In 1987, Dusit recognised tourist trends towards resort style accommodations and acquired a hotel which was renovated to become the first resort property, Dusit Thani Pattaya, followed by another beach resort in Phuket - Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket. In 1989, the prestigious Dusit Resort and Polo Club opened in Hua Hin (now renamed Dusit Thani Hua Hin). Royal Princess Chiang Mai was opened in Chiang Mai, capital of the north in 1991, followed by a second northern hotel in Chiang Rai - Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai opened the same year.
In 1995, Dusit International acquired the Hotel Nikko Manila by purchasing shares in the holding company, Philippine Hoteliers Inc. (PHI), from Japan Airlines Development Company Limited and JAL Trading Inc. The Hotel Nikko Manila came under the management of Dusit Thani Hotels & Resorts, and was renamed the Dusit Hotel Nikko, Manila. In order to meet the high Dusit standards, the Manila hotel also underwent a major renovation programme and became Dusit Thani Manila in April 2008.