Sometimes I visit a place and think I’ve seen all there is to see. But that is the wonderful thing about travel, each time brings a new adventure and experience since the hospitality industry is ever-evolving. Just a short 40-minute drive from Phuket Airport is Keemala Hotel, a bizarre and fascinating hotel located woodland hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea. Holistic relaxation is the central focus at this hotel, they offer peaceful options such as yoga, pilots and meditation abound. Guests looking for something a little more physically involved can sate their desires with a spot of circuit training, Thai boxing or running trails.

Their spa is also a main focus at the hotel, they have world-class practitioners in both Eastern and Western medicine, with a focus on kinesiology. They often have guest speakers or practitioners come to hotel and speak or give classes. However, all that work in a day can lead to a pretty large hunger! Dine at one of their four venues, The Restaurant, pool side, comfortable lounge area are perfect for afternoon tea, and a wine cellar that is ideal for intimate dinners. Keemala Hotel believes in dining that is a “Feast for the Senses” and offer Healthy Living Cuisine (raw, macrobiotic, and slow cooked food). 

Each of Keemala’s 38 villas come equipped with a pool and a specific theme. The four themes are Clay Pool Cottages, Tent Pool Villas, Tree Pool Houses, and Bird’s Nest Pool Villas. The Bird’s Nest Villa is perfect for those seeking more privacy and space. The designs of the villas have been inspired by the stories, cultures, traditions, and lifestyles of four groups of fictitious ancient Phuket settlers. This theme is very apparent in the structure, design, and decor of the hotel. 

Keemala Hotel is the perfect exotic escape for those who have seen and done Phuket and are looking for something definitely outside the norm of luxury. Prepare to eat well, drink fantastic wine, and detoxify your body at this retreat.