Tag Archives: exotic

Akaryn, Samui, Thailand

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Part of the Thai AHMS collection and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, Akaryn is a highly regarded hotel on the island of Samui. It is set on the serene Hanuman Bay slightly removed from the main hubbub of tourist activity. With 52 suites built amongst the lush tropical greenery and backing onto the idyllic beach, it is the ideal secluded luxury accommodation.

Weaving our way along a leafy path, we found ourselves at Pool Suite 124, a lovely hexagonal villa with a private plunge pool. The suites are subtly designed in a chic Asian style, a mix of antique furniture and modern technology giving a cosy but contemporary feel. Huge heavy curtains ensure the room is pitch black at night, but they also look grand and indulgent concealing the windows and adding a touch of decadence to the decor. Our open-plan suite had a high ceiling creating a calming sense of space. It included a blissfully bouncy kingsize bed, a thoughtfully designed living area with characterful wooden furniture, fruit bowl and magazines. We didn’t use the TV and iPod speakers spending nearly all our time outside or reading on the wonderfully comfortable bed.

Some of the suites include a glorious hand-carved roll top bath, we were sad to miss out on this but still enjoyed our well equipped bathroom: a simple area with walk-in shower and separate toilet, equipped with complimentary naturally sourced toiletries using essential oil extracts, exclusively designed for the hotel. The only fault with the bathroom was a lack of light which I found irritating in the evening.

In the public spaces a wet bar dominates, guests can splash about while enjoying a cocktail or have a more civilised drink at the side of the pool. There are several refined restaurants from which to choose, important if one is staying for longer. The variety of cuisines on offer created by international chef Christoph Lindner, is a great asset to the hotel. We tried the traditional Thai menu from the Legend Restaurant for dinner whilst admiring the sea view. We loved the spicy Papaya salad, fragrant Chicken satay and irresistibly crispy Stir-fried beef with garlic and black pepper sauce. If you desire something a little more European try the Italian thin base pizzas made in the handmade wood-fired oven. For special occasions one can ask for a romantic, lantern lit dinner on the beach. Breakfast is also served by the beach on the breezy terrace, we tried a delectable selection of treats. I can particularly recommend the Baker’s favourite French toast rolled in cinnamon sugar with pineapple jam and homemade yoghurt, also delicious is the bottled fresh pineapple juice.

When it is time for some pampering, the Ayurah spa offers a range of eclectic and exotic treatments to soothe and revitalise. We experienced our first traditional Thai massage here, dressed in Karate style baggy white cotton outfits we lay face down while nimble ladies pushed and pulled our bodies in and out of shape. It was quite an experience, sixty minutes of painful pleasure! This treatment is known to reduce stress and relieve muscle soreness, but at the time it felt like quite the opposite.

Akaryn promotes itself as ‘intuitive luxury’, it is a relaxing retreat to satisfy all the senses and transport you far away from your busy everyday life.

More information and book a stay here: www.akaryn.com

The Pavilions, Phuket

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The Pavilions Hotel in Phuket is the ultimate romantic destination. This quiet, secluded adults-only resort was our first stop in Phuket. The blissful and beautiful location conveyed an idyllic impression of Thailand’s largest island, little did I know of the tourist invaded streets a short car ride away.

Found at one of Phuket’s highest points, the Pavilions’ villas nestle amongst the lush greenery looking out towards the azure Andaman Sea. After a twenty minute air-conditioned drive, the smart hotel pick-up service delivered us efficiently at the main reception. The staff seemed excited to see us, chiming the ceremonial gong and greeting us with sweetly scented flowers and a refreshing, tangy welcome drink.

Thankfully nippy buggies escort guests around the resort which is rather hilly. There are a variety of luxury villas on offer for couples to choose from. We experienced two types, first the grand and indulgent ocean-view pool suite. This huge apartment showed an obvious Chinese influence, with a deep red and glossy black colour theme. I ran around frantically discovering new details, it was impossible to choose a favourite room.

A few features stood out: the super-sized sofa plumped up with cushions, the sleek bar complete with golden Buddha and the stunning private terrace and shimmering infinity pool. The modern amenities were disguised discreetly amongst the décor, though a giant flatscreen TV was particularly decadent in the main room. The bedroom was one of a kind, with an uber-comfortable big bed, topped with a retro ‘amore’ pillow and a brilliant bright red rose carpet on the floor.

I was pleased to notice characterful and intriguing artwork and artefacts adorning the suite. The bathroom had a beautiful black and white print on the wall, while other rooms had more colourful graphic pictures by Christiam Develter on the walls. Spacious and airy, the bathroom was like a salon or spa in itself, with enough floor space to hold a small yoga class! Marble surfaces, a duo of sinks and piles of soft towels and regal maroon dressing gowns completed the luxury.

