The DoublePool Villa at Banyan Tree Phuket brings a new concept to villa experiences in Thailand. Guests are catapulted to a magical world of intimacy where every element, from the ambience to the design lends itself to creating a ‘quintessensual’ oasis – a perfect embodiment of sensuality inspired by Banyan Tree’s signature tagline ‘Sanctuary for the Senses’.
New and unique intimate experiences have been introduced to enhance the holiday and to reignite passion and romance for guests. Appealing to the five senses of touch, sight, taste, smell and sound, the DoublePool Villa in Banyan Tree Phuket offers a holistic, elevated sensual experience that promises to reinvigorate romance and rejuvenate the soul – a sixth sense that evokes and inspires on the emotional level.
Privacy
The experience starts at the airport where couples will be whisked from the plane, through customs into a private car and driven straight to the villa to be met by a personal villa host. At the villa, guests are presented with a mobile phone with their villa host’s number on speed dial so they need only call for whatever they need at any time of night or day.
Measuring between 1,530 and 2,185 square metres, each of the 22 DoublePool Villas offers a private expansive tropical garden featuring a luxurious infinity pool that blends into the tranquil lagoon. Immersed in the pool is a crystal jet pool for two, the ideal spot to gaze at the stars above mimicked by the fibre-optic lights shimmering in the water below.
The living area features full-length glass windows to maximize the view and the immense feeling of space. The bedroom sits on a floating pavilion enclosed by floor to ceiling glass walls and surrounded by a secluded wading pool, hidden from view by a landscaped stone wall. A submerged table and chairs for two sits in the centre of the wading pool, a private sanctuary for guests to use as they desire.
Sensuality
Every experience offered at the DoublePool Villa is a feast for the senses:
Touch – An amorous, in-villa Rak Nirun spa treatment, which means “forever love” in Thai, is created exclusively for DoublePool Villa guests. The 90-minute massage which is themed on romance, begins with a herbal steam bath, followed by a blissful body and face massage under the stars, and ends with refreshments and a dip in the inviting jet pool.
Sight – The sky lit up with the flickering glow of Thai lanterns. Comb Loy is an ancient ceremony for guests to send their wishes up into the sky and watch them float away into the starlit skies. Loy Krathong is a floating flower ceremony - light a candle, place it on a banana leaf and float it on the lagoon while making a wish. It is believed that the wish will come true if the candle stays lit.
Taste – A delectable selection of exotic fruits such as mangosteen and rose apple in an intricately carved wooden box, with two silk blindfolds to enhance the tantalising experience.
Scent – The intoxicating scent of incense, rose petals and aromatic candles during Banyan Tree’s signature Intimate Moments – whereby the villa is transformed, as if by magic, into a fairytale romance, complete with Dom Perignon champagne and handmade chocolates.
Sound – Soothing tunes of traditional Thai music at 7pm daily as musicians play on a boat on the lagoon. At other times, enjoy the gentle swaying of trees and birds singing amidst the tranquil surrounds.
Desires
Whatever guests’ interests or desires, the DoublePool Villa will offer something to tantalise them. For those looking for extravagant romance, a sea plane will be organised for first light to fly to a deserted beach where a small team of staff serve breakfast. For those who want to immerse themselves in local culture, partake in a trip to the charming Rawai Artist Village to view native artists at work. The energetic can explore the local habitat and wildlife in the mangroves or kayak at night through the many caves off shore in Phuket. Harley Davidson rides along scenic routes can be organised for those who love the thrill of the ultimate motorbike experience.
Dining
An array of culinary experiences are offered to tempt and intrigue, either enjoyed in the privacy of the villa or in Tré – the exclusive contemporary French Vietnamese restaurant for DoublePool Villa guests. Offering a-la-carte dishes throughout the day, Tré's signatures dishes include scallops and green apples tartar with pan-fried foie gras and star anis emulsion; wagyu beef pho soup with truffle infusion; and home-smoked salmon fillet served with lotus seeds fried rice and ginger-red wine sauce.
Breakfast each morning is cooked in the villa’s private pantry by the villa host while the couple doze in bed and is served whenever they wish. From tropical fruit platters to freshly baked pastries, to farm fresh eggs and smoked bacon, guests can choose from a sumptuous selection of dishes.
The traditional coffee man, Khun Koe Pi will visit daily with flasks of strong black coffee that can be mixed Thai style with sweet cream or just a touch of milk. The coffee is served with local Thai cakes and pastries baked daily by the expert pastry chefs at Banyan Tree Phuket.
Evening dining will transport guests to a fantasy world of gastronomic delights with a pool dinner at sunset. Guests lie on a slightly submerged floating bed next to a resplendent smorgasbord of food from any style of cuisine they choose. The food can be enjoyed in any way, while surrounded by the warm bubbles of the jet pool and the emerging stars above. For those who prefer to stay dry, an exquisite candlelight dinner under the villa’s Thai sala amidst sensual satin and plush cushioning can be arranged.
