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Big enough to tango in, the standard rooms (branded 'Deluxe Sala'
plus a noun, it's the floor number in disguise) are awash in dark
wood and light hues of famous Thai silk; all expected amenities
report for duty.
Buildings have three floors; accommodations on the top two have
large balconies while ground floor rooms compensate with even larger
terraces and lower prices. The one-bedroom suites, of which there
are a dozen, are twice as big and twice as nice. Obsessive house
cleaners do an outstanding job of keeping all rooms glittering.
In the fully stocked health club, the television screens on the
treadmills can't do the hard work for you, but they make the pain
more entertaining. Two tennis courts, a lake trail, and mountain
bike rentals allow calories to be shed outdoors.
The spa eases the aches of the over-zealous or indulgent in treatment
rooms that deserve an award for opulent design. The resort's three
pools are responsible for soaking up untold hours of holiday time;
one has a special kids area, one has a special adults area (up to
your bellybutton in water, drink in hand), and one has a reputation
for being the most peaceful.
Dine at a different restaurant every night for six days and sample
cuisine for Italy, Japan, Thailand, and America. For quick and casual,
the deli does the creator of the sandwich proud and serves a mean
high tea too. It's open at all hours; midnight munchies and pre-dawn
cravings beware. Art and science collide with food and drink at
the trendy new beach bar, Out of the Blue - Drink. Two words, one
title: Liquid Chef.
In the end, the resort feels like a luxury village - high-class
yet homely - where thoughtful activities, always friendly staff,
and the knowing nod-and-smile from fellow guests lend a sense of
community. On the north end of the island, you're a world away from
the rest of Phuket - literally and figuratively. But that's exactly
why many make this a permanent part of their yearly calendar.
by Aaron Mahan
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