Explorar Koh Phangan – Intelligence Briefing

Explorar Koh Phangan – Adults Only Resort and Spa (Dossier)

Executive Summary

A secluded modern sanctuary on Haad Rin Nai Beach, Koh Phangan – Explorar Koh Phangan’s beachfront infinity pool and minimalist architecture beckon travelers at sunset.

Overview: 

Explorar Koh Phangan – Adults Only Resort and Spa is a 4-star adults-only (16+) beachfront resort on Koh Phangan island (Thailand) known for its blend of tranquil wellness and vibrant party energy. The resort originally opened in 2012 (as “The COAST Resort”) and was reimagined and re-launched in late 2022 under the Explorar Hotels & Resorts brand​ tophotel.news​tophotel.news. It is co-owned by hospitality entrepreneur Gordon Oldham – founder of Pavilions Hotels & Resorts – together with partners Tim Sargeant, Adam Boulton, and CEO Niels Huby​ rli.uk.com​tophotel.news. The resort features 75 contemporary rooms, suites, and villas with a sleek, social design, including a signature co-working hub and an iconic infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Thailand​ tophotel.news.

Unique Concept: 

Explorar Koh Phangan positions itself as a “tropical hideaway” for millennials and digital nomads, combining leisure, remote work, and local discovery. It emphasizes three brand pillars – Experience, Exchange, Exhale – meaning guests are encouraged to explore offbeat locales, socialize in co-working and event spaces, and rejuvenate with wellness offerings​ rli.uk.com​rli.uk.com. Notably, the resort fosters a social travel ethos with amenities like The Exchange, a communal co-working lounge serving premium coffee and fast Wi-Fi ​tophotel.news. Regular curated events (sunset DJ sets, pop-up dining with local chefs, etc.) create a lively atmosphere, balanced by holistic wellness activities (yoga classes, spa treatments) for relaxation​ rli.uk.com​explorarhotels.com. This dual appeal – party-friendly yet wellness-oriented – sets Explorar apart from a typical island resort.

Financials & Performance: 

Explorar Koh Phangan operates in the upper-mid price segment (approximately THB 4,000–8,000 or US$120–250 per night, depending on season). It has been recognized for offering strong value for money (rated 5/5 for value by one travel review​herfavfood.com). Pre-pandemic occupancy at the property (as The COAST) was moderate – around 50–55% annual occupancy in 2017–2019​ samui-island-realty.com – reflecting Koh Phangan’s seasonal demand. Since the 2022 re-opening, anecdotal evidence from traveler reviews suggests occupancy has rebounded, especially around monthly Full Moon Party periods when the resort often sells out. The ownership – part of the Explorar/Pavilions group – is privately held, so detailed profitability figures are not published; however, management focuses on marketing ROI and guest satisfaction metrics to fine-tune the concept​ rli.uk.com. Staff have noted that the owner places high emphasis on employee well-being, which translates into excellent guest service (one guest remarked “the staff love the owner and spoke very highly of him”​ explorarhotels.com). The resort’s ADR (average daily rate) is generally in line with 4-star boutique resorts on the island, while its lean operational model (e.g. multi-use social spaces, local sourcing) aims to ensure healthy margins even at moderate occupancy.

Key Risks & Challenges: 

Despite its successes, the resort faces several risks. Seasonality and market volatility are a concern – Koh Phangan’s visitor numbers dip in monsoon months and global events like pandemics can sharply impact arrivals (indeed, the property was closed for nearly two years during COVID-19). The resort’s location near a party zone is a double-edged sword: while it attracts Full Moon partiers, some guests seeking solitude have complained about loud music on party nights​ tripadvisor.com​tripadvisor.com. Maintaining the right balance between lively and calm is an ongoing challenge. Additionally, the land is held on a leasehold (not owned outright) with under 12 years remaining​ samui-island-realty.com, posing a long-term uncertainty if lease renewal terms become unfavorable (the property was reportedly acquired for THB 50 million with ~16.5 years on the lease ​samui-island-realty.com). Environmental factors(beach erosion, climate impacts) and competition from new entrants in the Koh Phangan/Samui hotel market also represent potential headwinds (see §8 Potential Risks). Lastly, as a relatively new brand, Explorar must continue building awareness to compete with established chains.

