The chic Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is expected to open its doors in September 2023, following a major refurbishment and conversion of a former Holiday Inn.

Narai Hospitality group, the resort’s owner, is investing in significant upgrades, which will encompass every aspect of the guest experience, including plans to generate its own energy, with solar panels on the roofs of eight buildings, helping to reduce the resort’s CO2 emissions by 370 tons.

The resort will feature a total of 244 bright and inviting rooms and suites, ranging from 40 to 110 square metres (430/1,185 sq ft) in size and designed in a contemporary local style, with a balcony or terrace in every room and views of the gardens, pool or sea, including pool access rooms, private cabana rooms, two-bedroom suites and private pool suites.

There is a lagoon pool, a children’s fun pool, a kids’ club and plenty of outdoor activities. The Nook is set to be the resort’s casual café, while the Ocean Kitchen is a signature Mediterranean restaurant.

Famed for its crystal-clear waters and backdrop of lush greenery, Mai Khao Beach is a 13km (8 mile) long stretch of golden sand which is home to plenty of local wildlife, including several species of turtle. Travelers can encounter nesting adult turtles and hatchlings all-year round. Within this natural paradise, Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is a haven of tranquillity, and yet it is also easily accessible, just 15 minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport. Curious explorers can explore a wealth of attractions in this exotic region, including the Similan and Surin Islands, Phang-Nga Bay, and plenty of diving and snorkelling sites.