Hotel Anantara Phuket Villas

The Anantara Phuket Villas stand to the north of Phuket Island along the beautiful Mai Khao beach. It's some distance from the crowded beaches of Patong and Phuket Town, which are both around 45 minutes away. The airport, however, is just 15 minutes from the hotel, depending on traffic.

There isn't really much within walking distance of the hotel, although the Turtle Village shopping centre, where you'll find various restaurants and other facilities, is just a stone's throw away. There is also a small local bar on the beachfront.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel but if you wish to use the Internet in your villa, there is an additional charge.

This hotel, which opened in 2008, was the first one in the Anantara chain to open in Thailand and certainly one of the best. Its facilities are contained within a high wall and are so well isolated you really will feel cut off from the outside world. The reception, for example, overlooks a small pond, which immediately sets a soothing tone and the various outward-facing lounge areas are great for relaxing and admiring the views. Opposite reception you'll find the hotel spa, which consists of 6 treatment rooms, although guests can also enjoy treatments in the comfort of their own villa should they so wish. The therapists here use Elemis products, among others. The surroundings are soothing, relaxing, and basically just what you need to help you unwind!
You can get around the complex easily using the walkways provided, set amid the lush green gardens that run right down to the beachfront. The main swimming pool is also surrounded by vegetation and its original design gives it an incredibly charming feel. The pool consists of a paddling area for children, a jacuzzi, and a separate section for swimming lengths. Most of the deckchairs arranged around the pool are set in private little corners overlooking the superbly maintained lawn, which spans the area between the hotel and the beach.

The complex is designed in an L-shape, so every nook has something to offer. Having said that, none of the villas have direct views of the beach but 9 of them do have a sea view. The 83 independent units are all pretty much the same size (with the exception of the Similan Suite), but the 5 categories of room available do vary in terms of location. Separated from the outside world by a high wooden fence, each villa represents a true haven of peace. The standard rooms have a floor area of some 180m² and seemed to us to be the nicest of the rooms. They include a large swimming pool complete with a fountain and a bathtub at the same level as the water, not to mention an outdoor shower and a large relaxation area with a minibar! Two deckchairs are also provided so you can relax and soak up some sun on the terrace. Inside you'll find a king-size bed facing the swimming pool and a dressing room between the bedroom and the bathroom. The bathrooms, for their part, come with a shower and a separate toilet, with a double wash basin between the two areas. The decor in the villas is typically Asian and features a variety of stylish and elegant touches. In terms of amenities, you'll find you have everything you could need and more, including an MP3 docking station and a first-aid kit.

Given the high quality of the accommodations here, you would expect the Anantara Phuket Villas to offer a high level of restaurant services too. Rest assured that this is indeed the case, with two restaurants at the complex, which are complemented by the Tree House tapas bar and the Tasting Room wine cellar. The main restaurant, La Sala, is located alongside the reception area and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From the contemporary interior to the idyllic exterior overlooking a beautiful pond, the surroundings are truly perfect. Breakfast is served in the form of an American buffet consisting of all sorts of dishes, including sushi! Lunch, meanwhile, can be ordered from a menu of Thai and Sicilian dishes at various prices averaging around £11. Dinner is also served à la carte or as a themed buffet. The sophisticated cuisine is sure to get the better of even the greatest of appetites. The delicious desserts we were lucky enough to sample are worth special mention and could easily be mistaken for the work of a master pastry chef! Those who prefer a seafront setting may head for the poolside Sea, Fire & Salt, which is beautifully decorated and also boasts a huge terrace - the ideal place for sampling the local seafood. The chefs at the restaurant are also proud of the fact that they use 13 different types of salt in their cooking. This really is the perfect setting for a lovely romantic dinner.

Mai Khao Beach runs adjacent to the Sirinath National Marine Park, so you won't be able to partake in any motorised water sports, which is unfortunate for enthusiasts but a bonus for those who like peace and quiet. Having said that, there aren't any deckchairs or parasols here. Mai Khao Beach is quite simply superb: nice and wide, just over 4 mi long, and entirely deserted. It's certainly far more spectacular than the crowded shores of Patong Beach. The sand is also fine, the waters clear, and the level of the shoreline perfect for swimming. There's a local bar close-by, as well as an open-air kiosk where you can get a massage for less than £9.