Wednesday newsletters always feature a luxury hotel and/or flight review.
Today (April 13, 2016): Review of Point Yamu by COMO in Phuket (Thailand).
Location: Google Maps
Address: 225 หมู่ 7 Pa Klok, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Hotel website: Point Yamu by COMO
Point Yamu by COMO is a new Phuket luxury resort located at the tip of Cape Yamu overlooking the Andaman Sea and the dramatic limestones of Phang Nga Bay. Interiors by Italian designer Paola Navone offer a unique expression of contemporary Thai luxury, alongside a COMO Shambhala wellness retreat and two world-class restaurants for Thai and Italian cuisine. Those of you craving for a room with an ocean view should put this design resort on their bucket list since all rooms here come with spectacular views.
Point Yamu by COMO features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Thailand and Phuket’s best ultra luxury resorts.
As usual, I made a Youtube clip with my impressions of the hotel during my stay. You can watch it here.
In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
Pros & things I like
Cons & things to know
My verdict
Tips for future guests & save money
Best time to visit
How to get there
HOTEL EXTERIOR & ENTRANCE
LOBBY
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GUEST FLOOR HALLWAY
BAY SUITE: LIVING ROOM
BAY SUITE: BEDROOM
BAY SUITE: BATHROOM
LA SIRENA RESTAURANT
BREAKFAST
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PROS & THINGS I LIKE
Point Yamu by COMO enjoys a privileged and secluded location on Cape Yamu, a gated community of low-rise villas on a tropical peninsula on Phuket’s east coast that overlooks peaceful Phang Nga Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was made famous in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. The resort is an easy 25-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, appealing to both Asia-based couples and families seeking a short break to rejuvenate as well as long-haul guests looking for a comprehensive escape.
The resort sits atop a gently rising promontory, affording stunning panoramic views of the cobalt warm waters of the Andaman Sea and the dramatic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay from almost every corner in the property.
The hotel’s striking contemporary decor was created by Italian avant-garde design talent Paola Navone. The interiors feature COMO’s signature clean lines and pared-back minimalism united with the Italian designer’s eclectic, colourful approach and the use of local materials. Bright aquamarines and burnt oranges reflect the presence of the sea, Thailand’s Buddhist culture, and the colourful influence of Phuket’s Peranakan culture.
The hotel’s grey, somewhat simple exterior is unremarkable but it’s a different story once you step inside. Arriving at Point Yamu’s lofty, open-sided lobby via the majestic steps is like entering a sleek design museum. The space’s centerpiece is a temple-alike installation of stacked wooden coffee tables laden with ceramic dolls holding welcoming signs in Thai and red glazed ceramic bowls that hold bright flowers.
Point Yamu by COMO features an impressive 100m (328 feet) infinity pool, surrounded by comfortable sun loungers and overlooking scenic Phang Nga Bay. One side is very shallow and suitable to small children, while the other side is perfect for adults to splash around. Fruity icy poles are regularly brought round to refresh guests. The pool is flanked by the hotel’s two restaurants (more on that below), so you can order lunch, snacks and cocktails to your sun bed.
Point Yamu by COMO’s luxury accommodation is colourful yet uncluttered, contemporary yet indigenous. Blue and turquoise design accents in the resort’s 79 rooms and suites (and 27 private pool villas), recalling the Andaman Sea, all offset by cool white and grey Sino patterned tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the spectacular views. Apart from Bay Rooms, all rooms have private terraces with views across Phang Nga Bay or inland across the Cape, while pool suites benefit from their own swimming pools.
During my holiday, I stayed in a sublime Bay Suite. This light-filled suite had an indoor dining table with two chairs, a guest bathroom, a separate living room, a bedroom (with Egyptian cotton sheets on the king-sized bed), and a balcony overlooking Yamu Bay. The piece de resistance was the über luxe bathroom, with aquamarine and deep blue tiles, wooden ladders to hang towels on, and a circular bath tub with a chandelier of suspended light bulbs like bubbles gone astray. There was also a rain shower and twin wash basins.
The bathroom toiletries are amongst the best in the hotel industry. COMO is famous for its holistic Shambhala Spas, and its own-brand potions are distributed in tiny bottles in the guest bathrooms.
