Welcome to paradise

Absolute Q Signature Resort & Spa, Koh Samui

Welcome to the Earthbound paradise of Koh Samui, a land of coconut-fringed beaches and tropical jungles by day and of lively resorts by night. Located just north of the powder sands of Chaweng Beach, the Q Signature Samui Resort is the perfect place to let stress slip away amid warm, crystal-blue seas, vast coconut plantations and stunning vegetation.

Immerse yourself in the authentic Thai design, with our luxury pavilion and villas that squarely emphasise gracious living. Revive and rejuvenate in the health spa and indulge in an Ayurvedic Thai massage. When that gets too tiring, simply drink in the endless ocean panorama as the cool breeze from the Gulf of Thailand plays gently across your sunkissed face.

Hotel facilities

A luxurious playground of delectable cuisine, spa treatments and astonishing views. Pamper yourself with therapeutic treatments, like body scrubs, facials, herbal steam baths and massages. Sample authentic Thai and Western dishes in the Royal Siam restaurant. Chill out and sunbathe in the sunshine Beach Bar. Swim in the freshwater infinity pool. Then kick back with a sunset cocktail on the Aow Thai terrace. Corporate trip? A well-appointed meeting room makes business a pleasure.

Room amenities

From pool villas, each with its own private pool and deck to Superior suites with private balcony, garden views, mini pantry, huge bath and Thai-style wood furnishings, you won’t be disappointed. All rooms come with air-conditioning, room service, king-size or twin beds, safe, international direct-dial telephone, balcony or terrace, hairdryer, satellite TV with DVD player, WiFi and minibar.

Superior Pavilion

One king bed. Each Pavilion Room has a private balcony with garden views, a mini pantry, a lovely large bath with shower handle, and decorated with Thai-style wood furnishings.

Deluxe Pavilion

One king or two twin beds. Each Pavilion Room has a private balcony with Sea Views, a pantry, a lovely large bath and walk-in shower, and decorated with Thai-style wood furnishings.

Sea View Deluxe Pavilion

One king or two twin beds. Each Pavilion Room has a private balcony with Sea Views, a pantry, a lovely large bath and walk-in shower, and decorated with Thai-style wood furnishings.

Share Pool Villa

One king size bed. Each Villa belongs to a set of two other villas sharing one swimming pool & deck and perched elegantly on a garden slope providing fantastic sea views. Each villa includes a DVD/CD player and Kitchenette with microwave, a separate dining area and a bathroom with shower and a large bath.

Lotus Pool Villa

Each Villa has it’s own private swimming pool & deck and perched elegantly on a garden slope providing fantastic sea views. The Lotus Pool Villas have one bedroom with king size bed, a bathroom with shower and jacuzzi, a living room including a DVD/CD player & Kitchenette, microwave and a separate dining area.

Peninsula Pool Villa

Each Villa has it’s own private swimming pool & deck and perched elegantly on a garden slope providing fantastic sea views. The Peninsula Pool Villas have two bedrooms, one with king size bed and one with twin beds, a bathroom with shower and jacuzzi, a living room and Kitchenette, microwave and a separate dining area.

Nearby attractions

On-site

• Soap and fruit carving


• Thai cooking class


• Beach volleyball


• Cycling


• Watersports


• Table tennis

Off-site

• Thai boxing


• Cinema


• Cabaret

Life as it should be

Absolute Elements Boutique Resort & Spa, Koh Samui 

In a sunset cove, amid tropical jungle, vast coconut farms and dotted with swaying palms sitsAbsolute Elements Boutique Resort and Spa. Here on Koh Samui’s south-eastern point, you can escape, refresh, renew and rebalance, the better to face the real world once more. This luxury five star resort is idyllic, quiet and secluded with an emphasis on nature, diet, health, fitness and relaxation. Truly, this is life as it should be. And yet, the bright lights twinkle within a manageable driving distance. The choice could be the toughest thing you face on Koh Samui.

Hotel facilities

DeLuxe Sea View apartments come with balconies and sea views; Garden Suites come with a choice of private pool or jacuzzi; luxury beachfront villas come with private pool, open-air jacuzzi and sunset sala. For the gourmet, Fai restaurant offers an East-West taste fusion. For the healthy, Body and Soul is a fully-equipped fitness centre with sauna and steam rooms. For the stressed, there’s Spa Serenity, a sanctuary of nurturing and wellbeing and daily yoga and meditation. Thought of everything? We’ve even turned the sunsets to face the resort.

