Hotel Review: Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

I wasn’t in the mood for a Las Vegas club scene, so I was questioning my decision to go to Phuket, Thailand, in the first place. Wasn’t this the place everyone warned me about — the place you go for a Full Moon party while stacking up neon bracelets and feeling the deep house beat in a crowd of backpackers?

But I went anyway, my heart hoping I would see the scenes from “The Beach,” a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and set near Phuket on Phi Phi Leh Island, where empty stretches of sand meet baby-blue clear waters that glistens with pink reflections from the setting sun.

As my plane descended over the city, I felt a glimmer of relief: It looked magnificent, and I couldn’t wait to begin my stay at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. Once I disembarked my flight, I eagerly jumped into my pre-arranged transfer, where a driver greeted me with a warm smile, a frosty beverage and a cold towel.

About 20 minutes later, we pulled off the main road, onto a dirt alley and into what felt like a floating paradise. From the hotel’s platform boardwalk — which winds through the resort and leads to the lobby — I saw birds, bamboo, leafy plants and bright flowers, all above a dark-green lagoon.

After checking in, I was shuttled via golf cart to my private villa. (The ride itself was a delight, featuring views of Mai Khao Beach.) Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas was designed by famed architect and landscape designer Bill Bensley, so the villas blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings and the sprawling grounds. Dark woods, small bridges and cobbled pathways ensure a feeling of serenity and relaxation. 

The 91 private villas range in size from one to three bedrooms, and the largest can host up to 10 guests. Each has its own small crystal-clear pool hidden behind high walls to ensure maximum privacy, making the hotel a perfect choice for couples, solo travelers or families. (As much as I wanted to stay in my private pool forever, I also made time to spin around the resort’s paths via on-property bicycles and meander to the beach to watch the sunset.)

In the rainy season, the ocean here is not safely swimmable. But I didn’t mind, as it’s a perfect backdrop for the main pool, which is dotted with lounge chairs. I discovered that this is also an ideal place to watch the sun dip down under the horizon, shooting pinks and blues through the sky and reflecting colors in the waves. It’s also the site of the swim-up bar Infinity Bar and indoor-outdoor restaurant Sea.Fire.Salt.

Speaking of restaurants, I luxuriated over the on-site breakfast at lagoon-side restaurant La Sala: an enormous buffet featuring Indian, Thai, American and French cuisines. My fresh croissant paired perfectly with a serving of pad thai and chia seed pudding. At night, La Sala becomes an Indian food restaurant, Tiffin by La Sala. Other dining options include The Tasting Room for private wine-cellar dining; custom Dining by Design outdoor dining for two; in-villa dining; and Spice Spoons cooking classes. 

It was hard to choose how to spend the rest of my time on-property: Activities include yoga, Muay Thai lessons, spa treatments, relaxing poolside and taking an afternoon tea at The Tree House restaurant, along with many possible off-site excursions.

Ultimately, I opted to visit nearby sea caves on an eight-hour kayak adventure with operator John Gray Sea Canoe, which I booked through the resort. After driving about 30 minutes to Phang Nga Bay, I swam to my heart’s content in the perfectly clear ocean that Phuket is famous for before splashing through the sea’s bioluminescence. The next day, I opted for relaxation at the spa, but only after an intense private Muay Thai boxing lesson that left me breathless and feeling like I could take over the world. 

And of course, if clients do feel like having a bit of a Phuket party, they can make their way down the beach to the Anantara nightclub, M Beach Club, where they’ll get both cocktails and beats. And they’ll be far enough from the villas to feel a world away. 

The Details
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
www.anantara.com