Everyday Food I Love

For decades Phuket has been one of the most popular island destinations in Thailand, attracting millions of visitors each year. With the disappearance of international tourists for the last 18 months the island’s stunning beaches have once again become pristine, the azure waters teeming with an abundance of sea life and the surrounding islands rejuvenated with lush greenery unseen before. Now the island is ready to welcome back visitors from around the world from July 1st and Anantara has put together a top ten unmissable things to experience on a visit to Phuket. Go on a walk-through history. Phuket has come a long way from its beginnings as a tin-mining settlement, but with a little imagination you can almost see the merchants of yore arraying goods inside the ornate Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Phuket Town. Converted into trendy restaurants, guesthouses and boutique hotels, they have since received a new lease on life; many restored to their former glory. Insta-float amongst giant...

After 18 months of borders closed to international travellers, Thailand’s stunning island of Phuket is ready to re-open on July 1, 2021. Vaccinated travellers can enjoy an idyllic summer holiday at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Layan Phuket Resort with minimal travel restrictions and no 14-day state quarantine period.   In preparation of the opening, Anantara Mai Khao and Anantara Layan are launching the Ultimate Family Vacation. The package includes luxury accommodation with breakfast, access to Anantara Vacation Club’s water park, a selection of fun kids’ activities, savings on spa treatments and dining, non-motorised water sports and early check-in/late checkout. Each resort also boasts a comprehensive array of onsite leisure options including Muay Thai boxing, yoga and fitness, Spice Spoons cooking classes, and dedicated kids’ clubs. Both Anantara Phuket resorts are SHA-approved (Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration), with arrivals having the freedom...

Beyond the sun, sand and sea, newly-opened InterContinental Phuket Resort presents ten more compelling reasons to visit the popular Thai destination. A beloved tropical paradise familiar to discerning travellers, InterContinental Phuket Resort complements the island’s appeal with additional insights and travel tips. From locally immersive experiences to natural attractions, InterContinental Phuket Resort serves as a luxurious sanctuary while explorers discover the island in a refreshing light. After an active day, travellers can indulge their senses with Romantic Escape (price starting from THB 7,650++ per night) to complete their enriching Phuket Island adventure.

Promoting healthy lifestyle changes without sacrificing the indulgencies of luxury travel, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas has partnered with acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Dr. Rui Pedro Loureiro to run wellness workshops at Anantara Spa for a limited time only.

The Mojito, a much-loved classic cocktail originating from Cuba, is sashaying onto Layan Beach just in time for summer. Further enhancing the island life spirit, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort has just launched The Mojito Factory, a new pop-up beach bar in Phuket.

Guests at Anantara Layan Phuket and Anantara Mai Khao Villas recently participated in the company’s annual baby turtle release in support of the conservation efforts of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation (MKMTF) and the Phuket Marine Biology Center (PMBC). 50 young green turtles ranging from 12 to 15 months old were released at Layan and Mai Khao beaches in southern Thailand with the hope of them returning to lay their eggs in the years to come.

My decision to undertake a cruise review on-board the  Costa Victoria , raised many an eyebrow. For one, I am not known to be the seafaring sort, and second, I have no idea how to swim.  Well, f**k that, this is 2017, so out the window goes that rubbish.  Despite this, I am an adventurer at heart and an offer to experience an Italian Cruise at sea isn't something that comes your way all the time, so I took it.

For many years now I have confined my travels to land-based adventures, with the occasional air flights to transit places both near and far. And to the surprise of many, for the second-time this year, I found myself on another sea voyage, this time aboard an Italian luxury cruise liner, the Costa Victoria. If you are wondering how my first cruise experience went, you can read all about it here .

I will be the first to tell you, as a confirmed landlubber, I have never been on a luxury cruise liner before. Barring a fishing day-trip off Port Klang, I have steadfastly avoided making any voyage out to open sea over the years because of my inability to swim. I was raised on a farm, so open plains and mountains have always been more to my liking compared to large bodies of water.

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Layan Phuket Resort have taken luxury to the next level by popping open the bubbly for guests on a personally tailored day trip with free flowing Krug Champagne aboard your very own private yacht. Accommodating up to 12 people, The Krug Cruise offers a fully crewed 90-foot Sunseeker yacht named Major Affair, return transfers to and from the resort and the marina, breakfast and a sumptuous lunch created by your very own personal on board chef, plus free flowing Krug Champagne served all day long by Anantara’s esteemed Wine Guru.

Travelers to Thailand no longer need to pack bulky cameras because paradise just got a technology upgrade. Guests at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas can forget the battery packs and memory sticks at home and instead avail of the resorts in-house Go-Pro cameras to create and edit memorable experiences as part of their stay.

At Anantara Phuket Layan Resort, couples planning a paradise island wedding can say “I do” in a Thai or western ceremony, on a tropical beach or in an iconic cliff-side chapel, with a choice of four specially tailored wedding packages.

Boathouse Wine and Grill From delectable Thai dining to sophisticated French cuisine, at Boathouse Wine and Grill guests can savour leisurely lunch and fine dinner degustation menus in a chic and modern beachfront setting. Boathouse Executive Chef Jean-Noël Lumineau, Thailand’s only Maître Cuisinier de France, uses handpicked locally-grown produce, fresh seafood and fish and imported prime meats to present a culinary experience like no other in Phuket. At the intimate and stylish, newly created Sunset Lounge above the restaurant guests can relax and enjoy distinctive cocktails and drinks throughout the evening. The new Beachfront Bar is just the right location to sample some of our 24 wines available by the glass or to enjoy some distinctive cocktails and drinks.