Overview The latest addition to Singaporean brand COMO’s portfolio is this jaw-dropper poking out into Phang Nga Bay, which has already made it to Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List of the 52 best new hotels in the world.
Design A first hotel commission for acclaimed Italian interior designer Paola Navone, known for her work with brands like Armani, Alessi and Crate & Barrel, it’s a masterpiece of minimalism and marine influences. It’s all the more remarkable given that the resort was originally set to be run by a different hotel group, so she inherited the architecture. Navone tells us she sought “to make it light, simple, poetic, sophisticated; and to mix things from different centuries and continents.” The result is a supremely relaxing set-up of airy public spaces, tactile surfaces and every shade of aquamarine. The restaurants (contemporary Thai at Nahmyaa and casual Italian spot La Sirena) and bar sit beside a 100m pool (only part of which is for swimming), with a COMO Shambala spa upstairs and 106 rooms over several levels below.
Rave Aside from the stunning location and the always-impressive COMO spa experience, we loved the easy access (by free, 10-minute private boat transfer) to nearby Rang Yai island. You can’t access the sea directly from the resort, so talks are afoot for COMO to purchase this or another nearby island as a sanctuary for guests. Frankly, they needn’t worry: even with daytrippers from other resorts, swimming off Rang Yai is still a delight. Food-wise, Nahmyaa, a spin-off of Bangkok’s acclaimed Nahm, focusing on spicy southern Thai cooking and street food is a real highlight. (Check out our guide to dining on Phuket’s east coast.)
Rant Construction on the surrounding villas is continuing until late 2014, so honeymooners might want to wait (everyone else needn’t worry—they’ll halt construction if you tell them it’s bothering you). It’s also pretty remote—if you like exploring you might get frustrated at needing a driver to go anywhere.
Price Rooms start from THB9,000 ($346), exclusive of tax and service.
