IHG Signs voco Phuket Bangtao, Opening in 2029

Published on Aug 18, 2025, 1:24 pm CDT

5 min read

IHG Hotels & Resorts will expand its voco hotels brand to Phuket with the 175-key voco Phuket Bangtao, developed with AssetWise Public Company Limited and Rhom Bho Property Public Company Limited. The premium hotel is slated to open in 2029 in Bangtao on Phuket's west coast, adding another lifestyle option to one of Thailand's most enduring beach destinations. The project marks voco's first property in Phuket and the third voco signing in Thailand.

Key Points

Why it matters: Vocationally minded premium brand voco adds scale in Thailand's top island market.
Travel impact: New upscale inventory in Bangtao with on-site dining, spa, pool, and fitness options.
What's next: Brand debut in Thailand arrives with voco Bangkok Surawong this year, with Phuket to follow in 2029.
175 rooms and suites planned, including a restaurant, lounge and bar, spa, pool, and gym.
AssetWise and subsidiary Rhom Bho lead development in their first hospitality venture.

Snapshot

The new voco Phuket Bangtao will sit in the heart of Bangtao, a lifestyle-led enclave known for white sand beaches, beach clubs, and diverse dining. IHG positions voco as a thoughtful, unstuffy premium brand that blends personality with dependably comfortable stays. The hotel will be about a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport (HKT), placing travelers within easy reach of the island's west-coast attractions. Facilities will include 175 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a lounge and bar, a spa, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. It is IHG's first voco in Phuket and the brand's third signing in Thailand, reinforcing the company's growth ambitions in a priority market.

Background

Phuket remains a cornerstone of Thailand's tourism recovery, supported by strong domestic and regional airlift. Bangkok to Phuket is typically a one-and-a-half-hour non-stop flight, sustaining robust weekend and holiday demand. Bangtao itself has evolved into a premium enclave, favored for space, shoreline, and access to lifestyle amenities. For IHG, voco fills the premium tier between luxury and upper-midscale, giving the group more flexibility to match product to neighborhood character. As of June 30, 2025, IHG reports 40 open hotels across nine brands in Thailand, plus 41 in the pipeline, with plans to double its estate in the coming years. Voco's Thai debut is scheduled at voco Bangkok Surawong, followed by Phuket's opening in 2029, underpinning a broader brand push across Southeast Asia.

Latest Developments

Partners and timeline for voco Phuket Bangtao

IHG signed voco Phuket Bangtao with AssetWise Public Company Limited and its subsidiary Rhom Bho Property Public Company Limited. The project is described by AssetWise as its first step into hospitality, aligning with a strategy to build recurring income from lifestyle-led assets. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2029 with 175 keys.

Brand momentum and footprint in Thailand

IHG calls voco its fastest-growing premium brand, with more than 180 open and pipeline properties worldwide since launch in 2018. In Thailand, voco Bangkok Surawong is set to introduce the brand this year following a comprehensive rebrand, while Phuket adds depth in a destination where IHG already fields Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. Groupwide, IHG counts 40 open hotels in Thailand and 41 in the pipeline, figures current as of June 30, 2025.

Location, access, and on-property amenities

Set in central Bangtao on Phuket's west coast, the hotel will be about 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport (HKT). Plans call for a full-service program with a restaurant, lounge and bar, spa, swimming pool, and fitness center, designed to match Bangtao's beach-club and dining scene while offering a calm base for exploration.

Analysis

Voco's arrival in Bangtao balances personality with practicality, which suits how Phuket's premium segment has matured. Travelers increasingly want hotels that feel relaxed and social, yet still deliver reliable comfort and brand backing. Bangtao's appeal, from spacious beachfront to an established dining and club scene, complements voco's upbeat positioning. The 175-key scale is also pragmatic for Phuket, large enough for amenities and events, small enough to keep service personal.

For IHG, this fills a strategic gap between existing luxury flagships and family-oriented resorts. It strengthens west-coast coverage without repeating what InterContinental or Holiday Inn already provide elsewhere on the island. The tie-up with AssetWise and Rhom Bho is notable, bringing a major residential developer into hospitality with a global partner. That combination often accelerates delivery, given local land intelligence and a seasoned brand operator.

Risks remain. Phuket's supply pipeline ebbs and flows, and west-coast properties must navigate seasonality, labor availability, and infrastructure bottlenecks at peak times. However, the brand's flexibility on design language, plus IHG's distribution and loyalty reach, should help smooth load factors across the year. With Bangkok delivering the brand debut at voco Bangkok Surawong, Phuket's follow-on in 2029 positions voco to scale in Thailand while keeping each property tuned to its neighborhood character.

Final Thoughts

For travelers, the takeaway is simple. Phuket gains a fresh premium option in a neighborhood that already fits voco's social, easygoing style. Expect a full-service stay, a short airport transfer, and quick access to Bangtao's restaurants and beaches. For IHG and partners, the signing strengthens a country strategy that leans into lifestyle growth where airlift and demand are resilient. With Bangkok introducing the brand first, Phuket's 2029 opening should extend that momentum on the island's west coast. We will be watching design details, F&B concepts, and loyalty integration as plans firm up at voco Phuket Bangtao.