Outrigger Acquires Two Fiji Properties

Outrigger Acquires Two Fiji Properties
Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji and Castaway Island, Fiji join the Outrigger portfolio as ‘owned and managed’ resorts

PRESS RELEASE
Bangkok, 3 February, 2014 Hawaii-based Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions, continues to expand its global portfolio of absolute beachfront properties with the announcement today that it has purchased from its partner, Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, the complete shareholding in the ownership company of Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji, and his privately held Castaway Island, Fiji – an iconic “private” island escape accessible only by boat, seaplane or helicopter. The two award-winning resorts combine to offer the perfect Fiji islands holiday experience. The transaction closed on January 31, 2014, for an undisclosed amount and gives Outrigger 100% ownership of Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji and Castaway Island, Fiji.

“This acquisition is consistent with the strategic growth of Outrigger in the Asia-Pacific region,” said David Carey, president and chief executive officer of Outrigger Enterprises Group. “With over 66 years of experience in tropical resort destinations, our full acquisition of these two beautiful, absolute beachfront properties fits perfectly with our expansion strategies. We plan to have Outrigger resorts in the best beachfront locations in the best resort destinations in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

Since starting its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region in 2008, Outrigger has grown its global presence to include properties currently open or under development in Australia; Guam; Bali; Phuket and Phi Phi Island, Thailand; Mauritius; Hainan Island, China; and Vietnam.

Mr. Shaw will continue as a consultant to Outrigger. “We have enjoyed a long working relationship with Geoff and look forward to utilizing his expertise as a consultant as Outrigger continues to work with the Fijian community to welcome visitors to the islands,” Mr. Carey said.

Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji
The Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji is located on a 140 hectare (346 acre) piece of beachfront property in the heart of Fiji’s Coral Coast, one hour’s drive from Nadi International Airport. Australian businessman, Geoffrey Shaw, as company owner and developer of the hotel site, selected Outrigger Hotels and Resorts to manage the resort on opening, largely because of the success and values the Outrigger brand brings in operating hotels and resorts in island destinations.

Construction of the resort commenced in late 1998, with Mr.Shaw’s company overseeing the hotel’s development. Outrigger purchased a minority interest during the construction stage and provided extensive technical support throughout the development period. The resort opened on October 1, 2000, and today is branded the Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji.

According to Mr. Carey, Mr. Shaw has been instrumental in the property’s success over the past thirteen years. He obtained the necessary government approvals and community consent to redevelop the site into his vision of a unique Fijian waterfront village, combining individual bungalow ‘bure’ and hotel room accommodations set amongst lush tropical vegetation.The herculean task included moving a portion of the Queen’s Highway, the main road between Nadi and the capital city of Suva, and transplanting 250,000 tropical plants and trees. Today, individual bures set amongst the gardens and beachside along the water’s edge, together with modern low-rise hotel rooms and suites, swimming pools, multiple restaurants and a wide range of recreational facilities, combine with the genuine hospitality of the Fijians to deliver a unique guest experience.

Castaway Island, Fiji
Castaway Island, Fiji is a pristine private island resort located in the heart of Fiji’s Mamanuca Island group approximately 30 kilometres (18 miles) offshore from the main Fijian island of Viti Levu. The island’s 70 hectares (174 acres) are covered in rich tropical rainforest and surrounded by white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and the azure waters of the South Pacific.

Sixty-six spacious bungalow ‘bures’ featuring traditional Fijian style thatched roofs are nestled amongst lush tropical gardens or beachside at the water’s edge. Stylish air conditioned interiors feature natural rattan and local timber furnishings and high vaulted ceilings lined with hand painted ‘tapa’ cloth — each one a unique and individual design. This private island resort, which boasts an annual 44% guest return rate, offers two fresh water swimming pools, four restaurants and bars, a wide range of water sports and activities including PADI scuba diving, surfing, and a renowned kids club.

Operations of both Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji and Castaway Island will be overseen by the Outrigger Asia-Pacific team from its regional offices in Phuket, Thailand. “We are excited to have both of these outstanding resorts in our portfolio. The unique and natural service culture of Fiji is a perfect fit for the Outrigger brand,” said Darren Edmonstone, Outrigger managing director, Asia-Pacific.

For more information on Outrigger on the Lagoon * Fiji and Castaway Island, Fiji, or to make reservations, visit http://www.outrigger.com or call toll free 800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444). You can also e-mail reservations@outrigger.com or contact your preferred travel agent.

Outrigger to Acquire 254-key Laguna Beach Resort

Outrigger to Acquire 254-key Laguna Beach Resort in Laguna Phuket, Thailand
Transaction Scheduled to Close in January 2013

PHUKET, THAILAND, July 24, 2012 – Outrigger Hotels and Resorts announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the 254-key Laguna Beach Resort, located in the renowned Laguna Phuket integrated resort on Bang Tao Bay in the northwest coast of Phuket, Thailand. The transaction is scheduled to close in the first quarter of 2013.

“The Laguna Beach Resort will be one of the brightest jewels in the Outrigger portfolio and we look forward to completing the renovations and opening this resort early next year,” said Darren Edmonstone, managing director of Outrigger Enterprises Group – Asia-Pacific. “The addition of this iconic resort positions Outrigger extremely well in the growing Asia-Pacific region. The combination of the Laguna Beach Resort, with our existing management of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas and the idyllic Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa, creates exciting opportunities for guests who desire a luxury experience in premier leisure destinations in Asia.”
Originally opened in 1991, the Laguna Beach Resort is nestled between a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. The resort features amenities that include a spa, tennis courts, meeting and conference rooms, a wedding chapel, extensive water features and a resort pool. Each of the 254 rooms features a private balcony. A fully-equipped kids club makes the resort a perfect spot for families. The resort is just 20-minutes from the airport and Patong Beach, and 25-minutes from Phuket town. The property is currently undergoing a major renovation of all of its rooms and public areas and is expected to reopen early in the second quarter of 2013.

The Laguna Beach Resort will be the second Outrigger property in Laguna Phuket, joining the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas, which it has managed since August 2009.

Since starting its Asian expansion a few years ago, Outrigger has grown its presence to include properties currently open or under development in Bali and Phuket, the two most popular resort destinations in Asia, as well as in Phi Phi island, Thailand; Sanya, Hainan Island, China; and Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

“After managing a property in the Laguna Phuket destination resort for nearly three years, we are confident that the Laguna Beach Resort is a perfect fit for our first major investment in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to continuing to expand the Outrigger brand to other major resort destinations as well, added Edmonstone.

The Laguna Beach Resort is one of six deluxe resort hotels within the 1,000-acre Laguna Phuket integrated resort, widely recognized as one of Asias finest destination resorts, with five miles of pristine sandy beaches, the Laguna Phuket Golf Club, spas, restaurants and a retail shopping center. Laguna Resorts and Hotels Public Company Limited, a public company listed on the Thai stock exchange, developed the Laguna Phuket integrated resort starting in the mid-1980s from the remains of an abandoned tin mine once thought to be too polluted to develop. Laguna Phuket has since won numerous environmental awards as a result of that successful effort.