Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Set amid lushly gardened grounds in classic Thai-style buildings, Mom Tri's Villa Royale emits an unpretentious yet exclusive vibe -- one of the buildings is the former home of Thai royal Mom Tri, an artist and architect whose sense of style carries throughout the property. Palm trees and tropical plants line a stone walkway leading to a koi pond at the entrance, where the open-air reception area has white stone floors, rustic wood couches with thick taupe cushions, a wood-paneled ceiling, and glass display cases holding bronze statues and pottery. Stone stairways lead to gorgeous vistas and shrines, Thai artwork decorates breezy open-air hallways, and lounge chairs perched on a stone patio offer sweeping sea views. The garden, with its neatly kept lawn, is hemmed in by tropical plants and a traditional Thai temple. The property is unquestionably romantic, and tends to draw couples on holiday or honeymoon, or travelers seeking a true sense of Thai style.

The hotel is perched on a headland overlooking Kata Noi Beach, a white-sand beach with good waves for body surfing. The shore immediately in front of the hotel is rocky (but beautiful), and it takes a few minutes' walk to reach the sand. Set on Phuket's southwest side, Kata Noi is somewhat undeveloped and quiet, but there are some restaurants within walking distance. A small, lightly used road leads up past the hotel, which is about a 10-minute drive from Karon Beach and Kata center, with tourist shops. Phuket International Airport is about a 50-minute drive north.

The hotel offers various types of suites, all spacious and airy, and decorated with a combination of Thai-style decor and Thai antiques. Wood floors and wood-paneled walls are set off by white linens, woven blinds, patterned rugs, and painted armoires. Kata Suites have access to a shared private pool, while Pool Suites each have their own small private pool. All rooms have private balconies overlooking the sea, flat-screen TVs, and spacious bathrooms with oversized bathtubs and separate showers. The Classic Wing Suites -- inside Mom Tri's former home built into the hillside -- are decorated with Thai artwork, and come with Illy coffeemakers and iPod docking stations; some have whirlpools or private terraces with plunge pools.

Mom Tri's Villa Royale has a main pool with stone deck overlooking the sea, winding saltwater pool tucked into the hillside, and a separate narrow pool for Kata Suites. A bright, modern library with colorful chairs and white shelves filled with books provides a quiet spot to escape the sun. An on-site spa, decorated with wood-paneling and traditional Thai artwork, has an outdoor steam bathtub and offers a full range of treatments for face and body. Mom Tri's Kitchen serves gourmet Thai cuisine in a modern setting with a terrace overlooking the beach, and the extensive hotel wine cellar has been recognized for excellence. The Sea Shell Bar and Verandah Lounge feels breezy yet cozy, with a sharply pitched ceiling,all-wood piano bar area, and cushioned wicker chairs for taking in the sunset.