2011 has started with a bang for COMO Hotels and Resorts. The exclusive luxury hotel group announced the addition of a new member to its collection of eight 5-star properties.

Set to open September 2012, the new resort will be located in Phuket, Thailand on the Northeast coast of the verdant Yamu peninsula.

Adjoining the picturesque Phang Nga Bay, the new property will have 129 rooms with panoramic views of the cape, the surrounding turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, and the bay’s dramatic limestone islands. Just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, the hotel will be the perfect place to rejuvenate with a short break or indulge in a long stay. Guests will be able to take a dip in the 328 foot pool or soak up the sun on the private beach. They will also have the use of the resort group’s signature COMO Shambhala Retreat and yoga studio, as well as the resort’s two restaurants.

Just like its sister properties, the newest addition to the COMO collection will offer tailor-made experiences. Guests will be able to easily explore the striking islands of Phang Nga Bay, and golf enthusiasts can take advantage of several courses around the island. The waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, and hikers will be able to explore the island’s lush rainforests.

The opening of the Yamu property will mark the group’s second hotel in Thailand, joining the Metropolitan Bangkok. This expansion of COMO’s portfolio will enable the luxury resort group to showcase both sides of Thailand – the lively, vibrancy of the city, and the serene paradise of its secluded beaches.

COMO Hotels and Resorts was founded by Christina Ong and is known for its handpicked, intimate, and individually tailored properties, including The Halkin in London, two Metropolitan hotels in London and Bangkok, Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, Cocoa Island in the Maldives, two Uma experience resorts in Bali and Bhutan, and COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, which is managed with its sister brand in wellness. Each property embodies COMO’s clean sense of style and spirit of wellness, while reflecting the atmosphere of its surroundings.

The COMO Hotels and Resorts collection includes:

URBAN HOTELS - COMO Hotels and Resorts’ urban properties include the Halkin in London’s Belgravia, and the Metropolitan hotels in London and Bangkok. All three properties feature Michelin-starred chefs and a contemporary aesthetic and unobtrusive, Asian-style service. The lively Metropolitan hotels also house the world-famous Met Bars.

ISLAND RESORTS - COMO’s private resorts offer powder-white beaches and some of the world’s best diving. The understated style and laid-back nature of Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos and Cocoa Island in the Maldives belie the exacting service that has become a COMO hallmark. World-class cuisine and comprehensive wellness treatments and activities at COMO Shambhala Retreats complete COMO’s approach to a perfect beach holiday. The new Phuket property is the latest addition within this category of COMO properties.

ADVENTURE RETREATS - The Uma properties in Paro in Bhutan and Ubud in Bali unveil local culture, nature, and religious and folkloric traditions. Specialist guiding, treks and tours, physical activities and tailor-made programmes ensure memorable insights into some of the world’s most unique locations. Intimate and relaxed, the Uma properties reference local design and cuisine while providing an unmistakeably COMO experience.

WELLNESS RESORTS - COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali is a sanctuary for holistic wellness. Expert staff are goal-oriented, relevant and realistic in their consultative approach. Each guest’s individual needs and ambitions determine the programme of nutrition, exercise, therapies and activities. Facilities and tropical villa-style accommodation are impeccably appointed.