With a week at a villa in the Amanpuri, what is one to do?
Especially during the off-diving season when the sea is all choppy with
whitecaps and rain might just kill whatever plans you have for a decent dive? Phuket
is after all more than just sun, sand and sea.
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| Caution: Amanpuri Phuket |
There is also that other ‘S’: spa. Our first experience with
Aman products was the amenities in our villa, and we came to love the insect
repellant, infused with lemon grass, which we bought in abundance in the end.
The Spa at the Amanpuri is set across the road from the main
lobby pavilions, with numerous smaller pavilions and side rooms for complete
privacy during treatments while still enjoying beautiful views of the Andaman
Sea and Bangtao Beach.
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| Entrance to the Aman Spa, overlooking Bangtao Beach |
It feels very zen-like, very calming, and very decadent,
especially with the chocolate spa treatments. Yes, you can actually lick a
layer of rich dark (or milk if you prefer) chocolate off your body, if you so
desire. Well, that last part I say with qualification: I assume you can do it.
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| Pavilions centered around fountains, Aman Spa |
The Library is just beautiful. One of the larger resort
libraries I have seen and a fine one in its own building. While not as bright
and airy as the library at the Four Seasons Langkawi, it still boasts an
impressive collection and skylight with layers of teak furniture and dark wood
throughout.
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| Library, Amanpuri Phuket |
To add in the decadence, even if you are the only person in
the library, they will still furnish the place, extremely discreetly, with a
platter of fresh fruits. They come and go as quietly as cats. The two areas of
the library: the reading room and the lounge are partitioned in such a way
there is privacy yet openness to the space.
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| Lounge, Library, Amanpuri Phuket |
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| Tea Pavilion by the main pool, Amanpuri Phuket |
What made the stay all the more interesting would be the
afternoon tea served in the tea pavilion, daily at 4pm. The tea pavilion overlooks the pool
and Pansea Beach. It has a nice selection of savory Thai snacks that look like
mini crepes with filling made in a hot pan with options of tea, lemongrass
being my favourite. You can recline on the veranda or terrace on comfy sofas
while fanning yourself lounging around.
But of course all this decadence and luxury may make some
people, me included, feel a little sluggish and a bit too relaxed. This is
where the fitness centre comes in. It is located on top of the hill on the top
of the peninsula and is quite a trek and a warm-up if you decide to walk, hike
or jog from your villa. Hence, the buggy ride to the fitness centre might just
make you guilty enough to work out that bit more extra.
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| View from the treadmill, Amanpuri Phuket |
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| Treadmills overlooking Andaman Sea, Amanpuri Phuket |
From the outside, it looks unimposing, but this is the
hallmark of Aman Resorts: understated luxury. Once you enter, the view from the
top just draws you in to the machines. Good machines, well maintained, with
patrons who know how to rerack their weights. Yes, unracked messy weights are a
pet peeve. The view of the sea from the treadmills or cycle machines can make
you work out longer than usual as you enjoy the view.
Then you realize the fitness centre is actually spread over
two levels. There is a studio with funky stretch machines, a yoga platform and,
if something a little more local is down your alley, a very wide, open and
well-appointed Muay Thai gym that opens out to the green and sea below. Even
the toilets feel luxurious, but then again, this is the Amanpuri, so why not
make the mundane that much more elegantly luxurious without being garishly ostentatious?
Now that you had your fill of treatments, readings and tea
rounded up with a decent workout to create a furnace to burn all that delicious
food cooked by your in-house chef or savoured outside working as the perfect
fuel, surely that is enough to satisfy a stay-in without ever leaving the gates
of this Versailles?
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| Pansea Beach, Amanpuri Phuket |
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| Pool, Pansea Beach, Amanpuri Phuket |
Well, there is more: Pansea Beach. It is a small beach,
shared by only one other equally luxurious resort, The Surin Phuket. There are
a few cabanas, another pool, wait staff that somehow materialize just when you realize
you want something and a sports facility. Kayaking was so tempting but there
was no way I could kayak in the occasional rain. Ultimate Frisbee was an
option, as was beach volleyball. In short, the usual beach sports, but somehow
not as enjoyable without more people. It was definitely a private beach for
private, individual sports (like kayaking) or a retreat from the masses.
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| Sunset, Sea and Saddle: horse riding on Bangtao Beach |
Which makes you wonder: would I ever want to leave my villa
with my own infinity pool where I can skinny dip as and when I want, or soak in
the decadence the hotel has to offer? When there is the option to explore the
island a bit and enjoy a round of horse riding, one does need to go out and get
in with ‘reality’ once in a while. That is a story for later.
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