Thailand-based hospitality company Dusit International has signed a deal to manage the first internationally branded luxury resort in Wanfo Lake, an eco-tourism development zone near Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, eastern China.

Renown for its natural beauty, the remote Wanfo region is tipped to become a vibrant destination for nature tourism over the next decade.

Dusit Thani Hot Springs Resort Wanfo Lake will be the first property operated by a non-Chinese company to open at Wanfo Lake.

The resort will have 150 guest rooms and villas; an all-day dining restaurant and a Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms.

A key feature of the five-star resort is its unique destination wellness centre that will include natural, outdoor hot springs pools set against a tranquil and picturesque landscape.

The natural springs will be complemented by Dusit’s own Devarana Spa delivering Thai-inspired treatments in four luxuriously appointed treatment rooms.

Facilities at the spa are yet to be confirmed, but will include a well-equipped gym and an indoor swimming pool.

The resort is scheduled to open in Q4 2019.

Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer of Dusit International, said: “In keeping with our aggressive expansion plan in China, we will introduce our unique brand of Thai hospitality to this newly developed leisure area of this beautiful province,”

“With its luxury wellness concept, we believe that Dusit Thani Hot Springs Resort Wanfo Lake will set a benchmark in guest experience in the local hospitality industry, making it an attractive choice for domestic and international visitors alike.”

Dusit is currently in the middle of a significant growth phase, which will see the number of Dusit properties reach more than double to 70 within the next three to four years across key markets worldwide. Dusit currently operates 29 properties across four brands – Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2 and DusitPrincess – in eight countries.

In China, the company currently operates five hotels and has more than 20 properties confirmed in the pipeline.