Luxury Hotel · Thailand
Keemala
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At a glance
Keemala is a five-star rainforest resort in the hills above Kamala Beach, Phuket, with private-pool villas drawn from the myths of the island’s earliest peoples.
The resort climbs a forested hillside above Kamala, on Phuket’s quieter northwest coast, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Its villas come in distinct types, each tied to a fictional local clan, from Clay Pool Cottages set by a stream to Bird’s Nest Pool Villas on stilts in the treetops.
Every villa has its own private pool, an outdoor terrace, and views over the rainforest, the resort, or the sea beyond. Wellness runs through the place, from Mala Spa and holistic retreats to yoga, meditation, and a cooking academy.
The mood is private and unhurried, which suits honeymooners and couples, gay or straight, though larger villas and extra beds make room for families and friends too. Kamala Beach is a short drive down the hill, with Patong and Surin close by.
Highlights
- Five-star rainforest resort in the hills above Kamala Beach
- Clan-inspired villas, each with its own private pool
- Holistic Mala Spa, yoga, and a cooking academy
Accommodation
Clay Pool Cottage
Inspired by the ‘Pa-Ta-Pea’ (Earth) clan, this cottage promotes their belief that staying connected to the earth improves one’s health. The clan would traditionally incorporate earth into their walls, roofs and even furniture. With course-finished walls, clay decorations and distinctive tribal designs, these influences can be seen all through the villa.
Tent Pool Villa
This villa is inspired by the ‘Khon-Jorn’ (Wanderer) who were a tribe that specialised in hunting and trading. Its tented roof is a subtle nod towards their nomadic lifestyle and provides a sleek feel. The interior of this villa displays a motif of wildlife that is apparent in its choice of materials and furnishings. These villas provide amazing vistas of the forest with a partial view of the ocean.
Tree Pool House
This villa is inspired by the ‘We-ha’ (Sky) clan of Phuket who worshipped the universe. They lived in the trees to be closer to the sky, believing it would give them more creativity and liberty. These beliefs are reflected in this villa with its upper floor master bedroom, suspended furniture and through its use of wood throughout the accommodation. The bathroom includes a stand-alone bathtub and an outdoor shower.
Birds Nest Pool Villa
This villa was inspired by the Rung-Nok (Nest) clan who lived ‘opulent’ lives. They were believed to be intellectuals and creatives: artists, astrologers and philosophers. To them, astrology was the key to understanding the future, often bathing under the moonlight to replenish their souls. Their pursuit of the finer aspects of life is portrayed by this villa’s intricate birds nest exterior.
Further information
Dining
Mala is the main restaurant, working through Thai and international menus with a focus on garden-grown produce, and the kitchen also runs a Culinary Academy for hands-on cooking classes. Afternoon tea, a swim-up pool bar, and a wine cellar fill out the day, and Keemala will set up private destination dining or a meal in your own villa on request.
Wellness
Wellness is central to Keemala rather than an add-on. Mala Spa works from ancient healing traditions, with treatment rooms set in the forest and longer holistic retreats built around the resort’s slow-life ethos. Yoga, meditation, and plant-forward Pure Cuisine menus extend the same idea, and every villa has its own private pool for quieter recovery between sessions.
Location
Keemala stands on a hillside in Kamala, on the northwest coast of Phuket, wrapped in rainforest with streams and walkways linking the villas. It is one of the calmer corners of the island, a few minutes by car from Kamala Beach and around fifteen from the bars and nightlife of Patong. Phuket Airport is roughly 30 minutes north.
Thailand
Thailand occupies the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, with coastlines on both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The country divides naturally into four distinct areas: the capital Bangkok; the mountainous north centered on Chiang Mai; the Gulf islands, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan; and the Andaman coast with Phuket, Krabi, and the Trang archipelago.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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