Sri panwa

Spectacular serene boutique hotel with glasshouse pool villas, an aristocratic guest list and panoramic views over Cape Panwa

Rainforest shades the long, private road to Sri panwa, so when you finally walk through the unassuming hilltop entrance to this gorgeous hotel, it’ll take your breath away. Wide white steps lead you down to a glass pavilion, moated by a purple water-lily pond, to a view that’s suddenly open and wide, sun-filled and sparkling: islets hunker around the turquoise bay; longtail boats carve slow furrows in the perfect blue sea, 40m below.

The hotel connects via walkways and lanes to 41 cool and sensuous villas and private residences, with up to 4 bedrooms. Be on your guard: glass-walled bedrooms floating above infinity pools, walled gardens, sundecks and luxurious outdoor bathrooms will seduce you into a lotus-eater mentality. Yet there are times when Sri panwa rocks: international DJs host the occasional celebration, and bright young things (including a Thai princess or two) flutter from spa to bar. Take as much or as little as you like from what’s on offer. Both the tranquility and the hipness are far too well-mannered to intrude.

Highs

• The secluded villas and residences are so well-designed and kitted out, it might slip your mind that you're only a temporary resident here (Gordon Ramsay christened it his ‘second home’)
• This is a perfect location for twice-a-day sun salutes - pink sunrises, golden sunsets
• You can enjoy the glorious feeling of throwing open your doors and leaping straight into your infinity pool. Bliss
• There's don’t-lift-a-finger service - your on-call assistant will arrange everything from unpacking to running your bath
• The food in the restaurant and poolclub is imaginative, delicious and cooked in an open kitchen

Lows

• It's seriously expensive, though prices include breakfast and a load of in-room extras
• The private coral beach is petite and rocky. When you get that irresistible Crusoe urge, head off to the deserted white sand beach at Maiton Island, 10 minutes away by longtail
• As Sri panwa’s built on a steep hillside, getting around on foot uses up a lot of energy. Fortunately, there’s a fleet of tuk-tuks to chauffeur you about
• It’s hard to lure people from their villas and the hotel can feel deserted. A plus for some