Amanpuri , (place of peace), is built on a coastal hillside on Phuket. The island is connected to Thailand's Phang-Nga province by bridge and is surrounded by the Andaman Sea which joins the Indian Ocean to the south. On Phuket's west coast is Pansea Beach from where a stairway leads up to the resort's main pool and facilities. The resort's guest accommodations of 40 pavilions are interspersed within a coconut plantation connected by elevated walkways with colonnades. Also available for rental and adjoining the resort to the north, are 30 villa homes managed by Amanpuri.
 

Climate
The dry season in Phuket extends from mid-October to mid-May. While there are frequent showers during the rainy season, these often last only a short time and are usually followed by sunshine. Temperatures year-round range from 21°C to 35°C (70°F to 90°F). Water temperatures are always a pleasant 25°C to 28°C.

Language
The official language is Thai. However, English is commonly spoken around commercial centers.

Getting There
Amanpuri is a 25-minute, 17-kilometer scenic drive from Phuket airport. Complimentary private limousine transfers to and from Phuket airport are offered to guests.

Accommodation
40 private pavilions and 30 Thai villa homes are interspersed throughout a coconut plantation. The resort's pavilions are 115 square meters each, including the private outdoor terrace. Pavilion rates are determined according to view and location. Pavilions 105 and 103 enjoy the best views of the Andaman Sea. 3 Deluxe Ocean pavilions come with sea views, while 4 Superior Ocean pavilions have partial sea views. The 25 Superior Garden pavilions are interspersed among the coconut palms, while the remaining 6 pavilions are set along the resort's internal passageway.

Villas
Adjacent to the resort, hidden away among the coconut palms, are 30 privately owned Amanpuri villas, most of them with ocean-front settings. Each villa consists of 2 to 6 separate (Amanpuri-styled) bedrooms finished with Thai furnishings, art and antiques. Villas also enjoy a private pool plus living and dining Thai salas. A live-in maid and cook attend to all guests' needs, including the preparation of Thai cuisine in the private kitchen. The villas are also ideal for business meetings.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Restaurant and Bar
The Terrace restaurant offers casual, all-day dining in an al fresco setting and features Thai and European specialities. The Restaurant serves Italian cuisine. Both restaurants are located beside the swimming pool. The Bar offers poolside drinks and snacks. At last light, half a dozen tables and chairs are set out along the terrace between the pool and the steps leading to the beach. The view is to the sun setting on the Andaman Sea. 

Health and Beauty 
Health and Beauty treatments are available at the salon or in the privacy of your own villa. Services include: Traditional Thai massage, Aromatherapy massage, Thai herbal skin-cleansing treatments, hair and nail services and sauna.

Library
The sun-lit library keeps more than 1,000 books, ranging from novels to travel guides and coffee-table books about Southeast Asia. A large selection of CDs are also available.

AMANCRUISES
Amanpuri has the largest, most comprehensive hotel charter fleet of professionally crewed vessels in Thailand. The boats range in size from 20 to 90 feet, carry full insurance, keep recreational equipment on board and are available for charter year-round.

The Amancruises fleet counts more than 20 vessels in all. Maha Bhetra , a 90-foot teak cruiser, can be chartered for day trips and overnight excursions. Sealion, a classic Chinese sailing junk, comes with a cushioned deck and is available for beach barbecues and sunset cruises. Aman l , a 60-foot, Bluewater yacht designed specifically for Amanpuri, can comfortably take up to 24 passengers on scheduled half-day cruises to Phang Nga Bay and Koh Kai Nok. Italian-designed Leylai is a 70-foot luxury motor cruiser with three double cabins below deck and extra fold-down bunks. This makes it an ideal choice for three or more couples or families on overnight excursions. Jitrada, a 52-foot Caribbean Sunseeker, and Divia l, a 50-foot cruiser, are British designed vessels. Both can comfortably take couples or families on longer explorations of the Andaman Sea. Jessica , a 37-foot Searay Sundancer, is available for half- and full-day excursions, as well as overnight cruises. 

MariTess and Blowfish are among the fastest and most versatile boats in the fleet. These two 38-foot fiberglass vessels can reach the Similan Islands in only two hours. And day-trippers can take in Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and Phi Phi Island before sunset. Plabin ll, lll , lV, V and Vl, five 32-foot, custom-built dive boats, can carry up to 16 non-diving passengers or 12 scuba divers and full gear for two dives. Amanpuri l and lll are ideal for water-skiing and snorkeling cruises. These 18-foot speedboats cruise in comfort. 

These and other smartly styled craft, fully fitted and crewed, are ready to take you to the many beautiful beaches and islands of the Andaman Sea.

Places of Interest
Phuket Town is the largest settlement. Government House, built a century ago, was used as a setting in the movie, The Killing Fields. The central market bustles from early morning to noon. The original Chartered Bank, with its old colonial look, is the oldest in Thailand. Climb the hill that gives the island its name. (Bukit is the Malay word for hill.) An outdoor Thai restaurant here gives charming vistas of the city.

The Butterfly Garden and Aquarium is located near Phuket Town. The island's Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is still a virgin jungle. There are two museums, one in Phuket Town, the other in Talang, the latter with some excellent maps and inexplicably, a large collection of artifacts from the Moluccas. 

There are about 30 Buddhist temples on the island. Among the most interesting is Wat Chalong, with its gilt statues of two revered monks: Wat Phra Thong with its half buried Buddha statue; and Wat Phra Nang Sang, which includes Buddha heads that go back 3,000 years, as well as some fascinating frescoes. Phuket also has several Islamic mosques, since a significant proportion of the population is Muslim.