Bangkok-based Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas, the owner and operator of high-end luxury boutique resorts and city hotels in Asia, through its Soneva and Evason brands, has signed a buy and sale agreement for Phuket Island Resort. A partnership between Six Senses, Deutsche Bank and Finansa Thai, a Thai investment bank, will acquire the 285-room property, located on Rawai Beach, from owners, Orchid Assets. Six Senses had already completed a deal to manage, refurbish and rebrand the property, which will reopen as The Evason Phuket next month. The resort will be expanded to 301 rooms, each of which will have a sea or bay view, and a further 60 private pool villas will be added next year. A unique feature of The Evason Phuket is that it has its own private island. A short 15-minute ride by complimentary hotel shuttle boat brings guests to Bon Island.
Flights cut
Air New Zealand has cut flight numbers this month and next month between Sydney and Los Angeles and Auckland and Sydney/ Melbourne. Some flights have been cancelled and passengers have been booked by the airline onto other flights on other dates. Check with the airline to see which flights are affected. Some changes the carrier is accepting may require reimbursement for spoiled accommodation bookings.
www.airnewzealand.com.au
Dalian opener
A new Ramada hotel has started operating in Dalian, China. The Holiday Inn Dalian has been converted to the Ramada Dalian in a franchise agreement with Dalian Jiu Zhou Hotel. The Ramada Dalian is 11 kilometres from the Dalian International Airport and close to Dalian Harbour, a gateway for northeast China and Inner Mongolia. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, beauty salon, sauna, billiard room, massage service, gift shop, two restaurants, a coffee shop and two lounges. For conferences, it has two meeting rooms, which seat 350 and 60 people.
www.ramada.com
Fresh routes