Andara

Built by a villa owner at Amanpuri who also happens to be one of Hong Kong’s top restaurateurs, this all villa property fans out from the colossal 130-foot long infinity pool into the hills above Kamala Beach.

• Generously proportioned multi-bedroom villas
• Sleek Thai interiors
• Excellent spa treatments
• Buzzing Kamala Beach club

Built by a villa owner at Amanpuri who also happens to be one of Hong Kong’s top restaurateurs, this all villa property fans out from the colossal 130-foot long infinity pool into the hills above Kamala Beach. Guestrooms filled with Thai antiques are clad in warm, polished wood with plenty of neutral hued pillows and cushions on the Thai inspired daybeds, all with roomy sea facing terraces. The mattress and pillow top on the beds are some of Phuket’s plushest, and the deep soak bathtub is built for two. Standard accommodations come with an exceptional kitchen outfitted with Gaggia espresso maker and a shiny array of cooking appliances plus a considerable living and dining area. The colossal LCD flat screen television in the living room of standard accommodations here is a mixed blessing: stare into its considerable 52” dimensions or take maximum outdoor advantage of this tropical location. Other in-room technology includes a Bose surround sound stereo and speakers in every room, iPod docks and another massive flatscreen television in the bedroom, both with notably straightforward remote controls.

Starting with one-bedroom suites, room category configurations here are slightly unusual: opt to upgrade from the standard model and another door of these multi-bedroom villas is unlocked for your use. Thus these one to six bedroom accommodations work best when reserved as a whole villa for family and friends. Each villa encompasses a generous infinity pool, incorporated within certain room types.

The poolside Thai restaurant, Silk, balances Thai classics like som tom and pad Thai with fresh Western salads, grilled fish and hearty cuts of meats. The six-treatment room spa is under the radar but one of Phuket’s most restorative. Try signature treatments and an excellent mani-pedi. To indulge without anxiety, leave younger ones at the well-managed Kids Club, known for keeping little ones busy.

While not on the beach, the hotel does have a barefoot chic private club on nearby Kamala Beach and a shuttle to ferry guests for the five-minute ride. Also close by is Patong Beach for those seeking the island’s throbbing nightlife while others will prefer to rent the 92-foot and 115-foot air-conditioned motor yachts that cruise the Andaman. Head for Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Island and to dive among the Similan Islands in search of turtles, barracudas, ghost pipe fish, lion fish, scorpion fish, grouper, sea horses, black tip reef sharks, leopard sharks, sea snakes, soft coral and spectacular anemones.

Those willing to trade staying on the beach for more space and hillside panoramas as a slightly lower price, as well as spa sybarites, nightlife seekers, friends traveling together and families.