Finance Monthly May 2019 Edition

e dab our faces with the refreshingly cool towels handed to us by the Residence butler Sean (who we would quickly grow to absolutely adore), take a sip of our welcome guava juice and begin exploring the pool area and the high-ceilinged rooms of one of the resort’s 15 uniquely designed Residences; perched on a lush hill which overlooks a calm lagoon at the end of Layan Beach in Phuket. The attention to detail is truly impressive – from the smell of frangipani coming from the front garden you walk past upon entering, through to the delicate oriental touches in the interior and the desserts that have been laid out for us in the living room - a thought has been put into every little detail. Even things like a beach bag and the vast selection of Bulgari products, including bath salts, in the bathroom area (which is quite possibly bigger than a standard studio in London), haven’t flown under the radar and this attention to the miniscule is echoed in the service provided by not only the staff in the Residence but in the whole resort. The focal point in our Residence is undoubtedly the front garden with its extensive infinity pool (which was all we needed after a 17-hour journey from the UK) and the outdoor dining sala where we would have breakfast the following morning. Palm trees, sun loungers and sunbeds adorn the poolside and everything is so aesthetically pleasing and achingly beautiful that I feel the urge to spend the night right there – under the filled-with-stars Thai sky. Still recovering from the flight, we take a golf buggy down to the spa on our first day, fully ready for a signature couples massage. As with any Anantara property, a phenomenal spa is to be expected. Fully in line with Anantara Layan Phuket Resort’s authenticity, the spa is finished beautifully with Thai decorative elements and offers seven luxury treatment rooms, male and female steam rooms, a hairdressing salon and an OPI nail salon. Our masseuses begin the treatment with a foot bath, but the next hour is a blur as the combination of Thai massage techniques soothes me into a state of bliss. Once the massage’s over, we ease ourselves back into reality with a cup of herbal tea and granola bars which were waiting for us in the post-treatment relaxation room. For those wishing to expend energy, the spa also offers a fully equipped state-of-the-art gym, which overlooks a stunning outdoor pool set amongst lush greenery; I’m positive that I’ve had to look at worse things whilst running on a treadmill. Or if you’d like to fully embrace the fact that you’re in Thailand, whilst still breaking a sweat, book a private Muay Thai boxing class. Due to the resort’s perfect location on a private beach, guests can also try an abundance of water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and sailing. W 63 www.finance-monthly.com TRAVEL - THAILAND