Page 42 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 4 | April - May 2024

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The hotel’s lobby, perched on
top of a flight of stairs so you can
truly appreciate the expansive
space, is immediately striking,
combining contemporary
brushed concrete in grey, with
contrasting pops of red; with
explicit Thai touches. White
rattan lamps in magnificent
proportions hang in a cluster in
the middle, drawing your eye
to the vaulted ceilings; walls of
natural wood in familiar patterns
flank the edges of the space;
and in the centre, an ode to
locality welcomes you, replete
with silver Thai serving bowls
filled with local flora, he-and-
she woodcarvings holding yin
dee ton rap (welcome) signs;
and intriguing, abstract head
sculptures made of stone. The
hotel’s emphasis on tradition
yet with modern sensibilities is
immediately obvious, and this
is confirmed by Andy: “The
architecture of our hotel is a
blend of contemporary with
minimalistic design,” he explains.
“We use a lot of natural elements, that are
bright, colourful, and cheerful.”

Beyond the lobby’s capacious sofa seats
and its calming water features is the pièce
de résistance of the hotel; its stunning
panoramic views. I’m told that to the left
are Phuket’s famed sunsets, while to the
right, by its iconic pool that stretches out for
the length of the main property, are not-to-
be-missed sunrises; worth setting an alarm ROOMS, SUITES AND VILLAS
for 6am.
The resort, I’m told, has a total of 106 keys,
As I walk through the hotel, I learn that the spanning 79 rooms and suites, and 27 pool
majority of rooms and suites; as well as its villas ranging from one to four bedrooms.
amenities, spanning the wellness centre, “Normally hotels will have a big inventory of
restaurants, gift shops, and play rooms for entry-level rooms and a few suites, but we’re
both children and teens; are located in one the opposite,” Andy tells me with justifiable
outsized building for easy access, while the pride. “We have more suites than we have
villas are located a little beyond, accessible rooms, and many of the former have their
by buggy. Designed by Paola Navone, the own pool. We also have a range of villas, and
entire hotel is a study in contrasting natural for each type of accommodation, there’s a
elements, and the space feels simultaneously very specific demand.” Aside from cheery living areas for up to
boundless and private. Use of textural eight people, done up in soothing shades
elements allow for intriguing plays of light I had the chance to take a peek at their of whites, greens, and blues; a marble-topped
and dark depending on the time of day; Point Yamu Pool Villa, which felt like it dining table; a kitchen; and all the modern
a chiaroscuro painting that changes every was plucked out of my dreams of what the amenities you could want; the villas include
time you see it. Aquamarines and burnt ideal luxury seaside retreat would look like. butler service and the option to do a Thai-
oranges reflect the sea and the colour of Spanning two floors, the villa boasts floor- style moo or goong kata barbecue on the deck.
Buddhist robes from Phuket’s Peranakan to-ceiling windows to allow sunlight to spill And this wasn’t even the biggest villa they
heritage, respectively; reflecting the two stars in, and to immediately draw your eye to had to offer; their largest one had a fourth
of the hotel’s vision: celebrating its location the glittering waters of Phang Nga Bay, just bedroom, perfect for large families or big
in both geography and culture. beyond the private pool. groups of friends looking to holiday in style.

42 | MASALA MAGAZINE APR-MAY 2024