IS THIS PHUKET’S MOST ROMANTIC HOTEL?

Woman’s Day’s Editor-in-chief FIONA CONNOLLY discovers a luxe adult-friendly escape in Thailand

If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of Phuket’s street markets or the bright nightlife of Patong Beach, read no further – this place is not for you. Sure, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa is close enough to spend a day in the thick of Phuket madness (around 90 minutes by taxi), but it’s a place to stop and soak in a relaxing, romantic escape along the spectacular Natai Beach.

And what makes a beach holiday more romantic than a glorious sunset? Aleenta is located on the sunset side of the Andaman Sea, where couples can watch the sun hit the sea. No hawkers, no noisy jetskis, no powerboats.

We arrive free of children and ready to indulge. No sooner had our delightful host welcomed us into our Deluxe Grand Pool Villa with a private pool, we were in heaven. As each villa is 100 per cent secluded, it’s no wonder the hotel cheekily markets itself as providing lovebirds with a “no tan holiday”!

I think we made it out of our private villa just once during our two-night stay, and only to enjoy the beautiful sunset from our shaded beach lounge, where we sipped on gin and tonics and ate an incredible woodfired pizza between cooling off in the resort’s infinity pool.

If you’ve got a special occasion to celebrate, consider stepping it up a notch and budget for a Romantic Package. It includes massages and a candlelit beach dinner from $1100.