DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree

The DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree is a quiet, similarly luxe alternative to the adjacent Banyan Tree Phuket. Here, there are just 26 one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas situated around a freeform lagoon. The huge villas have their own living spaces, large bathtubs, and outdoor infinity pools with gazebos, allowing travelers to spend a good deal of their vacation in their room if they so choose. Due to this being an expansive property, with all major facilities – restaurants, bars, kids’ club, and spa – located at the main Banyan Tree resort, guests should expect needing to take long walks or a golf cart to reach amenities.
The design throughout is swish and contemporary, incorporating lots of local flair – think pagoda-style structures, Asian sculptures and artwork, and beautiful well-manicured greenery. Unique resort features include glass-walled rooms surrounded by water, lagoon dining experiences on floating platforms, and releasing lit lanterns. This impressive property is best for luxury-minded travelers who don’t mind not having beach views, and both families with kids and honeymooning couples are found here.

DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree Phuket is located about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Bangtao Beach on Phuket’s western coast. Note that the ocean can sometimes be too rough for swimming. There’s not a ton to do and see in this area, so most travelers stay at the resort during the visit. Directly adjacent to the resort is the 18-hole Laguna Golf Phuket. Expect about a 30-minute drive south to the nightlife of Patong Beach and a 30-minute car ride north to Phuket International Airport, though traffic can add a significant amount of time. Parking at the resort is free.

The 26 villas here include one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, all of which are decorated in the same attractive style. The look is contemporary and swish, with locally inspired accents to add character. These pagoda-style structures have a mix of high-end marble, wood, and stone, accompanied by lots of glass windows, rich fabrics, and lovely accents such as Thai-inspired artwork, outdoor sculptures, and tons of greenery. The crowning feature of the villas are the private infinity pools outside, with built-in jetted tubs, surrounding loungers, and gazebos for shade. Outdoor spaces are private and overlook the resort’s lagoon, creating a secluded, peaceful atmosphere.
Indoor amenities are similarly impressive, consisting of living spaces with sofas and dining tables, glass-walled bedrooms surrounded by water, free minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Spacious bathrooms have large bathtubs, separate walk-in showers, extensive toiletry kits, hairdryers, slippers, and bathrobes. Flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi also come standard.

There’s only one restaurant located within the DoublePool Villas area, but several other dining and drinking options can be found at the main Banyan Tree Phuket Resort. The one on-site is Tre’, a dinner-only eatery serving contemporary Western cuisine. It has an alfresco terrace overlooking the lagoon.
Other eateries include The Watercourt, an all-day buffet restaurant serving both Asian and Western dishes; Saffron, the signature Banyan tree Thai restaurant open for dinner; and Taihei, which sits next to the lap pool and serves Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner. There are also Banyan Cafe next to the golf course for breakfast and lunch, a lobby bar, pool bar, and beachside bar with grab-and-go goods. For something special, guests can order in-villa dining 24/7, or opt for special dinner experiences such as a dinner cruise on a long-tail boat, or “Dinner for the Senses,” where travelers eat atop a floating platform in the lagoon by candlelight.

Outside of the Tre restaurant, all of the features are located by the main Banyan Tree Phuket Resort. Numerous amenities for both adults and kids are available, including access to Bangtao Beach. Travelers can walk to the beach, take free-to-borrow bikes, or get transported pretty close on staff-driven golf cart buggies. Sunbeds are available on the beach. For travelers that want pool time outside of their villa, there are a 40-meter lap pool and a livelier freeform pool with an adjacent bar and whirlpool. Ample loungers and umbrellas line the pool decks.
The relaxing spa at Banyan Tree Phuket is gorgeously decorated and offers couples' treatment rooms and an outdoor tub for two. For physical activity, there are a fitness center, pool with an aqua gym (a few underwater exercise equipment), tennis courts, and yoga classes. Plus, the adjacent 18-hole Laguna Golf Phuket is a popular course, and it has a pro shop and cafe. Additional activities consist of Thai language classes, cooking demonstrations, and tours of the local night market (fee). Rides in traditional Thai longboats on the lagoon are popular. The Rangers Club has a variety of supervised activities for kids. Wi-Fi is free throughout.