Amari Vogue Krabi, Tubkaek beach: Hello vogue life
I am bone-tired and ridiculously hungry when I reach Ao Nang, a touristy beach in Krabi province of Thailand. The beach is picturesque and there are people all around, instilling in me a sense of safety. And I need every ounce – after all I have suffered a very rough night in the Bangkok-Krabi bus journey. When I leave Ao Nang in a taxi, I am still unsure of my decision. I travel on a deserted road hemmed by lush green to my haven of chosen seclusion— Amari Vogue Krabi.
Visiting the touristy trail in Thailand during peak season and expecting seclusion doesn’t go hand in hand. However, I did manage to find that sweet spot in north Krabi’s Tubkaek beach. I have a two nights stays scheduled at Amari Vogue Krabi’s recently refurbished resort which is right on the beach.
The welcome
When my taxi drops me at the resort’s gate, I notice there is absolutely nothing nearby, except other resorts. So no standalone restaurants, food stalls, shops or villages. At the reception, I am greeted with a tumbler full of a cool lemongrass drink— a much needed respite from the afternoon sun.
Inspired by Lanna architecture, Amari Vogue Krabi is a terraced resort built in the Tubkaek beachfront with a private beach of its own. Unlike the lifeless, drab resorts of the cities, there is a distinct character in Amari Vogue’s design. There are lush landscaped gardens, waterfalls, terraced pools and koi ponds—an attempt to recreate natural settings.
Room sweet room
I have a luxurious deluxe room of 54 square metres at my disposal for the coming two nights. While walking to my room, I pass through the lobby. Beyond the coconut trees, the cool blue sea shimmers in the horizon. I hurry to my room, impatient to quickly change and take a plunge into the ocean.
I throw myself on the king size bed. The day has been long and I hated the shady room of Bangkok, the last hotel I slept in. A while later, I make coffee, sit on the plush sofa and drink the much needed beverage. On the coffee table is a fruit basket. I take quick bites to satisfy my hunger.
Who doesn’t love a private balcony?
The wood styled vinyl and laminate flooring is flooded with natural light once I pull the curtains apart. I push the retractable floor to ceiling glass door and venture outside to the balcony. An outdoor coffee table and chair is already set here along with an ashtray. The balcony overlooks the lush garden with tropical trees, the koi pond channels and the in-house Lotus Restaurant.
The most important part: Washrooms
I move back in and step into the washroom. It is equipped with all the usual amenities expected in a luxury accommodation, except an oddly missing phone for whatever reason (I find wires dangling down without a receiver). I don’t know why there are always so many phones and towels in luxury rooms. I had once been to a resort with three phones in the washroom! Anyways, this shortcoming doesn’t affect me much.
I love bathtubs, more so when they are attached to a window that opens into the room with a full view of the television. I had come across this previously in a hotel in Abu Dhabi and have since appreciated the style, and was glad to find it at Amari Vogue.
It is already 3PM so I decide that swimming in the sea can wait for the next day. I give the bathroom rain shower a miss and get inside the tub.
In the bedroom wardrobe, there is not just the usual slipper, bathrobe, pressing table and iron but also a lovely beach bag made of jute. I make a mental note to carry it the next day. Meanwhile, I find Sayan (my husband and travel partner) has emptied a can of Coke from the mini fridge already. The only space that I probably didn’t touch is the study table and chair! ‘Work’ is something I have decided to stay away from on this beach getaway.
Tantalizing Tubkaek beach
At sunset, when the orange rays streak the sky, I reach the Tubkaek beach. From here, I watch one of the best sunsets I have ever seen in my life. The rainless clouds add extreme drama. From orange to red and finally the sky turns purple with the setting of the sun. The bright colours of the Andaman Sea merges into an ordinary grey.
Marco’s Restaurant and Bar at Amari Vogue Krabi
A couple is having a candlelight dinner on the sandy beach. Marco’s Restaurant and Bar has set a table out for them. Adjacent to the beach, this in-house restaurant serves pan Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. The bar is a concoction hub of various cocktails.
