Longing for some winter sun? Known for it's bustling and vibrant cosmopolitan cities and palm-lined beaches that seem to go on for forever, Thailand is also home to some of the best street food in the world. Escape the January blues and read our guide for the best food & stay in Thailand!
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and its name is derived from the Malay word bukit, meaning hill, given its mountainous terrain. Situated 7.5 degrees north of the Equator, Phuket has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and it is also widely credited as the Asian birthplace of the contemporary pool villa.
The most spectacular view in all of Phuket is that of the limestone karsts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Phang Nga Bay, from the picturesque COMO Point Yamu hotel. Situated atop Cape Yamu, on a tropical peninsula on Phuket’s east coast, the hotel is caressed by the cerulean waters of the Andaman Sea, overlooking the geological marvel. Filled with islets, sunken caverns and rock formations rising out of the sea, the Phang Nga Bay kisses wafting cotton clouds and pierces the landscape with its wondrous beauty.
COMO Point Yamu is a 25-minute drive in the hotel’s Mercedes from Phuket International Airport. The drive is dotted with fleeting views of paddy fields, verdant landscapes and early morning life in Phuket, all set to the sounds of soothing Thai music playing on the radio. As you enter the hotel’s driveway on a sunny morning, you can’t help but look up in awe at the striking open-air lobby whilst walking the steps into its beguiling confines. Suspended from the high ceiling, twenty-four white lamp shades inspired by lobster traps (fresh Phuket lobster is a delicacy), dance playfully in the breeze, above a teak Thai table in the centre of the space, adorned with flowers, tchotchke, miniature sculptures and humorous kitsch. As the day progresses into dusk, the light in the lobby changes from fresh to sensual glam, as if the lobby puts on a show every hour to delight your senses. The play of light is an intentional design element across the hotel in all its exterior spaces by Italian designer, Paola Navone. She used Sino-patterned tiles with a dominant aquamarine theme to reflect the presence and proximity of the Andaman Sea and the clear skies above, honouring the heritage and natural beauty of the province with minimalism that’s both luxurious, and discreet. Even the flip-flops in every room are cheery, in blue and white of course!
All of COMO Point Yamu’s 79 rooms and suites, and 27 private villas, have expansive sea views, the One Bedroom Pool Villa with an infinity pool looking out into the Andaman Sea being my favourite. The bathrooms here could very well be the most beautifully designed spaces in the world by Navone. Sipping on my Nespresso by the pool in the morning, watching the yachts and long-tail boats go by was meditative. A short buggy ride takes you up the hillock from the villa at meal times – you don’t sing for your supper, you are driven to it. The Italian restaurant, La Sirena, opens onto a terrace with 360 degree, breathtaking views of the Phang Nga Bay, with a pool so blue you want to dive right in, never mind the breakfast spread and the delicious baby coconut waters. The Coconut Waffles with vanilla mascarpone, fresh mango, blueberries, lime and palm sugar sauce at breakfast here are a delicious way to start off your morning, accompanied by Thai coconut waters and coffee. The Angus Burger and the Grilled Angus Beef Filet (from the healthier Shambhala menu) with grilled king oyster mushrooms, beetroot, beef jus and horseradish are just as flavourful for lunch or dinner.
Photo by Rubina A. Khan
The Aqua Bar by the pool serves up healthy fresh juices, cocktails and smoothies, The Booster with fresh pineapple, mango, ginger and mint being a clear winner.
Right by La Sirena is Nahmyaa, a Southern Thai restaurant that serves Peranakan-Thai cuisine decorated in burnt orange hues, referencing the colour of the robes worn by Buddhist monks and Phuket’s colourful Peranakan heritage. Nahmyaa has a gold-leaf feature wall designed by a local artisan who sang while he worked (under Navone’s design direction). The Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl with avocado, cucumber, spicy mango, sriracha mayonnaise and steamed riceberry makes for the perfect lunch (Riceberry is a rice variety man-made in 2002 by the Rice Science Center at the Kasetsart University in Thailand, which is a cross breed of fragrant black rice and jasmine rice, resulting in a deep purple whole grain rice, also known as Forge Husband or Khao Leum Pua from the Tak province). Rich in antioxidants, fibre and Omega 3 fats, Riceberry is considered a Thai super grain and on all menus! I loved the Tom Yang Goong (hot and sour spicy prawn broth with tomatoes, mushrooms and lime) and the Phad Grapow (wok fried Angus beef with holy basil, garlic, fried egg and jasmine rice) here – Thai food at its finest. The handmade dinnerware that is used at both the restaurants was custom designed by Navone, and produced in Chiang Mai, a nod to one of Thailand’s most important crafts – ceramics.
Photo by Rubina A. Khan
The food is exquisite at both restaurants. The staff are kind and thoughtful, especially Alex and the girls at the restaurants and at the Como Shambhala Spa (Shambhala meaning peace in Sanskrit), which is simply one of the best in the world. It is a calming relaxation area with panoramic views of the bay. The energy of the Spa Manager and the therapists is divine, and healing. The COMO Shambhala Massage is nurturing and the Thai Massage is refreshing, bringing your body and mind back into nature’s balance, away from the chaos and confusion. The COMO Shambhala Cuisine relies on the freshest Phuket-sourced ingredients, nutrition, flavour and wellbeing and it is available in both restaurants and in your room.
COMO Point Yamu is the place where you can celebrate, and re-calibrate your individual spirit, in the most peaceful and relaxing manner, with all of nature in consummate harmony - the Andaman Sea, the Phang Nga Bay, manicured lawns, winding mountainous roads, and all the little islands around Phuket. To feel nature all around you, in its myriad greens, blues, whites and oranges, without the hustle of a city’s busy itinerary is a luxury in these times. You can charter your own boat, replete with refreshments and a Thai crew, from a long-tail boat, to larger vessels ranging from a 28 feet sports cruiser to a 76 feet motor yacht to experience the Phang Nga Bay.
Photo by Rubina A. Khan
When you do decide to step out of the beauteous COMO Point Yamu hotel, a trip to Old Town Phuket with its century-old Sino-Portuguese (Chinese modern architectural style mixed with European) townhouses painted in every hue imaginable, with 3-D street art, murals and a buzzing nightlife is fascinating. The area is best experienced on foot, with innumerable shops, bars, restaurants and cafes like Chef Khun Prang’s One Chun and Day And Night Of Phuket. The Promthep Clock Tower painted in yellow, the shade of a summer mango, on the Phang-Nga Road intersection, is a photo favourite spot that turns from a cross walk into a catwalk on off-peak times. Thailand’s oldest foreign bank, the Standard Chartered Bank is a magnificent example of Phuket’s historic Sino-Portuguese architecture that now houses the Peranakan Culture Centre. A drive up, or a hike up for the very adventurous, to Nakkerd Hill on a clear day to see the 148 feet tall and 84 feet wide Big Buddha statue, made of concrete and covered with Burmese white marble, facing the Chalong Bay, is a spiritual experience. Shopping at Central Phuket (Floresta and Festival) for local luxury labels like Jim Thompson and buying cashews the size of your thumb from Sri Bhurapa Orchid, the first cashew factory in Phuket set up in 1943, is always fun.
COMO Point Yamu is a cliff side paradise and beguiling in every way, as you come away a new person having experienced its serene beauty. To quote Paola Navone who designed this stunning ocean inspired retreat, “When you wake up in a hotel room, you need to open your eyes and feel where you are” - exactement!
Interested in an experience similar to this? Contact our concierge service today for a bespoke, luxury itinerary catered to your every need. Email info@thesybarite.org or go to the contact page of the website.
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