I used to visit Thailand 3 to 4 times a year for business and after a few years of traveling back and forth I always felt like I was arriving home when my plane landed in Bangkok. Two of my favorite places are Chiang Mai in the North and the island of Phuket in the South and needless to say, Thailand, its people, and its culture are very close to my heart.
What stands out to me is the grace with which everything seems to be done, especially when staying at a luxury resort, when flying their national airline or having an incredible meal in one of the local restaurants. You are always greeted with the person’s hands pressed together and a friendly “Sawadee Krap” or if you are a woman “Sawadee Ka”, which usually means “hello, welcome, good morning…” depending on the time of day.
Nowhere is this level of service more apparent than staying at the Amanpuri Resort, which to me represents the epitome of luxury, gracious service and complete pampering of the body and soul.
The Amanpuri is located on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and looks out over the turquoise expanse of the Andaman Sea. Amanpuri is a Sanskrit word meaning “Place of Peace” and this luxury resort lives up to its name more than in one way.
The resort’s 40 Thai styled pavilions and 32 private villas are interspersed throughout a mature coconut plantation which are all connected through elevated walkways to the resort’s facilities. These facilities include 3 restaurant to fulfill your culinary desires ranging from casual all-day dining featuring Thai and European specialties to original French Kaiseki fare which combines the best of French Technique with Japanese artistry.
For those lazy afternoons lounge by the 27 meters fresh-water swimming pool or relax on the resort’s private beach. If you feel a little more adventurous, the Amanpuri has one of the largest, most comprehensive resort charter fleets in Southeast Asia. The professionally-crewed vessels range from 20 to 110ft and are for the exclusive use of Amanpuri guests and offer a wonderful opportunity to discover the smaller and sometimes very secluded islands around Phuket. The scuba diving here is also not to be missed.
Make sure you take time to discover the spiritual and cultural beauty of Phuket – there are approximately 30 Buddhist temples on the island! Among the most interesting are Wat Chalong, with its gilt statues of two revered monks, Wat Phra Thong with its half-buried Buddha statue, and Wat Phra Nang Sang, which includes some fascinating frescoes and Buddha heads that date back 3,000 years.
The Aman Spa will take care of all your physical and spiritual needs. It features six spacious Thai-style pavilions, each offering an open, light-filled space of wood and glass with private steam room, shower, bath, dressing area and an outdoor meditation sala.
Treatments can be enjoyed individually or as a couple. There is also a sauna, granite steam room and fountain terrace where health drinks are served. Complimentary guided yoga and meditation sessions are offered at daybreak in the open-sided teakwood salasset high on the hillside. The extensive Aman Spa menu includes a range of healing therapies as well as traditional treatments such as facials, body wraps, scrubs and baths.
Rates for a Pavilion start at $ 875.00 per night.
A 2 bedroom Garden Villa is available at $ 3,000.00 per night.
Having traveled throughout this beautiful country I would highly recommend to combine a stay at the Amanpuri with a visit to the North of Thailand. It will be an experience you will want to come back for again and again, just like I did.
Please contact me today if you would like additional information on the Amanpuri or have any other questions about Thailand.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
