The Naka Phuket

Designed in 2013 by Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag, this ultra-modern luxury hotel is made up of concrete and glass matchbox structures that jut out from a sloping mountainside. The architect worked around existing trees, and the design is meant to work in harmony with the beautiful natural setting; the ample walls of glass make it easy for guests to take in views of the mountains, sea, and sky. The footprint is a bit sprawling (golf carts are needed to reach many rooms) and buildings spread out from a central open-air lobby. Raised on thick square wooden columns, a massive wood roof hangs over the lobby pavilion and its black-marble reception desk. The villas spread out below before meeting a well-kept lawn and the beach beyond. "Naka" means "holy serpent" in Thai, often seen as a symbol of good fortune and greatness; management says its goal is to represent this greatness. The layout of the property can mean service requests can time a while to fulfill, however, and some guests complain of minor service lapses. For most, though, the incredible natural scenery and jaw-dropping architecture will make a stay here very memorable.

Equidistant between Patong and the small village of Kamala, The Naka Phuket is built on a private beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. There isn't much to see or do within walking distance, though both Patong Beach and Kamala Beach are about 11 minutes away by car in opposite directions along the coast. There's also a daily shuttle that takes guests to Patong for a fee. Bustling Phuket town is about 35 minutes away, and expect a 45-minute drive to Phuket International Airport. 

Set into a sloping mountainside, the hotel's 94 air-conditioned villas have a timber and steel-frame construction that allows for walls of windows through which guests can take in the (mostly) incredible views. The One- to Three-Bedroom Pool Villas are massive, starting at 205 square meters (over 2,200 square feet) and have their own furnished patios or balconies along with infinity pools. Each rectangular villa is designed with an overhanging bedroom protruding from a concrete base and floating anywhere from six to 20 feet above the ground. The airy living rooms have large corner couches, free stocked minibars, pod-style coffeemakers, and 46-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Small work desks are integrated into the central slate wall partitions. Bathrooms have double vanities around the corner from glass stalls containing toilets and walk-in rainfall showers, while separate soaking tubs are housed in their own bright rooms with canopy ceilings. Villas higher up on the hillside tend to have the best views, but also take the longest to reach from reception. Guests can also book a Beachfront One-Bedroom Pool Villa for easier access to the sand, and the addition of a private garden. Those planning to spend a lot of time at the spa might want to book a Napa Suite, located in the spa building.

The hotel has its own private sandy beach on a sheltered bay, with rubber trees providing a bit of shade for a row of lounge chairs. Snorkeling is excellent. A manicured lawn lies between the beach and the Olympic-sized infinity pool, which has a wooden deck built with openings to accommodate existing trees. A waterfall pours down the front of a slim five-story tower behind the pool area that houses the Napa Spa. Offerings include Thai massages and Biodroga facials, and there are a sauna and a steam room. The fitness center has modern weight-training equipment, as well as cardio machines with video monitors. A supervised kids' club provides a place to leave the little ones with games and activities in a colorful room with giant stuffed animals. For dining, The Nava does Thai and Western cuisine in an open-air space amid massive wood columns, while The Meka restaurant & bar provides unobstructed views of the Andaman Sea from its rooftop terrace. There's also an open-air beach bar.