Review: Jennifer O’Shea
186/22 Koktanode Road, Karon, Muang, Phuket, Kata Beach, 83100, Thailand.
00 66 76 370 777 katarocks.com
THE RESORT
Located on the west coast of Phuket, multi award-winning Kata Rocks is fast becoming THE place to bask in defined luxury. With a spectacular cliff-side location and five years in the making, this relatively small but perfectly formed resort is all about the ultra modern design concept, breathtaking, unrestricted views over the Andaman coast and the attention to detail – it really does offer something seriously special. The concierge team are known as ‘Rock Stars’ – deservingly so, with customer service skills that are nothing less than impeccably honed. If really there were such thing as frolicking in a millionaire’s playground, then this is it – just without the seven-figure price tag.
THE FACILITIES
34 Sky Villas and Ocean Lofts | Restaurant | Bar | Infinity Pool with sun loungers and umbrellas | Games Room | Spa | Gym
THE ACCOMMODATION
Kata Rocks resort is made up of 34 Sky Villas and Ocean Lofts – ranging from a sprawling four-bed Sky Villa penthouses to a one-bed Ocean Loft (a honeymooner’s favourite so I’m told); all of which boast a west facing sunset view looking out from each villas’ private infinity pool, each designed to offer maximum privacy. We stayed in a 2-bedroom Sky Villa, which for two people was enough to almost get lost. Both double bedrooms were spacious with ample wardrobe space, touch button lighting and air-con, the comfiest beds known to man, and large luxurious en-suite bathrooms with built-in TV. The open-plan living areas have huge sofas, flat screen TV and music sound system for both indoors and on the terrace. The kitchens are kitted out with high tech appliances from brands such as Snaidero and Siemens. A full-sized fridge was home to a well stocked bar – the concept of ‘mini-bar’ is an understatement here. It’s no wonder many guests choose to spend a lot of their time in the villa as there really is no reason to step outside your door at any point in your stay if you don’t feel inclined to do so. In-villa dining is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner – there’s even a speciality lobster menu should the mood take you. The attention to detail in terms of gadgets is fantastic – right down to the lighting keypad situated next to the beds; you can switch on bathroom lights in the night before you attempt to scramble around in the dark, and be led by dimmed under lighting straight to the bathroom door.
THE SPA
It’s not hard to see why Infinite Spa is winner of the World Luxury Spa Awards, with an extensive range of treatments ranging from pre and post sun treatments to detox and cleansing and holistic massage rituals incorporating the latest spa massage technology. The eight luxury treatment rooms and suites are individually designed around specific treatments; a traditional Thai spa massage treatment room, two couples rooms complete with his and hers bathtubs, chromotherapy room for coloured light therapy, a waterbed room featuring an Italian-made Iso-Benessere – a state of the art water massage bed for supporting spinal integration, and the new gem in the spa’s crown; the high-tech Metronap rest pod – designed to aid sound sleep. We opted to try the Ku-Nye Massage; a traditional Tibetan massage, which was 60 minutes of pure bliss.
THE DRINKING & DINING
The Clubhouse restaurant offers a menu of Mediterranean and Thai dishes. The pool-side ‘Sunset Bar’ has a super cocktail menu and boasts no less than 24 wines by the glass. As many guests tend to dine and relax in their villa, there is a pretty tranquil atmosphere later in the evenings around the bar. One of the specialty experiences on offer is’ Dinner On The Rocks’, which we just had to try, and as the name suggests, this private dining experience is literally set up on the secluded beach rocks – and to give ultimate exclusivity there is only one secluded table available per night (weather permitting – due to close proximity of the waves once the wind picks up!) complete with pretty lanterns making a private path, white table cloth, personal waiters for the evening (Henry was amazing!) and all timed perfectly so you are seated on cue to watch the sunset. We enjoyed a variety of cocktails and a 5 course traditional Thai menu – which was nothing short of a treat for the taste-buds (note – drink fast or avoid anything in a Martini glass if the weather is breezy!).
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Due to the way the villas are built into the rocks there are some seriously steep pathways, but fear not as the resort’s fleet of golf-buggy style carts are always on hand to ferry you to and from your villa, to the pool, the bar, the spa, and even into town.
The villa infinity pools are a great size (minimum 7 metres) and offer perfect panoramic views of the sunset each evening.
The staff are all true professionals, without being over-fussy they will make sure you have everything you need at all times with a genuine smile – it’s clear to see real job satisfaction here.
‘Dinner on the Rocks’ is a must – perfect for a romantic date night, and if on honeymoon – an essential experience!
THE RATES
Rooms start from £708 per night for a 2-bed Sky Villa
THE TRAVEL
Around 50 minutes from Phuket airport.
Cathay Pacific flies from London Heathrow to Hong Kong five times daily and from Manchester to Hong Kong four times per week, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally. For further information, visit www.cathaypacific.co.uk or call 0208 834 8888.
The Premium Economy return price from London Heathrow to Phuket, including taxes, starts from £1,839 per person.
THE G&G RATING:
