OVERVIEW
When it opened its doors in 2009, the Avista Phuket Resort & Spa almost immediately earned the status of southern Phuket's most stylish and luxurious holiday hotel. Overlooking the Andaman Sea, a five-minute walk from Kata Beach, one of the island's more inviting stretches of sand, the resort is a 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airport and has proven popular with visitors from Europe, Australia and, increasingly, Hong Kong.
A world away from the throbbing strip of Patong – although the town itself is only 20 minutes away by cab – the Avista has, in recent times, made a name for itself as a great base for golfers. Not only does the resort offer a comprehensive range of golfing packages, it's also only a 30-minute drive from the highly regarded Red Mountain and Loch Palm Golf Clubs.
The Avista's brand new sister property, the Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa (www.avistahotelsandresorts.com), is situated on a clifftop closer to Patong and is arguably even more upscale due in part to its extravagant Pool Suites and breathtaking views.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are four room categories at the Avista – Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Avista Club and one-bedroom suites – and all are thoroughly comfortable and modern in design, each featuring a stylishly warm interior, private balcony, a large screen LCD TV and spacious bathroom. At an average size of 540 square feet, the 143 guest rooms are among the largest in Phuket. As an added bonus, something which travelling golfers are sure to appreciate, two complimentary cans of Singha beer are provided in each room daily.
DINING
En Vogue, the resort's solitary restaurant covers all the bases, offering a vast range of Thai, Asian and international favourites. Unlike at many other first-rate hotels in Phuket, dining here can be considered very good value, particularly the seafood barbeque buffet, which has proved popular with resort guests and the island's residents alike. The same can be said of the well chosen wine list. An added attraction: cooking classes led by the restaurant's Thai chefs take place every afternoon.
LEISURE FACILITIES
The Avista's award-winning spa is rightly considered one of Phuket's finest and provides a full range of face and body treatments, including therapeutic massages, detoxifying body wraps and romantic bathing ceremonies. As one would expect from a resort of this stature, the Avista's pool is a real highlight; and large despite the relatively small number of rooms at the hotel. A well-equipped fitness centre caters for those disciplined enough to venture there, while an indoor kid's area is a definite boon for adults travelling with their children in tow.
WHERE'S THE GOLF?
Built over a former tin mine, the 18 holes at Red Mountain Golf Club (www.redmountainphuket.com) are without question the most exciting on the island – and certainly among the best in Thailand. Designed by Jon Morrow and opened in 2008, the course is beautifully manicured with superb greens. Consisting of elevation change throughout, the signature hole at this elegant club is the 17th, a 169-yard par-3 featuring a vertigo-inducing drop of more than 130-feet from tee to green. Needless to say, club selection poses a few problems.
Loch Palm Golf Club (www.lochpalm.com) is the older sister to Red Mountain and has been a popular resort-style course since its opening in 1998. The work of Dr Sukitti Klangwisai, who also laid out the nearby course at Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm is rather kinder to the holidaymaking hacker than its sibling, but it still presents a sound challenge with water in play on 13 holes.
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