Pampered in Phuket

A boat trip to Phi Phi Islands for some fresh sea breeze and nature is strongly recommended when visiting Phuket. Photos by Valerie Ng / China Daily

Valerie Ng stays at the Avista Hideaway Spa and Resort in the fabled Thai getaway, tasting the life of a princess.

While planning my trip to Phuket in Thailand, I decided not to do any run-of-the-mill touristy stuff since I'd been there before.

Visitor finds third time a charm

The plan was to just chill out and breathe in some fresh air.

A boat ride to revisit Phi Phi Islands for some sea breeze and nature also sounded good.

After a dramatic flight, my host Avista Hideaway Spa and Resort suggested that I take a good rest after having something to eat on arrival at about noon local time.

Dear (name of a customer service officer) received me at the airport and asked me what I wanted for lunch - food could be sent to my room the minute I enter my sanctuary.

The ride from the airport to Avista took an hour. I chose padthai, fried flat noodles Thai style while still in transit.

But the breathtaking view from the lobby upon arrival - blue skies, sea and mountains - beckoned me out of the opulent pool suite after a quick shower and my noodles, the best I have tasted since I went to Bangkok about a year ago.

The 150-room Avista Hideaway is not just another resort. The warm-hearted service is so complete there is even personal butler service.

But I told myself I would enjoy the room later. Its expansive 145 square meters has a warm, stylish contemporary Thai design with indoor-outdoor living. It is called the pool suite because it has a Jacuzzi pool on the patio.

This is how magnificent it is - guests can choose to shower with a roof over their head or under the open sky.

After a brief walk around, I headed to Aqua, the spa center. Alvin James, the in-house Ayurvedic doctor, welcomed me.

He took my pulse and blood pressure and asked me some lifestyle questions. He then explained what Ayurveda is about and his preliminary diagnosis of my body type.

He then suggested the type of food I should have and what I shouldn't. He passed the list to Executive Chef Tim Westaway, who prepared a tailored menu based on my body structure. I immediately built up an appetite for dinner.

James also proposed that I go for Sukko treatment, a combination of Thai and aromatherapy massage.