World Island Resort

Limitless, the Dubai-government-owned developer, is to create, own and operate a US$350 million, 10.5 hectare ultra luxury resort on a man made island 14km from the Dubai coastline, the company announced today.

World Island Resort - on the north-east perimeter of The World development - is the tenth project for Limitless and the latest addition to its growing global portfolio, currently worth more than US$100 billion. It will be showcased at Cityscape Dubai next month.

World Island Resort will comprise 53 villas and water homes. Among them, 23 privately-owned villas, ranging from 650 to 820 square meters, offered for sale by invitation. Each will have a beachfront location or sea frontage with a private jetty, summerhouse and mooring facilities, and will come with its own spa treatment room, swimming pool, rooftop garden with outdoor kitchen, landscaped ground level garden overlooking the sea and internal elevator. The villas will be serviced by the hotel and can be leased back to the hotel when they are not being used by their owners.

The hotel - the first of several luxury hotels planned by Limitless - will focus on health, wellness, relaxation, world-class cuisine and the arts. It will feature a 2,000 square meter spa; an amenity building including specialty restaurants, art galleries, auction rooms, conference facilities and libraries; and luxurious accommodation in 30 villas or “water homes.” At its center of the island will be a lagoon with water features and a social clubhouse. There will also be a reception suite on the Dubai mainland - residents will reach the island by a private boat.

According to the Limitless press release, the World Island Resort “will be constructed in line with international sustainability and environmental standards.” Although, once again, I have yet to ascertain the meaning of the word “sustainable,” and there are no details available regarding the environmental standards, or how this can be applied to an artificial island built by shock dredging with no regard to the environment, where every single visitor is ferried by private motor yacht to the island.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed, CEO of Limitless, said: “In delivering World Island Resort we will draw on our expertise in waterfront development and the creation of distinctive projects that enhance and enrich people’s lives.

“World Island Resort will set a new global benchmark in the design and operation of luxury resorts. It is the flagship for Limitless’ waterfront hospitality developments and the launch pad for a range of high-end hotels we are planning in other waterfront and city locations.”

The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Thailand was days from opening when the 2004 tsunami struck. At the time Khao Lak was Thailand’s fastest growing tourist destination and nearly 60% of its hotels were under construction. Many of those hotels have been raised from the destruction of the tsunami but luxury 5 star resort, The Sarojin has a special story.

The Sarojin finally opened 8 months after the tsunami, having employed its existing staff to literally rebuild the resort. Every room is named after a staff member to recognise that effort. That commitment to the locals breeds loyalty. Maybe that’s why so many visitors report that The Sarojin is not just an amazingly beautiful resort but that the staff are exceptional even for Thailand, a country renowned for customer service. Nothing is too much trouble, managers introduce themselves to new arrivals and try to fulfill every strange “farang” request they receive.

Today thanks to the miracle of the fast growing tropical vegetation almost all signs of the 2004 disaster have disappeared. The local authorities have also recognized that coastal vegetation can protect against storms and tsunamis and have developed an extensive re-vegetation program along the coastal strip. Khao Lak, and Phuket Island are well and truly open for business once more.

The Sarojin is about 20 minutes by taxi from the Khao Lak town. The town provides great options for meals, shopping, markets and bars and clubs. The Sarojin is about one hour north of Phuket International Airport, in the Phang Nga province of Thailand.

Many guests at The Sarojin will probably never leave the resort. Which is possibly why The Sarojin has just been named “Asia’s leading boutique hotel” for a third consecutive year. The garden setting provides direct private access to 11km of secluded white sand beach, the sheltering Pakarany Cape, allows year-round swimming and water sports.

The Sarojin has only 56 guest residences (each 95-150 sq m) set in a secluded and sheltered 10 acres by the beach providing all year round swimming and has plunge pools, spa pools, intimate couples baths, rainfall showers, private gardens, spa, fitness and dining tables set in extraordinary locations.

Dining options include both the formal Ficus Restaurant (under a large tree!) or beside the shimmering Andaman Sea at the Edge restaurant. Alternatively for the same price meals can be delivered wherever you want: your own private beach barbecue; pool island pavilions; or in the
intimacy of your private dining sala. Or walk down the beach to a local restaurant: probably not as high class but well worth a look for a cheap lunch and a cold beer.
If you can drag yourself away from the plunge pools and beach recliners more energetic options include diving and snorkeling trips to the nearby famous Similan Islands National Park in the Andaman Sea. Or maybe a Thai Cooking class complete with a market visit to buy your ingredients with one of the resort’s talented chefs.

The Sarojin really has risen from the destruction of 2004 and it just one of the shining examples of the positive side of tourism in developing countries such as Thailand. We kept the best to last: we think the pool should be feature on any list of top luxury swimming pools of the world: