Rixos is entering Thailand. The brand’s first resort in the country is scheduled to open in Phuket in early 2028, featuring more than 600 rooms and villas, a large water park and Rixos’ signature All Inclusive, All Exclusive concept, DKNews.kz reports.
Ennismore and Central Group Capital have signed an agreement for the project. Following a major renovation, the existing property on Mai Khao Beach will reopen as Rixos Water World Phuket, becoming another step in the brand’s expansion across Asia.
The hotel will not be built from scratch
One of the key details is that Rixos Water World Phuket is not a greenfield development. The property is already under Ennismore management and is expected to reopen under the Rixos brand in early 2028 after an extensive renovation.
It will become the first Rixos in Thailand. Founded in Türkiye, the brand is known for its All Inclusive, All Exclusive model, combining accommodation with dining, entertainment, sports, wellness programmes and family-focused facilities. The concept is described on Rixos’ official page within the Ennismore portfolio.
The company is simultaneously expanding elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The press release also names Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam, which is scheduled to open by the end of 2026.
Ennismore previously presented Rixos Phu Quoc as the first all-inclusive Rixos project in Asia.
More than 600 rooms and a major water park
Rixos Water World Phuket will be located on Mai Khao Beach in Phuket’s Thalang district.
The resort will offer more than 600 rooms and villas. Five restaurants and bars with different culinary concepts are planned, while the entire property is expected to become one of the island’s larger resort complexes.
Its main entertainment attraction will be a large water park for both children and adults.
Beyond the beach and swimming pools, the resort will feature sports programmes, spa and wellness treatments, evening performances, live music and shows. It will also include one of Phuket’s largest venues for banquets, conferences and major events.
That positions the property across several segments at once: family holidays, premium leisure and the MICE market.
Five restaurants will be part of the all-inclusive offer
The food and beverage programme will follow Rixos’ World of Choice philosophy.
The resort will serve international dishes alongside Thai, Asian, Italian and Latin American cuisine. Guests will have access to all-day dining restaurants, à la carte venues, beach restaurants and bars, poolside food options and lounges. These offerings are planned as part of the overall all-inclusive concept.
Children will have a dedicated Rixy Kids Club, while teenagers will get a separate Teens Club. The sports facilities will include a modern gym, a multifunctional studio for group classes, an outdoor training area near the beach and several sports courts.
“Rixos’ entry into the Thai market is an important milestone for the brand as we continue to expand our premium all-inclusive offering in Asia. With the new projects — Rixos Water World Phuket and Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam, which is scheduled to open by the end of this year — we will introduce the signature Rixos approach to a wider audience. At its core are a diversity of experiences and full immersion in the holiday atmosphere,” said François Baudin, Chief Development Officer of Rixos and ALL Inclusive Collection.
Phuket is already a major destination for Kazakh travellers
The project also has a direct connection to Kazakhstan’s outbound tourism market.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 200,000 tourists from Kazakhstan visited Thailand in 2025, with a significant share travelling to Phuket. As of January 2026, 34 direct flights per week were operating between the two countries, including 21 to Phuket. The figures were published in an official statement by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry.
There is another sign of the route’s importance: since 2025, the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Phuket has been operating on the island, with a consular district covering 14 southern provinces of Thailand.
That means the arrival of a major all-inclusive brand in Phuket affects a destination that already attracts substantial demand from Kazakhstan.
Prices for Kazakh travellers, package-tour arrangements and the exact opening date for bookings have not yet been disclosed in the press release.
Kazakh travellers already know the Water World concept from Aktau
There is an even more direct link to the brand.
Kazakhstan is already home to Rixos Water World Aktau. On the official Rixos website, the Caspian Sea resort is presented around the brand’s all-inclusive concept.
For Kazakh travellers, the Water World name and the format planned for Phuket are therefore familiar: a water park, family facilities, restaurants, sports and entertainment concentrated within a single resort complex.
Rixos Water World Aktau has also become a notable property in Kazakhstan’s inbound tourism market. We previously reported that it ranked among the most popular hotels in Kazakhstan among foreign visitors according to eQonaq data. More than 14,500 foreign guests stayed there in 2024.
Ennismore is expanding its all-inclusive portfolio
The Phuket project is part of a broader strategy by Ennismore.
According to the company, its all-inclusive portfolio includes more than 70 operating and pipeline properties with over 30,000 rooms. Further expansion is planned in Mexico, Egypt and Dubai.
Rixos Water World Phuket will become part of Ennismore’s ALL Inclusive Collection, which brings together resorts operated under several hospitality brands.
“We consider Phuket one of Asia’s most promising tourism destinations, with significant potential for the long-term development of the hospitality industry. Rixos Water World Phuket will introduce a new all-inclusive resort concept to Thailand and make the island even more attractive to families and travellers from around the world who value resorts with a wide range of leisure options,” said Soravit Chairod, Managing Partner and Co-Head of Central Group Capital.
For Kazakhstan, Phuket is no longer a niche winter destination. We previously reported on the opening of Kazakhstan’s consulate in Phuket and the growing flow of Kazakh tourists to Thailand. Now a familiar resort format is joining that market: Thailand’s first Rixos is expected to welcome guests in early 2028.
