PHUKET, Thailand, 2 November 2026: Gardens of Eden has taken a major step towards creating an integrated destination for luxury living, hospitality and wellness in Phuket, announcing a partnership with Minor Hotels that will bring Asia’s first Minor Reserve Collection property to its Bang Tao development.
Officially described as an integrated luxury living and wellness destination, Gardens of Eden is a mixed-use residential development combining luxury branded residences, a hotel, wellness and leisure facilities.
Buyers can acquire homes within the wider estate, while Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket will form its hospitality centrepiece, with accommodation operated by Minor Hotels.
“Gardens of Eden has been conceived as a destination where luxury living, wellness and nature come together in a meaningful way,” said Gardens of Eden Chief Executive Officer Alexander Chuvalov in the official announcement.
Chuvalov described the partnership as the next phase of that vision. He expressed confidence in Phuket’s appeal as an international resort market. He said combining Gardens of Eden’s concept with Minor’s hospitality expertise would create a distinctive proposition for travellers and residents.
The agreement with Amal Group of Companies covers Gardens of Eden Resort Phuket and Minor Reserve Collection, and is scheduled to open in 2031. Its 310 keys will comprise 100 hotel rooms and 210 residences operated in the resort’s inventory. The hotel component will sit approximately 250 metres from the shoreline within the wider 33-acre development.
Wellness at the heart of project
Wellness will be a central feature, with a dedicated facility exceeding 5,000 square metres and ambitions to attract visitors from across Asia and beyond.
At the briefing, Minor International Founder and Chairman William E “Bill” Heinecke emphasised the scale of the vision.
“This will be the biggest, not only on the island of Phuket, but maybe one of the biggest in ASEAN,” he said. “So, these are some of the reasons why we chose Gardens of Eden, because they put so much effort, planning, focus and passion into this project.”
Heinecke said the facility would draw on lessons from Minor’s existing wellness operations, while its greater space would allow collaboration with specialist practitioners and partners in wellness and longevity. The final combination of brands and expertise remains part of the developing concept.
“What we’ve learnt over the last couple of years, pioneering the wellness here, will go into this project to make it even better,” he said. “People will come from around the world to experience it.”
The developer’s presentation described a four-phase masterplan linking homes, gardens and leisure spaces, with beach access without crossing a road. The team also highlighted underground parking as an unusual feature in Phuket, adding convenience while preserving above-ground space for landscaping and recreation. The residential offering appeals to buyers seeking a home, a holiday residence or a property investment.
About the author
Andrew J Wood is a Bangkok-based travel writer, tourism commentator and former hotel executive who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University in Edinburgh, he has held senior hospitality positions across Asia. He is a past President of Skål Asia and a Board member of the South African–Thai Chamber of Commerce. He writes extensively on tourism and hospitality. The views expressed are the author’s own.
