Iniala Beach House Hotel

Thailand

Those with a keen eye for design will appreciate the eclectic, playful group of beach villas on the Phang Nga coastline of Thailand, an ideal spot to explore lagoons, caves and cultural highlights

Futuristic eclecticism meets retro-leaning tropical modernism at this unique and playful plot on Thailand’s Phang Nga coast. High concept, even higher design is the deal here: the four flagship beachside pool
villas – each a masterpiece in its own right – have been crafted by some of the world’s top designers using abundant local materials

Ebbing from maximalist, Thai-inspired Villa Siam and the calming, curvaceous Villa Blanca, to the sweeping, over-the-top (in all the right ways) Collector’s Villa, there’s something for every palate. Sleeping six adults, complete with in-villa spas, privacy reigns supreme, and they’re ideal for larger groups – the latter comes with its own 3D cinema, inspired by the lush jungle surrounds and clad in coconut skins, no less.

Elsewhere, no detail has been spared at Iniala Penthouse – where carpets are laid with memory foam to evoke the feeling of sand between your toes – while two smaller pool residences are set back from the beach with their own rooftop sun-trap.

It’s an exciting canvas, for sure, but this isn’t a case of style over substance. The in-house team are on hand to ensure authentic local experiences, plenty of R&R and noteworthy cuisine.

On that note, expect beach barbecues highlighting the daily catch straight from the Andaman Sea; elevated Thai classics served in a cosy, modern dining room; and food and market tours plus cooking classes with the chef himself. For something more active, the area is known for its reefs, so if you want to get up close to what lies beneath, world-class diving and snorkelling is on your doorstep. Or you could hop over to James Bond Island (Koh Tapu), nip through lagoons and sea caves amid the region’s karst islets on a sea canoe, or head to the hills on a trek followed by a stop at Bang Pae waterfall.

Culture vultures are catered for too, with art and antiques excursions and some of the country’s most wondrous temples including Bang Riang, which has the province’s largest pagoda and stunning mountain views, nearby.

Pool residences from £589. 00 66 76 451456, inialathailand.com

Words by Blossom Green.

This review was taken from the April 2023 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.