Anticipation Builds for Opening of Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The First Ever in the World

[Nicholas Snow]

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Introduces Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a New Collection of Resort Experiences

Phulay Bay in Thailand to Open as First Location

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is launching a new exclusive brand extension for the most discerning global travelers; Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand will be the first property to open in 2009. As of today, guests can visit a dedicated website (linked below). These unique resorts have been designed for those who seek to escape the stresses of everyday life by retreating to experience new cultures and adventures.

Champagne Toast at the October 20th, 2009 press conference officially announcing the December 2009 opening of Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Krabi, Thailand. From left to right in the toast, Daniel Ford (Regional Director, Public Relations Asia-Pacific), Simon Manning (Regional Vice President Sales & Marketing), Estelita Sebeto (General Manager, Phulay Bay), Mr. Mark DeCocinis (Regional Vice President Asia Pacific) and Alexander Seeley representing owner Piya Bhirombakdi and PB Partners.

Each exquisite destination will feature signature, one-of-a-kind low density resorts situated in choice settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place. Future development will be limited to select corners of the globe with upcoming locations to include Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos and The United Arab Emirates.

“The entire Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio of idyllic retreats will offer guests a contemporary interpretation of the local lifestyle and culture. The concept is simple and yet exudes style and luxurious levels of comfort. The resorts provide a complete escape to the unexpected; a private, exclusive leisure experience that blends unique elements of the local culture, history, and heritage with intuitive individual service, exquisite indigenous design, casual ambiance, and respect for the surrounding environment,” said Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “We do not work to one design mold, but rather allow the creative process to be destination and customer focused. Each Ritz-Carlton Reserve property around the globe will personify a unique design befitting of its locale.”

The architectural design philosophy is to create low-rise suites and villas that boast private panoramic views of serene oceans, tropical gardens or desert landscapes. The four natural elements are represented in the design: Fire to create romantic interiors, Water in bathing sanctuaries, Air in creative spaces for contemplation and reflection and Earth with the discreet treatment of technology that can be utilized or ignored. The visionary design allows guests to experience a completely secluded environment, with as much or as little contact with the rest of humanity as they choose. Tranquil spa treatments, candlelit dining and a refreshing dip in the water can be done in the privacy of a villa or suite, or within the intimate settings of the resort facilities.

The indigenous décor will be reflected in guestrooms and public spaces, with the finest quality furniture, finishes, artwork and detailed touches. Expansive villas and suites may feature personal plunge pools, outdoor rainforest showers or baths and private verandahs. Coupled with individualized service by a personal concierge to provide assistance that is unobtrusive yet intuitive, felt but not seen, invisible yet apparent.

The launch of Ritz-Carlton Reserve sees the beginning of a journey to the most captivating corners of the world, abounding with extraordinary possibilities and attention. A voyage of discovery steeped in luxury and limited only by ones imagination.

Superstar General Manager Leads Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Nicholas Snow's exclusive interview with Estelita Sebeto, General Manager, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Over the last 15 years, Estelita Sebeto has worked her way up within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company starting out as a receptionist and now serving as the General Manager of Phulay Bay, the first of many world-class properties to be known as "a Ritz-Carlton Reserve."

Sebeto will guide and lead a team of 300, all gearing up for the official December 22nd launch.

"I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to open this hotel which is a world-first for The Ritz-Carlton and an amazing opportunity for the brand and for me personally," Sebeto explained.

Estelita Sebeto, General Manager of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, as photographed by Nicholas Snow.

A native of Argentina, Sebeto brings a natural passion and flair to her work which was noticed very early on within Ritz-Carlton, and she has progressed steadily through hotel operations gaining great international experience. She joined The Ritz-Carlton as a front office agent at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun in 1994 and has enjoyed a distinguished and greatly successful career with the company. She has held a number of positions with Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world at the Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, and most recently, Villa Padierna in Marbella, Spain.

As well as being the first GM of a Reserve product, Sebeto also has the distinction of being the first female General Manager Ritz-Carlton has appointed in Asia to take on the position for this unique brand extension.

A departure for Ritz-Carlton in size and scope, The Reserve will feature signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts positioned in unique settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place. A refuge from the expected, The Reserve is for travelers seeking to discover a singular location and peerless resort that, through its design and services, has a distinctive personality that blends together the culture and history of its setting.

