The Bell Pool Villa Resort Phuket

The Bell Pool Villa Resort Phuket is accessed through a gated entrance lined by ancient looking ornamental gongs. The only common area is a two-in-one lobby and restaurant decorated in a theatrical Chinese style with red and black bamboo furniture. The inside has a lacquered sheen and heavy bell-shaped lanterns hung above the bar. A bank of red doors open to an al fresco dining terrace, which in turn flows into a bamboo-lined garden. Most guests in this upscale, private villa resort are vacationing couples. 

Located in the laid-back village of Kamala, the The Bell Pool Villa Resort Phuket is near just enough essentials – a 7/11, a coffee shop, and a few local restaurants – but far from noisy tourist areas. Kamala Beach he beach is about a five-minute drive away. Phuket Fantasea theme park – a hit with children who are bored of the beach – is less than a 10-minute drive. Those craving nightlife or more diverse shopping options will need to make the drive to Patong (where there's also a beach), which takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to reach, depending on traffic. Bustling Phuket town is about 45 minutes away, and expect a 40-minute drive to Phuket International Airport.

Behind the hotel's jungle covered walls, the 16 one- to four-bedroom villas have their own garden courtyards with private pools as well as poolside dining tables under covered pergolas. Each unit also has its own sala -- a kind of traditional open-air Thai pavilion -- furnished with comfortable lounge chairs. Inside the villas simple but elegant Chinese-inspired decor meshes with a modern open-plan living spaces. Bell-shaped lamps hang from vaulted wood ceilings, with natural wood and red lacquer furnishings throughout. Each unit has a sitting room with a couch and flat-screen TV, while larger units add full kitchens and dining rooms. The bathrooms have large tile walk-in showers as well as separate soaking tubs. Butler service is included.

The hotel's Zhong Lounge & Restaurant serves contemporary Thai cuisine, with dishes ranging from grilled tiger prawns with fried pineapple rice and lemongrass salad to fusion creations such as a veal ossobuco in massaman curry. Diners with less adventurous tastes can also find pizza, pasta, and burgers. In-villa dining can be arranged indoors or poolside, and guests can arrange lavish private barbecue dinners. Breakfast has Asian and Western options and is served in the villas, but it's not included in room rates. As there's no dedicated spa, massages and other spa services -- including facials, scrubs, and mani-pedis -- are in-room only. Bicycles are free to take around town and the hotel operates regular daily shuttles to Kamala and Patong beaches.