Marriott International has signed an agreement with KS Hotels and Resorts to open two hotels — a 160-room Moxy and Thailand's first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy with 60 units — on Memories Beach in Matalay, a new 200-hectare destination on the Khao Lak coast in Phang Nga province.

Both properties will sit at the northern end of Memories Beach, sharing 1.4 km of Andaman beachfront with the existing JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. A dedicated 3 km jogging and cycling track through forests and lakes will link the JW Marriott to the south with the Matalay township, effectively stitching the three properties into one integrated resort cluster under separate brands.

The signing deepens an established ownership relationship. KS Hotels and Resorts, a privately held Asia-Pacific hotel investor, already owns the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa in Australia, Moxy Sydney Airport and the upcoming AC Hotel by Marriott Gold Coast. Its portfolio also includes La Résidence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection resort in Luang Prabang, opening in late 2026.

What does each property bring?

Moxy Khao Lak Memories Beach is the brand's first location in Southern Thailand. The 160 rooms will surround a freeform pool, with retro surf-era design referencing the adjacent Memories surf village. F&B and amenity programming includes the Moxy Bar & Restaurant, pool and beach bars, an expansive gym and a beachfront events lawn — a configuration aimed at the social, select-service segment rather than the traditional resort guest.

Matalay Khao Lak, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will offer 60 two-bedroom apartments of 110 sqm each, every unit with a full kitchen and washer-dryer. Units come with pool access or ocean views. The format targets extended-stay demand — families and remote workers — in a market where Khao Lak's positioning has so far leaned on conventional resort inventory.

Marriott is licensing both brands under management-style agreements typical of its Asia-Pacific portfolio; KS Hotels and Resorts funds the development. The company did not disclose opening dates, room rates or investment values in the announcement.

Why Phang Nga, and why now?

Rajeev Menon, President of Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International, framed the deal as a vehicle for repositioning the wider destination. "Matalay is a ground-breaking development that will elevate Phang Nga from a tourist resort to a holistic lifestyle destination," he said. "For two of our brands to be at the heart of this township, including Thailand's first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, reflects the strength of our relationship with KS Hotels and Resorts."

The destination build-out extends well beyond lodging. Matalay's master plan includes surf lessons with the local Khao Lak surf community, kayaking on multiple lakes and lagoons, forest bathing and wellness facilities, elephant care and conservation programming, a 36-hole mini-golf course, live music at beach bars and a spread of dining outlets — amenities designed to lengthen stays and spread spend across the township.

Access is also improving. Both hotels will sit 75 minutes by road from Phuket International Airport, which is undergoing an expansion expected to lift capacity to 18 million passengers a year by 2029. That added airlift underpins the owner's bet that Khao Lak can absorb a second and third Marriott-branded property without diluting rate.

For Marriott, the deal extends a multi-brand cluster strategy already proven at Matalay: one owner, one beachfront, three products spanning select-service, extended-stay and full-scale resort. More signings with KS Hotels and Resorts look plausible, with Marriott stating it looks forward to "introducing new brands and destinations for travelers" with the group.