More About Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Phulay Bay will embody the attributes, philosophy and unique style and design of the Reserve brand extension. Set on the shores of the Andaman Sea, Phulay Bay is a hideaway 54-villa and pavilion boutique hotel with unspoiled views of the towering limestone karsts which make up the beautiful landscape of this part of southern Thailand. Coupled with sandy beaches, a coastline flecked with more than 200 islands, surrounded by a national forest with rugged rock formations and hidden waterfalls, Phulay Bay is a natural wonder.

The essence of Phulay Bay will be about enlivening the senses. Guests will subtly and gently have their senses enriched and stimulated with the resort’s own scent, signature drink, beautiful and stunning scenery both inside the suites and in the environment of the resort, as well as by the sounds of traditional music coupled with the gentle lapping of the sea on the shores of Phulay Bay. This will be coupled with the environment of tactile natural Thai silk soft furnishings and coverings to help guests truly relax in this unique and special environment.

Nestled on the shore of the Andaman Sea, the exclusive resort is the vision of in-demand Thai architect Lek Bunnag and features modern styling and architecture with accents of Thai culture and design to create a harmonious synergy of luxury and tradition to compliment its secluded location. Bunnag draws strongly from Thai traditions and cultural heritage to create an environment where relaxation and enjoyment are the very bedrock of the guest experience.

The architecture, landscape, interiors and accessories fuse to create a marriage of style and design that is completely in keeping with and tied to the natural environment of the location. Oversized beds, pillows, chairs, baths and doorways create a sense of comfort and welcoming that sets the guest at ease and welcomes them into the resort.

Combining contemporary Thai styling in the buildings with preservation of the environment, the natural flora of existing trees and plants relies on the past and tradition to create something sustainable today and for the future. The use of traditional Lanna art forms both in architecture structure and design, as well as paintings and artworks on the walls and doors of the villas, further create a contemporary setting that draws on tradition to offer a unique and luxurious environment and further enlivens the senses.

“When styling and designing Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carton Reserve, we were very conscious of the abundant natural beauty surrounding us which is what makes people fall in love with Thailand,” explained Sebeto. “We want guests to enjoy and discover the extraordinary diversity and beauty in this part of the country in a setting of relaxation and rejuvenation. So we have worked with nature to maintain a setting that evokes the very best of the natural environment of the hotel and sourced local and sustainable materials in its construction and styling. We see the resort as an ambassador for the local environment and for the tradition of the land here in Phulay Bay.”

With an emphasis on personalized, bespoke experiences, guests can ‘design’ or tailor make their visit to perfectly suit their needs and desires. A light BBQ lunch in your favorite area of the resort? A meditation class with local monks? Elephant trekking to a remote picnic spot? A sea plane tour of the region’s dramatic scenery? No problem. The resort will tailor-make your visit and personalize your experience, to make it a truly unique and one-of-a-kind visit.

The sense of arrival will immediately let guests know they are somewhere special and unique. High aubergine walls and ‘hedges’ made from indigenous trees create a sense of wonder from the outside and a great sense of peace and stillness once on the inside. Guests enter the resort over a stepping-stone walkway that leads them to a wooden Thai pavilion situated on an island surrounded by thousands of gently flickering candles.

Phulay Bay, A Ritz Carlton Reserve will offer world-class culinary experiences throughout the resort including a sea front pavilion with private rooftop dining, a signature Thai restaurant creating traditional Thai cooking in a modern, minimalist setting using the very best of ingredients and cooking traditions from Thailand’s southern region. An infinity pool bar will offer soft loungers and silk pillows by day with lighter more relaxed culinary offerings, while the resort’s sunset lounge will offer day beds, oversized pillows, chill-out lounge bar music and candle lanterns for a truly intimate and relaxing feel. The perfect place for a glass of champagne or a stylish martini as the sun sets over the seemingly endless horizon.

The ESPA at Phulay Bay promises to be a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation with stepping stones meandering throughout the spa leading to decked walkways and relaxation terraces surrounded by vegetation and reflection ponds that perfectly capture the unique character of Phulay Bay. The Spa itself comprises three traditional Thai pavilions set over two levels offering 11 treatment rooms including single and couples massage rooms and two VIP suites.

The opening rates for Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve are as follows: Resort Pavilion THB 19,550; Ocean Pavilion THB 21,250; Beach Villa THB 27,200; Reserve Villa THB 44,200 and Royal Beach Villa THB 68,000. All rates are subject to 18.7% service charges and taxes.

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve - Official Web Site

Ritz-Carlton Reserve - Official Web Site