Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand: Rated number two in the Top 10 Asian Resorts category in Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's 20th Annual Readers Choice Awards and ranked number eight in the Top 100 Resorts of the World, I was curious to see what the Banyan Tree Phuket was all about.

First Impression: The villa manager was waiting to greet us when we pulled in to the resort. He greeted us by our names and asked how our stay at Amanpuri was. Apparently, he had done his homework. They say you only have one chance to make a good first impression; I say he made a great first impression.

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Reception: Reception was the typical Thai resort reception; a jasmine lei, a cool drink, a wet towel, a few hellos and off to the villa we went. Fast and easy, you are on vacation, so they do not waste your time!

The Villa: I had booked a Double Pool Villa, and to my delight, we were escorted to Villa 908, a villa with one of the best views at the resort. I had heard good things about Banyan Tree but it did not prepare me for what behind the door of villa 908.

Spacious, stunningly beautiful, classy, chic and trendy and that was just the open-air entryway. As you walk down the long walkway, you enter the living area. The beige marble floor, the white walls, the medium-brown, wood dining chairs with their beige cushions and glass-topped dining table, the two simple yet stylish cushioned lounge chairs, the sheer curtains, the graceful wall statues, and the high peaked ceiling ooze elegance and class.

To the right of the dining room table is the den; or if you are traveling with another couple or children, it could be as a second bedroom. It too is just as trendy as the dining/living area. An oversized couch that doubles as a bed, a flat screen TV, mini-bar, desk and a separate bathroom, complete the room.

Across the living area is the master bedroom surrounded by its wading pool. The bedroom is as simple as you can get, yet I have never seen anything more beautiful. Glass walls give you views of the wading pool, no matter which direction you look. In front of the door of the bedroom, in the wading pool, sits two chairs and a small table, almost floating in the water, waiting for you to come enjoy your morning coffee, an afternoon juice or an evening cocktail. From your bed with the touch of a button, you control the curtains; the controls for the lights on the other hand, are a bit more difficult.

The gigantic bathroom is one of the most beautiful bathrooms that I've ever seen in any five-star, luxury resort. It has trendy dual basin sinks with a glass countertop, a deep marble bathtub, perfectly located in the window, offering fantastic views of your private yard, a standalone shower, complete with a button to turn it into a steam room, a private toilet and a large walk-in closet. The Banyan Tree definitely knows what class and style are all about.

From almost every room in the villa you have unobstructed views of the backyard which houses the long infinity pool, which nudges up against the lagoon. In the pool is a small Jacuzzi. The Banyan Tree has thought of everything.

Two sets of lounge chairs, a dining table and four chairs and a covered gazebo with cushions, perfect for an afternoon picnic, round out the backyard amenities. The only thing missing is enough time to enjoy everything the villa has to offer.

On top of all of this, you get your own personal butler. Available 24 hours a day, the butler is just one call away. Whether it's your special, made-to-order breakfast, evening cocktails or a romantic dinner, he is ready to serve. This is what I call five-star luxury service. It's no wonder the Banyan Tree has won so many awards.

Room Service: Better than room service, you have your very own butler.

Housekeeping: Housekeeping? No housekeeping, you have a butler!

Concierge: Concierge? No, you have a butler!

Activities: Banyan Tree offers a variety of activities; everything from golf and tennis, to the beach and diving. The only problem with having a villa of this beautiful is you hate leaving it. With that said, I did not take advantage of any of their activities, but instead enjoyed the solitude and tranquility of my villa.

Restaurant: Banyan Tree has an assortment of restaurants to choose from but because I didn't want to leave my beautiful villa, I ordered from the Thai restaurant, Saffron. Disappointingly, the food from Saffron did not measure up to our surroundings.

Overall Impression: Bombastic! The villa and all the amenities easily make the Banyan Tree bombastic. I missed not being on the ocean or sea, but between both pools and the lagoon, I was surrounded by water, and that helped make up for it.

Is Banyan Tree a five-star resort that I would recommend to someone? Yes, in a heartbeat. If you're headed to Phuket, and love five-star, luxury then a book a villa at Banyan Tree.

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