Growth Potential: 

Explorar Koh Phangan shows strong growth potential given its innovative concept. The brand’s focus on digital nomads and experiential travel taps into a growing segment of travelers who seek community and authenticity. Koh Phangan itself is evolving beyond backpackers to attract upscale and remote-working visitors, which aligns with Explorar’s niche. The resort can boost occupancy in off-peak times by hosting retreats, creative workshops, and co-working residencies, leveraging its facilities. In the big picture, Explorar Hotels & Resorts is rapidly expanding – new projects like an Explorar resort in El Nido, Philippines (with 69 designer treehouse villas) are underway​ rli.uk.com – suggesting a rising brand halo that could benefit the Koh Phangan property through cross-marketing and combined itineraries (e.g. twin stays with the sister Explorar Koh Samui resort​ thegaypassport.com​thegaypassport.com). With continued emphasis on guest experience and adaptive marketing, Explorar Koh Phangan is well-poised to ride the post-2024 tourism uptick. In summary, this resort offers an “island playground” for adults – profitable and improving, yet mindful of the need to innovate and mitigate risks as it matures.

1. History of Creation

Founding and Early Years (2012–2016): 

The resort’s story begins in 2012, when it opened as The COAST Resort Koh Phangan, one of the island’s first dedicated adults-only (16+) hotels​ agoda.com. Developed by a local hospitality group, The COAST was built on Haad Rin Nai Beach – the quieter sunset side of the Haad Rin peninsula – to provide a tranquil escape adjacent to the famed Full Moon Party beach. The timing was strategic: Koh Phangan’s tourism was diversifying from purely backpacker bungalows toward more upscale boutique resorts, and The COAST rode this wave. By combining a party-friendly location (a 10-minute walk from Haad Rin’s nightlife) with modern amenities, it gained a strong reputation among European travelers and tour operators​ samui-island-realty.com. Notably, its minimalist architecture and infinity pool quickly became iconic in travel photos, helping to establish the resort as a trendsetter on the island. In the mid-2010s, The COAST’s success led its owners to expand to Koh Samui, launching a sister property in Mae Nam in 2016 (branded Sensimar Koh Samui in partnership with TUI’s adults-only line)​ reserving.com. This era saw The COAST Koh Phangan thrive with steady occupancy ~50% and popularity in the German and UK markets (often sold as a Full Moon Party package hotel)​ samui-island-realty.com​samui-island-realty.com.

Transition and Acquisition (2017–2021): 

By 2019, with its 75 rooms consistently in demand and the leasehold ticking down, the owners listed The COAST Koh Phangan for sale, seeking new investment. A listing in early 2020 advertised the resort (75 keys on 4.23 rai) for THB 50 million with remaining lease term ~16.5 years​ samui-island-realty.com. It highlighted the hotel’s strong reputation (“one of the very best Koh Phangan resorts”) and its amenities (beachfront restaurant, swim-up bar, gym, etc.) to entice buyers​ samui-island-realty.com​ samui-island-realty.com. Around this time, Gordon Oldham – a Hong Kong-based lawyer-turned-hotelier and founder of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts – took interest. Oldham, known for his adventurous approach to hospitality​ meettheleader.com​ meettheleader.com, was looking to develop a new lifestyle brand targeting younger travelers. In partnership with Tim Sargeant and Adam Boulton (seasoned hoteliers who had been managing The COAST/Sensimar properties), Oldham’s group acquired The COAST Koh Phangan (and its Koh Samui sister resort) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic (circa late 2020)​ tophotel.news. The pandemic forced the resort’s temporary closure, but this downtime was used to plan a rebirth.

