Review of Amanpuri, by Jamie Dunford Wood

Amanpuri in Phuket was opened in 1988 by famous hotelier Adrian Zecha, the first of his Amanresorts. The fact a real architect was involved (Ed Tuttle) gives you a clue as to what to expect from this resort - a designer resort par excellence, regularly voted amongst the top half dozen resorts of the world by Conde Nast Traveler and The Hideaway Report, with its famous and magnificent black slate pool and its Zen-like bedrooms that make you think you want to become a Buddhist.

If you like this kind of thing, and can handle a certain self-obsessed breed of luxury traveller (mostly Anglo-Saxon) who call themselves 'Amanjunkies', then this is the place where it all began. Effortlessly luxurious with faultless service, the only drawback at this luxury hotel- for those who care - is that this kind of designer elegance can date.

Located on the west coast of Thailand midway between the Malay and Burmese borders, Amanpuri is in an ideal location. Ko Phuket, despite its grungy backpacker reputation to match its cousin Ko-Samui on the opposite coast, is still a paradise destination, with plenty to explore - the virgin jungle of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Phang Nga Bay where The Man with the Golden Gun was shot, spectacular Buddhist temples and unparalleled snorkelling and diving in the surrounding Andaman sea.

The soothing Thai massages, beauty treatments, scuba diving, hotel boat and flood-lit tennis courts complete the picture. Perfect for relaxation, inspiring for revolutionaries, this is barefoot luxury at its most sophisticated.

This resort has 40 pavilions, each 115 square metres, and 30 private villas. The spacious villas feature private dark-tile pools, a dining pavilion with sundeck, tasteful Thai furnishings, art and antiques. The majority of the villas have oceanfront views. The best part of the unbelievable accommodations? A live-in maid and cook who can cater to guests' every whim and whip up delicious Thai cuisine in the privacy of their own kitchen.