When thinking of Phuket, the idea of a relaxed luxurious get away may not come to mind, as the island boasts quite the party scene. The Keemala resort, set so close yet so far from the party scene, intends to debunk the party island reputation and replace it with a finer way of spending a holiday. 

The resort is opening on the 1st of October and is expected to be the most exciting opening in Thailand this season as it is awaited by many that can’t wait to get a glimpse of the mythological inspired architecture settled amongst the ethereal colours of the surrounding rainforest.

If your childhood dream was to spend the night in a treehouse this resort is where those dreams can come true as it can truly be described as an adults playground, with four types of villa to chose from: Clay cottages, tent villas, Tree houses and Birds nest villas. Each boasting their own private pool but differentiated by the mythological clan that they’re inspired by. Keemala’s story is based on the fictional journey of four clans of nomads who decided to finally settle after being caught up in a storm at sea and ended up stumbling across the prosperous island of Phuket.

Each nomadic clan represented different lifestyles and ethos which are clearly portrayed in the design of the different villas.

The clay pool cottages represent the Pa-Ta-Pea clan who believed in the health benefits of being connected to earth, whilst the Tree pool houses represent the We- Ha clan who elevated their houses in order to be closer to the sky for they believed that it would help them gain creativity and liberty. The tent pool houses represent the Khon-Jorn clan who were vagabonds that could not settle in one place and therefore only built temporary settlements. The Birds nest villas are inspired by the Rung-Nok clan who craved exclusivity and were intellectually superior. In order to cleanse themselves they would bathe under the moonlight which inspires the beauty of these villas. 

The idea of sleeping in a tent, a tree house, a birds nest or a clay villa may never have seemed luxurious to anyone over a certain age, but Keemala has made our childhood dreams come true with a combination of an interesting story and 5 star exclusivity in a place where your psychological and physical well being is put first. The resort, that boasts 38 independent villas, is home to a wellness spa that promotes healthiness and cleansing with many relaxing treatments to chose from. The restaurants menu backs the healthy ethos of Keemala and even the alcoholic cocktails are as cleansing as a cocktail can be. The architecture is as healthy as the dining in the sense that each villa has been designed to protect the current eco system. This conscientious new member of Small Luxury Hotels offers only the most enchanting experience for travellers and their inner child.