Here comes the Sun! BY CHRISTINE YEO
Pristine beaches and picturesque hideaways are ideal summer holiday retreats. Christine Yeo scans the map for beach destinations that offer more than sun, sea and sand, which you and your family will love. Bespoke luxury in Thailand As the urban lifestyle gets more stressful and congested, vacationers in this health-conscious era are eschewing shopping and partying in favour of sustaining healing holidays. If you and your partner are looking for a quiet spot to unwind, Thailand is a spa haven for busy working professionals. Located in southern Thailand, facing the Andaman Sea, Krabi brings you closer to nature. Filled with forested nature reserves, limestone formations and hot springs, there is always a sense of discovery and magic surrounding the attractions of Krabi. Just last year, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company debuted their brand new extension – The Reserve. “A collection of exotic, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts positioned in unique settings,” according to it’s president and COO, Mr. Simon F. Cooper. The first of these luxury hotels Phulay Bay, is indeed enjoying a spectacular view. Tucked away where the glistening sands and blue skies converge with the Andaman Sea, this new establishment offers sights of the naturally rugged shoreline and dramatic limestone karsts which make up the gorgeous landscape of Krabi. Getting to this piece of heaven
is only a 40-minute drive from Krabi International Airport. The exclusive resort is the vision of leading Thai architect Lek Bunnag, it features modern styling and architecture with accents of Thai, Moroccan, and the Middle East. A conscious effort can be seen in promoting sustainable development through the combination of contemporary Thai styling in the buildings with the natural flora in the area. All villas feature large indoor baths, verandas with lounge beds, “rainforest” outdoor baths and private plunge pools, however none of them resemble one another. Focusing on bespoke services, you have your own personal butler and can choose from having light BBQ lunches at the beach, a meditation class with monks, elephant trekking, or a seaplane tour of the region’s beautiful landscape. Not interested? There are also Thai batik painting lessons, cooking classes and even your own personal chef to whip up delicacies with the freshest catch-of-theday from the Andaman Sea in the comfort of your own villa.