PHUKET GUIDE
Phuket is an island that rewards those who seek beauty in the details-limestone cliffs rising from turquoise waters, pastel shophouses lining Old Town streets, and resorts where design meets serenity. Here’s how to plan a trip devoted to design, food, and slow living, three standout resorts set the scene:
V Villas Phuket
A Design-Lover’s Sanctuary
Perched high above Ao Yon Bay, V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection is more than a place to stay - it’s an experience that lingers. Conceived by the acclaimed architecture and design studio Studio Gronda, the property feels both private and secluded, yet deeply connected to its surroundings.
Perched on a private hilltop above Ao Yon Bay, Phuket, V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection is where tropical serenity meets design-driven indulgence. Elevated 39 meters above sea level with uninterrupted Andaman Sea vistas, this boutique hideaway is composed of just 26 pool villas—1- to 6-bedroom sanctuaries designed for couples, families, or friends seeking privacy and bespoke service.
From the moment you arrive, the architecture sets the mood: villas unfurl toward the horizon, infinity pools dissolve into the sea, and open-plan living erases the boundary between indoors and out. Interiors are a masterclass in quiet luxury-blonde timbers, linen-draped furnishings, sculptural lighting, and soft neutral palettes accented by the deep blues of the bay.
Every element is intentional, designed to slow the pace and invite you to savour the art of stillness. With seamless indoor-outdoor flow, private infinity pools, lush greenery, and curated details, each villa feels like a world of its own-elevated by 24-hour butler service that ensures every moment feels effortlessly extraordinary.
Dining is a highlight, YON | Ocean House celebrates coastal flavours with a cosmopolitan edge, serving beautifully plated seafood and vibrant, produce-led dishes. There’s a gentle Middle Eastern influence woven through the menu-think spices, dips, and grilled delicacies that add warmth and intrigue-without overpowering the coastal ethos. Breakfasts are indulgent yet nourishing, a perfect balance of wellness and decadence.
While evenings at Akoya | Star Lounge are pure theatre: sunset cocktails above the bay as the sky fades from gold to violet, paired with mezze-style plates and sultry lounge music. The design aesthetic carries through the dining experience-cerulean ocean backdrops, natural textures, and glowing lantern light create a space that feels both modern and timeless.
V Villas Spa and Wellness, cocooned within the forest canopy, draws you into a world of deep quiet and ritual. Treatments are bespoke and sensorial, harnessing native botanicals and Andaman pearl powder to restore and renew. Wellbeing extends far beyond the treatment rooms: sunrise yoga unfolds on the hillside, the jungle-framed gym hosts curated fitness sessions, and sound-healing ceremonies ripple softly through the senses.
Yet the true magic is found in the people. Every interaction feels personal and intuitive-from butlers who anticipate your needs, to servers who recall your favourite drink, to spa therapists who seem to know exactly what your body craves. Their genuine warmth transforms a beautiful resort into a place you’ll yearn to return to.
Discover more or book your stay by visiting the V Villas website.
AmanpurI
The birthplace of Aman
A short drive from Ao Yon, Amanpuri remains one of the world’s great resort experiences. Set on a private peninsula with its own crescent of white sand, Amanpuri is the embodiment of discreet, design-driven luxury. Traditional Thai architecture inspires its pavilions and villas: teakwood, Thai silks, clean geometric lines, and interiors that breathe amongst swaying coconut palms. Serenity is woven into every detail - private pools, open terraces, and views across the Andaman Sea.
Dining here feels like being part of a reverie: Nama for modern Japanese, Arva for Italian, plus beach-side fare by the pool. The Aman Spa is deeply restorative, offering wellness rituals that balance local traditions and modern techniques. Amanpuri is the resort for travelers seeking purity of place, where design and nature exist in elegant harmony.
Discover more or book your stay by visiting The Amanpuri website.
