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Visiting Phuket
Above: Sri Panwa, where
Not me. Having had my life turned
Gordon Ramsay and his
et
after the lifting of the Foreign Office around once before at a Thai spa resort
HOW TO BOOK IT
family recently stayed in
advice, I found hoteliers saddened by the only for it to slip slowly back into reverse,
a five-bedroomed villa
downturn caused by isolated violence I felt it was time to give it another shot. Carrier offers 13 nights from
in Bangkok. But it also seemed that The price of a spa goer’s stay includes £4,130pp (based on two
many travellers have still been making two daily treatments, full-board, classes sharing) with Thai Airways from
the effort to find out for themselves if and activities, a butler at your villa and an Heathrow to Bangkok, onward
Thailand was as great as they remember, initial consultation to work out a wellness flights to Phuket and private
writes April Hutchinson. programme for the stay. transfers throughout (based
Thailand may have the paradise beaches What you won’t get is meat, nightlife, a on travel August 16–September
and James Bond islands but if there are no TV or very much alcohol. 30). Price includes two nights
tourists, there are tough times. This is quite a prescriptive way of life at the Sukhothai, Bangkok
Phuk
“We have a guest from CNN who – so anyone coming here has to be made (with breakfast), seven nights
sometimes stays with us and I would like aware of that. Guests eat just fish and (pay for five) in a Hill Pool Villa
to give him a piece of my mind next time ingredients grown from the resort’s at Six Senses Destination Spa,
he stays,” one hotelier in Phuket told me, biological gardens. Butter is a dirty word, Phuket (including three spa
incredulous at the constant and at times water is served at room temperature, cuisine meals per day, a private
sensationalist coverage of the Bangkok organic wines and champagne only are wellness consultation, two 60-
troubles in April. He and other hoteliers available – and only after 6pm. min spa treatments per day),
say some statements on TV made it appear The resort is on Koh Naka Yai, a 3km two nights in a Pavilion Room
as if there had been non-stop riots in the island set in picturesque Phang Nga Bay, at Amanpuri, Phuket (room
capital for five years, warding off skittish and is reached via a five-minute boatride only) and two nights at The
potential travellers. from the new Ao Po Grand Marina which Sarojin, Khao Lak in a Garden
In the UK, the Foreign Office advice opened in north-east Phuket last year. Residence with complimentary
against travel was lifted only days before At Six Senses, the wellness centre is breakfast. Tel: 0161 491 7630,
my own departure; like many I felt I wanted designed with four themed spas within it: carrier.co.uk
to go regardless, having heard on the ground Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and Thai. “We
that unrest was sporadic and isolated. really do see dramatic changes in guests,”
The media cameras have moved on says Melida Weber, the resort’s manager,
since April, with Bangkok’s protests and who has undergone transformation in her
casualties old news, but Phuket hoteliers own lifestyle since moving to the island. Aman for all seasons
were just about to enter an already slim All my good work started to unravel at a Back on Phuket, curiosity naturally leads
summer period, or “low season”, and gourmet Italian meal with wine at sister the mind to wonder whether life is still
many travellers may have easily just property Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, sweet for one of the island’s most
flipped their plans to Malaysia or Bali. reached again from Ao Po marina. expensive hotels, Amanpuri.
Hideaway’s concept could not be more Aman resorts are beloved by a set of
Inspiring spas different – no indulgence is too great, a wealthy, loyal, impossibly slim, style-
While hotels have been trying to turn bakery stuffed with cakes and ice cream at conscious jetsetters. To them, going to
their business forecasts around, Six Senses breakfast, or exquisite cocktails at the Adrian Zecha’s first-ever hotel on beautiful
Destination Spa Phuket has been inviting chill-out bar. The Dining Room features a Pansea beach is like a pilgrimage. But
guests to “Turn Your Life Around”. Who glass floor with a creek meandering business at Amanpuri is down on
26
could refuse? beneath it. Resistance seemed futile. last year and manager Antonio
feature thailand
summer 09 ttgluxury.com
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