High-speed WiFi is complimentary and of excellent quality throughout the resort.
Point Yamu by COMO is managed by the famous Singaporean COMO hotel group, one of the my favorite luxury hotel brands in the world, known for providing high-end havens with a steer towards wellbeing. I previously stayed at three other, highly recommended COMO properties: COMO Shambhala Estate (Bali), Maalifishi by COMO (Maldives), and Parrot Cay by COMO (Turks & Caicos).
Point Yamu takes gastronomy very seriously and it’s superb cuisine plays a star role, with the resort offering a range of excellent dining options, including relaxed Italian cooking and locally caught seafood at ‘La Sirena’, and spicy southern Thai cooking at ‘Nahmyaa’. Healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine, designed to maximise energy and wellbeing, can be enjoyed at The Central Bar, while private dining such as beach picnics and romantic sunset meals can be arranged in-room and at a number of special locations in and near to the resort.
The spirit of wellness permeates throughout the hotel, and Como Shambala – the COMO hotel group’s award-winning wellness concept – influences its restaurant menu and the excellent spa, the Como Shambala Retreat. The latter sits above the main pool and offers offer holistic treatments to improve mental quietude, physical wellbeing and spiritual balance. There’s a yoga studio, two double and five single treatment rooms, four Thai massage alcoves, an outdoor deck with two plunge pools, plus separate male and female steam rooms, Jacuzzi and gym. I had the specially recommended signature Como Shambhala massage with aromatic oils, and it felt terrific.
The resort has a nice kids club as well as a games room with pool table, table football, darts, and PlayStation.
What really makes this place, is the impeccably trained staff, who are eager to please: the service in general is superb and very attentive, without being intrusive.
CONS & THINGS TO KNOW
Point Yamu by COMO is a superb five-star hotel. I loved my stay at this wonderful Phuket resort, enjoying the phenomenal views, cutting-edge design, mouthwatering food, and excellent wellness facilities. There are some things you need to know though when considering a stay here to set your expectations right:
Point Yamu by COMO’s elevated aspect above the Cape affords 360 degree spectacular Andaman Sea views but it also provides some disappointing news for beachgoers as the resort has no direct access to a beach. However, the good news is that the resort has a private COMO Beach Club on a small island, 40 minutes by complimentary boat shuttle from the hotel.
The hotel is located on the barely developed east coast of Phuket, so this isn’t the best spot for seaside relaxation or nighlife, as there are no beaches, shops, or bars within walking distance. However, the location does offer serenity for those looking for tranquility and it makes a good casting off point for sailing around the islands.
Because of the contemporary, sleek design, the hotel does not feel very authentic nor does it reflect the ambience of Thailand. For most of its guests though, that is not a problem at all as the design will blow them away.
This hotel is not cheap mainly because you either have to eat and drink on site or splash out on taxis to go elsewhere. Having said that, you should know that going in. Besides, the room rates are not different from Phuket’s other five-star hotels, and they include a host of complimentary activities, including yoga, tai chi, pilates, flower-arranging and longtail boat rides to beaches on nearby islands. However, food at the hotel’s restaurant ‘s very expensive and will cost you more than te dining venue at other 5 star hotels in the area.
MY VERDICT
Location: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Overall experience: very good: 8,8/10
TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY
Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Point Yamu by COMO (and/or receive many free perks).
Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PHUKET
The weather in Phuket is dominated by a tropical monsoon climate which means there are three main seasons: a cool, dry season between November and February (which is the best period to visit Phuket); a hot, dry season from March to June, and a rainy season from July to October. Expect daytime temperatures to be in excess of 30 degrees centigrade throughout the year (with the possible exception of late December and early January). The two periods April to May and September to October are characterised by very high humidity. The southwest monsoons arrive between May and October bringing unsettled, cloudy conditions, as well as lower room rates.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Point Yamu by COMO resort is located on the East coast of Phuket island, a 25 min drive from Phuket Airport. Check the Wikipedia page of Phuket Airport for an updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Phuket.
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AQUA BAR: RESTROOM
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