JW Marriott, Khao Lak
Family-Friendly Luxury
About 1 hour off Phuket island, you’ll find JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa a hidden paradise for families - where thoughtful design meets barefoot luxury. Its recent redesign puts style front and centre while adding features that make it ideal for those travelling with children. With family-friendly amenities include a kids’ club, dedicated children’s pools, and a sprawling aqua playground with wave pools and water trampolines. With space to explore safely and a variety of dining options - from casual beach grills and family-friendly restaurants to elegant fine dining - there’s something to suit every age and occasion.
The resort is rewriting the rules of resort dining with its Sown & Reborn experience - Southeast Asia’s first fully circular beachfront tasting menu. Set against the backdrop of Drift Beach Bar & Grill, the evening begins with a guided stroll through the 27-acre JW Garden, followed by chef-led tastings and a six-course menu that proves sustainability can be wildly creative. Think poached JW Garden duck eggs on silky potato espuma made from surplus potatoes, tagliatelle spun from smoked eggshells and bread trimmings, and desserts sweetened with Nipa palm sugar that supports the resort’s reforestation efforts. Even coffee grounds and coconut husks are reborn into complex flavour bases - a masterclass in turning kitchen “waste” into culinary art.
The resort’s eco-conscious ethos continues beyond the table with its Bamboo Shark Nursery & Conservation Center, developed in partnership with Oceans For All Foundation. Here, threatened bamboo sharks are nurtured before being released into the Andaman Sea. Guests can witness or even participate in this conservation effort, transforming a luxury stay into a meaningful encounter with marine preservation through Marriott’s Good Travel program.
JW Marriott is the resort to choose if you want all the comforts, style, and relaxation of a design-led getaway, but with the flexibility, amenities, and welcoming spirit that make it ideal for families or multi-generational travel.
Discover more or book your stay by visiting JW Marriott Khao Lak website.
OUR EDITORS TOP PICKS
Island Hopping in Phang Nga Bay: Charter a private longtail or luxury speedboat and slip away into a dreamscape of limestone karsts and jade-green waters. Known for its spectacular limestone formations, drift into hidden lagoons, kayak through secret caves, and pause at James Bond Island for that iconic, cinematic view. Sunrise departures promise glassy seas and soft, golden light.
Zuma Phuket: For a night that feels like an occasion, head to Zuma at Anantara Layan. This open-air restaurant brings Tokyo sophistication to the tropics - think robata-grilled wagyu, yellowtail sashimi with ponzu, and cocktails timed perfectly to sunset.
Akoya | Star Lounge: High above Ao Yon Bay at V Villas, this is where evenings linger. Order champagne or a crafted cocktail, watch the sky melt from gold to violet, and stay until the stars scatter over the Andaman.
Phuket Old Town: Spend an afternoon wandering its pastel Sino-Portuguese streets, ducking into galleries, boutiques, and charming cafés. On Sunday evenings, the Walking Street Market transforms the old town into a lantern-lit celebration of food, art, and craft.
Amanpuri Wellness: Even if you’re not staying, book into the Amanpuri Spa for an afternoon of total restoration. Think sunset yoga pavilions, hydrotherapy pools, and treatments designed to quiet the mind as much as the body.
A Splendid Lens on Phuket
A trip to Phuket is as much about rhythm as it is about discovery - where days drift between turquoise horizons, candlelit dinners, and design-led sanctuaries that feel like private worlds. Whether it’s the bespoke intimacy of V Villas Phuket, the timeless calm of Amanpuri, or the generous, family-friendly spirit of JW Marriott Khao Lak, each resort offers its own lens on island living. Together, they reveal Phuket’s many moods - serene, soulful, and endlessly inspiring - inviting you to pause, savour, and experience the island through a designer’s eye.
Come for the beaches, stay for the architecture, and leave inspired by a region where history and modern creativity meet in perfect harmony. If you’re planning a journey to Thailand, may it be filled with beauty, discovery, and moments you’ll treasure long after you return.
- Team Splendid