The need for a temporary private jetty on the beachfront and a wet weather programme are no issues at all for Angsana Laguna Phuket, and it delivers the annual event immaculately, writes Karen Yue
Some 120 owners, captains and crew members of the world’s best sail and motor superyachts – luxury pleasure craft that measure over 100 feet – swept on the Thai resort destination of Phuket in December last year.
They were there to attend the 12th Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, an annual social event that included private parties, competitive sailing races and a gutter boat race. The event was held at the Angsana Laguna Phuket, part of the Laguna Phuket integrated resort.
Kamolux Israngkul Na Ayuthaya, spokesperson of Angsana Laguna Phuket, said the resort was chosen for the event as it was the “newest resort in Laguna Phuket with the biggest beach club in Phuket”.
Angsana Laguna Phuket opened on December 1, 2011 after an extensive refurbishment costing US$50 million in 2012, which gave it a fresh and lively vibe along with material comforts.
Kamolux added: “The resort was also ideal as the organiser was looking for a new venue on Bang Tao Bay where guests can enjoy the event at different locations every night, while allowing all yachts owners, captains, crew and guests to see their (craft) and other participating ones parked along the bay.
“Although not participants stayed at the resort – many of them chose to stay on their yachts – it was very convenient for them to get onto the beach and to the (event venues in the) resort because there was a private jetty and private speedboat on standby throughout the event.”
The event kicked off in Tabak and Phak Tob meeting rooms. All participants, as well as local and international sponsors, media and guests, were greeted at a media welcome and captain’s briefing before heading to an opening cocktail onboard S/Y Silolona, one of the participating superyachts. A private jetty was constructed on the resort’s beachfront and speedboats were provided to get guests onto S/Y Silolona.
A race commenced on Bang Tao Bay the next day, and come evening, the delegates adjourned to Xana Beach Club for the Feadship Challenge, a gutter boat race in which competing crew must build a model boat from a simple kit and blow it quickly down a three-metre gutter course.
A standing cocktail was also arranged on Xana’s garden area. The buffet line and canapé selection featured Thai and international cuisine.
Samantha Caalsan, event manager of Asia Pacific Superyacht, was all praises for the dinner selection. She said: “Buffet food is never good but I have to give it to Angsana Laguna Phuket. The quality of the food was exceptional.”
The event culminated on December 18 with a gala dinner on the beachfront of Xana. Angsana Laguna Phuket arranged for Thai dancers to entertain guests during the pre-dinner cocktails, and then surprised everyone with the appearance of a baby elephant.
Dinner commenced under a white purpose-built marquee on Bang Tao Bay. A combination of buffet lines and live cooking stations provided a stream of popular local dishes such as Thai green curry and chicken massaman to keep delegates’ tummies happy.
Kamolux recalled that a wet weather programme had to be put in place for the Feadship Challenge and cocktails, as it was held outdoors and the weather in December had been unpredictable. If the sky had broken with rain, the event would be shifted to the resort’s Market Place Restaurant, which offers beautiful lagoon views and has both an air-conditioned indoor area and a sheltered outdoor space.
