A Rainforest Wellness Retreat Above Kamala
Keemala is a 38-villa luxury resort hidden in the rainforest hills above Kamala Beach. I first visited out of curiosity about those Bird’s Nest villas you see all over Instagram. The photos don’t lie; this place looks like nothing else in Phuket.
The concept revolves around four fictional Phuket tribes, each inspiring a different villa style. Every villa has its own private pool. That’s the good news. The bad news? Pools aren’t heated. After rain or on cloudy days, the water gets properly cold.
The Rooms
Clay Pool Cottages are the entry level at 126 sqm, built with earth tones and organic textures. Tent Pool Villas have that glamping feel with canvas walls, though sound carries more than in solid structures.
Tree Pool Houses work as two-level duplexes with hanging furniture and cocoon beds. These fit up to four guests, making them the only real option for families. The Bird’s Nest Pool Villas are the showstoppers. Woven wood structures with glass walls, positioned highest on the hillside with the best views.
Restaurants and Dining
One restaurant handles everything. Mala serves Thai, Western, and surprisingly good Indian food from 6:30 am to 11 pm.
Breakfast is excellent with both buffet and made-to-order options. For longer stays, though, you’ll want to venture out for dinner variety. The hillside location means you’re somewhat captive to on-site dining. A pool bar serves wood-fired pizza and drinks. They’ll deliver to your villa by buggy if you’d rather not move.
Facilities
The Mala Spa is genuinely excellent. Eight treatment rooms built as individual domes over lotus pools, each with a private steam room and sauna. The two-therapist Synergy Massage is worth the splurge.
Daily yoga, meditation, and Muay Thai classes are included. There’s also a main infinity pool with a waterfall, though most guests stick to their private villa pools.
The Location
No beach here. Kamala Beach is a 10-minute drive down a steep hill, with a free shuttle running from 9 am to 5 pm. Phuket Airport is 45 minutes away. The hillside terrain means lots of stairs and steep paths. Buggies run throughout the property, but the villas themselves have steps between levels. Not ideal if mobility is a concern.
Who should book Keemala? Couples want something architecturally unique. Honeymoons and anniversaries. Wellness-focused travellers who’ll use the spa and yoga.
Who should skip it? Families with young children, the resort openly says it’s not child-friendly. Beach lovers. Anyone expecting heated pools at this price point.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kamala Beach area, hillside rainforest |
| Beach | Not beachfront. Hillside location overlooking Kamala Bay. Transport is required to reach the beach. |
| Hotel | 5-star luxury wellness resort. Unique villas 126-185 sqm. All villas have private pools. The Tree Pool Houses are 2-storey. |
| Facilities | Private pools in all villas, spa with 8 treatment rooms, restaurant, and culinary academy. |
| What’s Around? | Rainforest setting. Kamala village and beach require transport. |
| Who is it for? | Travellers wanting unique architecture, private pools, and nature immersion. Wellness focus. |
| Worth Noticing | No beach access (Kamala Beach is a 10-minute drive down a steep hill). Children 3-11 stay free. |
| Price | Very High |
What’s Great For Families
No dedicated kids club or kids pool. The resort welcomes families, but is not designed as a family resort.
Every villa has a private pool. Four villa types are available:
Clay Pool Cottages at 126 sqm have 1 king bed or Hollywood twin, outdoor shower, stand-alone bathtub, and private pool. Maximum 2 adults and children.
Tent Pool Villas at 140 sqm have similar configuration with a tent-inspired design.
Tree Pool Houses at 169 sqm are two-storey treehouse designs with master bedroom upstairs and lounge/dining area below. Maximum 4 adults and children. These work well for families wanting space.
Birds Nest Pool Villas at 185 sqm have a suspended nest-like design. Maximum 3 adults and children. Some have sea views.
Family activities available include cooking classes (ages 6-12), cultural workshops (all ages), and nature excursions (ages 5+). The resort emphasises parent-child bonding through hands-on Thai dish preparation and cultural storytelling sessions.
Children aged 3-11 stay free of charge. Villa host service. Mala Holistic Spa with 8 treatment rooms. Samrab restaurant serves Thai BBQ and hot pot. Culinary Academy for cooking experiences.
Good for: Families seeking a nature-focused wellness retreat with unique architecture and private pool villas.
Keemala Info
Location: Kamala Beach
Address: 10 88 Nakasud Rd Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Phone: 076 358 777
Range: 5-star
Swimming Pools: 1
Restaurants and Bars: 1
Distance to the closest beach: Across The Street
Distance to Patong Beach: 6 km
Distance to Phuket Town: 18 km
Check the rates
Keemala Map
Your Kamala Beach Travel Guide
