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HAWAI’I’S COLOURFUL TASTE

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Niigata Japan’s seasonal carousel is

a treasure trovel of historical culture and foods

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L U X E S T A Y

YOUR LUXURY HOLIDAY PROPERTY ON THAILAND

ANI VILLAS THAILAND OFFERS A HOME AWAY FROM HOME EXPERIENCE - TRULY

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PROFILEWhat first started out as a billionaire’s vacation home has now become a full fledged portfolio of holiday properties scattered across the globe. Heralding a new class of private luxury travel, the Ani Villas model is one of true exclusivity; guests pay to book out the entire property, with a fully-staffed service crew that will cover all your holiday needs, including a dedicated chef, massage therapists, and butler. Perfect for extended family getaways, groups of friends holidaying together, and even a luxury corporate retreat, Ani Villas Thailand on the island of Koh Yao Noi is a ten-bedroom property that is wonderfully removed from the bustle of larger tourist destination, and a great way to experience true Southeast Asian hospitality. An hour’s journey from both Krabi and Phuket international airports, transfer to the Ani Villas estate is via private boat or - if it tickles your fancy - helicopter.

ROOM There are no rooms at Ani Villas Thailand - only villas. While the estate consists two Ocean Front Master Suites and two two-bedroom Family Suites with private living room on site, I opted for one of the four one-bedroom Master Pool Suite instead. With its high ceilings, extensive use of wood in its construction, and expansive bath area complete with two separate showers and stand-alone tub, the accommodations exude the warmth of home. Its open air pool is a

great place to cool off after a hot day, and is perfect if you’d rather have some privacy.

DININGThere are a variety of spectacular dining venues on the property, including a main dining sala that floats above the pool at the beach’s edge, but they all share one thing in common - Chef Yao. A native of Thailand and well-trained in international, fusion, and Western cuisine, Chef Yao truly excels at creating dishes that feature a beautiful balance of flavor, texture and spice. He makes a mean kao tom poo, a local version of soup with rice that is flooded with thick chunks of fresh de-shelled crabmeat, sourced from a neighborhood fisherwoman. Guests are also invited to go on a tour of the local markets with him, and learn how to make their own Thai dishes such as pad thai and tom yum goong.

FACILITIESA favorite amongst families with young children is the kids’ pool with 45-metre long, 5-metre high double-helix water slide. There is also a wide beach front pool for you to take in the full magnificence of the karsts in the distance. The property houses a private spa, where you can book a massage (or two, or three) with an in-house therapist - it is possible to grow addicted to the “free flow” of massages that come with your stay. In fact, almost everything here is free flow within reason, from food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), to transport and activities. The concierge can book you a muay thai class, call in a yoga instructor, hire a yacht for some island-hopping, or provide sea sports and div-ing gear. Whatever you can dream, Ani Villas Thailand will try their best to make it happen.

SUMMARY One of the best experiences of a stay at Ani Villas Thailand is the relations you grow with the staff. Interacting with them on a daily basis, it’s hard not to grow attached to their warm and hospitable demeanor. Chef Yao is a particularly raucous and endearing character, and if you egg him on enough he might even join you for drinks at the nearby pub. It’s truly like vacationing with family, and in a world filled with fleeting connections, this experi-ence is something to be treasured.