The Cult Of Eat, Pray, Love

In a verdant hideaway that is a world away from Phuket’s party beaches, Aman’s first resort Amanpuri remains as exclusive and serene today as when it first debuted almost 30 years ago – and is an award-winning wellness destination to rebalance body, mind and soul.

- Paige Parker

It’s 7.30am… I rolled over for yet another luxurious hour of slumber. As a mother of two, waking at 6am for school runs is my norm. Sleeping in is a genuine gift, made even more sublime as I finally rose to a view of the Andaman Sea – the waters the colour of fine jadeite, and a breeze playfully tossing the leaves of the abundant coconut palms. A former coconut plantation on Phuket’s west coast, Amanpuri is the OG of Aman Resorts, a grand dame in one of the world’s most exclusive hotel groups at nearly 30 years old.

Boasting what’s essentially a private stretch of Pansea Beach, Amanpuri is the picture-perfect place for a utopian beach holiday. For family or group vacays, the three- to nine-bedroom villas (there are 44) have a live-in housekeeper and Thai chef. Couples – or anyone flying solo, like I did this time – enjoy equal privacy in any of the 40 pavilions, each with an outdoor sala where you can have breakfast or chill amidst verdant surrounds.

Over 600 employees to take care of your every need, wish and want, and four restaurants (Thai, Italian, Japanese, South American), a library with over 1,000 titles, water sports (windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving and speedboats for island hopping) and four flood-lit tennis courts easily fill pockets in your day. Have I mentioned the top-notch gym perched above the sea, with a sexy Pilates studio, a serene and calming spa?