No one can say for sure when celebrities migrated en masse to Phuket, its famed beaches, and its growing cafe and restaurant scene. Since recovering from its tsunami turmoil of decade ago, distinctly calm character has pervaded Phuket. Much of itis from the tenacious rebuildingof the island by both locals
and government officials, hospitable and welcoming, appears to be pockets ot that have redefined Phuke
Phuket aimed to remain and the offshoot of that nctuaries on the island vacationing,
Perhaps this is the pull that has persuaded the rich and famousto this famed island: The promiseof And itis amidstthis change in Phuket’s character perched on hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea Villa Tassanais two-level hideaway on prestigious gated estate tucked somewhere in between Surin and Bang Tao beaches. Uniquely made in its interior design and generous in it: Thai influences, with Jim Thompson throw pillows tered across the lounge and homegrown Harn home spa toiletries dressing up the bathrooms you with your own personal chef, two polishe to all your needs. Here, you can be anything you want.
Play pretend celebrity and go island-hopping on with her girls for pampering getaway, toast the family with kids in tow for major bonding. Dream the part and the staff are willing to oblige. We were the latter.
There are no neighbours (orat least, you don’t them), and the staff are amazingly discreet.
It’s place that is perfect to do absolutely nothing
But when you do feel the urge to explore the island, the staff stands ready to accommodate want, and at times, exceeding your expectations.
There were late afternoon hunger pangs feted at the outdoor sala that the staff accommodated with fried bananas; and the next day, sublime spread of homemade sticky rice with fragrant mangoes at the outdoor deck. Everything was laid out prettily in the common area downstairs, where lounge chairs and swing with Thai triangle pillows overlook the ocean view. When Phuket weather took turn for the worse it was after all, May, the monsoon month the staff continued to ensure our holiday remains unaffected, There’s plenty of warmth and graceful hospitality here. Asthe rain plummeted its way across the island, lolled about an the daybed, book in hand, enjoying the hauntingly beautiful grey skies awarded me from the wide windows of the living room. Seeing the waves crash ominouslyon the rocks below was surprisingly
comforting. Then again, it could be the tea and sweet cakes the staff had sent over to accompany mydaydreaming
Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2014 Jul-Aug, pages 50-53. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.
