Villa Napalai is one of only seven villas that make up
an exclusive gated residential estate on the Phuket’s scenic west
coast. The villa sits on a spectacular, hidden tropical headland just a short drive south of Naithon beach.
The property’s expansive living and dining areas, seven generous
bedrooms and stunning cliffside infinity pool are built over three
levels surrounded by mature palms and fragrant frangipani trees, with
the entire property bathed in breathtaking coastal vistas.
Traditional Thai-style shingle roofs, high ceilings and wide outdoor
terraces ensure that a large family or group of friends sharing Villa
Napalai enjoy plenty of private and communal space, even when the
bedrooms are fully occupied.
Buddhist-inspired statues and Thai decorative pieces bring a rich sense
of Asia to the living areas, complemented by contemporary paintings and
striking wall art. The villa’s teak-floored interiors and hand-made
sandstone terraces combine to offer guests a practical but welcoming
luxury holiday home.
The villa’s inviting 15-metre private oceanview pool, and wide,
furnished sun terrace offer an idyllic place to relax and tan, while
beach lovers can walk a few hundred metres up the coast to nearby Banana
Beach, which is nestled in a small, pristine cove.
The villa comes with three full time staff, including an experienced
manager to take care of special requests, a skilled Thai cook who
prepares delicious, healthy meals and an efficient, unobtrusive maid who
keeps the house permanently clean and tidy.
The Villa
Passing the guardhouse to enter the community, a driveway climbs to the right through mature landscaped grounds up a gentle slope to Villa Napalai’s main entrance that features a guest cloakroom and storage space either side of the front door.
As you enter the villa, the first thing that strikes you is the
dramatic oceanside setting, which offers stunning sea views to frame the
comfortably furnished upper floor reception and lounge. A wide spiral
stone staircase descends from the main entrance to the villa's mid-level
accommodation, while a covered al fresco dining area and outdoor
furnished lounge beckon to the left.
The central, upper floor living area is furnished with two large
cushioned sofas and two armchairs surrounding a teakwood coffee table.
The room is surrounded on three sides by sliding glass doors that draw
in the natural sea breezes and guarantee constant soothing sea views.
Buddhist statues, Burmese bowls enhance the exotic location, with
hand-built model sailing ships displayed in standing wooden cabinets
adding a homely, family-friendly ambience.
The villa’s dining terrace is furnished with an 12-seater wooden dining
table and two additional built in tables perfect for children to use at
mealtimes.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in the spacious shingle
roofed dining “sala” or with the sky as a ceiling for more casual dining
while relaxing on a 9-seater outdoor sofa. The dining terrace is
directly connected to a fully equipped kitchen at the rear, where the
cook prepares a range of delicious snacks and meals to order throughout
the day.
To the right of the entrance, also on the upper floor, the villa’s
master bedroom suite boasts its own wide sun terrace, furnished with two
daybeds, and also offers breathtaking coastal vistas inside and out.
The interior is comfortably furnished with teakwood floors, a king size
bed and a writing desk. There’s also a walk around wardrobe and dressing
area; the room then extends all the way to the back of the property to
offer a generous ensuite bathroom with tub and a choice of indoor or
private outdoor shower.
Descending via the grand spiral stone stairs to the villa’s middle
floor, guests are greeted by an expansive, covered seaview terrace area
furnished with a 4-seater dining table and three oversized built-in
sofas, plus additional armchairs and a cushioned day bed providing
relaxation space for at least 15 people to enjoy comfortably.
Four bedrooms are also located on the middle floor of the villa. The
second master suite sits directly below its upper level equivalent and
opens onto a seaview terrace that connects directly to the villa’s pool.
This spacious bedroom features a king-sized bed, sofa, planter’s chair
and writing desk, as well as TV with satellite channels. The ensuite
bathroom connects to a private walk-in dressing room and also features a
tub and separate shower.
Two slightly more modest but equally comfortable guest bedroom suites
are located to the left of the central terrace. One of the bedrooms is a
double, the other one a twin and therefore ideal for older children or
two friends sharing. Both of these bedrooms feature comfortable, stylish
furnishings and offer ensuite bathrooms with showers.
The rear section of the villa’s middle floor is separated from the
oceanfront rooms by a pleasant, open-air planted atrium that also
connects through to the poolside terrace. A children’s bedroom suite is
located at one end, providing split-level accommodation that’s ideal for
younger guests who appreciate their independence. The room is furnished
with three single beds, a sofabed, TV, bookshelves, plus seaside art
and decorations.
A storage and utilities room occupies the space next to the children’s
suite, then tucked way behind one of the front guest bedrooms is the
villa’s dedicated entertainment lounge with a plush sofa poised in front
of a standing flat screen TV with DVD player and surround sound speaker
system. The room is decorated with framed movie posters and scenes from
famous films and also comes with an ensuite bathroom.
For guests that prefer to spend most of their vacation time outdoors,
the pool terrace is the perfect spot to wile away the days. The 15-metre
infinity saltwater pool literally pours into the dramatic Andaman Sea
views and the terrace is furnished with comfortable cushioned loungers,
sunbrellas and outdoor armchairs with tables for daytime drinks and
snacks. A small service kitchen is also located adjacent to the pool for
waiter or self-service drinks throughout the stay.
More steps lead down to the left and right from the villa’s mid-level
terrace. On the left hand side sit two additional guest bedrooms
connected by an interior corridor. Decorated in a contemporary beach
house style, these bright and spacious additions each feature king-sized
beds with sea views and one of the bedrooms also boasts an indulgent
seaview bathtub in its ensuite.
Finally, on the right side of the villa’s lower floor, there’s a quiet
library and office space for guests that need to stay connected with
their work or those that simply want to a peaceful spot to catch up on a
few good books.
Staying at Villa Napalai
Intricate model sailing ships and a flotilla of regatta trophies on the
shelves in the living room offer a clear indication that the owners of
this stunning oceanside home love sailing. It is therefore no
coincidence, perhaps, that the villa’s architecture and cliffside
location allow guests to enjoy a constant connection with the sea from
almost every bedroom and living space.
Soft green and blue hues colour the spectacular views, perfectly
complementing the natural tones of the outdoor furnishings and the warm
teak floored interiors. The villa’s well-planned design also makes it
easy to drift between homely holiday pleasures, whether relaxing
poolside stretched out on a comfortable sun lounger, reclining with a
book on the shaded middle terrace or kicking back in front of a movie in
the air cooled entertainment lounge.
The size and layout of the villa also means it’s easy for families or
groups of friends sharing the house to find a balance between shared and
personal holiday experiences. After a day lounging poolside, its easy
to scene shift in the evenings by simply moving upstairs to the upper
floor dining terrace for sundowners and evening meals – efficiently
served by the soft spoken villa staff who unobtrusively go about making
sure guests have everything they need for a perfect stay.
The 7 bedroom suites offer an appealing sense of self contained comfort
– even for children in their own dedicated kid’s room – and additional
facilities such as the entertainment lounge and downstairs office mean
that every guest need is catered for, indoors and out.
Staying just a 5 minute walk from one of Phuket’s lesser known beaches
(only accessible on foot or by boat) is a definite bonus for guests at
Villa Napalai as it guarantees lovers of sand and sea will not be
disappointed.
Other than occasional trips to the beach, there are few reasons to
venture far from the peaceful surroundings of the estate. Guests that
enjoy eating out have plenty of options within easy driving distance,
including the restaurant at one of the island’s most famous luxury
resorts, Trisara, which is located right next door.
