THE PAVILIONS PHUKET STARTS NEW CHAPTER WITH VILLA REVAMP, FRESHTALENT

AND COMPELLING NEW CULINARY CONCEPTS

25 October 2018: A captivating new chapter has begun at Thailand's intimate hilltop retreat The Pavilions Phuket, with a dynamic new leadership team breathing fresh life into the luxurious resort's culinary offering and further elevating an already exceptional portfolio of villa accommodation. Irishman Conor O'Leary - formerly of Keemala – has taken up the reins as General Manager, joining New Zealanders Rey Ardonia, Culinary Director, and Tim Sargeant, Director of Marketing. Cherished flagship of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, The Pavilions Phuket embodies the brand's dedication to providing a sophisticated and engaging alternative to traditional hotels where privacy is paramount. Highlights of the planned enhancements include the addition of a brand new two-bedroom villa created especially for discerning families; and a mouthwatering series of kitchen takeovers that will bring some of the world's most exciting Chefs to the resort.

Chef Rey is already implementing his vibrant new vision to reinvigorate each of the resort's restaurants and bars. The fun-loving, poolside vibe of Firefly will be amplified with a more interactive, Instagrammable experience that connects guests with the creative talent behind the food. The emphasis on live cooking stations, à la minute dishes and kitchen theatre is exemplified by a new signature Firefly's Lazy Sunday Lunch that is abuzz with shared tables; live entertainment from resident musician Bryan Repito; and a brigade of chefs making everything fresh by hand – from pasta and live Parmesan wheels, artisan pizzas and fresh local seafood to charcoal-grilled burgers, prime cuts, rotisserie and Desserts Factory.

At The Plantation Club, modern, Western techniques are applied to hyper-local produce and fresh garden herbs to weave a high-end culinary tale of regional Thai specialities, dégustation dining, and private Chef's Table dinners in the library. The panoramic 360° Bar serves up Phuket's best sunsets, celebrated with bespoke cocktails and Thai street food tapas with a Mediterranean twist.

The delectable new dining options will be elevated to even greater heights with the resort's new Symphony of Flavours concept – celebrating international cuisines and cultures through a series of kitchen takeovers by some of the world's most exciting and creative chefs. This series will launch on 16 November with a special one-off dinner at The Plantation Club by Shinichi Maeda, multi award-winning Japanese head chef of An Dining in Niseko. Chef Shin's bespoke menu will showcase his unique Hokkaido-inspired dishes using local organic produce from Phuket, paired with fine Sakes.

The resort's villa accommodation is also being refined with the addition of a brand new two-bedroom Spa & Pool Pavilion, ideally suited for families, and a soft refurbishment of 18 existing one-bed Spa & Pool Pavilions will be completed in April 2019.

 “I am delighted to join The Pavilions. This being a legendary property on Phuket it is very exciting to be leading the team and the resort through a new chapter,” says Conor. “Having been in Thailand almost 12 years now I understand very well how our visitors' expectations evolve and grow. With an energetic young team bursting with ideas, I am confident that we will stay ahead of the game and help mould those future changes. Great new things are happening at The Pavilions Phuket, and I invite everyone to join us on our journey”.

The Pavilions Phuket has also unwrapped its festive programme, promising love, laughter, fine wine and spectacular cuisine. The celebrations begin with a special seasonal Saturday Brunch at Firefly on 15 December featuring a gingerbread house workshop and festive fundraising stalls by local charity Good Shepherd Phuket. A five-course Christmas Eve degustation dinner at The Plantation Club is followed by carolling; while Firefly treats guests to a languorous late breakfast on Christmas Day, and an indulgent Boxing Day BBQ Brunch. New Year's Eve presents guests with a delectable dilemma - seven-course degustation menu or live BBQ extravaganza? – before ringing in 2019 with unbeatable panoramic views of the island's firework celebrations from 360° Bar.

3-night festive packages start from GBP177 per night for two in a spacious 1 bedroom suite, including daily breakfast, taxes and service charges. For special offers, please visit https://www.pavilionshotels.com/phuket

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Notes to editors:

About The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts

Step into one of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts and experience luxury and immersive locales like no other. Every Pavilions Hotel is a sophisticated, private haven in which to relax or play, highlighting the arts, culture, romance or adventure. From a vantage view of Phuket's famous beaches or a stone's through away from Piazza del Popolo, The Pavilions properties are located in some of the most desirable spots in the world. With the corporate office headquartered in Hong Kong, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest growing boutique hotel groups in the region, with over six acquisitions within a twelve-month span and a new headquarter office location since October 2016. With their boutique size and careful design philosophy, The Pavilions offer secluded spaces with mindful service, even in the busiest of cities. The hotels are distinctly individual and unique, yet all are underpinned by the core values of building meaningful connections in unrivalled locations and a mindful respect for privacy.

The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts portfolio currently comprises:

Asia                                                                                         Europe

The Pavilions Bali                                                                 The First Roma Arte

The Pavilions Phuket                                                           The Pavilions Madrid

The Pavilions Himalayas                                                      The Toren Amsterdam

The Pavilions Mongolia

For more information about The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, please visit pavilionshotels.com and connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For more information or to discuss feature ideas and press trip opportunities please contact: Kerry Skinner, Nat Frogley or Flora Gandolfo, Bacall Associates Tel: +44 (0)20 7630 2880