Rebranding as Explorar (2022): 

In April 2022, Oldham and his co-founders formally launched Explorar Hotels & Resorts, a new boutique brand under the Pavilions umbrella​ tophotel.news. The COAST Koh Phangan was selected as one of two flagship properties to debut the Explorar concept (alongside the former Sensimar Koh Samui). An ambitious renovation and rebranding timeline was executed: the team lived on-site for months, undertaking structural upgrades and aesthetic revamps while developing new concepts​ rli.uk.com. Remarkably, despite COVID challenges, the resort reopened by Q4 2022 as Explorar Koh Phangan – Adults Only Resort and Spa, after just ~5 months of refurbishment ​rli.uk.com. The relaunch included introducing The Exchange co-working space, refreshing the décor with Explorar’s signature color pops and murals, and retraining staff to deliver a more experience-driven service. According to Explorar’s CEO Niels Huby, Koh Phangan (along with Samui) became a “testing ground” for the brand’s innovative ideas – from giant aquarium installations to music festivals – ensuring that the Explorar DNA was firmly embedded ​rli.uk.com​rli.uk.com.

Key Milestones: 

Since rebranding, Explorar Koh Phangan has hit several milestones. In 2023, it earned a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, reflecting excellent guest reviews in its first full year. The resort also pioneered new events like the “Full Moon Warm-Up Pool Party” (launched in 2023, see §4 Uniqueness), aligning itself with Koh Phangan’s festival calendar. Meanwhile, the Explorar brand’s growth continued: plans for a third property (Explorar El Nido in the Philippines) were unveiled​ rli.uk.com, demonstrating the success of the concept proved in Koh Phangan. The resort’s journey – from a locally-run 2012 startup, through a pandemic shutdown, to a 2022 rebirth under a visionary brand – illustrates an archetype of resilience and reinvention. It has weathered crises and emerged with a fresh identity, much like Koh Phangan itself which transformed over decades from a backpacker haven to a more upscale destination.

2. Owners and Team

Ownership: 

Explorar Koh Phangan is privately owned as part of the Explorar Hotels & Resorts collection. The principal owner is Gordon Oldham, a British-born lawyer and the founder of Pavilions Hotels & Resorts ​meettheleader.com. Oldham acquired the Koh Phangan property during the pandemic and brought it into the Explorar fold ​tophotel.news. He is known for his hands-on, entrepreneurial approach (having diverse ventures from publishing to adventure travel​ meettheleader.com) and is described as combining “creativity and disruption with business rigour”​ meettheleader.com. Oldham’s philosophy is evident in Explorar’s willingness to try new ideas (co-working lounges, pop-up events) and focus on community. The ownership structure likely involves a Thai-registered company (due to land lease requirements), with Oldham’s group holding the leasehold rights for the resort. Notably, Oldham also owns Explorar Koh Samui, enabling synergies between the two sister resorts ​thegaypassport.com.

Leadership & Management: 

Explorar Koh Phangan’s day-to-day operations are managed by a team installed by the brand’s co-founders. Niels Huby, Explorar’s CEO and Head of Development, oversees concept implementation across properties​ tophotel.news. On-site, a General Manager (often an experienced hospitality professional attuned to resort lifestyle trends) leads the staff. The management style is youthful, innovative, and guest-centric. As Huby noted, the Explorar ethos is to continually “develop and implement concepts” and then measure guest satisfaction and financial returns to refine them​ rli.uk.com. This data-driven yet creative approach filters down to the Koh Phangan team. Managers encourage staff to interact with guests in a casual, friendly manner – for example, learning each guest’s name and preferences. One guest named Sam praised, “I got treated like a king here. All the staff knew my name and worked hard to get everything set.”​ explorarhotels.com. Such feedback indicates a personalized service culture fostered by management. The resort staff are predominantly Thai (many hired from the local community), and Oldham has instilled a reputation for excellent staff treatment – guests have remarked on the team’s genuine happiness and dedication​ explorarhotels.com. This reflects a “people-first” management style, balancing professional training with a fun, inclusive workplace (the staff often partake in the social events they host).

