1. SIX SENSES YAO NOI, KO YAO NOI, PHANG NGA, PHUKET, THAILAND
SIX SENSES CON DAO
Rustic Luxury
Six Senses Yao Noi excels at making eco-living work perfectly with uncompromising luxury, setting the highest bar for luxury island living in Thailand. The excellent level of service comes through in the attention to detail, excellent cuisine, and the philosophy of creating exceptional personalized experiences. The resort is permeated with a one-of-the-kind atmosphere, in equal parts exclusive and care-free. The fifty-six pool villas of Six Senses Yao Noi are placed on stilts, rising above the lush tropical greenery, and all come with private swimming pools. The villas are built from raw timber, bamboo, high-quality teak and are topped with palm-leaf thatching. The wood, the details, the fringy thatch, the sun-kissed decks blend effortlessly and form a holistic design system. The earthy tones are always punctured by splashes of color, sizzling oranges, reds, or greens that bring vibrancy into the interiors. The resort cascades down the steep hillside, opening up to stunning views of the Andaman Sea, with iconic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay decorating the horizon.
We stayed at Six Senses Yao Noi — make sure to read our review!
2. ROSEWOOD PHUKET, PHUKET, THAILAND
ROSEWOOD BEIJING
In the heart of Beijing
In Rosewood Phuket, the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts created a tropical beach hideaway blended into a lush hillside forest, with sophisticated architecture, space-filled villas, and awe-inspiring, Thai-infused interiors. Envisioned in a rustic style but with contemporary interiors, the seventy-plus pavilions and villas feel like island homes (for the best experience, book the two-bedroom villa with an infinity pool and direct beach access). Guests staying at Rosewood Phuket can choose from four dining venues, from Italian comfort food to Thai cuisine in the open kitchen Ta Khai. Light poolside food is also available. The world-class Asaya spa is said to be one of the best on the island. The hotel is set alongside a six-hundred-meter beach and features a fabulous freeform swimming pool wrapped around palm trees and floating platforms.
3. AMANPURI, PHUKET, THAILAND
Amanpuri was the first resort in Aman’s ultra-luxurious hotel portfolio. With its launch nearly 30 years ago, Aman set out to redefine the luxury hospitality standards in Asia. Today, Amanpuri still easily counts among the best hotels in Thailand, and its serene atmosphere, unmatched service, and paparazzi-proof reputation make it a sure choice for affluent guests. There are only forty standalone villas designed in the classic Aman style that references local aesthetics in grand architecture and polished design. The villas provide soothing spaces, furnished with elegant furniture, sliding screen doors, Thai textiles, and antiques. The resort facilities include four excellent restaurants, an excellent spa, a seductive black swimming pool, and a fleet of yachts moored off the beautiful beach. And while all beaches in Thailand are public, the beach at Amanpuri is only accessible by boat (or via the hotel), keeping it private.
4. THE NAKA ISLAND, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT & SPA, PHUKET, THAILAND
NORTH ISLAND, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT
The epitome of privacy and seclusion
The Naka Island is an exclusive, all-villa island hideaway with all ingredients of the perfect resort experience. The property is located off the eastern coast of Phuket, nestled among stunning beaches and lush coconut groves, with idyllic views towards Phang Nga Bay. The hotel features massive villas envisioned in a “tropical island chic” style. They are fused with their tropical surroundings through the earthy, organic architecture and at-one-with-nature design. Other than the sixty-seven luxury villas, the resort features three restaurants and lounges and one of the most extensive spa facilities in the region.
Read our full review on The Naka Island here.
5. KEEMALA, PHUKET, THAILAND
Unique bamboo structures, canvas-covered tented pool villas, and pear-shaped treehouse-like Bird’s Nest Pool Villas define the experience of Keemala. In a unique take on a resort design in Thailand, the design concept calls upon the nomadism themes and the legends of the first settlers in Phuket. Surrounded by woodland with streams and waterfalls, the thirty-eight villas of Keemala come in four categories, but all feature private pool villas. The Mala Spa continues the theme of the “bird’s nest” cocoons, with incredible latticework pods serving as treatment rooms. The resort’s facilities include a lagoon-shaped swimming pool complete with a swim-up bar and a waterfall. There are also three dining areas. The nearest beach is about 10-minutes away by car.
