I'm staying in an ocean view pool pavilion. There's not too much say except that's it's nearly perfectly executed and probably the nicest resort accommodation, I've ever seen. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a great fan of the Trisara villas, but this is even nicer. The photos on the Amanoi website and brochure make the pavilions seems a little cold and stark, but the actual pavilion is not that way at all. A lot has to do with the details, decorating and lighting. It's an extremely modern and clean design, but the finishing details, material and overall design give it a very warm and serene feel.



The layout is really well thought out. There's a closet/changing/bath area at one end of the pavilion, which can be closed off with sliding doors. This provides a good degree a privacy... which is sometimes lacking in other similar open layouts. The shower has two sliding doors one opening into the changing room and the other out onto the deck so you can enjoy the views and the breeze while showering.

They've managed to get all the details right. Sufficient electrical outlets and in the right places. Good WiFi and phones. Easy to use lighting controls. Tables where you want them. The furniture and beds are very comfortable. The only nits I have is that the WiFi logs you out after a short period of inactivity so you need to keep logging back in. I'd also like it if they had screens in some of the windows or doors so you can sleep with open windows and enjoy the fresh air and breezes. (This is a defect shared with Amanpulo).


Looking out the pavilion window

The pavilion opens out onto a teak deck and pool with a gorgeous view of the ocean, Vinh Hy bay, and the rocky cliffs across the bay. The landscaping around the pavilion is done with local vegetation which is very attractive although some people might prefer a more manicured look. The trees and shrubs provide complete privacy, but from my pavilion you are able to see a bit of the roof of the neighboring pavilion. Many birds flit around the pool and deck including what I think is a species of Babbler, which is quite talkative and and for the first two days had me regularly stepping outside wondering why there were people out on the deck talking.


View out the pavilion of the pool and the bay

The pool is not huge but long enough for swimming laps. Unlike some pools that are either too hot for swimming or too cool for lounging, the temperature is just right and there's a submerged ledge in the pool where you can lie stretched out with your head on the edge and forget about everything.

At nights hundreds of squid boats head out from Vinh Hy and the lights from the boats illuminate the ocean like a thousand floating lanterns. If you didn't know it was the ocean you'd think you were looking out onto a small city. It's really an exquisite site.

I also had a chance to look at four other pavilions and the beach villa. The pavilions and the individual bedroom units in the villa are all the same design but each has a unique setting and view. I don't think you can go wrong no matter which unit you stay in. The beach villas are down by the beach club...maybe a one minute walk... so much more convenient to the ocean, but slightly hotter than the pavilions higher up where the air is a bit cooler and there's more of a breeze.


Sunrise from the pavilion

The resort spreads out over quite a large area and it's close to 200 m of elevation from the ocean up to main building and most of the pavilions so you need to call a buggy to get around the resort.


Map of the property

Overall, just really, really beautiful and exquisitely done.