Partners and Connections: 

Explorar Koh Phangan benefits from strategic partnerships. In terms of sales channels, it has ties with major tour operators – historically, TUI (Germany/UK) promoted the property when it was The COAST/Sensimar​ samui-island-realty.com, and those relationships likely continue under the new brand (albeit rebranded, it still appeals to the same adult-only market). The resort is also featured on OTA platforms with stellar reviews, boosting its online profile. Travel agent networks in Europe and Israel often bundle the resort for Full Moon Party tour packages. Additionally, the resort collaborates with its sister hotel Explorar Koh Samui: guests are offered combined stay packages and convenient inter-island transfers ​thegaypassport.com​thegaypassport.com, leveraging the two properties to encourage longer trips. On the island, Explorar has connected with local event organizers – for example, partnering with DJs and performers for its pool parties, and possibly working with Full Moon Party organizers for shuttles and safety. The brand’s emphasis on local community also means partnerships with local farmers and fishermen for supplies (sourcing fresh ingredients nearby) ​rli.uk.comand with community leaders on sustainability initiatives. For instance, Explorar began installing solar panels at the resort with extra capacity to share power with the local grid​ rli.uk.com, which would involve coordination with local authorities. These partnerships enhance the resort’s reputation as a responsible and connected member of the community.

Team and Organizational Culture: 

The Explorar Koh Phangan team can be visualized as a network of actors working in sync. At the top, Explorar HQ (Oldham, Huby, etc.) provides vision and marketing muscle; on the ground, the Resort GM and department managers (rooms, F&B, events, wellness) execute the vision daily. Supporting them is a staff of ~50–60, from front desk “Explorers” (as they dub their concierge crew) to chefs, bartenders, activity coordinators, and maintenance. The culture is dynamic – staff are cross-trained for flexibility (e.g. a bartender might also assist with social events). The presence of co-working spaces even influences the team structure: there’s likely an Events & Community Manager role tasked with organizing the daily activities and ensuring guests (especially solo travelers or remote workers) can mingle. The management style emphasizes empowerment – staff are encouraged to surprise guests with small acts of kindness. A guest story recounts how, after an injury, the team went above and beyond: “Everyone took care of me so well; I haven’t seen that anywhere… Fang was from another world.” ​explorarhotels.com. This suggests a team that is not just doing a job, but forming genuine bonds with guests. In essence, Explorar’s owners and managers cultivate a startup-like culture in a resort setting: experimental, passionate, and responsive, which has been key to the resort’s positive guest perception.

3. Uniqueness and “Wow” Factors

Explorar Koh Phangan distinguishes itself with a host of unique and “wow” factors – from design and amenities to experiences – that leave a lasting impression:

Modern Tropical Design: 

The resort’s architecture and décor set it apart on Koh Phangan. The style is “stylish and contemporary in a fresh minimalist design”​ samui-island-realty.com, featuring clean lines and open-air layouts that blur indoor and outdoor living. Buildings are low-rise (two-story), with floor-to-ceiling glass that showcases the turquoise sea views​herfavfood.com​herfavfood.com. A cool palette of deep blue and white dominates, mirroring the sky and ocean, accented by vivid pops of color (sunshine-yellow umbrellas, lush green palm fronds)​herfavfood.com. This design creates an “Instagram-perfect” backdrop – as noted by one travel site, the “insta-perfect beachfront infinity pool” and overall look make it a photographer’s dream​ thegaypassport.com. At night, creative lighting (glowing lanterns, pool lights) transforms the resort into a chic beach club ambiance. The integration of nature is another wow factor: coconut palms rise through the pool deck, and a sheer limestone cliff covered in jungle greenery towers behind the resort, giving a dramatic natural privacy wall. Many guests comment that watching sunsets from the infinity pool with the modernist hotel framing the view is “nothing short of breathtaking” ​explorarhotels.com. In sum, the visual atmosphere – a marriage of tropical paradise and sleek design – leaves a strong impression.