6. TRISARA, PHUKET, THAILAND
Referencing traditional Thai aesthetics in the teak wood and ornate stone carvings, Trisara features bright interiors, pale stone, and gently cascading pools in the gardens. The resort’s nearly forty villas are set well apart, ensuring a high level of privacy. They feature spacious terraces with oversized sun loungers next to bright-blue infinity pools (with fantastic sea views as standard). The resort features a 45-meter swimming pool set along the powdery white beach, and three excellent restaurants offer palm-shaded beachfront dining. One of the restaurants is the Michelin-starred Pru. Trisara experience is rounded off by the heavenly Jara Spa, staffed by therapists trained at Wat Po Temple in Bangkok (the gold standard in the spa world).
7. BANYAN TREE PHUKET, PHUKET, THAILAND
BANYAN TREE BANGKOK
Sanctuary for the senses
Located within the gated community of Laguna and facing the white sands of Bang Tao Beach, this luxurious pool villa resort is one of Phuket’s classic hotel establishments, building its reputation for stunningly beautiful surroundings and high-quality service for years. It’s a fully featured property as well. Available to its guests are seven restaurants and one of the best spa facilities in Thailand. Besides the resort facilities, Banyan Tree Phuket offers access to a whole spectrum of attractions, from golf (the course is located within walking distance) to shopping at the exclusive Canal Village Shopping Centre — and access to one of the best beaches on the island. Accommodation is of superior quality, with the basic category being a private villa with high stone walls and a pool.
8. SALA PHUKET MAI KHAO BEACH RESORT, PHUKET, THAILAND
SALA Phuket is a five-star private villa resort that breaks away from the cookie-cutter Thai luxury model. The minimalist architecture of the place stands out thanks to the sharp lines and fresh white walls, playing with shadows and geometry. There is a handful of balcony suites among the guest accommodation options, but the star attraction here are the pool villas. Their design breaks the rules, putting the bathroom outside in the garden and fronting the private swimming pool, thus making the outdoors part of the bedroom. The interiors are a swirl of wind-rustled textiles, pastels, cushions, Portuguese-style tiles, and sliding doors and curtains. SALA has a stunning beachfront infinity pool, an exceptional restaurant, and a beautifully designed, soothing spa.
We stayed at SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort — make sure to read our review!
9. COMO POINT YAMU, BAN PA KHLOK, PHUKET, THAILAND
When it launched, we wrote about COMO Point Yamu as “Phuket’s new luxury haven.” This still reflects the vibe of Yamu well, but the type of luxury here is the “castaway luxury,” in which guests are immersed in the splendid seclusion and a promise of a care-free experience. The setting, on the island’s less-traveled side, works to the resort’s advantage. The architecture, though, is modernist and rather boxy — and would come across as slightly cold if not for the visually stimulating interior design by the Italian designer Paola Navone. There is no beach right by the resort, but the staff is happy to take guests by boat to the dedicated COMO Beach Club on a small island, some 40 minutes by boat. The central feature and attraction of the resort is the stunning one-hundred-meter infinity pool. The resort is wellness-focused, and it features the COMO Shambhala center. There are also two world-class restaurants for Thai and Italian cuisine.
See more in our featurette: Discover Phuket’s New Luxury Haven.
10. ANANTARA LAYAN PHUKET RESORT & SPA, PHUKET, THAILAND
Champagne breakfasts and authentic Thai cuisine, a heavenly Anantara Spa and a private beach, and a range of activities, from Muay Thai stadium to Thai cooking classes — all this awaits guests of the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort & Spa. The lucky few who will check in to this beautiful resort will choose from thirty suites, forty-six pool villas, and fifteen pool residences for the experience of luxury in a charming tropical sanctuary. The tranquil bay setting renders itself particularly well for weddings and renewals, and the spirituality-infused Cliffside Anantara wedding chapel is just the place.
