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This
stunning villa is located on the side of a steep hill at the
tip of the southern headland of Phuket's beautiful Kata
Beach, which is relatively undeveloped as Club Med owns
about 70% of its one mile length. It sits on the rocks which
lead down to the sea about 15 metres below and the
architect, M.L. Tri Devakul - who also designed The Meridien,
Yacht Club, Club Med, and The Boathouse - cleverly
incorporated several huge, pre-existing boulders into the
design. The 6m x 15m swimming pool is on the edge of the
rocks and the villa faces directly west, guaranteeing a
perfect view of the spectacular sunsets. There is also a
fantastic view of Pu island - one of the few islands along
the west coast of Phuket.
The villa itself is very private and secluded, thanks to a
perimeter wall and extensive vegetation, and consists of 4
separate buildings on a large plot of land. Lots of
balconies, large windows, high ceilings and doors and
windows that slide back into the walls give a very spacious
feeling to the property and the amenities are very modern.
The owner's wife is a Japanese interior designer, and she
has created an atmosphere that is a subtle combination of
Japanese, Balinese, and Thai influences. For example, each
of the bathrooms adjoining the bedrooms has outside showers
in a very natural setting. There are also artifacts,
statues, carvings, doors etc. from Bali throughout the
property.
From
the parking area on top of the hill, you descend a private
path to the front gate - a large, old Javanese door. Once
through the door you descend a further ten steps to a white
sandstone walkway flanked by lotus ponds. Behind the pond on
the left is the service building, comprising the kitchen,
store room and maid's room. Behind the pond on your right is
a guest villa building and attached bathroom. The bathroom
is next to a huge rock, which forms one of the sides of the
outdoor shower. The guest villa has its own private patio
and garden with views of the sea. Access to the guest villa
is across stepping stones in the lotus pond. Returning to
the entrance walkway and proceeding around a large rock and
down about three metres to the two front buildings, both of
which are situated at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the
sea. The front left building has a bedroom on the ground
floor just next to the swimming pool. In front of this room
is a patio and a small garden. The first floor of the left
front building is the main living/dining area and has a
large balcony with a spectacular sea view. It has an extra
high ceiling and is very spacious. At the back of this room
is a pantry and bathroom. The front right building has a
large study on the ground floor which opens on to a covered
patio and the swimming pool. The master bedroom, on the
first floor, has its own balcony and large bathroom
including bath tub and outside shower with its own
spectacular view.
The
master bedroom has a teak wood floor; the other bedrooms
white terrazzo floors; and the living room/dining room
polished beige sandstone. Entrances to the living room,
master bedroom, and front bedroom by the pool are through
old Balinese doors. All the rooms are individually
air-conditioned but also have door screens and fans for
guests who prefer not to use air-conditioning at night. For
entertainment there is the latest stereo equipment; state of
the art computer set up, and top of the line cable TV
system.
There
is an excellent live in cook and also a cleaner who visits
daily. In front of and to the right of the building
containing the study room and master bedroom and beside the
swimming pool there is a Balinese Sala (pavilion) with
panoramic views of the Andaman sea, the rocky shoreline in
front ofthe villa and swimming pool and front garden. The
sala, which is built on the rocks, can seat six people
comfortably and is perfect for lunches, sunset cocktails,
and general relaxation. Another unique item is a large flat
rock in front of the villa from which swimming in the sea is
possible during the calm season (December to May).
The developer, next to The Boathouse on Kata Beach proper,
has constructed a club for local villa owners, which
includes a new seafood bar and restaurant called Gung
and also changing rooms and beach chairs/umbrellas so there
is direct access to Kata Beach. There is easy access to good
restaurants (with good wine cellars) at The Boathouse,
Gung, and others on Kata Beach, all of which are within
easy walking distance from the villa.
Patong Beach, the centre of lively night life in Phuket, is
a mere 20 minutes away by car or taxi.
Accommodation rates
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