Infinity Pool & Beachfront Experience: 

The resort’s signature centerpiece is its oceanfront infinity pool. The long black-tiled pool seems to merge into the sea, offering unobstructed views of the Gulf. It features a swim-up bar with submerged stools, shaded by a bold cobalt-blue pergola (an eye-catching design element)​ samui-island-realty.com. Floating bean bags and sun loungers line the pool, and the pool deck extends right onto the sand. This layout gives guests a seamless pool-to-beach experience. The beach itself (Haad Rin Nai) is a “reserved sunset beach” area exclusive to resort guests ​samui-island-realty.com, set with cushioned loungers and service. While the beach’s water is shallow and somewhat rocky (not ideal for swimming at low tide, as some guests note ​booking.com), the resort turns this to an advantage by emphasizing sunset views and providing kayaks for guests to explore further out. The spectacle of the sunset – the sky turning orange and pink over the calm waters – is a daily event often accompanied by chill music at the pool bar. One reviewer said “watching the sunset from the swim-up bar was a magical experience I will cherish forever.” ​explorarhotels.com. That magical sunset pool moment is a hallmark “wow” factor that the resort uses as an emotional hook for guests.

The vibrant pool deck at Explorar Koh Phangan exemplifies its wow-factor design – a beachfront infinity pool with bright loungers and a swim-up bar invites guests to soak in panoramic Gulf of Thailand views.

Vibrant Social Spaces (Co-Working & Events): 

A core uniqueness of Explorar is how it blends work, play, and relaxation. The resort introduced “The Exchange” – a social co-working space – into its layout, which is very rare for island resorts. This air-conditioned lounge is equipped with fast Wi-Fi, charging stations, and even serves premium Starbucks coffee to guests who want to plug in laptops and get work done​ tophotel.news. This space doubles as a chill-out zone for conversations and board games, fostering a hostel-like camaraderie but in upscale surroundings. The co-working concept is a wow factor for remote workers: imagine doing your video meetings from a beachfront resort with an aquarium in the background (the brand teased “co-working spaces with gigantic aquariums” as one of the experimental ideas​ rli.uk.com). Whether or not the aquarium exists on Koh Phangan, the idea of a dedicated networking space is novel. Moreover, Explorar Koh Phangan has earned a name for its themed events and parties. Most famously, it hosts a “Full Moon Warm-Up Pool Party” every month on the afternoon of the Full Moon Party​ explorarhotels.com​explorarhotels.com. This event, open to guests (and sometimes outside visitors), transforms the pool area into a mini-festival: there’s a resident DJ spinning sunset beats (14:00–19:00), neon body-painting stations to get revelers ready for the night, and the bar serves signature cocktail buckets – a playful nod to Full Moon Party culture – but made with top-shelf ingredients​ explorarhotels.com. Guests rave about the warm-up party as it lets them enjoy the Full Moon hype in a more intimate, upscale setting before diving into the big beach rave​ explorarhotels.com. The resort even provides free shuttle transfers to Haad Rin Nok beach and a “hangover kit” waiting in the room afterwards​ explorarhotels.com​explorarhotels.com – thoughtful touches that elicit grins. Beyond Full Moon, the resort keeps the energy up with weekly events: e.g. Cinema under the Starsmovie nights, live acoustic music at the restaurant, beach bonfire gatherings, and morning yoga sessions. This curated social calendar means there’s “always something new and exciting at Explorar” as CEO Huby puts it​ rli.uk.com. The result is that guests leave with not just a vacation, but memories of unique experiences – a powerful differentiator.