11. SRI PANWA PHUKET, PANWA BEACH, PHUKET, THAILAND
Often listed among the top resorts in Thailand, Sri Panwa promises stylish accommodation, high levels of privacy, and excellent service. Perched high atop Cape Panwa, with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea, Sri Panwa features infinity-edge pools in all guest villas, designed in a sleek, contemporary style with clean, minimalist lines. The villas dot a jungle-covered hillside, ensuring absolute privacy. The resort prides itself in outstanding service from arrival to departure, and its atmosphere blends glamour with a fun “anything goes” vibes. Another point of pride is the stunning Baba Nest, commanding dramatic rooftop views. The resort also has three swimming pools, a pool club, a boho spa, and a very pretty — if small — beach. Among the excellent restaurants is the Baba Poolclub restaurant, popular for its open-kitchen inventive cuisine.
Read our review of Sri Panwa here.
12. INIALA BEACH HOUSE, NATAI BEACH, PHUKET, THAILAND
Iniala Beach House grew from a concept that merged the imagination of renowned designers with an innovative approach to luxury. To create the resort, a group of world-class architects and designers were given carte blanche to imagine creative habitats with the simple brief that each space must be “out of the ordinary” but provide all modern comforts. Collectively they created a resort composed of three luxurious villas, one lavish penthouse, and two one-bedroom pool suites — each extraordinary and each with design ideas that are often almost surreal. The Iniala hospitality philosophy focuses on exclusivity and tailored experiences. Each villa gets a dedicated team, with a housekeeper, butler, spa therapists, and even in-house chef. Dining is world-class, whether it’s in-villa or at the superb fine dining restaurant, Pärla.
13. ANANTARA MAI KHAO PHUKET VILLAS, PHUKET, THAILAND
Anantara Mai Khao is an all-villa retreat, seducing with a glamorous luxury and designed as a romantic hideaway with an intimate vibe. The resort wows with the elegance of its villas. They feel like secluded sanctuaries with swimming pools flanked by palm trees and daybeds swathed in silk. Anantara has four restaurants. The signature Sea.Fire.Salt on the seafront promises a decadent experience (they even have a salt sommelier). Still, the favorite is the treetop Tree House, where the tables are reached by a staircase wrapped around a Banyan tree. The main infinity pool (with a swim-up bar) fronts the sandy white beach, and the spa features five open-air treatment rooms, two of which are equipped with soaking tubs.
Read our review of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas here.
14. THE SLATE, PHUKET, THAILAND
Inspired by Phuket’s tin mining past, The Slate’s concept is a “manifestation of the island’s soul” where rich culture and local traditions are married with design ideas and innovation. The raw style influenced by industrial beauty mixes with heritage craft and nature, invoking the bygone era. The vision at the heart of the resort experience was realized by the internationally acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, who combined warm Thai hospitality with ultra-modern industrial chic. The guest accommodation options include luxury suites, standalone plantation villas, and pool or garden pavilions. Many come with private courtyards, gardens, plunge pools. The hotel has six restaurants, bars, and cafes, all ready to serve a relatively large number of guests at any given time (there are 177 rooms and suites in total). Three magnificent swimming pools surrounded by mature greenery are the standout features of the hotel.
15. PARESA RESORT, PHUKET, THAILAND
Carved out of the west-facing cliffs of Kamala Beach, the Paresa Resort stands out with beautiful ocean views and a sense of total seclusion, cloaked in the lush canopy of mature banyan trees and offering a front-row spot for spectacular sea sunsets. The elegantly appointed pool villas and suites (almost fifty of them in total) dot the hillside. Each accommodation option comes with a private infinity plunge pool and indoor/outdoor showers, connecting outdoor and indoor living in an experience of tropical resort luxury. The guest rooms are large and well-designed, and set in a stylish palette of cream and dark wood, with gold screens, silk cushions, and white marble bathrooms. The standout features of the resort include a spectacular infinity pool and a sublime spa offering a range of traditionally inspired treatments.
