Located on a secluded cove of Phuket, Trisara offers everything even the most discerning beach bums would swoon for.

Phuket is having a moment – a whirlwind of fashionable cafes, buzzing restaurants and bars, with new resorts sprouting up left and right. But beyond this tropical frenzy lies Trisara, the stuff of dreams for those craving relaxed privacy in the lap of luxury. 

Sprawled across 40 acres of untouched beauty, Trisara – meaning “the garden in the third heaven” in Sanskrit – offers a total of 64 guest villas and private residences, each perfectly angled to capture the breathtaking vistas with no neighbouring buildings in sight. Imagine waking up to your private infinity pool blending right in with the azure waters of the Andaman Sea – that’s Trisara in a nutshell.

I arrived on a balmy afternoon, just 20 minutes from the airport. Tucked away on the tranquil road past the Nai Thon beach, the resort unveils itself with an unassuming entrance that subtly hints at the exclusivity within.

The breezy buggy ride to my villa was in itself a sheer delight. Winding through a lush labyrinth of emerald foliage was like a palate cleanser that preps you for the vacation groove.

The hospitality was exemplary. I was treated to a gracious welcome drink and a platter of tropical fruits that I later realised were such a much-needed refreshment after a three-hour flight. Such dedication to holistic wellbeing is a common thread woven throughout Montara’s properties, including the upcoming Tri Vananda, and the Michelin-starred restaurants PRU and JAMPA.

Villas and Suites

The guest villas at Trisara range from 135 to 300 square metres, from open-plan to two bedrooms. They all perch above the pristine beach and bay with ocean-facing private infinity pools, expansive sun decks, teak dining tables, and sun loungers. The one-bedroom villas can facilitate up to three adults, while the two bedrooms cater for up to six adults.

Sharing the stunning ocean views are the equally inviting private residences that come in sizes from two to eight bedrooms. The two to five-bedroom units boast a commodious central living and dining area, dotted with dining pavilions and long lap pools – your perfect home away from home.

The six and seven-bedroom residences are ideal for big families, spanning multiple levels connected by garden walkways and stairs, with living and dining Salas and lap pools sprinkled throughout. The one and only eight-bedroom residence is dubbed the “resort within a resort,” flaunting lush tropical gardens and a private cove – the crème de la crème of vacation homes.

I stayed in the 240 square metre ocean view pool villa tucked at the end of a quiet lane – a place where you can appreciate the thoughtful solitude. Beyond a rustic, elegantly craft wooden gate, a neat pathway leads to the villa’s pièce de résistance – the stunning sundeck. Here, the uninterrupted panorama of the Andaman Sea unfolds, greeting you each morning with its vast openness.

The interior is airy and opulent, with a vaulted ceiling, stone flooring and lacquered-wood everything, from the doors and windows to the blinds and panels. A plush king-size bed takes pride of place, flanked by a cosy lounge area and a spacious sun-lit study. Beyond, a garden-facing bathroom, open on both ends, features a dressing area (in the closet you’ll find a cheeky do-not-disturb statue), a sizable bathtub, powder and shower, and an outdoor rainfall shower shrouded in lush greenery.

The commodious 96 square metre bedroom came with air-conditioners that smartly turn off when the doors are open – a neat eco-friendly feature, and by the floor-to-ceiling doors is a hidden TV at your disposal. An afternoon on the sun deck is unscripted. With a 10 metre infinity pool, and an endless ocean view, this is the place to sink into the teak lounge chair late into the sunset.

But Trisara is not a place for mere lounging – however tempting that may be. This is a place to explore and indulge, with an eclectic line-up of dining spots just a buggy ride away. 

Food and Beverages

The resort is equipped with five dining concepts, including Cielo, SaT, Dala, Waew on the beach, and PRU. 

Cielo, where breakfast happens, offers an epic East-meets-West menu with everything from open-faced Thai omelettes to hearty English breakfasts. Its fresh-pressed detox drinks made of orange, carrot, beetroot, and more, are the perfect pick-me-up after a wild night out. My first lunch here kicked off with a bang – the velvety Phangna crab bisque is a must-try, followed by wood-fired tiger prawns that balanced the smoky char and the prawns’ natural sweetness.

As an early riser, I had the privilege of enjoying a tranquil start to the day, with only the gentle murmur of the Andaman Sea joining me for breakfast.

Across a scenic podium, SaT, the resort's acclaimed seafood den, sets the stage for a seductive rendezvous with its magnetic vibes. Take your pick from fried Tapi river prawns with bueng karn salt, Phuket lobster, or braised beef short ribs curry. Each bite is a testament to Southern Thai flavour. I'd recommend the clam soup, where radish, longan, and fragrant hit just the perfect note. 

Next door, Dala, named after a pink flower native to Thailand, among other Southeast Asian countries, is where booze seekers gather. Every Friday, live jazz performances transform the place into a fun, coastal dining spot under the stars. The cocktail menu is next-level, and aplenty; but if you are stumped, feel free to let the skilled mixologists whip up something bespoke just for you – my passion fruit concoction, for instance, was unforgettable.

Down on the beach, Waew offers the ultimate barefoot lunch with scuttling hermit crabs as your company. With the sun on your skin and waves as your soundtrack, you might realise the simplest pleasures are sometimes the best. So, I went for the basics – Tom Yum soup and Pad Thai, the unmistakable Thai combo. Just as Joël Robuchon once said: The simpler the food, the harder it is to prepare. And at Waew, simplicity reigns supreme.

Just when you think Phuket is all about the party scene, let’s not forget PRU Restaurant – Phuket’s first Michelin-starred restaurant that has put the island on the fine dining map.

Executive chef and co-owner Jimmy Ophorst leads a kitchen that blends the traditional and the innovative. Think smoked durian paired with caviar, black crab enhanced with tea, beetroot with bread miso, and squid with blue cheese. The menu offers either an exquisite wine pairing or a special juice pairing that elevates each dish to new heights.

Guests can relax in the cosy lounge before and after their meal, easing into or out of the fine dining ambiance with canapés and drinks. The real highlight – at least to me – was the stunning sunset – 50 shades of pink and purple, a perfect cherry on top of the overall experience.

Other Activities

No tropical vacay is complete without a spicy Thai therapy. The resort offers a list of spa options, including the herbal compress massage, designed to heal your body and mind. You can even try your hand at making the herbal ball, from grinding and mixing, to wrapping it up.

Other experiences include sailing, Muay Thai boxing, cooking, tennis, regular movie nights, and a Kid’s Club for the little ones. With Instagrammable corners and activities galore, it’s a natrual choice to involve the Director’s Den – Trisara’s own production house – to capture the best moments of your stay. 

Everyone who visits Trisara takes home a slice of peace and renewal. So should you.