The Naka Phuket features sleek glass and stone pods “floating” above the mountainside and offering sweeping views of the beach and Andaman Sea.
Ready for something different on Phuket’s west coast? Architect Duangrit Bunnag is taking 1,740 acres and eschewing the traditional Thai resort blueprint in exchange for something more futuristic. Plans for The Naka Phuket show sleek glass and stone pods “floating” above the mountainside and offering sweeping views of the beach and Andaman Sea. Bunnang was also careful to work with the natural landscape and opted to change his design rather than remove mature trees.
The Naka Phuket was scheduled to open in spring of last year with 94 of those pods available for guests. After a few delays it is finally accepting gusts in the soft opening phase.
Inside are separate bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms equipped with flat screen televisions and outdoor baths and showers. Large patios and balconies offer places to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sunsets. Best of all, every villa comes with a private pool. For those who can’t get enough of the water, the resort also boasts a massive infinity pool for laps or water play as well as a private white-sand beach.
The Naka offers three pool villa types, in one, two and three bedroom configurations. The one bedroom pool villa is 84 sq meters and has a private patio and balcony. The two bedroom villas are a huge 437 sq meters and comfortably house up to four adults. If you are looking for the experience of a private home on the beach with your own pool, the 526 sq meters three bedroom villa is for you. These villas offer outdoor and indoor living areas with beautiful sea views.
While the look and concept of the “pods”, cantilevered over the lush green grounds is indeed unique, some people may not like the starkness of the bare concrete walls, which while offering privacy in the garden, may seem a little out of place in a tropical paradise like Phuket. The rooms are indeed comfortable with large plush L-cornered sofas and large 46″ LED flat-screen TVs, DVD player (who ever uses those?) and an HD movie Jukebox and or course wireless internet.
Privacy and relaxation are the orders of the day at the Naka Phuket. Facial and body treatments are performed overlooking the forest and ocean at the rooftop spa. Therapies can be selected from the menu or tailor made to a guest’s specifications. An art gallery, wedding chapel, fitness center and boutique are also on-site. While the resort is secluded and quiet and only accessible by a secluded mountain road, it’s just a 20 minute drive to the center of Phuket, ten minutes to Patong Beach and 40 minutes to Phuket International Airport.
Guests can select from three different dining options starting with The Nava restaurant. Situated along a natural watercourse, this restaurant is focused on fresh produce and fine preparation. The Wiwa Wedding Chapel (open May 2014) is surrounded on one side by the infinity pool and the ocean on the other and serves breakfast. Finally, skyline café The Nana Bar is positioned 40 meters above sea level with 360-degree views.
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