HONOLULU, HAWAII - April 4, 2013 -- The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand celebrates its official opening today with a grand evening beachside party. Flying in for the VIP gathering are members of the Kelley family, owners of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, and senior corporate executives from Hawaii to celebrate the latest addition to the Outrigger resort portfolio in Asia.

Outrigger announced its purchase of the 20.6 acre (8.36 hectare) property on Bang Tao beach, Laguna Phuket, in July last year. The opening means that Outrigger, a privately held Hawaii-based company with over 65 years of hotel management experience, now has four properties open in Asia: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas, the Outrigger Phi Phi Island Beach Resort, and O-CE-N Bali by Outrigger.

Outrigger Enterprises Group President and CEO, David Carey, in Phuket to attend the opening, said: “The acquisition and opening of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort gives Outrigger a wonderful and iconic resort property in Phuket, a remarkable holiday destination that goes from strength to strength. Early indications are that our new property will do very well in the family, couples and active lifestyle segments of the global holiday market.”

Darren Edmonstone, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific for Outrigger Enterprises Group, told media arriving for the opening party that the property had unique features that were already distinguishing the resort from its competitors. He said that the property’s exclusive Club Lounge privileges, large water slide and kids’ club, ‘Activate’ sports facilities and fully rejuvenated rooms, suites and villas, all with sea or lagoon views, made the property a “world class product.”

“We are particularly proud of our five innovative food and beverage outlets,” said Edmonstone. “Especially Locavore, which will set new benchmarks in ethical dining by sourcing the freshest locally-produced food from farmers and fishermen in the Phuket area.”

The aim of Locavore is to emphasize seasonality, sustainability and traceability through education and a close relationship with local farmers, fishermen and suppliers. Carbon emissions getting the food to the table will be minimized as well.

Mr. Edmonstone went on to say that “outstanding” dining options were also available at Edgewater, the resort’s all-day beachside bistro, Metzo’s Mediterranean restaurant, and in the delightful Club Lounge, “designed like a Thai pier house.” Guests can also enjoy the ICON Lounge, a chill-out bar with modern Asian sounds and mixologists serving molecular cocktails, he said.

The design for the completely revamped rooms and hotel landscaping was carried out by P49, an acclaimed Bangkok based design company. One of the main features of the property is its very Thai sense of arrival created by a lobby area with a wooden Thai house theme and traditional Thai images and artifacts. The lobby offers breathtaking views out to the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.

About Outrigger Enterprises Group
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions and continues to expand its presence throughout the area. A family-owned company with 65 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Hotels and Resorts, OHANA® Hotels and Resorts, Embassy Suites®, Best Western®, and Wyndham Vacation Ownership®. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 45 properties with approximately 11,000 rooms located in Hawaii; Australia; Guam; Fiji; Bali; Thailand; Vietnam; and Hainan Island, China. Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia. For on-line information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com.