Wellness
T
he minute I stepped out on
my private deck, it became
crystal clear how Sri Panwa
scored, “Hotel with the Best
View in the World”- by Beach
Tomato - The Best Beach Property
Awards (UK). If you’ve always
dreamed of a secluded island retreat,
but unlike Richard Branson, you can’t
afford to buy a private island, here
are a few reasons why Sri Panwa will
fill in quite nicely:
1. You just can’t take a bad
picture here
Located in the most South-Eastern
tip of Phuket (a large island in the
Andaman Sea- roughly an hour’s
flight from Bangkok), Sri Panwa is
perched high above Cape Panwa,
surrounded by a 40-acre rainforest.
It doesn’t get much more private
than this.
2. Warning: The private villas
will spoil you forever
The 52 luxe villas offer breathtaking
views from your comfy bed,
oversized jet-stream Jacuzzi bath,
the kitchen…well, just about
everywhere except from the toilet!
The two separate sides, one for
living/dining and the other for
sleeping, felt very homey with
minimalist, handcrafted décor. Out
back is your own private infinity
swimming pool (perfect for a
midnight skinny-dip under the stars)
rain shower and sunset pavilion with
a comfy sofa bed. Settle in to enjoy
the background music from the
state-of-the-art entertainment
system (the owner’s son has
incredible taste in music and put
Loved eating meals overlooking the
brilliant turquoise waters
together some fab, eclectic mixed
tapes) while watching the sunset.
Other hospitable touches include
(all complimentary) high-speed
wireless Internet access, mini-bar
stocked with beer, soda, snacks, and
a selection fresh fruits, a personal
espresso machine with a variety of
exotic teas and coffees and even a
freezer full of fruit popsicles.
with Parma ham and bok choy) then
take a stroll down the buffet line for
assorted fresh juices, tropical fruit,
cereal, pastries, and at least four
different curries. I was addicted
to my morning crab in green curry
over rice noodles-yum!
Take a short walk down the steep
hill (or chauffeur driven tuk-tuks,
like golf carts, are readily available
to scoot you around) to enjoy a tasty
Thai dinner at Baba Soul Food, or
head up the hill (burns as many
calories as about 20 minutes on the
Stairmaster) in time for panoramic
sunset views while sipping cocktails
at the Baba Nest.
3. Fabulous Food & Drink
There’s no better way to start the
day than with a full buffet brekkie
at the outdoor BABA Poolclub, which
sprawls out over 5,000 square
meters, featuring a 25-meter
infinity-edge lap pool. Other Baba
delights include the Baba Pool Bar,
BaBaQ, Baba Cooking School, and
the Baba88 Disco, which has a great
rep for their changing roster of
international DJs. For breakfast, you
can check off your faves from the ala
carte menu (loved the Eggs Benedict
4. Indulgent pampering awaits
at the Cool Spa
Although I gave serious thought to
working off some of my breakfast
with a workout at the fitness center,
a game of tennis, or at the very least
Trying to decide if
I like the view best
during the day
59
a yoga class, I opted instead to go
for some indulgent pampering. Great
choice! I was greeted by my lovely
therapist, Lee, who handed me a
cup of chrysanthemum tea, had me
do a sniff test to choose from six
fragrant massage oils, before leading
me to my private room via gorgeous
lily pad ponds, and Zen sounding
waterfalls, where for the next 90
minutes I gratefully succumbed to
Lee’s intuitive hands of velvet/steel.
Next time, I’m going all out for the
decadent sounding Moët & Chandon
treatment that invites you to soak
in a rose petal and champagne bubble
bath while drinking a bottle of Moët.
For more info go to:
Sri panwa Estate,
88 Moo. 8, Sakdidej Road
Tambon Vichit, Muang Phuket
Cape Panwa, Phuket 83000, Thailand
www.sripanwa.com