It’s Back!Photo Competition 2017(plus, we want to see your videos!) p.96

Stylish Picksfor your Kitchen & Bathroom

APR 2017

HOMES • FAMILY • ARTS • FOOD • TRAVEL • FASHION • HEALTH • BEAUTY

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Champagne Brunches

10 BEST

(cheers!)

Get Healthier, Brighter Skin

Phenomenal Facials:

Myanmar to the Middle East

Travellers’ Tales:

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194 APRIL 2017

FORGET CROWDED BEACHES AND STREETS; NEXT TIME, GO FOR A PRIVATE GETAWAY AT A BEACHFRONT RESORT. LINDSAY YAP REPORTS FROM ANI VILLAS THAILAND ON THE LAIDBACK ISLAND OF KOH YAO NOI .

After a one-hour transfer from Phuket airport and a welcome drink of lemongrass tea, I was escorted to my Master Pool Suite, where I was greeted by soothing lounge music from an in-room iPod. The layout featured wooden floors, a cosy sitting area and desk, and, at the end of a short corridor, a bathroom with his-and-hers vanities. You have the option of taking a steaming hot shower or a relaxing bubble bath overlooking the private dipping-pool.

There are 10 rooms in this two-acre villa resort, including a pair of two-bedroom Family Suites with ensuite bathrooms and a living room, and two Ocean Front Master Suites. Whichever room you’re in, you’ll enjoy the utmost privacy.

Meals can be taken outdoors or at two indoor dining areas. During my stay, I was treated to a variety of cuisines, from Thai classics such as green curry and tamarind prawns to Western favourites including pan-fried salmon. On our first day, we lunched in a seafront pavilion where Yao, the resort’s in-house chef, dished up everything from pad Thai – served in an omelette and topped with sprouts and garnishes – to cappuccino chocolate cake. If you want to try an authentic Thai breakfast, indulge in a steaming bowl of kao tom (Thai rice soup). You can add in any extra ingredients you like – ours had huge chunks of juicy crab meat; it was so good that we requested it again the next day!

Thailand

Something for all From cooking classes and yoga to water sports like kayaking, you’ll never have a dull moment at Ani Villas; I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon paddle with spectacular views of the karsts and the coastline.

For a truly local experience, you can try your hand at Muay Thai. The resort booked us a session at the well-known KYN Muay Thai gym located about 10 minutes away. My instructor Pik was very patient as I huffed and puffed my way through the drills. It gave me renewed respect for the sport’s practitioners.

What’s a resort stay without a spa experience? I tried the Aromatic Essence massage, followed by a visit to the steam room. Other signature treatments include the Royal Thai massage and the Deep Impact massage. We also booked a cooking class with Chef Yao and learnt how to make stir-fried noodles and tom yam soup.

The little ones aren’t left out from the fun. They’ll have a ball on the waterslide at the children’s pool and taking part in activities like sand art and face painting, part of the special programme for kids.

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TRAVEL

195 APRIL 2017

Going local On our second day, we set off on an island tour to explore local life and culture. After visiting a Batik painting shop in a quiet village, we sampled rotee (Thai pancake) from a roadside stall. At a coconut plantation in the midst of rice paddies in Baan Nam Jeud, we had the chance to pluck our own coconuts using a harvesting pole – after we’d picked them, plantation owner Auntie Chanya skilfully chopped them for us to eat.

We then headed into town to visit a row of small shops and food stalls, where we picked up some sweet-potato fries and banana fritters. Keep an eye out for Coffee Break, a bright orange kiosk that sells espressos, lattes and cold sodas; it has free Wi-Fi!

That evening, we headed across the road from Ani Villas to the local Para Bar for a drink. Perched on a hill, it’s built to look like a ship and is decorated with knick-knacks, including a disco ball. The bar serves a variety of drinks – whiskeys, wines and classic cocktails, from piña coladas to mojitos – and with its cool sea breezes it’s a great place to end the day.

• To get to Ani Villas, catch a flight to either Phuket or Krabi. The land transfer and speedboat ride to the resort take slightly over an hour.

• Ani Villas also has properties in Anguilla, the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka. Each resort contributes to supporting Ani Art Academies, which offers apprenticeships to local artists. Find out more at aniartacademies.org.

• Visit anivillas.com for details and reservations.

Fact File

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