Room amenities

Choose from four luxury beachfront villas, 14 Garden Suites, 12 De Luxe Sea View apartments and three De Luxe studio apartments. All rooms come with flat-screen TV, international direct-dial telephone, WiFi, DVD and MP3 players, DVD library, safe, hairdryer, complimentary water and fresh fruit, 24-hour room service and a fully stocked minibar.

Nearby attractions

On-site

• One-on-one fitness training
• Yoga tuition
• Cooking, lifestyle and healthcare classes
• Individualised private tours
• Diving lessons and excursions
• Massage instruction
• Bicycle tours
• Jungle and sea trips

Phuket 2.0

Market dynamics are evolving with a game changing shift in tourist profile from a historical ‘Eurocentric' dependence on long haul European visitors to short haul Asian travelers. Driving this trend is a weakening of the euro and pound which have jolted traditional market sentiment and transformed travel patterns to the resort island destination.

First half of 2010 signaled a rebound of Phuket tourism with a growth of passengers by 28% vs. H1 2009 and 11% compared to H1 2008. A boost in direct flights from Asia and Australia contributed to a surge in the number of flights by 30% and 11% compared to first half of 2009 and 2008 respectively.

The effect of political demonstrations in Bangkok hit passenger traffic through Phuket International Airport in Q2 2010 as evidenced by a 38% decrease from the previous quarter comparing to a 26% shortfall for the same period last year.

Thailand’s Airport Authority (AOT) expansion program of Phuket International Airport is underway with a start of construction activity by the end of this year announced. Scheduled to complete by 2013 the improvements will double annual airport capacity to 12.5 million passengers. AOT is soliciting bids for a jet terminal as part of its business development strategy. The proposed terminal is planned to be up and running in the next three years to serve demand from private charter jets and high net worth individuals.

A significant sign of recovery can be seen in the improvement of hotel wide performance. Hoteliers saw higher occupancies rise from 61% in H1 2009 to 70% in the same period this year.

This came at a cost resulting in a decrease in room rates by 9%. There might be blood as the hotel pipeline still shows development resilience and investment confidence with an additional 4,538 rooms or an 11% spike over the next four years. A concern on oversupply could be cushioned by induced demand and larger trading volumes come into play in the long term prospects.

The key storyline of infrastructure enhancements aimed at supporting a mass tourism model continues to create controversy about the future of Phuket 2.0.”

Upward trend in room demand will gradually drive average daily rates and RevPAR higher. As east coast hotels reach critical mass, questions

remain on market acceptance and resulting penetration. Forecasted robust growth from Asia and Eastern European visitors will create challenges to hotels with new pricing sensitivity, shift in location preference and demand generators.

Currency devaluation of the euro and U.K. pound could prolong a move back to sustained growth. Increasing concern on supply and demand with new openings representing 33% of the development pipeline expected to enter the market supply within the second half 2010.

“Phuket hotels are back on track from the low point of last year. Passenger traffic through Phuket International Airport in H1 2010 surged 28% from a year ago, and 13% from the latter half of 2009 signaling a solid return in its tourism industry. A significant sign of recovery can be seen in the improvement of hotel wide performance. Hoteliers saw higher occupancies rise from 61% in H1 2009 to 70% in the same period this year. This came at a cost resulting in a decrease in room rates by 9%.

Upward trend in room demand will gradually drive average daily rates and RevPAR higher. As east coast hotels reach critical mass, questions remain on market acceptance and resulting penetration. Forecasted robust growth from Asia and Eastern European visitors will create challenges to hotels with new pricing sensitivity, shift in location preference and demand generators.

Currency devaluation of the euro and U.K. pound could prolong a move back to sustained growth. Increasing concern on supply and demand with new openings representing 33% of the development pipeline expected to enter the market supply within the second half 2010.

Sustained devaluation of U.K. pound has directly impacted shrinking British inbound market. Australian visitors have been the number one source market since 2005 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31%. The global economic crisis in 2008 initiated a dramatic shift from the long haul European tourists to the short haul Asian and Middle East market, contributing to a transition in guest profile and needed adjustment of product offerings. U.S. and European currencies remain volatile and have contributed to a potential transformation in Phuket’s guest profile towards greater reliance on Asian countries with growth economies.

Source: C9 Hotelworks Market Research

C9 2010 Hotel Market Update: Mid-Year Edition August 2010

About C9 Hotelworks : C9 Hotelworks is an internationally recognized consulting firm with extensive experience in the Asia Pacific region.

