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Reception

In no way does Mom Tri’s Villa Royale feel like a hotel. Rare is the resort, even among boutiques, that can match the personality, the intimacy, the I’m-not-even-this-comfortable-at-home feeling that is Villa Royale’s trademark. Up until a few years ago, this was Mom Tri’s personal seaside escape; a place for family and friends to relax.

It’s been a decades-long labour of love, with the owner constantly adding to and refining the property according to his vision. The resulting luxury is breathtaking, but in a way that’s inviting and easy to live in. It is, without a doubt, one of Phuket’s greatest achievements.

A sliver of privacy

Kata Noi Beach

The resort’s atmosphere is like something out of a fairytale; a dream from which you don’t want to wake. Shady paths, paved in stone, curl through meticulously kept jungle gardens. Magnificent, old trees suggest nature was looked after during construction. The buildings, with liberal use of rich wood, tall windows, and open-air design, blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Just below the resort – which is perched on a headland – the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea flow among boulders, providing a romantic backdrop and a hypnotic soundtrack.

There’s a generous buffer between Villa Royale and the world outside, and the resulting serenity is what lures guests back repeatedly. And yet, it’s not the least bit remote. Framed by two of Phuket’s best beaches – Kata (considered by many to be ‘just right’) and Kata Noi (Phuket’s best ‘secret’ beach) – ample dining, shopping, and waterfront activities are within easy reach. The hotel provides guests with private beach chairs and umbrellas on Kata Noi Beach, and operates a complimentary shuttle to its sister resort in the heart of Kata Beach – Mom Tri’s Boathouse.

The bed space

Dhamma-Raksa suite's living room

To describe the rooms at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale would be difficult, not to mention lengthy. Though it has only 26 suites, nine of them are completely original and unique. They range in size from 50 square metres (538 square feet) to 99 square meters, and are all dressed in plush fabrics, abundant artwork, and fragrant bath amenities from organic ingredients grown in Thailand.

The Dhamma-Raksa suite, where I stayed, feels considerably larger than 81 square metres (872 square feet). Intricately carved double doors separate the living room from the bedroom; both have soaring ceilings and smooth teak floors. The bed is massive and extremely comfortable, but it isn’t the only place to kick back and relax. Couches and daybeds are everywhere: next to the bed, in the living room, in the dressing area, and on the terrace. The four tall wardrobes and rows of cabinets and drawers can handle even the most overstuffed suitcases with ease. The bathroom – which lies behind red wooden doors with gold leaf accents – is well-appointed with dual sinks alongside a separate bathtub and shower.

Beach Wing Suite's bedroom

Many rooms have original touches. Swimmers can opt for the Pool Suite, with a private pool and outdoor shower, or the less expensive Kata Suites, which open onto one of the common pools. The Beach Wing Suites are the most plentiful (there are 17 of them), and the most popular due to their balance of size, views, and cost. Families should look at the 2-bedroom Lantom Suite, which has a small private pool. And in the Toey Talay suite, guests have their own wine cellar.

Private balconies, in-room safe deposit boxes, satellite television, DVD players, mini-bars, complimentary coffee and tea facilities, hair dryers, and a daily newspaper are standard for all accommodation.

Indulgent feasts

Mom Tri’s Kitchen

In Phuket, Mom Tri has a reputation for culinary excellence, and eating is a popular pastime at Villa Royale. The resort might have only one restaurant, but when that restaurant is Mom Tri’s Kitchen, nothing else is required. The lesson in deliciousness starts every morning when the sun rises and continues until midnight. The breakfast buffet is delicious, and if you arrive early enough to get a upper-level balcony table, the views are fantastic.

The day’s menu mixes Thai and Western dishes and features enough variety – steak, seafood, pasta, curry, coconut soup, noodles – to ensure meal after meal is entertaining. And, if you want something else, the resort will happily take you down the road to Mom Tri’s Boathouse, one of Phuket’s dining legends. Both restaurants are celebrated for their exquisite food and impressive wine lists.

Loosen up

Restaurant above the pool

Afternoon relaxation is easy near the three swimming pools. None are huge, but in a resort this size, there’s not much competition for space. Two of the pools are standard fresh water, while the third is a unique saltwater pool. Located near the sea, its design mimics the natural rock pools it’s perched above.

Surrounded by jungle, the spa occupies a quiet spot at the top of the resort, elevated above everything else (much like you’ll feel after a treatment). Basic massages can be had for less elsewhere, but the professionalism and experience of the staff here can’t be matched; the extra cost is easily justified. Spa products, both local and imported, feature fragrant ingredients that ease the mind and refresh the body. The extensive selection of treatments includes body scrubs and wraps, facials, steam baths, and aromatherapy massages.

Notes

As noted, Mom Tri’s Villa Royal is on a hillside; the many stairs could prove difficult for those with limited mobility. The onsite library provides reading material in many languages and high-speed internet access. Luxury amenities and goods are available at the boutiques. Small outdoor weddings are a regular occurrence in the beautiful purpose-built garden.

Hotel Information and Room Rates

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Interview with The Hotel GM

Read the Interview with Adisak Pitukrojjananont, GM of Mom Tri's Villa Royale

Photo Gallery of the Hotel