At a Glance
On Phuket’s longest seashore, Anantara Phuket has eighty-three villas scattered along Mai Khao, one of this island’s best beachfronts and waterways designed to resemble a traditional Thai fishing village.
Indagare Loves
- The great Kids’ Club, a rarity on Phuket
- Waterfront restaurant Sea.Fire.Salt for tasty seafood
- Beautiful Mai Khao Beach
- The lush tropical garden setting
Review
On Phuket’s northwest side, Anantara Phuket’s eighty-three villas are scattered along Mai Khao, one of this island’s best beachfronts and waterways designed to resemble a traditional Thai fishing village. Inside these high ceilinged houses with Wi-Fi, iPods and docking stations, flat screen TVs and DVD players, espresso machines, gourmet snacks and a wine cellar, the focal point is the pillow top bed, canopied by mosquito netting. Natural fibers decorate the interior and the walk-in closet is a plus. The bathroom extends from an indoor shower with relaxation bench to an outdoor rain shower, both stocked with bespoke bath products made with ylang-ylang, cardamom and frankincense. Each villa has its own private swimming pool, no meager plunge pools here and many add overwater relaxation spaces with cushioned day beds. Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley does some of his most elegant work here in the gardens, lavishing the grounds with indigenous greenery and fuchsia lotus flowers, a magnet for birds.
The hotel’s numerous restaurants offer a range of food from Italian and Thai to barbecue and notably tasty seafood at the waterfront Sea.Fire.Salt. As with all Anantara properties, the spa is a strong suit, and the Turtle Club, for kids, will keep the little ones safe and happy. Indeed, having a great kids’ club (rare on Phuket) could well turn out to be the hotel’s raison d’être. If you can tear yourself away from your room, you can enjoy moonlight canoe trips on a stunning lagoon, sunset cruises aboard a private fishing boat, a diving expedition to the Similan Islands and a picnic breakfast at a rubber plantation. The packed weekly schedule of onsite activities also includes beach power walks, batik painting, cocktail making and Thai language lessons, which come in handy as the staff here struggles a bit with English.
Who Should Stay
Complete privacy means these generous villas work well for couples but the resort itself functions best for families with its extensive activity menus for kids and adults. Mai Khao Beach is one of Phuket’s longest and best, so this is also a good choice for travelers who want more than just a fantastic pool.
Written by Cynthia Rosenfeld
