Unrivaled luxury and privacy at the newly renovated Pool Villa Signature, now with upgraded amenities
by Joanna Cuenco
The tropical escape begins with a warm welcome and a cool towel at the resort’s main lobby, before being whisked off in a golf cart through lush landscapes to your accommodation. The villa’s double doors open to a private vestibule, where a wooden bowl of frangipani (locally known as calachuchi) floating on water awaits.
The villa host asks you to hold your hands over the bowl as he pours scented water over them: a graceful welcome ritual that signals the transition from the outside world to your private sanctuary. After a brief signature to check in and an orientation of the room, it’s time to settle in.
The villa offers 115 square meters of utmost privacy, more of a private tropical residence than resort accommodation, with its private plunge pool, large living area, and spacious bedroom. The interior design and room amenities are stunning, offering a combination of inviting ambiance and modern conveniences. Soft-touch switches control the room lights and automated curtains, all clearly labeled to eliminate the guesswork about what each button does. The pantry countertop features sleek appliances, including a coffee maker, kettle, and a Wells water purifier. Drinking water is provided in glass bottles as part of the resort’s conscious effort to reduce single-use plastics.
The living area is designed for long hours of loafing, with blessedly cool, quiet air-conditioning. The wide-screen TV offers channels with recent movies, or stream your own entertainment with stable high-speed WiFi while enjoying complimentary dried fruit, juices, and beers from the minibar. When traveling with children or friends, the living room couch pulls out into a comfortable bed.
The canopied four-poster king bed is the main event in the bedroom. Flop onto the cloud-soft pillows and comforter, and your entire unhurried stay may revolve there. Fortunately, the pool and bathroom are both within arm’s reach of the bed; the bedroom window beautifully frames and opens directly onto your turquoise plunge pool. For luxurious lounging, silky dressing robes and bedroom slippers are provided in the room.
The bathroom is stunning and as much of a dedicated space as the rest of the villa, not a mere amenity area. The semi-outdoor space features separate indoor and outdoor showers with both handheld and rain shower heads. The luxurious space includes a bathtub, his- and-hers counters, beautifully scented personal care products from Aum Spa, and ultra-plush towels and robes.
Taking a moment away from the villa may require some persuasion, but extract yourself for the afternoon cocktails for two hours of free-flowing wine, signature drinks, a charcuterie board, and a selection of savory bites and desserts at Saffron.
Other than afternoon cocktails or dinner at one of the resort’s signature restaurants, a leisurely swim at the beach, or a massage at the spa, there are no pressing reasons to leave the villa. Take a dip in the plunge pool andlounge in privacy at the pool deck with no one to disturb your peace. Have a long, relaxing shower or soak in the tub. In the morning, breakfast can be served in-room, or guests can enjoy the full breakfast spread at Saffron, a few steps away.
Here at the Pool Villa Signature, luxury isn’t measured by excess, but by the privilege of privacy and the freedom to indulge in the art of doing nothing at all.
