anantara phuket: phuket hotels beach

Location

Phuket has been looking for a new product to rival Phuket’s top 5* properties for a while and now it has something not only to rival, but surpass that level, not just in terms of the quality of the hotel and villas but also in location. Set in the north western corner of Thailand’s largest island, it has found a stretch of unspoilt sand that reminds one of Phuket of 30 years ago.

This is an all pool villa resort with 83 villas in total but they are spread over grounds of c. 40 acres so there is good a feeling of space. Opened in October 2008, the resort has a very fresh feel and all the touches one would expect from Asia’s leading Boutique Collection.

Rooms

Each Villa is 180m2 - the difference in categories is purely down to view (except the Sala Villas which have an additional dining gazebo at the back and the Similan Suite which is a 360m2 2 bedroom villa down near the beach).

The L-shape interiors house a large bedroom of 45m2, a large dressing area and then a huge walk in bathroom which has double vanity basins, separate shower and toilet cubicles and then sliding doors to a great feature - the bath, which sits inside the pool but separated on its open side by a glass panel keeping bath water in and pool water out. Another great touch from the innovative Anantara management.

The pool is surrounded by decking with a gazebo in the corner with a bar area, table, chairs and sun loungers. This accommodation really is top of the tree in Phuket now, setting new standards in design, size and also the quality of the features and build.

Spa

Unlike a lot of Spas, even in the top bracket, Anantara have allowed a huge area for this facility. Just to get to the treatment room took a couple of minutes walk over beautiful suspended wooden walkways. The rooms themselves have left no leaf unturned in terms of size and facilities allowing you to change, shower and take your treatment all within one large relaxation emporium.

Spa ambience and design is nothing without its therapists but here again they deliver, as expected, even though we requested something completely off the menu. A Spa should not just deliver treatments that satisfy but create the right ambience through music and smell and Anantara does that perfectly, using the right oils for what we wanted to achieve and all done in luxurious yet natural surroundings, the quality of which, any Spa in the world would aspire to reach.

Dining

With a General Manager who’s history is deeply rooted in some of the finest kitchens in the hotel world, it’s no wonder the dining facilities here deliver not only top quality but innovative food and great choice. Even a simple Pad Thai at the hotels beachside restaurant, “Sea Fire Salt”, had quirky presentation and a twist on the traditional without losing its origin.

Breakfast in “La Sala” is a very hearty affair of cereals, breads, fruits, cold platters, various live cooking stations, pastries and much more.

Aside to this there are bar options “The Tree House” and “Infinity” serving drinks and light bites including Thai fusion tapas. “La Sala” turns into a very good Italian at night but also offers a good array of Thai dishes, meaning your spice addiction is well catered for.

Other Activities

Diving on the nearby Similan Islands has to be a highlight and full PADI courses are available. Aside this, there is golf 10 minutes drive away, a visit to the Gibbon rehabilitation centre, an excursion to the Phi Phi islands or Koh Sireh, the origin of all Phuket’s indigenous inhabitants.

You can even charter a luxury Sunseeker Yacht with a captain to show you any of the nearby islands.

Activities on site include 3 tennis courts (flood lit), Yoga and Aerobics, the Turtle Club for kids to learn arts and crafts, a gym, cycling and cooking classes.

Final Word

Anantara Phuket has all the modern facilities to cater for many types of people looking for different things from their holiday. If you want to simply relax and hideaway you need never leave the confines of the palatial villas, but for the more adventurous, a host of activities on and off site await.

Add to that the laid back atmosphere that Anantara succeed in creating where other 5* fail, and the location in a quiet corner of Phuket with a good beach, means any excuses for not coming to Phuket have now been eradicated!

For more information about this hotel please download our printable PDF Fact sheet from here