Escape Artist
Removed from Phuket’s throngs of rowdy tourists and its raging party scene is Villa Roxo at Sava – a secluded hideaway situated steps away from a picturesque beach in Phang Nga
Removed from Phuket’s throngs of rowdy tourists and its raging party scene is Villa Roxo at Sava – a secluded hideaway situated steps away from a picturesque beach in Phang Nga
The long stretch of sandy beach is also the backdrop of Sava – a cluster of seven villas that combine contemporary design with Thai appeal
Every visitor has their own unique take on Phuket. It’s a place that defies definition because of its ability to satiate every desire, from luxurious five-star resorts along the built-up western coastline to debaucherous nights out on the streets of Patong. Since tourists started arriving on the island in droves in the late 1960s, it’s become difficult to find the virginal beauty for which Phuket was once renowned. But drive north to Phang Nga, on mainland Thailand, and a vastly different experience awaits. There, you’ll find an unspoiled coastline dotted with fishing villages that retain an authentic sense of Thai culture that’s scarcely apparent nearby. At dawn, a strong tide brings back the fishermen from a night’s work. They dock their colourful wooden boats at one end of Natai Beach, offering a bounty of seafood to shoppers looking for the freshest catch of the day. The long stretch of sandy beach is also
the backdrop of Sava – a cluster of seven villas that combine contemporary design with Thai appeal. “I looked north when I couldn’t get good beachfront property in Phuket in 2006,” recalls Scott Callender of Avila Capital, the Singapore-based private equity real estate firm that developed the site. After combing the island for a suitable piece of land on which to build, Scott arrived on the other side of Sarasin Bridge, which links Phuket and the mainland, far away from the tourist hubbub. He laid claim on two villas, including the four-bedroom Villa Roxo, while the other five were snapped up by eager buyers from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore – though they’re still available for short- and long-term vacation rentals. Each villa was designed with contemporary aesthetics in mind. The facade mirrors the look of a boxy glass house, aimed at bringing
The facade mirrors the look of a boxy glass house, aimed at bringing the outdoors in
the outdoors in, while the natural flow inside the home was paramount to architect Adrian Mccarroll’s design. The interior layout of Villa Roxo is both practical and conducive to everyday living, making visitors feel right at home. The entrance from the driveway leads to a cosy living room where you can enjoy laid-back movie marathons, while the lightfilled first floor is ideal for entertaining with an interconnected show kitchen, dining and sitting room that opens on to an expansive pool deck. There’s also a hidden kitchen behind the breakfast bar, where a live-in cook prepares tempting, made-to-order Thai and Western dishes.
The two master bedrooms upstairs maximise the sweeping sea views with stepout balconies from which to admire the purple-pink skies at dusk. There are also two supplementary bedrooms – each complete with en suite bathrooms and a pair of single beds – making the home ideal for larger families, especially those travelling with children. It’s easy to acclimatise to the slower pace of life at Villa Roxo. Here, the days are marked by the rising and setting sun, by tempting meals cooked using market-fresh ingredients, and by sun-drenched afternoons spent lounging poolside or sunbathing on the beach. For those in the know, this little pocket in Phang Nga remains a well-kept secret – a charming haven where nature and warm Thai hospitality can still be treasured.