A Place In The Hills

Set amidst a protected National Park, the Anantara Layan Residences, Phuket, are a new benchmark in luxury. Each villa ranges from 1695sq m to over 3000sq m, each has a 180-degree view of the Andaman bay below, a dedicated residential butler who can double up as chef, and a 21m infinity pool that you won’t want to leave. Ruchira Bose pretends to be a billionaire for a few days and definitely likes the life.

Woah! There is an involuntary and very audible gasp when you step out of the car and stand before the grand doors to your Anantara Layan Residence. Even the most jaded luxury traveller will stop for a few seconds marveling at the view through those doors. You’ll pause the first time, the second and even possibly the 50th time. It’s a jewel like view that is addictive.

You see your infinity pool stretch over a length of 21 meters with a 180 degree view of the Andaman Sea down below. The space is expansive; the flow, elegant. Purple chaises and Frangipani trees dot the front edge. The soft fragrance from the blossoms curl through the air and tease your mind the way only beautiful things do. On the left end of the pool is a tree with canopy hanging over it, a great place to settle in the water with a drink on the ledge. Next to this is a beautiful sala with sunken dining. In the evening the area transforms when lamps flame up on the outer edge of the pool, and the sala is lit softly. Whether you linger after dark in the water or are dining in the sala, the night sky is spectacular. From fire flies in the green around you, village lights in the distance near the shores, to the stars in the inky blue sky above you, there are twinkling lights all around.

As you step into this private tropical palace-like space, you’ll find three glass pavilions rising tall on either side of you. Each room here is a separate high ceiling pavilion-like structure. With three sides that have floor-to-ceiling glass, so that you miss no part of the view of the ocean. The three bedroom villas have rooms below as well, also with stunning views.