I walk to the restaurant to have dinner as the lullaby of the ocean continues in the distance. Sea breeze ruffles my hair—there is no barrier or walls separating us. Soon a breadbasket arrives with black olive caviar. This is a faux caviar — spicy, tangy and fully vegan. Next comes a salad and our drinks, Long Island Iced Tea for him and a cocktail for me.
My cocktail is ‘Sappa rod Krabi’. Initially I don’t get it but then I realized pineapple is pronounced sappa rod in Thai language, so the drink has been named after the fruit. A slice of pineapple has been cleverly hooked to the edge of my glass. It is a blend of rum, lime juice, a pineapple infusion and a very interesting bitter Italian liquor made of herb infusion.
My pasta and his pizza come as soon as we are done with the starters. Finally, my favourite part, the dessert, arrives. A devilish chocolate pastry decorated with tropical fruits and berries. Perfect climax to the day.
Lotus Restaurant
The next morning again starts with food. I arrive at the Lotus restaurant for the buffet breakfast. Apart from Thai food, the buffet has Indian, American and English breakfast choices. French confection items occupy a big area and of course fresh fruits, salads and six types of juices!
What I find intriguing is that this breakfast buffet even includes typical lunch items like daal curry, pork curry, stir-fried vegetables and mushrooms, and yellow rice. I taste all the items available, and overeat the sweets of course.
Lotus Restaurant is positioned on the upper terraces of Amari Vogue. It is not as close to the beach as Marco’s Restaurant but still the sparkling blue Andaman Sea is clearly visible from its patio. Guests can seat themselves outdoors if they wish so. Lotus restaurant serves breakfast and dinner only.
Out in the sea
I bring out that jute beach bag from the wardrobe and head to the sea. As the Sun rises, the shades of blue in the sea keep on changing. The beach is completely empty and sandy for the most part, though I feel small patches of rock as I enter the sea. Far away, the Hong Island archipelago is visible.
Swimming pools of Amari Vogue
Done with swimming in the sea, I enter the resort’s infinity pool. Cradled among a carefully tendered grove of coconut trees, the pool provides fantastic views of the sea and the beach. There are sculpted elephants on its edge, spurting water out of their trunks. The artificial waterfalls add a rainforest vibe. Near these cascades are broad shallow relaxing areas where one can just lie down.
Perched on a higher terrace is a whirlpool. It can accommodate six people at a time. Fortunately, I am the only one at the moment. The pools are the best features of Amari Vogue Krabi. The resort also has pool villa suites. I can only imagine what the experience of staying inside them would be.
What to do around Amari Vogue Krabi
This idyllic getaway is perfect for people who plan to do absolutely nothing but relax and pamper themselves. However, for the ones who can’t rest, there are Hong Island boat tours and kayak trips that can be arranged. Dragon Crest Mountain is a steep uphill hike through the tropical forest here. The origin point of this trail is very near and can be done without requiring the resort’s help.
Goodbye Tubkaek, goodbye Vogue living
I also hear about kid’s club— a place where kids can be kept engaged and taken care of by the resort staff while the parents enjoy themselves. With such provisions and a beautiful location, it is no doubt that Amari Vogue Krabi hosts several weddings and is marked as a wedding resort in the industry.
Next day, I feel a pang of sorrow while looking over at the sea from Amari Vogue’s Voyager lounge while waiting for the taxi to arrive. I have spent two days pampering myself in this secluded part of the world, but now it is time to return to the crowded centres. Except for the Breeze spa and the fitness centre, I think I have visited all the corners of this luxury resort. Later, while writing this post, I realise Amari Vogue Krabi also conducts Thai cooking classes for those who are interested. I rue not attending it. Next time, surely!
*****
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Tania Banerjee
Tania is a freelance writer based in India who tinkers with words here and there but mostly focused on travel, food, arts and crafts. She writes for several Indian dailies and magazines.
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