Eight Roads In Residence: COMO Point Yamu
I’ve always loved COMO Hotels and Resorts. It was after all, one of COMO’s iconic properties that was the first truly 5* resort that I ever experienced, way back in 2004. Back then, checking into the cool, calm and collected Metropolitan in Bangkok was an experience that I’d never had before, and one that I still remember with great fondness to this day. The hotel is still one of my go-to’s in bustling Bangkok, and my clients always love their stays there.
Fast forward to 2018, and I found myself in a strange situation where, for some bizarre reason, I had still have never visited COMO’s sister Thai property to The Metropolitan in Bangkok; the island haven that is COMO Point Yamu, on Phuket. I don’t quite know why there was this gaping omission in my COMO knowledge - I’d be fortunate enough to have visited and stayed at plenty of their other gorgeous resorts around the globe over the last decade or so. I knew Phuket and Thailand inside out from my previous Product Manager roles at various UK tour operators. My dear friend and COMO’s Global Director of Sales, Nicola Wood, had often shared how wonderful Point Yamu was, but I’d still never taken the trip to this corner of the COMO-verse. So I decided that it was time to do something about it, and visit Point Yamu on my then forthcoming trip to Phuket in January 2019.
We (me and my partner Seb) had scheduled a New Year, new us detox with the super charming and brilliant Amatara on Phuket (see my separate article about that here), and we wanted a few days of true rest and relaxation post-detox. We thought we’d maybe be a little wiped out and ready to recharge. We were right; after a fairly intense 7 night juice cleanse and detox programme, we definitely needed to just chill, collect our thoughts and eat some bloody good Thai food again!
So off we went. Detoxed, shrunken and ready for some sunshine and pool time, we departed from the Cape Panwa area in the south of Phuket, heading up to the North East of the island, where the COMO is located. The first thing I’d say about the location of COMO Point Yamu is that it’s in a really lovely, authentic and peaceful part of the island. You’re far from the noise and neon of Patong here. Oh no. The only sounds here are local fishing boats pootling across the calm mirror-glass bay, and the only lights the distant glow of local villages. This is real Thailand to me, and I knew that I was going to absolutely love the hotel as soon as we headed off the main road and down into what felt like the serene backwaters of the island.
The incredible COMO Point Yamu
The location of Point Yamu is such a dream. The drive up to the hotel feels really special. You coast through lush green flatlands and quiet local villages before arriving into to a peaceful little fishing and marine community - the eponymous Yamu. It’s a world away from the noise and crowds of the other, more mainstream Phuket resorts such as Patong. From there it’s a short drive up to the Cape through verdant palm-fringed gardens and a super-luxe private gated villa community. At the pinnacle of the hill stands the hotel, blessed with heavenly views in every direction. Sunrise and sunset can be seen from the pool at either end.
The property is about 45 mins - 1 hour from Phuket Airport. It’s important to note that there are no shops or bars within walking distance, so if you do want to explore, it’ll need to be by cab (which the hotel can sort very easily).
COMO Point Yamu from the air, with the local beach and Yamu village in the background….
This hotel really is a design sensation. Every corner and every angle brings a new delight. It’s an architectural wonder that’s for sure. This is the first hotel designed and overseen by famous Italian Paola Navone. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time that I was so enamoured with a hotel’s design that I had a smile from ear to ear the whole time that I was walking around upon arrival, in slack-jawed wonder. Paola has utterly NAILED the brief. This is modern, exciting, contemporary Thailand at its finest for sure.
From the outside, it’s a calm series of planes, and grey long boxes, punctuated by mesh, glass and steel. Inside, it’s all air and light and colour. The vast open-sided lobby wows with white lampshades, which sway gently in the sea breeze. Chaises swallow you up in supreme comfort, and an art installation of Thai tables at jaunty angles is festooned with fresh pink and red marigolds. Sun showered corridors lead off to lush green lawns, bright terraces and, all the way down, the narrowing and then breathtakingly wide sea view out by the pool. This is very special indeed.
The shimmering, uber-modern crown atop the lushly landscaped cape, the hotel spreads itself across the hill, with divergent wings, all working beautifully together. In the main hotel area, rooms and suites are awash with shades of cerulean blues and sea green, with blonde woods, soft-as-you-like linens and local touches all wowing in equal measure. Simple things like storage vases being local battered aluminium jars, and bags of freshly made Thai snacks, and chilled young coconuts in your fridge, replete with black and white paper straws. Views out are, of course, dreamy, whichever way you turn.
