Minor Reserve Collection enters the Asian market
Minor Hotels has announced the signing of a hotel management agreement with Amal Group of Companies for the forthcoming Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket, Minor Reserve Collection, scheduled to open in 2031.
Located in Bang Tao, approximately 250 metres from Phuket’s western coastline, the resort will become the first Asian property under Minor Reserve Collection, the hotel group’s new luxury brand.
The collection brings together hotels and resorts characterised by their individual identities, strong connections to their destinations and distinctive upscale positioning.
For Minor Hotels, the signing represents another step in the development of its luxury brand portfolio while strengthening its presence in Thailand, the group’s home market.
A 310-key resort within a 13.4-hectare mixed-use development
Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket will form part of a 33-acre development, equivalent to approximately 13.4 hectares, dedicated to luxury residential living, wellness and leisure.
The wider development will also include Etro Residences and Gardens of Eden Residences, two distinct residential components.
The resort will serve as the hospitality component of this integrated destination.
Its total accommodation capacity will reach 310 keys, comprising:
- 100 hotel rooms;
- 210 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, operated as part of the resort’s accommodation inventory.
This configuration will combine traditional hotel accommodation with residential units integrated into the property’s operations.
The announcement does not specify the ownership arrangements for the 210 residences or whether they will be marketed to individual investors.
Wellness at the centre of the positioning
The property will place considerable emphasis on wellness, with a dedicated facility spanning more than 5,000 sq m.
Its food and beverage offering will include an all-day dining restaurant, two speciality restaurants, an organic café and a lobby lounge.
The development is located close to a protected national park, as well as the Laguna Phuket resort complex and Phuket International Airport.
Architectural design has been entrusted to Martin Palleros of Tierra Design, with the objective of integrating the resort into its natural surroundings.
For Minor Hotels, the challenge is to combine an individualised luxury offering with a destination already recognised for its beach tourism and growing wellness sector.
A partnership with Amal Group of Companies
The transaction is structured around a hotel management agreement between Minor Hotels and Amal Group of Companies.
This model enables the hotel group to operate the property under its new brand, without the announcement indicating any equity investment in the underlying real estate asset.
Omar Romero, Chief Development & Luxury Officer at Minor Hotels, highlights the symbolic significance of establishing the collection in Thailand, the group’s country of origin.
He also emphasises Phuket’s position among international resort and wellness destinations.
For his part, Alexander Chuvalov, CEO of Gardens of Eden, presents the project as an integrated destination combining residential real estate, nature and luxury hospitality services.
The investment amount, duration of the management agreement and financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
A new brand already expanding across several continents
The Phuket signing comes as Minor Hotels prepares several openings under Minor Reserve Collection.
The announced portfolio includes:
| Property | Destination | Announced schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Palace Portorož | Slovenia | Reopening in early 2027 |
| Dukes London | United Kingdom | Reopening in Q2 2027 |
| Aventora Resort Baía Formosa | Brazil | Opening in 2028 |
| Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket | Thailand | Opening in 2031 |
This initial series of projects illustrates the diversity of assets targeted by the collection, ranging from repositioned historic properties to newly developed resorts.
Minor Reserve Collection therefore aims to establish an international presence without necessarily imposing a uniform architectural or hospitality concept across all its properties.
LTH Analysis | The residential model strengthens the appeal of new luxury collections
The strategic significance of Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket lies in the combination of three components: a new luxury brand, a management agreement and a mixed-use property development incorporating residences into the hotel inventory.
For Minor Hotels, the transaction provides an opportunity to introduce Minor Reserve Collection to Asia through a large-scale development without abandoning the individualised positioning claimed by the brand.
For the developer, partnering with an international operator can help structure hotel operations and strengthen the development’s commercial visibility.
The inclusion of 210 residences within the resort’s accommodation inventory is an important element of the business model.
It allows for different stay formats and enables the property to target guests seeking additional space, particularly for family holidays or extended stays.
However, the project’s performance will depend on how the different accommodation categories work together, effective control of operating costs and the ability to maximise the commercial value of shared facilities, particularly the wellness centre.
The scheduled opening in 2031 also highlights the relatively long development horizon associated with this type of integrated real estate project.
With this signing, Minor Hotels confirms its intention to develop Minor Reserve Collection through differentiated assets, while using its management expertise to support real estate projects combining hospitality and residential accommodation.
The Phuket property will provide the first Asian test of this positioning in a market where competition between international resorts and luxury residential developments is already well established.
At a Glance
Development: Minor Hotels signs its first Minor Reserve Collection property in Asia, in Phuket, Thailand.
Opening: Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket is scheduled to open in 2031.
Management agreement: The project is being developed in partnership with Amal Group of Companies.
Accommodation: 310 keys, comprising 100 hotel rooms and 210 residences operated as part of the resort inventory.
Mixed-use destination: The resort forms part of a 33-acre development also featuring Etro Residences and Gardens of Eden Residences.
Wellness: The property will feature a dedicated wellness facility spanning more than 5,000 sq m.
