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The little island off Phuket is home to a peaceful, healthy Six Senses Destination Spa
A “getaway in Phuket” can be a noisy proposition, what with Patong Beach banging away all night and hotels instantly materialising where you just parked your car. Best to swim a little ways out to sea instead.
Actually, take a boat to small, secluded Naka Yai Island, where the Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket offers a tranquil, healthy sanctuary.
This Erawan property managed by Six Senses is still only 40 minutes from Phuket Airport, but its only neighbour on Naka Yai is a tiny fishing village. That seclusion makes it perfect for anyone needing a break from busyness.
The spacious, open resort in a tropical garden has 61 generously sized bungalows overlooking the beach or tucked into a hillside.
The smallest - the Hill Pool and Beach Pool Villas - offer 450 square metres. There’s a massive master bedroom, private plunge pool, sunbathing area, outdoor shower and a sala for meditating or just loafing.
In-room facilities include an iPod with a docking speaker, six kinds of tea, all-natural personal-care products, a yoga mat and a shower with a steam room.
The bigger Hill Pool and Beach Pool Villa Suites sprawl out for 900 square metres, ample room for a sauna and living area.
Families and groups of friends can book the sole Beach Pool Villa Suite Two Bedroom, and then there’s “A Retreat on the Hill”, the biggest of all. It has 2,500 square metres, its own kitchen, pool, dining room, living area, spa, yoga room, hillside open-air platform and private media library stocked with books and DVDs.
The other villas insist on restful solitude by doing without TV sets, but you can get a DVD player on request, and every room has Internet access.
The common library has a big-screen TV with satellite channels, and also health books, guidebooks and novels, board games and English-language newspapers.
For outside activities, you can always hop over to Phuket or see the other nearby islands, or visit the fishermen living right next door. The hotel provides bicycles.
The big pampering takes the form of personal butlers - every guest has his own.
They set up your daily schedule and help you with everything, and they’re very attentive - it can actually be a little awkward until you get used to it.
The whole idea is to unwind while getting healthy. You can go swimming, kayaking or biking or sign up for wellness classes, which have expert speakers all day.
On arrival you’ll be encouraged to meet the health consultants and talk about what’s ailing you or what you’d like to improve.
The resort’s chefs have that in mind too. Raw food and spa cuisine - mostly vegetable from their own garden - are served three times a day. Even if the concept is unfamiliar, the food is appealing and yummy. As for alcohol, there’s only organic wine, served at dinner.
Ideal for when you really want to get away and get healthy, Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket isn’t recommended for families with young children - or those who don’t give a toss about wellness.
AT A GLANCE
High points:
Low point: Not suitable for children or party seekers
Find it: Naka Yai Island, Phuket
Pay for it: Contact the hotel for the best deal.
Browse it: www.SixSenses.com, e-mail reservations-naka@sixsenses.com
Phone it: (076) 371 400