[Phuket] Amatara Spa at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa

Categories phuket
[Phuket] Amatara Spa at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa

Amatara Spa at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa

Add: 84/1 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Tambon Vichit, Cape Panwa, Phuket 83000 
Tel: +66 (0) 7620-0808
Hours: 10am-8pm
Website: amataraphuket.com
Price: Signature Massage 2,500 THB/90 minutes
Visited: Feb 2015

In Phuket, massages and spas are pretty much obligatory. Whether you are looking for simple street side massage shops or luxurious spa facilities in five-star resorts, the island has much to offer. On the posh end of things, there is Amatara Spa at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, a 1,650-sqm space with 8 private treatment rooms open to the ocean breeze, offering services from traditional Thai massage to specialty beauty treatments. I was lucky to spend a morning here, and it was a few hours of pure indulgence to say the least.

L1127587

L1127585

At the reception, I was offered a glass of soothing herbal tea while I filled out a simple questionnaire about my physical conditions. From the list of treatments available, I chose The Signature of Amatara Massage (2,500++ THB/90 min.) and sampled a few massage oils before settling on pure coconut oil, which is recommended for those with a sensitive skin. There are other oil blends designed to rejuvenate, energize, or sooth – whatever you need.

L1127592

I was then led to the treatment room by my very soft-spoken therapist. Now, I don’t think anyone would complain about getting a massage with this view in the background…

L1127622

Continue Reading "[Phuket] Amatara Spa at Regent Phuket Cape Panwa" →

[Phuket] Regent Cape Panwa

Categories phuket
[Phuket] Regent Cape Panwa

Regent Cape Panwa

Add: 84 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, T. Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel: +66 76 200 800
Website: www.regenthotels.com/EN/Phuket
Email: reservations.phuket@regenthotels.com
Prices: Premier Sea View 6,024 THB/night ~ Ocean Pool Villa 12,384 THB/night
Visited: Feb 2015

Please note that this was a complimentary stay arranged by the resort.

Regent Phuket Cape Panwa is a relatively new addition to the island’s luxury resort scene, but has already been garnering oohs and aahs from guests all over the world – and it’s easy to see why. When I arrived in the late afternoon, the whole resort was enshrouded in a soft, glowing light from the setting sun, and before I even set foot in my villa I was already charmed at the reception area – the gold-adorned pavilions, lily ponds, lush gardens, a 55-meter infinity pool, and of course, the Andaman Sea as backdrop…Yes, I’m ready to check-in.

L1127322

L1127341

L1127319

After a refreshing welcome drink, I was picked up by a buggy and escorted to my villa. Regent Cape Panwa has a total of 105 rooms and villas, starting with the 70-sqm Pavilion Rooms up to the 150-sqm Pool Villas. Regardless of size, all accommodations come with balcony or terrace with sea view, and each is loaded with amenities such as the mini-bar, an iPod docking system, Liddell bed linen, L’Occitane toiletries, and a wide selection of in-room movies.

L1127373

Continue Reading "[Phuket] Regent Cape Panwa" →

[Phuket] Sri Panwa

Categories phuket
[Phuket] Sri Panwa

Sri Panwa

Add: 88 Moo 8 Sakdidej Rd., Tambon Vichit, Phuket 83000
Tel: + 667 637 1000
Website: www.sripanwa.com
Email: chill@sripanwa.com
Price: [pool suite] 22,400 THB/night ~ [5-bedroom villa] 188,000 THB/night
Visited: Feb 2015

Please note that this was a complimentary stay arranged by the resort.

So the reason of my Phuket trip was actually to attend one of my best friends’ wedding. The big day took place at Sri Panwa, a breathtakingly beautiful resort perched on the island’s southeastern coast. I saw the below photo (courtesy of the resort) on my friend’s wedding website, and needless to say that I was in love with this place before I even set foot in it. Dotted amidst the coastal forest, Sri Panwa offers a seductive collection of 52 villas, each with a glass-boxed bedroom that extends right into private infinity pools. A few of the villas, such as Villa 11 where the wedding couple was staying at, boasts an uninterrupted 300° views of the Andaman Sea. There are of course private beach, spa, pool, club, cooking school, games room, gym, tennis courts, jogging and biking trails, yacht fleet, library, free WiFi, limousine service…

baba nestPhoto credit: Sri Panwa

But let’s take a step back and start from the check in. We arrived at Sri Panwa on wedding rehearsal day, and everything was so pretty that we didn’t know where to look first. From the varying shades of blue to the lush, tropical green, every angle was picture-perfect.

L1127643

At the reception, we were offered a welcome drink to freshen up from the perpetual Phuket heat and humidity.

L1127647

Then, a buggy escorted us to our villa, tugged quietly in this secluded surrounding.

L1127809

We stayed at Sri Panwa’s one bedroom luxury pool villa (37,400 THB/night), which is about 260 sqm in size with its own infinity swimming pool, jet stream Jacuzzi system, outdoor rain shower, steam room, ocean view pavilion, and ultra spacious bedroom and bathroom. There are also smaller options, such as the pool suite (100 sqm, 16,800 THB/night), mega options like the 5-bedroom pool villa (2,000 sqm, 188,000 THB/night), as well as residence villas for sale if that’s something you are considering…not in my budget, alas.

L1127654

Continue Reading "[Phuket] Sri Panwa" →

[Phuket] Kata Rocks

Categories phuket
[Phuket] Kata Rocks

Kata Rocks

Add: 86/22 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100
Tel: +66 (0)76 370 797
Website: www.katarocks.com
Email: reservations@katarocks.com
Price: [one bedroom] 41,545 THB/night ~ [four bedroom] 118,700 THB/night
Visited: Feb 2015

Please note that this was a complimentary stay arranged by the resort.

When I was checking in at Kata Rocks, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. Sure, I had seen photos and videos of this luxury six-star resort prior to my arrival, but none of these really meant much until I actually jumped into the private infinity pool on the terrace of my 175-sqm villa. Soaking up an unobstructed view of the Andaman Sea and watching the sky change in shade as the sun goes down – this has got to be one of the best moments I’ve had in a while.

L1127276
L1127177

The resort, a project by lifestyle design group Infinite Luxury, is located near Kata Beach on the western coast of Phuket. Its setup ensures that all 34 of their villas have private pools with sunset views – no, not a bad idea at all if you ask me. Other facilities include oceanfront restaurant & bar, infinite luxury spa, cutting edge fitness room (which was later referred to me as “the best gym on this island” by the general manager of another luxury resort in Phuket”, library/lounge and function rooms…all very attractive, though I was happy in the pool and not ready to leave anytime soon.

IMG_6126

L1127133

Continue Reading "[Phuket] Kata Rocks" →