Minor plans lifestyle and wellness ecosystem on more than 600 rai in Phuket

Minor International plans to develop more than 600 rai around Layan Beach in Phuket into a lifestyle and wellness ecosystem linked to branded residences, hotel services and health facilities.

The company said its strategy is aimed at wealthy and ultra-high-net-worth buyers who increasingly value experiences, quality of life and professional services alongside a property. The long-term development would connect residential living with wellness, dining, sport and other lifestyle services.

Minor’s latest Phuket project, Kiara Reserve, has sold nearly three-quarters of its units, according to the company. Its Anantara Layan Residences and Anantara Avadina Residences projects have sold out.

William Ellwood Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, said the company’s branded-residence model was built not only around the physical property, or “hardware”, but also around the services, staff and experiences connected to its hotels.

At Kiara Reserve, residents can use facilities including a private gym, an outdoor entertainment clubhouse, padel and tennis courts, as well as the Layan Life wellness retreat. They can also access restaurants at the hotel, including Dara Thai Restaurant, Breeze, Age and Zuma. Owners are also eligible for Global Hotel Alliance membership benefits and preferential rates at participating hotels worldwide.

Mika Tamthai, acting chief executive and chief operating officer of Minor Lifestyle, said Phuket had increasingly become a place where people wanted to live, rather than only a tourism destination. He said the company had observed this trend over the past 10 to 15 years and was developing residences for longer-term living.

Minor describes the Layan Beach area as “Millionaire’s Mile”, citing its privacy and location in the north of Phuket. The company said the area is about 30 minutes from the airport, while journeys from the airport to some southern parts of the island can take up to two hours at certain times.

The company began building its service and staffing base through Anantara Layan Resort before expanding into Layan Residences, Avadina Hills and Kiara Reserve. It has also formed a joint venture with Kajima Corporation to support development in the area.

Minor said its Phuket hotels and residences currently have about 500 employees, including engineers, maintenance staff and pool-care teams. The company said these personnel form part of the service infrastructure intended to distinguish its branded residences from conventional condominiums and houses.