Pansea Beach
Thailand


The Experience

There are lots of options for beachfront luxury in Phuket, but Amanpuri always manages to top the list. Perhaps guests' undying devotion can be attributed to the authentically Thai villas, sprinkled throughout a mature coconut plantation. Or maybe it's the dramatic views of the teal-blue Andaman Sea from every room. It could easily be the service with a smile, or perhaps the fleet of yachts and spectacular diving. With the opening of the Aman brand's first full-service spa, there's yet another reason to stay at Amanpuri. The trick is finding a way to leave.

The Rooms

If vernacular architecture is your bag, this is your resort. Each pavilion looks like a building at the king's palace in Bangkok -- all teaks and turned-up corners and tiled roofs. Each clocks in at 1,200 square feet and has a king-size bed framed with Thai art, an oversized dressing area and a private outdoor sala. While all look out onto the water, villas 103 and 105 feature full-on postcard-perfect views. For more space and seclusion, rent out one of the privately owned villa homes, hidden in the sloping hillside. Each compound has its own swimming pool; separate rooms for dining, sleeping and hanging out; and an exclusive cook and maid.

The Service

Aman is famous for service, but it outdoes itself here. A limo picks up all guests at the airport. Tennis courts graciously remain lit for cooler nighttime matches. Staff in the gift shop can wax poetic about a textile or piece of Thai jewelry. And beach workers eagerly help game guests prepare for complimentary runs in Hobie Cats and kayaks.

The Highlights

Aman junkies keep coming back to the eight-year-old Amanpuri, which keeps giving them new reasons to make the trek. Take a yoga class in the outdoor teak sala at the Aman spa, and relax by the rectangular pool, which seems to spill out into the sea. Restaurants (which are all open-air) offer a taste of rich Thai cuisine (try the curried crab), but also a break from it, with nightly barbecues on the beach. Charter the resort's fleet of yachts -- the biggest in Southeast Asia -- for deep-sea fishing or romantic weekends afloat in Pang Nga Bay. The best way to end a day of total relaxation: at one of the molded-brass tables at the poolside bar, watching the sun dripping into the sea.

-- Heidi Mitchell

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