Keemala Hotel

Ever wanted to live your Tolkien-inspired dreams in the heart of a tropical rainforest? Now thanks to Keemala, in Phuket, Thailand, you can! Scattered across a lush tropical hillside, Keemala’s 38 villas come in four different categories: the entry-level clay pool villas, the safari-style tents, the teardrop-shaped tree houses, and the vast bird’s nest villas with grand terraces and Andaman Sea views. With the experience completed by the exceptional service on offer, Keemala truly sets a new standard for what it means to be a five star luxury resort.

Top Tips:

• There is no shortage of luxury at Keemala, even when it comes to their entry level rooms. Shaded by a canopy of rainforest and connected together by a network of jungle walkways, Keemala’s villas are all complete with a private pool and are designed for guests looking for a luxe, laidback getaway. That being said, previous guests have mentioned booking a room based on the amount of privacy or distance from the main areas that you would like; some suggested booking villas closer to the main areas for convenience, while others suggested booking one higher up on the hill for better views.

• If you or anyone you are travelling with has mobility issues, you’ll be happy to hear that Keemala is a wheelchair accessible resort. With two clay pool villas equipped with ramps and a special buggy for wheelchair users, the staff at Keemala will go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. On top of all that, all of the public areas of the resort are fully accessible. Pro tip: if you require one of the adapted rooms, make sure to call and book well in advance of your stay to avoid disappointment.

• Besides being a great getaway on its own, Keemala offers its guests  who wish to purify, energise, unwind, or rejuvenate, four exceptional retreats. All packages on offer are available as a three-day and a six-day retreat, and are personalised to guests' individual needs and desires. Each of these retreats encompass massages, wellness consultation and guidance, body enhancing exercises, and daily spa cuisine that ensures your departure from Keemala leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

• Being tucked away behind all that lush greenery can make one feel like they’re miles away from the nearest beach, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth at Keemala’s. While more famous Phuket beaches such as Patong, Laem Singh, Nai Thon, and Mai Khao are between 10 to 50 minutes away by car, Kamala beach is only a few minutes away from the resort. You’ll be happy to hear that Keemala offers complimentary transport to and from the beach throughout the day and Keemala guests also get a picnic basket with refreshments and towels to take to the beach.

• After a long day at the beach or exploring the island of Phuket, why not take some time for yourself at Keemala’s in-house spa, The Mala. Alongside traditional Thai therapies, The Mala offers deeply moisturising body wraps, warming seaweed massages, snooze-inducing facials, as well as more unusual remedies like raindrop healing, energy re-balancing and integrative bodywork to soothe away all your worries.