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.
|
