Meritus to manage resort on Funtasy Island

SINGAPORE: Asian hospitality chain Meritus Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Funtasy Island Development Pte Ltd (FID) for the management of a deluxe resort development on Funtasy Island.

The development comprises a 200-room condotel, a 230-suite hotel, and 413 villas. Located on Riau Islands, Indonesia, Funtasy Island is envisioned to be the largest eco theme park and the first gated island community in the world.

Slated to open next year, Funtasy Island will house hotel suites and villas complementing retail, convention, dining and recreational facilities over 810 acres (327ha).

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Funtasy Island Development in bringing this one-of-a-kind resort development into the international limelight.

Adding into the equation our signature brand of Asian hospitality and over 40 years of proven hotel management expertise, we are uniquely positioned to drive the product and service offerings of Funtasy Island’s hotel and villas,” MHR deputy CEO Chua Tian Chu said at the signing ceremony recently.

“This landmark development is our first response to the growing demand for eco-tourism, as well as the fulfilment of our very own vision of the largest eco theme park in the world — exposing more travellers to the rich and incomparable experience of natural island living.

From a strategic standpoint, tapping the hospitality expertise of Meritus certainly enhances the potential of Funtasy Island to carve a formidable niche as an eco-resort destination of global standing,” said FID managing director Michael Yong.

Situated 16km off the coast of Singapore, Funtasy Island is accessible via a 20-minute luxury yacht or ferry ride from the Harbourfront ferry terminal.

The island is about two-thirds the size of Sentosa island, with 70% of its total area being preserved as a nature sanctuary. Upon completion, Funtasy Island will be the first development of its kind.