The minute I stepped out on my private deck it became crystal clear how Sri Panwa scored Hotel with the Best View in the World in The Best Beach Property Awards 2011 by Beach Tomato. If youve always dreamed of a secluded island retreat but unlike Richard Branson you cant afford to buy a private island, here are a few reasons why Sri Panwa will fill in quite nicely:
1. You just cant take a bad picture here
Located in the most South-Eastern tip of Phuket (a large island in the Andaman Sea- roughly an hours flight from Bangkok) Sri Panwa is perched high above Cape Panwa, surrounded by a 40-acre rainforest. It doesnt 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 owners son has incredible taste in music and put 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.
3. Fabulous food and drink
Theres 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 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.
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 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 Lees intuitive hands of velvet/steel. Next time Im 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.
Janice Nieder is Founder of Travel with Taste.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Janice Nieder could be the love child of Indiana Jones and Julia Child. Previously a specialty food consultant in NYC, Janice is currently a SF-based culinary tourism writer who has wined & dined her way through 90 countries. To keep things in balance, Janice also enjoys writing about her Girlfriend Getaways which include spa visits, soft-core adventure, cultural events, shopping, boutique hotels, and chef interviews.
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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 owners son has incredible taste in music and put 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.
3. Fabulous food and drink
Theres 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 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.
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 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 Lees intuitive hands of velvet/steel. Next time Im 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.
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 owners son has incredible taste in music and put 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.
3. Fabulous food and drink
Theres 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 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.
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 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 Lees intuitive hands of velvet/steel. Next time Im 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.
Janice Nieder is Founder of Travel with Taste.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
