Sri Panwa

It’s the fate of all successful holiday destinations, sooner or later. Now Phuket is certainly nobody’s idea of a hard time, exactly, but it’s not uncommon to be troubled by the nagging suspicion that what began as a place to escape to is slowly becoming a place to escape from. Fortunately it’s possible to do so without leaving the island entirely. Sri Panwa, for example, does an admirable job of setting itself apart from the crowds, first of all literally: it’s atop a hill at the end of a cape, on the somewhat isolated southeast corner of the island.

Eleven swanky modernist villas survey the seascape through full-length windows, offering a perspective that’s a bit different from the usual beachfront villa fare. This is more like luxury-apartment living than the whole barefoot resort thing (not that shoes are especially strongly recommended here). Two-bedroom villas are actually in the majority, which means families are well cared for, though it’s every bit as well suited for couples; a private infinity pool that seems to fade directly into the waters of the Andaman Sea will do wonders when it comes to setting a mood. As do the spa, the vibrant modern-Thai restaurant, and the perhaps surprisingly well-populated bar — if this is the future of Phuket then just tell us where to sign.