Layan luxury at Pavilions Phuket

PHUKET: Holiday makers to Phuket’s shores are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a vacation spot. Boasting more than two dozen beaches, Phuket offers plenty of variety and flexibility for all tastes and budgets.

For seasoned travellers who value tranquility and privacy above all else, Layan Beach is a good option to explore. One of Phuket’s lesser known beaches, Layan is situated on the northern end of Bangtao Beach on the west coast,and offers a pristine, unspoiled ambiance that one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere on the island.

Layan Beach is home to some of Phuket’s most magnificent properties, courtesy of the patronage of several large developers, hotels and resorts. Situated on a hillside just off Layan Beach, ‘The Pavilions Phuket’ is an up-market luxury development built on a 44,000 sqm plot.

This secluded ‘adults only’ villa hotel includes 49 villas with up to three bedrooms. Options include ocean view, tropical pool villas and a penthouse villa. The villas range in size from 275sqm to about 600sqm, and each offers various choices, such as a sundeck, sala, infinity pool, Jacuzzi and even a fully equipped kitchen, winning it the 2015 Best Luxury Boutique Spa award at the World Luxury Spa Awards.

“Our market is primarily couples seeking privacy and seclusion, and not the activities and hustle and bustle of [more crowded beaches such as] Patong,” says Resident Manager Simona Chimenti.

An added advantage to private villa properties, such as The Pavilions Phuket, is the fact that they are unfazed by the confusion over government zoning regulations.

“There is no direct impact for us as we are a boutique property featuring private pool villas and our guests do not necessarily book Pavilions for a beachside vacation,” says Ms. Chimenti.

However, overall perception of Phuket as a destination has been negatively affected, she admits.

Although The Pavilions Phuket offers a break from the otherwise noisy, tourist-centered locations, it has jumped on the Chinese free independent market [FIT] traveller bandwagon.

There has been a boom of organized Chinese group tourism over the last couple of years, Ms Chimenti says. She also explains that there has been a flattening in occupancy over the last few years, with fewer guests in the high season, but increased occupancy levels during the traditional low season from May to October.

Like any business in Phuket, Pavilions is not impervious to market factors such as the multiple travel warnings issued by main feeder markets.

“The impact is hard to measure, but over the past five years, there have been recurring incidents tarnishing Thailand’s position as a prime tourist destination,” Ms Chimenti adds.

The multi award-winning Pavillions residences have been designed to offer maximum privacy, surrounded by stunning natural beauty and lush tropical views. Situated on an ideal vantage point in the hills, the property also houses a 360-degree bar to enjoy a panoramic view of the island and watch the intoxicating Phuket sunset.

— Sahar Aftab Paliwala