Phuket’s luxury resort landscape is preparing for a major new arrival as Rixos Water World Phuket gears up for its Thailand debut in early 2028. The ambitious beachfront development in Mai Khao will feature more than 600 guestrooms and villas, an integrated waterpark, extensive restaurants, sports and wellness facilities, entertainment venues, and major event spaces, creating one of the island’s largest new all-inclusive resort offerings.
Image Credit: Phuket Hotel News
As this Phuket Hotel News report reveals, Ennismore and Central Group Capital have signed an agreement to bring the Rixos brand to Thailand through the extensive refurbishment and rebranding of the existing Splash Beach Resort in Mai Khao. The project represents a significant vote of confidence in Phuket’s tourism sector and the growing demand for premium resorts offering far more than traditional accommodation.
A Giant New Resort for Mai Khao
Located in Thalang District along Phuket’s quieter northern coastline, Rixos Water World Phuket is being designed as a self-contained destination where guests can combine accommodation, dining, entertainment, recreation, and relaxation without leaving the resort.
More than 600 guestrooms and villas will give the property considerable scale, placing it among Phuket’s larger resorts. Its Mai Khao location should also appeal to international visitors seeking a less crowded alternative to tourism centers farther south.
The centerpiece will be an integrated waterpark featuring aquatic attractions aimed at different age groups. Rather than operating simply as an additional hotel amenity, the waterpark is expected to become one of the resort’s defining attractions and a major selling point for families.
Swimming pools, beach activities, organized sports, live entertainment, music, and evening performances will further expand the experience.
Dining Becomes Part of the Attraction
Rixos is also putting significant emphasis on food and beverage, with five distinctive venues planned.
The company’s world of choice dining philosophy will combine extensive all-day dining with specialty à la carte restaurants and relaxed beachfront options. Guests can expect Thai and Asian cuisine alongside Italian, Latin American, and other international selections.
Bars, lounges, casual dining, and poolside snacks will complement the restaurants throughout the day. The concept forms part of Rixos’ All Inclusive All Exclusive philosophy, which seeks to elevate the conventional all-inclusive model through premium dining, beverages, entertainment, activities, and experiences incorporated into a guest’s stay.
That approach could prove particularly significant in Phuket, where upscale resorts are increasingly competing on experiences rather than rooms alone.
Families Sports and Wellness Drive the Concept
Families will sit at the heart of the new resort. A dedicated Kids Club will provide activities focused on creativity, discovery, and play, while teenagers will have a separate Teens Club offering social and entertainment spaces.
Active guests will have access to an Exclusive Sports Club incorporating an indoor gym, multifunctional spaces for group classes, sports courts, and an outdoor jungle gym near the beach.
For travelers seeking relaxation, a spa inspired by Rixos’ Turkish hospitality heritage will provide a quieter counterpoint to the resort’s waterpark and entertainment facilities.
The property is also expected to contain one of Phuket’s largest banqueting and MICE facilities. This could allow Rixos Water World Phuket to compete for conferences, incentive groups, corporate gatherings, weddings, and major events while maintaining its core leisure and family business.
Rixos Makes a Strategic Move into Thailand
François Baudin, Chief Business Officer for Rixos and the ALL Inclusive Collection, has described the Thai signing as an important development in the company’s Asian expansion.
Together with Rixos Phu Quoc in Vietnam, the Phuket resort will expose new regional audiences to the brand’s experience-led model combining restaurants, entertainment, sports, wellness, and extensive facilities for children and teenagers.
Central Group Capital also sees substantial long-term potential in Phuket.
Soravit Chairoj, Managing Partner and Co-Head of Central Group Capital, said the development would bring a differentiated all-inclusive concept to Thailand while strengthening Phuket’s appeal to families and international travelers searching for experience-focused resorts.
The partnership combines Rixos’ international resort expertise with Central Group’s strong position in Thailand, potentially giving the project an important advantage as it enters an intensely competitive hospitality market.
Ennismore Pushes Further into All Inclusive Resorts
The Phuket project forms part of a much larger expansion by Ennismore in the global all-inclusive sector. The group has more than 70 all-inclusive resorts operating or under development, representing over 30000 rooms worldwide.
Its expanding portfolio includes properties under Rixos, SO, Hyde, SLS, and Swissôtel, while projects are appearing across destinations including Mexico, Egypt, Dubai, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other major leisure markets.
Rixos Water World Phuket will join Ennismore’s ALL Inclusive Collection, a platform intended to reshape perceptions of all-inclusive vacations by emphasizing design, premium food, entertainment, activities, and elevated service.
Phuket Prepares for a Powerful New Competitor
When Rixos Water World Phuket opens in 2028, it could significantly raise Mai Khao’s profile in Phuket’s increasingly competitive resort sector. Its combination of more than 600 rooms and villas, a major waterpark, premium dining, entertainment, sports, wellness, and large event facilities gives the development the scale to become a destination in its own right.
More importantly, its performance could indicate whether premium all-inclusive resorts have greater growth potential across Thailand. For Phuket, the project brings another globally recognized hospitality name while reinforcing Mai Khao’s transformation into a serious luxury and family tourism hub. If successful, the resort could influence future developments well beyond the island and encourage more international operators to explore experience-led all-inclusive concepts in Thailand.
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