Elite Traveler November-December 2018

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2018 123

SOMETHING SPECIAL There’s no shortage of wonderful spas on Phuket, but if you’re looking for something truly special, venture across Phang Nga Bay to Six Senses Yao Noi. This island retreat is cloaked in a thick flower-filled rain forest, with a Lanna village-style spa at its heart. Experiences include everything from health screenings to yogic therapies and five-day de-stress programs, all administered by some of the top therapists and traveling practitioners in the game. sixsenses.com

SERENE SUITES

VILLA NUMBER 5 Trisara

THE COLLECTOR’S VILLA Iniala Beach House

Sprawling across a secluded headland on Phuket’s swanky northwest coast, Trisara’s most vaunted villa is a classy seven-bedroom aerie, with tropical hardwood floors, pretty flower-draped terraces, winged pavilions and a private infinity pool spilling out across Andaman Sea views. The glass- encased living and dining room is a beautiful sight, finished with antiques and plumes of purple orchids. A dedicated chef ensures every meal is memorable. From $3,150 per night. Contact Anthony Lark, general manager, reservations@trisara.com, +66 763 101 00, trisara.com

The Collector’s Villa at Iniala isn’t one the largest suites in Phuket, but it is one of the most unforgettable, due to the innumerable beautiful things that decorate it. A shimmering central courtyard is clad in broken Thai celadon ceramics, the sea-inspired living room has a blue starfish-shaped sofa and twisting anemone-like chair, and an ethereal spa chamber is sheathed inside mother-of-pearl walls. Three artful bedrooms, swimming pool and enchanting cinema complete the villa. From $3,995 per night. Contact Danny Drinkwater, general manager, reservations@iniala.com, +66 764 514 56, iniala.com

WHEN IN PHUKET

Meet a rescue elephant The pioneering Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the only ethically run elephant sanctuary in Phuket, and one of only two in the south of Thailand. It is a place of joy where visitors can view elephants in their natural habitat. (Celebrity visitors include Leonardo DiCaprio and Britney Spears.) Tours include feeding the elephants pineapples and pumpkins before setting off together on a gentle jungle trek. Book well in advance. phuketelephantsanctuary.org Set sail The waters surrounding Phuket are some of the most enchanting you will find anywhere in the world. The translucent jade seas are spiked with lumbering limestone islands and teeming with tropical fish. Hire a yacht and tack north up the Andaman coast towards the Similan Islands for sensational diving, west into the prehistoric karsts and sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, or south to showy delights of Phi Phi and James Bond Island. coralseekers.com spanning more than six miles, with barely another human in sight. Now, throw in some seaside style — a stripy swimming pool, shocking pink cabanas, live DJ sets — and you’ve got Baba Beach Club, Phuket’s hippest new hangout. Things heat up during special events. Check the website for party listings. bababeachclub.com Enter the jungle One of the oldest evergreen rain forests in the world lies three hours north of Phuket by car. The majestic Khao Sok National Park predates even the Amazon, and is bursting with biodiversity. Glamp at the Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp on the enormous Cheow Lan Lake and spend your days kayaking its glassy waters, river rafting and hiking to hidden cave temples. Look out for rare creatures along the way, which could include wild elephants, sun bears and banana-beak hornbills. khaosoknationalpark.com Hit up a beach club Picture a stretch of palm-lined golden sands

FIVE-BEDROOMRESIDENCE VILLA Sri Panwa The master bedroom at Sri Panwa’s Five-bedroom Residence affords swoony 360-degree views over the cresting limestone mountains of Phang Nga Bay. Set over two stories, there are four more en-suite bedrooms, decked out in warm woods with blasts of burnt orange; a vast infinity pool and numerous indoor and outdoor salas , decks and living areas. Book a private outdoor spa treatment at sunset and relax as the gorgeous landscape blushes cherry red. From $4,040 per night. Contact Yu Po Yan (Suki), resort manager, suki@sripanwa.com, +66 763 710 00, sripanwa.com

THE OCEAN VILLA Amanpuri

When Jay-Z and Beyoncé visited Phuket, Amanpuri was the only resort that could deliver the kind of security and privacy required for the superstars. Their likely abode? Amanpuri’s striking teak and stone nine-bedroom ocean villa, with its sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, gym, massage suite, steam room, peaked-roof salas and black-tiled swimming pool. Naturally, it comes with a team of housekeepers, butlers, therapists and chefs to attend to your every whim. From $17,400 per night. Contact Manish Sharma, reservations manager, msharma@aman.com, +66 763 243 33, aman.com