AKARYN Hospitality Management Services (AHMS), the brainchild of Thai boutique resort Aleenta’s founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn, will be launching two new brands, akyra and Akaryn, in Thailand this year. This will expand its regional portfolio to 10 properties within five years.

All positioned as luxury resort brands, Aleenta provides a pure and simple resort experience, akyra targets young and energetic travellers, and Akaryn focuses on more mature crowds, Anchalika explained.

The 62-key akyra Chura Samui on Chaweng Beach, slated to open in June, will be the first resort under AHMS management.

A 30-key property on Choeng Mon Beach, Koh Samui, acquired earlier this year, will be closed from May 1 for renovations and expansion to 60 keys. It will re-open as the first Akaryn resort.

The 28-key Aleenta Phuket - Phang Nga Resort and Spa, opened in 2006, will be rebranded under Akaryn this year. Another Akaryn resort with 26 pool villas is being developed on a small island off Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Anchalika said her first resort, the 23-key Aleenta Hua Hin - Pranburi Resort and Spa that opened in 2003, would remain as the only Aleenta property.

AHMS was looking to open a few more properties in Thailand, as well as in Bali, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Anchalika added.