Minor Hotels has confirmed its first Minor Reserve Collection property in Asia, and it's landing on Phuket. The Thai hospitality group, which runs brands like Anantara and Avani, has partnered with the Amal Group of Companies on Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket, a 310-key resort in Bang Tao on the island's west coast. Doors open in 2031, so this is early-stage news — but it signals where Phuket's high-end market is heading.
Minor Reserve Collection is the group's newest luxury label, built around one-off properties with a distinct sense of place rather than a cookie-cutter template. Adding it takes Minor Hotels to 12 brands worldwide. The Phuket debut will be the group's seventh property on the island, which tells you how seriously it rates the destination.
The resort is the hospitality centrepiece of a bigger project: Gardens of Eden, a 33-acre integrated living and wellness development that also includes Etro Residences and Gardens of Eden Residences. Layout-wise, expect a 100-key hotel in a single oval-shaped building, plus 210 one-to-three-bedroom residences in three buildings woven into the hotel's ecosystem — a hybrid model aimed at both short-stay guests and longer-term residents.
Wellness is the pitch. A dedicated facility of more than 5,000 square metres, housed in a flower-inspired structure, anchors the experience. Dining plans run to an all-day restaurant, two speciality venues, an organic café, a lobby lounge and a pool bar. There are winding swimming pools, clubhouses, a kids' club and a business centre, and all parking goes underground to keep the grounds clear. Martin Palleros of Tierra Design is behind the look, which is meant to echo the natural setting of Bang Tao.
Location helps. Bang Tao sits next to Laguna Phuket, one of the island's established leisure hubs, with golf, beaches and dining all close by. Travellers who like the polished integrated-resort style of Laguna but want something newer and more wellness-driven will find this an interesting one to watch.
The obvious caveat: 2031 is a long way off, and large-scale Phuket projects often shift timelines. Still, for anyone tracking the island's luxury boom — or planning a future trip around wellness-focused stays — this is a name worth filing away. In the meantime, Phuket has no shortage of excellent places to stay while this one takes shape.