For our second night at Pavilions, we were lucky enough to try a Spa Pavilion featuring its own private spa and steam room, a facility I have never seen in a hotel room before! Equally attractive but with differing features and less vibrant interior design, this was a lovely variation illustrating the versatility of the resort. Pavilions is known for its exemplary spa and its talented therapists. The massage was faultless, a ritualistic treatment that began with a relaxing foot massage before the balancing oil body massage, it was all enjoyed in the comfort of our own villa. For spa-keen couples it really is an unmissable feature.

Food and drink can be enjoyed in the resort, or guests may choose to sample the nearby traditional Thai restaurants, which come highly recommended. I loved beach eatery Som, where you dine on Asian delicacies with your feet in the sand. For sundowners the cocktails at 360 Bar in the hotel cannot be beaten. Try the fruity love potions while admiring the view and picking at flavoursome tapas snacks. Breakfast is immaculate too, with the flakiest croissants, delicious coffee and a very tasty hot French toast from the a la carte menu. I found the staff particularly endearing here too, so smiley and keen to chat about English football! It is worth noting too how efficient and practical the concierge staff at Pavilions are, eager to help plan an excursion or to help you navigate your way to the nearby Layan beach, which can be reached by the hotel’s complimentary open air ‘songthaew’ shuttle.

As the gong sounded to mark our departure, I realised how sad I was to be leaving Pavilions behind. This resort ensures every couple visiting has an unforgettable stay, I understand now why their return rate is so high.

More information and book a stay at The Pavilions Phuket here: www.thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-home/

The Library Hotel, Koh Samui

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After four busy, boiling hot days in Bangkok we flew to the popular southern island of Samui. The airport is tiny and it only takes a few minutes to find your luggage and wander out onto the streets. A suave, smartly dressed driver was waiting patiently, within seconds we were out of the heat and into the shiny, air-conditioned car.

The only design hotel on the island of Samui, The Library is a special place to stay with a focus on intelligent and thoughtful luxury. Located on the stiflingly touristy strip of Chaweng Beach on the east coast, it is the main reason to visit this area of Samui. It is certainly out of place, a refuge of calm and stylish luxury amongst the neon clothes stands and massage parlours.

The minimalist white structure is a stark contrast to the grubby smelly streets in the town. Everything inside is book themed… you enter the breezy ‘contents’ reception area and enjoy a refreshing clementine sorbet and cold flannel, while admiring the giant Design Hotels bible which sits open in the sunlight. The rooms/suites are known as ‘pages’ and are found neatly lining the central path. The bright turquoise sea at the end looks so idyllic it seems to be a mirage as you walk towards it, mesmerised. The property is home to 12 white figure sculptures, each is reading in a languorous position, they look like giant Plasticine creatures from a kids art programme and encourage guests to relax.

There are 13 suites (downstairs) and 13 studios (upstairs), we were in Page 22, a stark white studio with high ceiling, and low bed. Kitted out with slick Mac computer, coffee maker, minibar and enviable minimalist furniture, it is the ultimate pad. Soon the pristine white room was ruined as our bags of flip flops and summer clothes were strewn over every surface. There is a simple elegance to the features on offer, a large square lightbox can be switched on to illuminate the room in different hued glows. The bathroom is spacious and airy with a giant bath and power shower. Brightly coloured toiletries are found in generous containers on the wall.

The hotel is famous for its crimson pool, a startling contrast to the nearby shimmering blue sea. The rich blood-red Italian tiles are unusual and alluring, a genius choice to brighten the surroundings even more. Within the petite property guests can find a small gym and library holding numerous films and books to enjoy whilst staying. There is no spa but if requested treatments can be arranged.

Desperate for some time on the beach, we utilised every moment… snacks from the Page Restaurant can be ordered and eaten from your sandy spot. Gazing into the distance, chewing at a fragrant satay stick and gulping down a zingy lychee juice, I couldn’t think of a more heavenly setting. We spoke at length to the lovely Francis from the hotel about the history of the island, the Thai culture and how the Library Hotel’s unique personality works on the island of Samui.

Those who are happy to leave the seclusion of the hotel grounds can wander out to the touristy streets where the Library’s second, newer restaurant is to be found. Drink Gallery is a trendy, modern eatery and bar with a range of Asian and continental dishes and an exemplary cocktail list. I was extremely impressed by the high standard of service and masterful mixology. Of the food, the starters were particularly delicious – scrumptious little fried crab dumplings and sweet sticky duck strips with crunchy greenery. For dessert, the sweet, fluffy toast is unmissable. If you enjoy a cocktail try the Bourbon based fruity Vintage and the smooth and zingy Suave and Singular.

Breakfast can be served on the beach, a lovely wake up meal. Choose from a menu of eggs, waffles, fruit and pastries and sip your morning coffee while admiring the spectacular expanse of sea ahead of you.

The hotel is expanding to a new ‘chapter’ building on the neighbouring land; I feel there is scintillating sequel to come from this innovative and creative property very soon. The Library is the hippest hotel on the island of Samui, offering divine design, fun facilities and a pool you will remember forever.

More information and book here: www.thelibrary.co.th