If your vision of paradise is a tropical resort where your bungalow faces a private beach and you are surrounded by beauty and tranquility, then you'll love the The Chedi at Pansea Bay.

But The Chedi is more than a great location. General Manager André Kretschmann has taken his twenty years of experience managing hotel properties from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong and made The Chedi a world class resort. There are 89 one bedroom and 19 two bedroom bungalows each with luxurious sun chairs on a private deck overlooking the Andaman Sea. The Chedi is in a constant state of improvement.

"There is not a day when we don't look for a way to make a stay at The Chedi more comfortable, more of a unique and wonderful experience," comments Mr. Kretschmann.

Most recently, The Chedi has become the latest Phuket resort to add a world class spa. "We have developed our own spa program by recruiting from some of the most experienced spa therapists in Thailand," he continues, "we have a high percentage of return guests each year who stay with us for an extended holiday. I want to provide these valued guests with the most rejuvenating and nurturing spa experience right on this property. After all, we offer our guests an opportunity to retreat from the busy world and have a deeply relaxing holiday."

The Spa at The Chedi is as beautiful as any found on Phuket. The same materials as used in each of the bungalows, marble, polished native woods and authentic Thai textiles, are used throughout the spa. Guests are greeted by soothing music and the fragrance of tropical flowers as they enter.

"We've designed nine different therapeutic massages ranging from a traditional Swedish Massage to a Herbal Body Scrub," explains Khun Paramee Wongprasert, manager of The Spa at The Chedi. "Each of our therapeutic massages has been designed with our own essential and herbal oil products including tangerine, nutmeg ylang ylang and prai, a Thai ginger. These are offered at a fraction of the price of most spa treatments offered on Phuket."

A vacation at The Chedi is what a real holiday is meant to be. The carefully landscaped gardens are a delight to explore. Mr. Kretschmann has designed the perfect vacation for his guests from the moment they wake up to when they retire in the evening.

A holiday at The Chedi begins at check in where the friendly staff greet guests in the informal open air reception area. Nearby is the internet business center and two boutique shops that not only offer sundries required for a vacation, but the most extensive collection of Thai textiles, silver jewelry, Buddhist relics and treasures from around Southeast Asia found in any resort on Phuket.

The beauty and elegance of The Chedi is in the design of it's classic buildings set in various open shapes that seem to cascade down the side of the tropical jungle and hang over the distinctive black tiled swimming pool.

The Chedi has two large open air dining areas that are open during May through October. The Lomtalay or Seawind offers a gourmet buffet international breakfast each morning from 06.30-10.30. In the evenings, fresh seafood from the surrounding Andaman Sea is offered cooked to guest's request with a special charcoal grill seafood and meat kebab promotion. Included are Phuket lobster, fresh squid, white prawn, crab, tiger prawn, white and red snapper and rock lobster. The barbecue offers six different sauces prepared by Executive Chef Amnat Kamjadpaireepol, who creates some of the most exciting menus on Phuket.

"In Thailand, we have four distinct and different types of cuisine. I'm interested in combining the various culinary influences and adding a Western influence," states Chef Amnat. "For example, in kaow soi seafood, I've used local squid, tiger prawns, and snapper and made a northern curry used dried chili and added roasted shallot, ginger and coriander seed to create an original new dish."

Chef Amnat has brought his Thai sense of culinary adventure to his Western menu. He likes to explore food textures that contrast and taste combinations that are exciting. An example is a duck salad with fresh pomelo and raspberry compote or deep fried prawns and camembert cheese coated with grated coconut meat and accompanied by mango chutney.

Just beneath the Lomtalay, the guest walks past several of the twenty historical pieces of art that has been collected and restored at The Chedi. These include Thai temple motifs and a long drum are placed to remind of the beauty of Thai culture. Down a flight of stairs opens onto the Sunset Café where guests enjoy both lunch and dinner while enjoying the view of Phuket's most beautiful beach. The Sunset menu features Chef Amnat culinary creations including home made pastas and a range of tastes from steaks to seafood.

At The Chedi it's always a treat to return to one's chosen bungalow which is an oasis of beauty and comfort. Each bungalow is a small palace with design features that are elegant and understated.

Mr. Kretschmann has chosen distinctive designer products that promote the diversity of Thai textiles. The bedding is 100 per cent cotton from Chiang Mai and the walls have beautiful slate features. Even the toiletries have been created especially for The Chedi guests to enjoy.

"From the moment our valued guests arrive to The Chedi until they leave, we want them to feel as though they have had the most memorable and delightful holiday experience that far exceeds their expectations," smiles Mr. Kretschmann. Contact The Chedi at tel: +66-76 324 017 or visit www.ghmhotels.com

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