Layan Residences by Anantara: A Design Masterpiece

Just under two years ago the resort saw the opening of the eight-bedroom Villa Similan, which turned out to be the final masterpiece of the late Indonesian design guru Jaya Ibrahim.

To make the most of the site’s immaculate views, the stunning jungle and ocean views take centre stage, courtesy of an open-plan design, clean lines and use of light, natural tones.

The design concept comprises freestanding bedrooms and indoor areas that flow seamlessly with outdoor living space, while other notable features include intricately carved wooden claw-foot beds, lattice-decked ceilings, and an antique Burmese teak door that marks the residence’s entryway.

The elevated roof terrace of Villa Similan is ideal for sunset cocktail parties – in addition to the sprawling 350 square metre of decks just below, which are also home to the Villa’s infinity pool. Tiled in Indonesian sukabumi stone, the pool stretches 22 metres and features swim jets, massage jets and a submerged glass panel casting light onto one of the bedrooms below.

Resting over the pool is the shaded sala with sunken seating around the table and a view onto the small full-moon shaped deserted island of Koh Kata that hides away in Layan Bay. Meanwhile water features extend beyond the sala, stretching the length of the deck to the right, and to the left, cascading in a waterfall into the swimming pool.

Many objects and artefacts from around the world are dotted around the villa including indigenous sculptural pieces from Papua New Guinea and South America, work by aristocratic art-jewellers Lotus Arts de Vivre and a Zen-expressionist painting by Thailand’s most famous artist, Thawan Duchanee.

A live-in butler, along with a chef and spa therapists on call, enable guests to enjoy resort services without leaving their private retreat.  With Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa next door, everything from spa treatments, yoga, Thai Hermit Stretching, Thai cookery classes and mixology lessons can be arranged as bespoke experiences for residence guests. 

Those with a sense of adventure can charter the Major Affair yacht for day trips and extended cruises around the islands of the Andaman Sea, or the Siam Seas speedboat for snorkelling, diving and fishing trips.

Layan Residences by Anantara is the first branded residential development by the luxury hotel and resort brand Anantara.