Amanpuri

This is where it all started: Amanpuri was the first Aman resort to open, and serves as the flagship for their winning blend of captivating design, classic luxury, stunning settings, and first-rate service. Here on the west coast of the island of Phuket lies an exclusive beachfront resort, occupying what was once a coconut plantation, isolated on a lush peninsula overlooking Pansea Beach. Built by the American architect Ed Tuttle, it’s a smart take on traditional Thai elements derived from the Ayutthaya period.

40 pavilions and 44 exclusive private villas line the hillsides, the best ones offering views of the sea, but all featuring private outdoor terraces with garden views at the very least. Low-slung king-sized beds complement hardwood floors, surrounded by clean lines and touches of authentic local color. Bathrooms are just as luxurious, if not more so, with separate baths and showers. The villas continue in a similar vein, each containing anywhere from two to nine bedrooms filled with Thai art and antiques. Private pools and outdoor dining pavilions are standard, as are live-in maids and cooks.

These days few guests would think of checking out of Amanpuri without a visit to the AMAN Spa. Three couples rooms and three single rooms are available in which to enjoy massage and beauty treatments as well as holistic healing, and facilities are available for yoga and meditation.

Head to the private beach for an array of watersports or the Beach Club for a 20m lap-pool, a cocktail lounge, and a cornucopia of Mediterranean lunch options; nearby, the gym offers remarkable views through full-length windows. There’s that famous swimming pool, too — one look at the 27-meter pool, tiled in midnight blue, and you risk becoming an AMAN addict for life. That’s if the food hasn’t already converted you, of course, be it the exquisite washoku at Nama, the deeply rooted cuisine at the Thai Restaurant, or the scintillating street flavors at the South American Lounge.

How to get there: Phuket is served by numerous domestic and regional flights and is a 1½ hour flight from Bangkok Airport. Guests staying three nights or more enjoy complimentary private transfers to and from Phuket airport. The 24-km drive to Amanpuri takes 30 minutes.