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Welcome to an unusual concept: that of an ultramodern resort rebuilding the past through following the basic premises of Phuket's historical 'Sino-Portuguese' architecture. Chinese immigrants of 100 years ago lived life inside-out in that their bathing facilities were situated outside the house and, on opening the ornate Chinese-style pool villa doors at SALA Phuket and glimpsing inside, this impression is at first slightly confusing but one soon gets warmed to the idea of having a bathroom next to the swimming pool.

Outside at the SALA pool villa

SALA Pool Villa

A beige oval bathtub with a bamboo shampoo and bath lotion holder slotted over it stands near the 22.5sqm swimming pool steps. Over it hangs a glittering glass chandelier arrangement. An L-shaped sofa with a white round coffee table and cushions enough for a Pasha is in the corner and features a light mesh curtain that can be pulled round it.

Directly in front of a huge circular mirror a luxuriously appointed bathroom set is mounted with two raised stainless steel sinks, a generous set of face and bath towels and a full set of complimentary bathroom accessories. To the side stands a partitioned-off toilet and an attractive rain shower.

View from the bathroom

The 157sqm pool villa's outside section also features two sun loungers with parasols, cushions and large beach towels. All this is tastefully lit and highlighted through a series of well-placed spots while ventilation is provided by Mother Nature and two overhead ceiling fans. To ensure safety, the villa surrounds and the 'bathroom' are fitted out with non-slip floor tiles.

As for the pool it is 1.5 metre deep and features underwater lighting. Surrounded by a pebble-covered drainage system, by night or by day it lends a cool yet inviting presence.

Inside

Bedroom in front of the pool

Also featuring two ceiling fans along with air conditioning, the villa's bedroom is a swirl of textiles, pastels, cushions, sliding doors and curtains. This is almost Arabian Nights territory but the Sino-Portuguese feel comes through in the rectangular stencil designs in the top windows.

Behind the plush, king-sized bed there are sliding see-through doors that lend access to a cupboard, a mini-bar in the fridge and a display of snack food and tea and coffee-making facilities with above-average coffee quality. To the left is hanging space with two elegant bathroom robes, slippers, a brightly coloured sarong-cum-headscarf, umbrellas and a mirror.

Flat-screen TV & DVD player

The attention to detail is recommendable and carries on right down to the recently sharpened pencil on a notebook lying next to the bed. To the right of the bed is a flat-screen LCD JVC TV on a swiveling stand above a Pioneer DVD/CD player with speakers. Also in this area is a dark-brown sofa with colourful cushions. The bed itself sports a large beige bedcover and at its head are two pencil-thin lamps.

Finally, to the far left of the bed is a writing desk. Through clever use of textiles and curtains the mood of the room is that of unashamed opulence yet guests can alter the all-out sumptuous feel through the adaptable lighting or by drawing back the curtains and opening the tall see-through doors onto a direct view of the pool.

Also at SALA Phuket are two-bedroom pool villa suites, two-bedroom presidential pool villa suites, garden pool villa deluxe balcony suites and one one-bedroom pool villa duplex suite.

Facilities

Reading at one of the 3 swimming pools

Outside the tranquility of the villa guests have several options for activities. Mai Khao Beach, where SALA Phuket is located, is the longest and least developed in Phuket; it offers fantastic and deserted seaside treks along its 11km length. The sea itself lends a huge infinity pool like illusion to the beachside restaurant and bar area where there is a large multi-tiered (240 sqm) fun pool with a shallow water Jacuzzi, a 38sqm kids' pool and a 30-metre long lap pool.

Children's water toys are available free of charge, as are bicycles on which to explore the surrounding countryside. There are also sea kayaks for the energetic and plentiful sun loungers and sofa-swings for the not-so-energetic. This area is fringed by beautiful causarina trees and has not been overly landscaped so retains its special Phuket beachside character.

Fitness centre

A state-of-the-art fitness centre is located near the lobby bar and features a wall-long mirror, TV sports channels, seven multiple-purpose exercise machines and a personal trainer who will guide you through the basics of getting in shape. The fitness centre is open from 07:00 to 22:00 daily.

Shop

The shop

The resort also has a shop selling tasteful SALA Phuket logo articles and handicrafts that help support the queen's project to help poorer people in the north of Thailand.

So you can feel a double sense of satisfaction in buying that beautiful silk scarf: you have a great souvenir and you are also helping people in need. The shop also features beachwear, sun screen lotion and other essentials.

Tours and internet

Tours can be booked at the activity desk near the lobby bar. This desk also handles DVD and CD distribution for in-villa entertainment and has internet-compatible computers. If you have a laptop there is wifi internet connection throughout the resort.

Dining and drinks

SALA Phuket Restaurant

The resort's restaurant is tastefully fitted out and next to the lap pool. You can dine poolside, inside the open-sided restaurant or even on its roof where tables and chairs for groups of four people are set amid a rooftop water arrangement.

Beach dining is also possible as is, of course, villa dining. The menu is seafood orientated but sufficiently wide to cater to all tastes. As with the villas, there's an inside-out feeling to the resort's restaurant and on clear nights it's a pleasure to dine underneath the stars, hearing the surf break in the background. Even though hamburger was not on the menu, the kitchen was able to rustle one up within minutes for our five-year old and the food on our visit was exemplary for its freshness and presentation.

Breakfast is served from the kitchen a la carte and is a quiet and cool affair with the bulk of the restaurant shielding guests from the morning sun. Tapas and cool cocktails are the order of the day at the beach bar where guests get together to chill out before dinner, while the lobby bar is an ideal place to chill out and read a newspaper.

Summary

Hanging sofas & sunset

SALA Phuket is essentially a private villa resort – a haven of peace for those wishing to get away from it all. It is far from any nightlife and indeed offers little of its own. The grounds are themed with rubber trees growing throughout, eventually ceding to pine-like causarina trees lining the beach.

Staff members are extremely warm and friendly, not to mention well presented and courteous. The hotel is only minutes away from Phuket International Airport and the surrounding countryside charming and fun to explore on the resort's free bicycles.

If you are looking for complete tropical seclusion with a luxurious touch then SALA Phuket has to be on top of your wish list.

Special Offers

Hotel Information and Room Rates

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Photo Gallery of the Hotel