Their core business focus includes: Hotel and Resort Development / Asset Management / Ownership Representation / Project Feasibility and Analysis

With key competencies including international hotel operator search, selection and contract negotiation, mixed use hotel and residential planning and operation reviews. A wide range of both institutional and private developers and a comprehensive portfolio of completed projects, give C9 the skill set and background to focus on key issues, evaluate complex ones and assist their clients in achieving solid results.

Phoenix Golf and Country Club

Phoenix Golf & Country Club, a Dennis Griffiths design, is set on wooded, rolling terrain. This Pattaya golf course comprises three nines - Ocean, Lake and Mountain, and has magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the Gulf of Thailand. Large mango, eucalyptus trees and flowering shrubs add color and give a natural feel to the layout.



Phoenix demands cautious shots on the fairways, but the greens are relatively easy with few undulations. Compared to most other Pattaya golf courses, there is not much water, except on the Lake nine. Hole 17 is a very though par four dogleg around the lake and requires accurate shot making to achieve par.
The finishing hole on the Ocean course is also noteworthy. The tee box for this par 5 sits at the highest point on the course and affords a commanding view of Jomtien Beach and Pattaya city. The tee shot is straight down a sloping fairway followed by a 2nd shot aimed toward the sea.
Large sand bunkers lining along both sides of the fairway come into play on the 3rd shot into the green. The bunker in the front left of the green should be avoided for it is difficult to get up and down for par from there. The center of the green is preferred for an easy par, or even birdie!



A massive clubhouse dominates the landscape with a large center reception and pro shop. Locker room facilities are luxurious and the restaurant serving both Thai and European food is quite good and well priced.
Phoenix Golf Club's easy access to Pattaya plus above average maintenance and playing conditions make this course well worth including in any Pattaya golf experience.

Opening Soon - 

Absolute Nirvana Place

Between the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Siam and the vibrant streetlife of Jomtien and Pattaya lies Absolute Nirvana Place Hotel. From the first tired, delicious moment when you drop onto your king-sized bed to the reluctant return of your keys, you'll be cosseted in privacy, elegance and five-star luxury.



Your one- or two-bedroom boutique suite is a sanctuary within an oasis within a tropical haven. Choose from two outstanding restaurants offering premium world cuisines, including probably the world's finest beef at the Manhattans Steakhouse. Beyond that, it's private massages, golf, swimming, jacuzzis and cocktails all the way. And a solemn vow to return as soon as possible.

A toast to Mom Tri for his four award-winning restaurants.

The Wine Spectator honours Mom Tri’s gourmet restaurants with prestigious ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ and ‘Award of Excellence’ awards.



Once again Mom Tri’s gourmet restaurants have been honoured by the prestigious Wine Spectator.  For the fifth consecutive year Mom Tri’s Boathouse is again sole winner in Phuket of the Wine Spectator ‘Best of Award of Excellence’. Mom Tri’s Kitchen – also for the fifth consecutive year – and Mom Tri’s Oasis for the second consecutive year have won the ‘Award of Excellence’. Newly opened, New York Times’ recommended Mom Tri’s Boathouse Regatta, celebrates winning its first ‘Award of Excellence’.



What does it take to get a Wine Spectator Award … or four?
Georges Ciret, Wine Director of Mom Tri’s gourmet restaurants elaborates.
“We are proud and delighted with these awards. It has been a long process that started more than 20 years ago with the creation of Phuket’s first wine cellars. Mom Tri could not imagine owning a restaurant without a fully equipped wine cellar.”
Mom Tri’s passion drove him to reach for the best. He spared no expense to create a wine cellar that received accolades from international wine experts.  Today Mom Tri’s Kitchen lists over 350 wines and the Boathouse 820, including a Romanée-Conti Grand Cru ’91 and Châteaux Latour ‘82.



“Our price range is extensive in order to allow our guests to select a bottle of wine suited to their liking and the occasion. Prestigious labels and beautiful vintages enhance luxurious and festive events.
“Our wine lists are alive; continuously evolving and incorporating fashionable wine trends including organic, fruit and ice wines and a rotating selection of over 40 wines by the glass.
“Hopefully, in the near future, there will be a reduction of taxes and import duties currently amounting to about 400%. It would then enable us to develop our wine list even further.”



Mom Tri’s four restaurants today reflect his original vision of creating gourmet restaurants with magnificent wine cellars and spectacular waterfront views yet each retaining their own distinctive style.

On the water front ...

