Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

The site of a former coconut plantation on Phuket’s secluded northwest coast makes a splash with Anantara Mai Khao, an all-villa retreat set to wow and seduce with its glamorous luxury… and a treehouse restaurant.

The over-the-top accommodation at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is draped in bougainvillea and has pools, daybeds, rain showers and—thanks to wooden fences—an intensely private vibe. These secluded sanctuaries are kitted out with pools flanked by palm trees, daybeds swathed in silk and alfresco bathtubs. Inside, there’s a huge bed dressed in soft white linens and surrounded by raw silk and carved teak accents.

The main infinity pool overlooks the Andaman Sea, and the state-of-the-art spa has five open-air treatment rooms, two of which have soaking tubs. Try a Thai herbal compress massage, which begins with a floral foot ritual.

All four restaurants are excellent; they include the Tree House, where you can dine on tapas high above the trees; the tables are reached by a staircase wrapped around a Banyan tree. Sea.Fire.Salt serves fresh-caught seafood in a barbecue-style, complete with a tableside salt sommelier who will properly season your dinner.

Review in large part by Becca Blond, courtesy of Jetsetter.com

in our opinion

With an excellent spa, private pools and access to a quiet six-mile Mai Khao Beach, this romantic resort delivers a decadent take on classic Thai design.

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What we love

• All villas come with private pools;
• The romantic vibe and the quiet, pretty beach;
• There are four restaurants—the beachfront Sea.Fire.Salt even has a salt sommelier (talking about decadence!)—but the favorite has to be the tree-top Tree House;
• Each day the resort’s staff offers a range of organized and do-it-yourself adventures in the surrounding area, such as elephant trekking and traditional cooking lessons.

What you should know

• The weather here is steady year-round, but there is a short rainy season from September to October;
• It’s a 30-minute drive to the town of Phuket;
• Expect couples and honeymooners… probably not best for singles!
• The spa is open until 10 PM.