Destination Phuket

The kingdom’s largest island, Phuket is Thailand’s preeminent playground offering everything from frenetic nightlife to white sand beaches; some of Southeast Asia’s most elite resort and spa are based on this teardropshaped jewel of the Andaman Sea.

Accomodation
The most desirable and exclusive property in Phuket, Amanpuri has an unrivalled reputation as a luxury resort where personal service, recreational facilities and fine cuisine complement the unique splendor of its surroundings. The Amanpuri offers beautifully decorated Thai style pavilions, a private beach, grass and hard tennis courts, and a private fleet of 20 cruisers and sailing craft on quiet and picturesque Pansea Beach, providing all the watersports you could ever want.

Situated on a pristine ten-kilometer beach about one hour north of Phuket town, Aleenta is designed with the signature Outside Living In philosophy, with highly personalized service, meticulous attention to detail, and extensive spa treatments, including yoga retreats and supervised detox sessions. This is much more than sun, sea and sand: Aleenta bills itself as a sanctuary of mind and body. Families can choose between an Ocean View Residence, with two bedrooms, private pool, and full sea views; or the larger Beachfront Villas, with a third bedroom and direct beach access.

Trisara (Sanskrit for Third Garden in Heaven), is a sanctuary of privacy, space and simple good taste. The resort’s Pool Suites are built on gently sloping contours embracing the oceanfront and sea breezes that flow throughout the property. The Trisara Spa sits in an area of 1500 square metres on the hillside above the Pool Villas, using only organic massage oils with no chemicals or preservatives while offering many healing therapies such as Yoga, Reiki, personal training, Nia and Pilates.

An oasis of peace, Banyan Tree Phuket, is tranquility-exuding seclusion; a place of luxury and romance. This exotic hideaway boasts the finest facilities and ambience, such as the Spa Pool Villa with its unique floating kingsized bed pavilion, draped in pure Thai silk and looks up on a canopy ceiling adorned with soft fabrics that sway gently in the breeze. A dedicated in-villa spa, with private pool, jet-pool, outdoor shower and sunken bath, sets the stage for relaxing days and passionate nights.

Small and intimate, hidden in a hillside exotic jungle overlooking the Andaman Sea is The Villa Zolitude. Within this tropical oasis replete with rustic charm is a place as luxurious and sophisticated as one could wish for. Within each exclusive cottage is an exotic fusion of earth and Moroccan luxurious touch; a level of sophistication, ultra-modern style and impeccable service that vividly contrasts with the primitive surroundings.

A most unique home style atmosphere set on a secluded headland of the legendary Cape Panwa, Sri Panwa Phuket Resort is one of very few locations which commands panoramic views from the top of the cape and has an exclusive private beach. Sri Panwa offers accommodation of eight two-bedroom Pool Villas of 300 sq. meters each, and three one-bedroom Pool Villas of 252 sq. meters each, all lavishly appointed with handcrafted furnishings and offering unobstructed stunning beauty of the ocean views.

An ideal holiday villa retreat, Rising Sun Residence is located on the southeast coast of Phuket. Here, Thai Taksin-styled villas, tastefully decorated and nestled on a hillside seventy metres above sea level, provides a stunning view of Chalong Bay and the yachts moored around its bustling pier. Four of these features are a private swimming pool and Jacuzzi, spacious living room, large dining room and fully equipped kitchen. The remaining two share a large infinity-edge swimming pool with Jacuzzi and panoramic sun deck. Five one-bedroom villas are set around a spacious free form pool with sun deck and Jacuzzi. The glittering Chalong Temple in the distance creates an immense sense of serenity, especially in the early morning light.

Cape Yamu is an exclusive luxury residential development on Phuket’s East Coast, taking full advantage of stunning sea views over Phang Nga Bay. The unique peninsula setting, stunning design and architecture by Philippe Starck of YOO and Jean-Michel Gathy of Aman Resorts fame ensures that Cape Yamu is already recognized as one of the most sought-after addresses in Phuket. The premium boutique hotel here, The Yamu, will have 61 luxurious guest rooms and two duplex suites, one of which will be attached to a state-of-the-art recording studio. There will also be a lavish spa, a 100-meter swimming pool, and world-class restaurant and entertainment areas. For ultimate privacy, the Club Villas, each with its own bar, car and driver, will form an exclusive hotel-within-the-hotel, promising to redefine luxury hotels for the new century.

Spa
Scheduled to open in December 2007 the Six Senses Erawan, on the island of Naka Yai, brings to you unequalled spa treatments in a luxurious private atmosphere composed of Pool Villas and Pool Villa Suites, each with a minimum of 450 sqm of personal space. Guided by Feng Shui and the four elements of life guest can experience complete immersion in personal programs designed to enrich life and positive lifestyle changes. Naka Yai is a 10 minute boat ride from Phuket where visitors are surrounded by unparalleled views of Phang Nga Bay and the lush tropical jungle of Thailand. Preventive wellness, a fitness program, healthy eating, private steam showers and oversized bathrooms and tailored treatment programs are just a few of the things available to bring your life back in balance.

Shopping
One of Thailand’s most spectacular shopping and entertainment zones, Jungceylon features a host of international retailers and high quality restaurants, pubs and clubs in the vibrant entertainment district of Patong. At the Soul of Asia Master Paintings & Antiques Gallery, Mr. Eric Smulder has created the largest western art gallery in Asia including a special collection of Chigall, Dali, Picasso and Warhol. With more than 700 sqm of space in the center of Phuket Town, it boasts masterpiece paintings, antiques, Chinese Antique furniture, rugs, and porcelain. Soul of Asia has everything you will need to decorate your home in timeless style.

Transportation
Nothing incorporates the journey into the fun of a tropical vacation like hopping on a seaplane. With Destination Air shuttle service ferrying passengers around the Andaman Islands from Krabi and Phuket aboard a nine-seat Cessna 208 and a four-seat Cessna 206, the opportunity of stepping off a plane onto a floating pier in the middle of pristine turquoise waters is within reach. Who says luxury is confined to hotels and resorts? Asia Marine offers crewed yachts and catamarans for exciting daytrips headlined by the opulent chartered yacht Blue Gold, which can accommodate eight to ten live-onboard passengers for longer nautical adventures. Anchors aweigh!

For island hopping the Andaman Sea in sybaritic style, nothing compares to Tawan Cruises for its chartered motor yachts, with state of the art entertainment systems along with generous eating and seating facilities. All Tawan Cruises vessels are equipped for a very high level of safety with the latest onboard navigational equipment, with well-appointed sleeping cabins for overnight excursions and these are the perfect boat for extended cruises as well as exhilarating day-long expeditions.