Phuket is one of the magnificent tourist destinations in the world, with its amazing coves and bays, palm-fringed beaches, glinting island-dotted seas, stunning turn of the century architecture, and an abundant tropical landscape.

Phuket Cultural Center, Butterfly Garden and Sea Aquarium, Phuket Sea Shell Museum, Chana Charoen Crocodile Farm, Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai village, Khao Rang, and Ko Si Re, are just few among many of its interesting attractions. Phuket also boasts of some brilliant nature attractions, such as Sirinat National Park and Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary.
Perhaps one of the main reasons why tourists flock to Phuket is due to its exceptional beaches. From active as well as fun beaches providing superb facilities to quiet beaches blessed with brilliant coves backed by sumptuous hillsides, each of the Phuket’s beaches are individually and collectively famous all with their unique charm.

Boasting of more than 3000 kilometers of shores and a variety of superb beaches;  Phuket is very a paradise for ocean lovers. All the Phuket’s beaches allow a superb opportunity to enjoy an excess of water sport activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and jet skiing, among many others.
One of the most admired water sport activities in Phuket is undoubtedly sailing, as it is a great way to explore the beauty of the Andaman Sea, and is now considered the best sailing destinations in South East Asia.

Another much favored water sport activity in Phuket is sea kayaking. Sea kayaking through the Phang-Nga, one of the world’s unique attractions, is a once in a lifetime experience, as it allows you to come through a range of waterway estuaries with dense forests composing mangrove and nipa palm which can be found stretched out in the sea.
Popular water sports activities in Phuket also include water skiing.Situated near the Loch Palm Golf Course, Hat Patong is considered a wonderful refuge for water skiing in Phuket. For those interested in night sea fishing, Phuket’s offshore islands form a perfect location. Also, a must do water sport activity in Phuket is yachting, with a range of yachts and super yachts to cater for all tastes and budgets.

Scuba diving is yet another popular water sport activity in Phuket, with such renowned diving destinations such as Phi Islands, Similan, and Surin. There are also a whole range of experienced diving schools and shops to cater for all your underwater needs. In addition, with an array of protected bays, Phuket forms a great destination for snorkeling.
For those who want to try something rare or new during your trip in Phuket, then travel out to Kata or Patong beaches to hire a jet ski. If you are an adventurer and want to make your Phuket break a memorable one, then fantastic and adventurous then parasailing could be the adrenalin rush you are looking for.For the less adventurous take a day cruise around all the famous Phuket sites.

With water sports galore and facilities to die for, a holiday break to Phuket would unquestionably be a remarkable and unforgettable experience.

Tiger means business

PHUKET is likely to be central to the ambitions of the new Thai Tiger budget airline, with details to be formally announced in Bangkok today.

AirAsia’s declaration of Phuket as a regional hub and its rapid expansion to link up the region at low cost has pushed the increasingly popular red brand’s claim to be the industry leader.

Now Thai Airways, the national carrier, is finally reacting. Tiger, based in Singapore, and with a toe-hold in Australia and growing international exposure, is a natural ally.

Thai Airways has suffered from the conceit that as the national airline, it somehow automatically warrants the support of air travellers in Thailand. That approach may have worked through the 20th century, but the 21st century is redrawing the global flight patterns and many fliers are choosing V for value over S for superior service.

Phuket is being seen as one of the key destination battle zones for the new era of budget competition. The battle over value is matched by the battle to lock in the rougher V shape geography formed by Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Phuket.
In Southeast Asia, this three-country zone is likely to be the target for rapid air travel expansion over the next 20 years, both for business and tourism.

In many ways, Phuket is in the process of breaking free and proving its independence from its traditional links to Bangkok. The recent political violence in the capital only served to emphasise the difference.

Plans have been approved to double the capacity of Phuket International Airport before 2015. And already existing flight entry space has become precious as carriers seek a trouble-free destination within Thailand.

In Australia, fares have tumbled as Tiger challenges Virgin Blue and Qantas in a market that has never previously supported more than two national carriers for longer than two years. Tiger has nine planes based in Australia, where it has been leading the competition for lower prices.

Jetstar, the Qantas budget arm, has driven an enormous increase in the number of Australians choosing Phuket for holidays. AirAsia meanwhile is reaching out from Phuket to Hong Kong and China.

Opting to enter the international low-cost duel, Thai brings fresh resources, including the recent purchase of seven more A330-300 wide-bodied Airbus aircraft in a deal worth $1.5 billion.

Today’s deal shows that the national carrier means business.