Tumbling down the hill to the sea at the back are the 27 private villas and residences. These are all standalone 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units offering the pinnacle of luxury in this pinnacle of a property.
We stayed in a divine Bay Pool Suite (number 209 to be precise), which we adored for its sunrise views, and perfectly positioned private pool for those first few quiet morning laps. See my photos below. Stopping to gaze out over the calm bay and islands beyond felt like truly stepping back in time, to a more authentic and gentle Thailand.
Upstairs, the wow factor continues apace. The vast 100 meter pool takes the term “infinity view” to a new height. With one side featuring a spectacular swim-out overhang / overlook onto Phang Nga Bay, and the other featuring a view back onto the island and the peaceful villages below, it’s an absolute knockout.
The 360 degree panoramic views from the pool deck…
At the very pinnacle of the hotel, serenely gazing down on you, is the phenomenal COMO Shambhala Retreat. I really wish I’d taken more photos here, but alas I’d gone all zen and left the tech behind for my blissed-out spa treatments. Let’s just say then it’s a small doorway in to the warmest of welcomes, and a hushed turquoise and white world awaits. It’s like a cube size space with treatment rooms and quiet corners and squidgy white chairs. A space in which it’s impossible to be anything but aaaaahhhhhhh. In the treatment rooms, the window shades can be left open for you to gaze out at those water views from up high. An army of immaculately trained spa therapists (as is always the way with COMO, famed for their spa and wellness offerings) await your beck and call, promising flawless treatments. My deep tissue massage was exceptional, and Seb’s moisturising bath and facial sent him back to our Suite looking a good few years younger.
One of the things that I love the most about staying at a COMO hotel is the confidence and faith that you can always have in the food and beverage offering. At Point Yamu, it’s no different. The most perfect breakfast spread is served on the miles long counter top of the open-sided and sun-bathed La Sirena restaurant. Pastry perfection, as well as a bevy of healthy vegan/gluten free treats, and not just a nod to it either. Staff breeze around, light and super stylish, and it’s all smiles and sunshine. It really is one of the nicest spots I’ve ever taken breakfast. In the afternoon and evening, this turns Italian and even offers a traditional Neopolitan wood-fired pizza oven. Don’t miss the burrata and pasta here - it’s that good.
Next door (with a perfect bar in between the two - make sure to try the dairy-free Banana Colada - SO good!), is Nahmyaa, the evening restaurant and your go-to here for brilliant southern Thai cuisine. The young brother of Bangkok’s Nahm (the legendary Thai restaurant opened by David Thompson and now a 1* Michelin hotspot overseen by Pim Techamuanvivit), it’s a cool space, with bright pops of orange and red, and intriguing and immaculate dining designs, linens and settings.
Days here are just blissful. Time passes slowly, filled with cool dips, views for days and lazy, lush moments. A bit hot come 2pm and the bright sunshine? Well amble down to the lobby area, where a traditional Thai ice cream cart awaits, promising a changing daily delectable treat. Today we have a tamarind popsicle. Tomorrow, longanberry. The day after, who knows.
It’s true that COMO Point Yamu does not have an immediately onsite beach as such (there’s a small and peaceful local beach you can walk to), but what they do now offer is arguably far superior. Opening last year, the COMO Beach Club is a short car ride & speedboat trip (around 30 minutes, door to sand), and it offers a private crescent of caramel sand, calm deep blue sea, a pool, day beds, cabanas and a brilliant cafe. Transfers depart the hotel daily at 10am and 11am, and are free, and return again twice later in the afternoon. On Fridays, there’s a fabulous beach barbecue for a small supplement, which is totally worth the charge.
Andy Kunz, the GM here (ex Chedi and Four Seasons) runs a tight but very friendly and warm ship here. There’s a cocktail lawn party each week, which seems very popular. I always love to see a GM who is out meeting the guests, and Andy definitely is a visible presence on property.
In summary, I’d say there’s a raw but seriously stylish beauty to COMO Point Yamu, and this location on Phuket. It feels super peaceful, seriously zen, but also very very chic. The views out are onto an authentic and step-back-in-time Thailand, which is something that is not always easy to find nowadays.
My honest advice? Don’t miss this island wonder. Perfect for couples and honeymooners, or those looking for something different for their next Thailand trip.
Go. Now.