Andara Resort Villas is Phukets' hottest new luxe villa stay, a chic urban hotel infused with subtle contemporary Asian flavours and ultra-exclusive Hollywood luxury. Guaranteed: you won't want to leave.
Located near beautiful Kamala Beach, along a strip known as the ‘Millionaires Row' area, glamorous homes and hotels cascade mountainside towards the bay, as fashioned by Europe's Monaco or the south of France. The Andara is the newest arrival, and boasts 26 deluxe pool villas with 37 divine pool suites, each facing the bay with dramatic ocean and mountain views.
To get there, a fancy air-conditioned transfer car collected me with chilled refresher towel, ice water and a soundtrack of trendy Buddha Bar beats to listen to on the way to the Resort. Adorned with exquisitely chic Asian infused décor, the hotel foyer is just begging for a glossy magazine photo shoot. Magnificent gold buddha statues tower ceiling-high, lit up with trendy and charismatic ambience to decorate the walls. A stylish boutique garment store and deluxe winery featuring acclaimed vino in a modern and elegant setting complement the grand entrance.
A futurist bespoke buggy will take you up the hill to your suite or villa, I was staying in a Pool Suite, and my expectations were beyond astounded when I entered the outrageously large abode. Before me lay an LA condo that belonged to a Hollywood star, had I died and woken up famous, and was there a divorced Brad Pitt waiting for me in the next room? This suit is so spacious I could play football in it, so LA g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s I forgot I was in Thailand, and with my own infinity pool and panoramic views, massive divine and dreamy bed, flat screen home theatre, and ipod docking station - just so heavenly. I had to check this wasn't really a villa.
Being escorted to view the Villa area, I imagined it couldn't get much better. How wrong I was. Perched on top of the world, or so it seems when you sit on the fancy platform lounge setting, by a double sized private infinity pool, you can't help think you could be sitting in a trendy music video right about now. Basically the villa area is a magnificent mansion, with elaborate decor. A personal chef and housekeeper are on call around the clock for those lucky enough to stay here. With it's 6 bedroom, I imagine these special people would be a large wedding group, someone of royal status, or someone of great fame - complete with their entourage troupe.
The staff at Andara are all very helpful and exceptionally qualified at their job. Hand selected from the best of the existing hotels in Phuket, it shows. As close to two weeks prior to my visit Feb 2010, the dazzling premiere party was held, where Andaras' general manager, Andew Whitaker, graciously included invites to the finest of his competing hotels. Many declined, in protest to loss of their favourite staff. Well, new staff do have to come from somewhere! Regardless, the party was an overnight success, I can tell from asking anyone in town about the Andara, ‘Oh yes, big party, fireworks and shows.'
In the evening I stroll down to the restaurant. Seated inside or al fresco dining, your gaze wanders past the fountain water feature, past the pool bar, to where you must spend some time later - the resorts main infinity pool area. Stylish black bed-lounges with shading umbrellas are set amongst lush palm trees and purple boganvillea. If you want, a trained masseuse from the Spa can massage you while laying in the serenity here.
The wait for my food to arrive wasn't long. Most people assume I'm vegetarian when ordering tofu, but I just really like the taste - and have a high standard of how it should be served. Boy, was I glad I ordered the silken tofu at the restauant called Silk. Infused with soft Thai flavours on a bed of white rice the tofu felt like err - silk, melting in my mouth. I ordered it the next day. I am dreaming of it now. Damn it, can I go back please? For dessert I recommend the indulgently rich chocolate mousse, just divine. Silk was famous in it's own right in Phuket before relocating within Andara. Cuisine is Thai or western, whatever you fancy. At the rear is a trendy urban bar, coloured with a fine coctail selection.
If you're like me and easily eat too much food, there's a fancy new fitness centre to work it off the next morning. This gym is so large you may ask if they have relocated a Fitness First studio to the grounds. Shiny new state of the art cardio equipment and weights stand, perfect for slogging away the calories. Daily activity classes are held, only I can't decide between morning yoga or stretching. Lazing-by-my-private-infinity-pool is the class I choose, it's a new one! A stay at the Andara Resort Villas in Phuket is an unforgettable experience, which I recommend to anyone and everyone - you will like it here.