Development (AQI) has introduced a flagship project under Aquarius Residences and Resort Koh Chang consisting of a hotel and two residences scheduled for completion by 2022.

Edward Chi, managing director at AQI, a Bangkok-based hospitality and real estate development firm and consultancy, said Koh Chang might attract less foreign and local travellers compared with other popular destinations, but there the project presents an investment opportunity nonetheless.

The island’s strengths are its peaceful environment and plentiful natural resources, similar to Phuket and Koh Samui 20 years ago, as a national park covers 83% of the land.

The AQI was established in Thailand in 2017 and is fully owned by Norcal Venture Capital Group, a private fund management company from Hong Kong.

The ownership proportion between the group and Thai private partners depends on different projects, such as 49:51 for residential projects.
Aquarius Residences and Resort Koh Chang is part of AQI’s total investment worth US$250 million in Thailand. It is located in Bang Bao subdistrict.

The project consists of 23 pool villa residences, 99 units of condo residences and 10 retail shops with a combined area of 29.4 rai.

The group opened its sales gallery for the pool villa and condo residences yesterday. Construction is set for completion in the last quarters of 2022 and 2023, respectively for the projects.

The second development is Chedi Aquarius Koh Chang, a 200-room luxury resort managed by General Hotel Management (GHM) in Singapore on 58.6 rai. This resort is set to open in the last quarter of 2023.

Mr Chi said GHM is considered a unique hotel brand because it has not expanded to the mass market.

There is also 57 rai available for private residences in the future.

“Even though there are potential partners in other areas such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, it is not the right time to expand the business to other places.” Mr Chi said. “We will focus on the project in Koh Chang first.”

Apart from the residential and hotel development projects, Aquarius Group is planning various types of products for launch next year, including AQ Ventures, a luxury yacht business in Koh Chang and Phuket.

AQ Food and Beverage, a high-end restaurant and catering business, aims to introduce AQ Gourmet and Dine stores in Bangkok by the first quarter next year.

The group also provides a lifestyle platform called AQBooking.com that offers customised tours.
He said the online travel platform was initially set to launch in Thailand, the first site in Asia-Pacific, during this quarter, but the plan was delayed to the first quarter next year due to the outbreak.

Credit by: https://www.bangkokpost.com