Holistic Wellness and “Exhale” Moments: 

Counterbalancing the party side, Explorar Koh Phangan offers surprising wellness features that wow health-conscious travelers. The resort’s spa embraces modern wellness trends – for instance, it offers ice bath therapy in addition to traditional Thai massages​ explorarhotels.com. One guest was astonished, saying “I indulged in an ice bath and a hot stone massage... it was the best spa experience I’ve ever had.”​ explorarhotels.com. Few island resorts provide ice baths, so this has become a talking point. Daily yoga sessions at sunrise or sunset on a sea-view deck are complimentary​herfavfood.com, another pleasant surprise that adds value. There’s also a glass-walled fitness gym for workouts with a view of the garden. The synergy of these wellness offerings with the rest of the stay (a morning yoga class might follow a night of revelry) encapsulates the Explorar ethos of “experience and exhale.” Guests can party hard but also rejuvenate fully – a unique promise. The resort’s culinary program also contributes: the Odyssey restaurant focuses on “culturally rich cuisine” and healthy options, such as a Mediterranean menu with fresh local seafood and even vegetarian/vegan dishes (not typical in Haad Rin’s burger-pizza landscape) ​thegaypassport.com ​thegaypassport.com. Being able to detox with a green juice at breakfast and retox with a craft cocktail by evening is a subtle wow factor for guests who appreciate balance.

Micro-UX Surprises: 

Explorar delights guests with many small touches that collectively wow them. For example, on arrival, guests are often greeted with a local herbal welcome drink and a cold towel, but also a friendly orientation – staff personally walk guests to their rooms while pointing out where the best spot on the beach for sunset is, etc. In rooms, there are thoughtful details like a “memory jar” where guests are invited to write a note about their favorite experience and leave it (a charming way to engage guests and decorate the lobby with happy memories). The minibar might include a local Thai snack or herbal tea as a complimentary treat. As mentioned, on Full Moon Party nights, a Hangover Recovery Kit (with electrolyte drink, aspirin, and coconut water) is placed in guests’ rooms – this often elicits delighted laughter and gratitude​ explorarhotels.com​ explorarhotels.com. Another micro-UX element is sustainability-driven: the resort doesn’t use plastic water bottles; instead, each guest is provided a stylish reusable metal bottle with unlimited refills of purified water at stations – a small step that impresses eco-conscious travelers. Housekeeping might leave cute towel art on the bed (perhaps folded elephant towels wearing sunglasses for fun). Service surprises are also common: on a guest’s birthday, the team might organize a impromptu beach cake celebration. Such intimate gestures create a “wow” through emotional connection, beyond physical facilities.

Ideas for Improvement/Borrowing: 

While Explorar Koh Phangan already scores high on wow factors, there are always opportunities to elevate further. One idea is leveraging technology: the resort could introduce a dedicated mobile app or community platform for guests – akin to how cruise ships or co-living spaces do – where guests can join group chats (for coordinating meetups or yoga classes) and receive event notifications. This borrowed concept from social apps would deepen the “Exchange” pillar. Another idea drawn from luxury resorts: implement a “guest choice” music system at the pool during off-party hours (allow guests to collectively pick playlists via the app). Also, given the not-so-swimmable beach, the resort could borrow an idea from Maldivian resorts: build a small floating jetty or swimming platform just off the shore, allowing guests to sunbathe or jump into slightly deeper water beyond the rocky shallows (season permitting). From the wellness industry, introducing guided meditation sessions with local Buddhist monks or mindfulness workshops could add a cultural wow. And from the adventure sector, the resort might partner with dive operators or have its own water sports kiosk, turning the calm bay into a place for stand-up paddleboarding or guided kayak mangrove tours, further differentiating it. These enhancements, while not yet implemented, represent the kind of forward-thinking that Explorar’s management is open to – and hint at how the resort can continue surprising guests in the future.

part II