16. ISLAND ESCAPE BY BURASARI, PHUKET, THAILAND
Island Escape by Burasari is a tranquil 5-star resort surrounded by the natural beauty of Koh Maphrao, known as Coconut Island. Located a mere fifteen minutes by boat from Phuket’s east coast, Koh Maphrao feels a world apart from Phuket proper — and this experience of seclusion is what the Island Escape by Burasari promises. The resort is arranged around two zones, Ocean and Main Resort, with accommodation options split between, with fifteen luxuriously appointed private pool villas in Ocean and many other rooms, suites, and villas in the Resort area. Going further, there are fun-filled Play and Swim areas in the main resort, geared towards attractions that will appeal to families. All the while, the Ocean part is well-positioned for a romantic stay for two. Rounding off the fully-featured offering of this “island escape” is a fitness center and spa, plus a selection of restaurants and bars.
17. THE RACHA, KOH RACHA YAI, PHUKET, THAILAND
The Racha hugs a white-sand crescent bay with azure waters, providing a picture-perfect backdrop for the five-star luxury resort experience. Designed in a simple style with clean lines, dark wood, and rattan furniture, and studded with charming patios, twirling parasols, and frangipani trees, it’s “a sanctuary for mind, body, and spirit.” Guests have eighty-five villas (thirty with private swimming pools) to choose from, including the unique Lighthouse, with five floors and a private pool. The property is composed of cube-like dwellings scattered across 20 acres of tropical gardens on a small island of Racha Yai, some 12 nautical miles south of Phuket.
18. THE NAKA PHUKET, PHUKET, THAILAND
Located in Kamala Bay, the Naka resort’s highlights include access to an exclusive beach, the longest beachfront infinity pool in Phuket (it’s Olympic size, basically), and futuristic architecture by award-wining designer Duangrit Bunnag. There are ninety-two open-plan pool villas (plus three rooms), designed in a minimalist style. They offer beautiful views from their hillside locations or access to the beach, and they are equipped with outdoor baths and drench showers. Among the facilities are also a state-of-the-art spa, a cavernous restaurant adjoining the pool, and a sky bar. The resort is accessible via an isolated mountain road which adds to the sense of seclusion, even if the resort is only some 10 km away from the busy Patong.
19. THE SURIN PHUKET, PHUKET, THAILAND
Established in 1982, the Surin is one of the first luxury hotels in Phuket. Surrounded by a mature coconut palm grove, the resort has an unbeatable location on one of the best beaches in Phuket. Its cottages and suites have been constantly improved over the years, and they feel uber-modern. Almost all of them have sea views. The public spaces feature a massive, hexagonal-shaped pool, a well-designed spa, and a restaurant looking out to the beach. Make sure to try out their freshly caught seafood deashes. The resort is removed from Phuket’s busiest spots with its wild nightlife and is perfect for a quiet stay.
20. CASA DE LA FLORA, KHAO LAK, THAILAND
Overlooking the Andaman Sea and stretching along the soft sands of Khao Lak, Casa de La Flora feels intimate, with a real sense of privacy. Its cutting-edge design and bold architecture make it stand out among other resorts in Thailand. The cube-shaped villas bring to mind modernist design trends and angular geometries of brutalist architecture — and indeed, this luxury hideaway is infused with a deep minimalist DNA that manages to blend with the natural landscape of Khao Lak harmoniously. The architects achieved this feat by opening each villa to the beach and sea through striking glass facades. The resort offers splendid isolation away from any crowds. You are virtually guaranteed to have the beach all to yourself. The resort features a beachside swimming pool and bar area and the La Aranya restaurant, specializing in organic Thai fusion cuisine.