Phuket’s revamped Amatara Wellness Resort aims to join Asia’s top five

The time then would seem right for an established resort to diversify itself from leisure resort to focus on wellness. 
Taking up the challenge, the Amatara Wellness Resort, which has just announced an ambitious goal to become one of the top-five wellness destinations in Asia . The hotel began moving into this new direction last year, after completing renovation works, rebranding its identity, and adding initiative products.
Prattana Punnakitikashem is managing director of Amatara a Destination Spa and operator of the resort. She explained that one of their new highlights was Thai Hammam, the world’s first traditional Turkish and Moroccan bathing blended with the gentleness of an authentic Thai spa.
The initiative is part of a new strategy the hotel planned to cope with the growing niche markets - particularly among wellness and health conscious patrons - not only from Thailand but from all corners of the world.
“We aim to become one of five destinations in Asia for wellness. We are the first mover in the island to serve fully integrated wellness services,” she said.
With a background of over eight years in healthcare and wellness management, operations management, and real estate management, Prattana works closely with a wellness team to create a unique experience of Thai Hamam treatment for Amatara guests.
Prattana is a real learner and spa lover, keen on healthy living. Her academic background has armed her with a broad knowledge of operational management and wellness development, expressed through the creation and development of treatment menus.
In order to be distinct from other players on the island, the hotel created the Thai Hammam - incorporating thermal therapeutic treatments. This signature service offers an amazing journey that combines the sensations of pampering, soaking, exfoliating, cleansing, deep massage and calming rejuvenation.
To ensure customer satisfaction, a number of health and wellness experts have been invited to work with the hotel.
“Guests should be treated as “true guests”, as we treat them as our friends at home and we would like to serve to ensure the satisfaction of each visitor. All our guests will be rejuvenated and refreshed when they return home.”
Besides this signature product, Prattana said the hotel would set a new benchmark for an unsurpassed wellness experience in the tranquil surroundings of Cape Panwa Phuket, offering integrative health retreats with beautiful seaview pool-villas and suites.
Also offered are secluded all-inclusive health retreat programmes as well as leisure holidays for all guests. The retreats focus on detox, sunrise yoga, weight loss, fitness and relaxing spas. All retreats include accommodation, round trip airport transfer, 3 healthy wellness cuisine meals per night stay, wellness consultation, physical analysis and daily signature massages.
Moreover, the resort has reached an agreement with Bangkok Hospital Group to develop an integrative wellness program that focuses on brain health, wellbeing and anti-ageing services. The hospital alliance is expected to help maintain international guests.
“With all these services, we can offer room rates to Bt8,500 for low season and Bt15,000 for high season,” she added.
Currently, 90 per cent of customers come from overseas - half from Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Korea. Another half is from European countries - the United Kingdom, Germany, United States - as well as Australia. The remaining 10 per cent are local residents. With such a huge proportion from global markets, the hotel has appointed an international sales and marketing team to care for foreign guests.
The hotel will also provide a home for patients needing accommodation services for recovery or relaxation after medical check-up.