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NEWS
‘Bird’s Nest Villas,’ tree houses and tent-like structures star at Phuket’s new five-star Keemala resort
POSTED 02 Dec 2015 . BY Jane Kitchen
The seven Tree Pool Houses use building techniques to give the impression that the structures are suspended from trees Credit: Keemala
Five-star resort Keemala, located in the lush woodlands of Kamala in Phuket, Thailand, has opened this week with an exciting array of wellness offerings.

Designed by Thailand-based Architect Space, with Pisit Aongskultong from Pisud Design Company managing the resort’s creative vision and interior designs, Keemala is inspired by stories, cultures, traditions and lifestyles of four fictional indigenous clans.

The resort’s Mala Spa has eight treatment rooms alongside a Thai massage pavilion, steam and sauna rooms, a fitness centre, and yoga and meditation spaces. Products are from Voya, Siam Botanicals and Spa Ritual.

Four holistic living retreats packages – Purify, Energise, Unwind and Rejuvenate – are available as three-day and six-day retreats, and are personalised to guests’ individual needs. Retreats typically include massages, wellness consultation and guidance, body-enhancing exercises and daily spa cuisine.

Practitioners from around the world will take up residency throughout the year. During December and January, the resort will welcome Jenny Ostling, who specialises in Arvigo therapy and holistic massage; Andy Mack will offer Dissolve Therapy; Akiko Igarashi will offer Tibetan Singing Bowl Healing; Victoria Kirkwood will offer clinical aromatherapy and acupuncture; and Lisa Levine will offer Arvigo therapy and acupuncture.

Keemala includes 38 unique private pool cottages, each with a different theme.

The sixteen Clay Pool Cottages reflect the earthiness of the Pa-Ta-Pea, or Earth clan, who believed in a strong connection to the earth and harnessed agriculture as their trade. With a selection of one- and two-bedrooms, the cottages range in size from 126sq m to 180sq m (1,356sq ft to 1,938sq ft).

The tent-like structure and wildlife-inspired prints and textures of the seven Tent Pool Villas reflect the nomadic way of life of the Khon-Jorn, or Wanderer clan, who consisted of foragers, performers and traders. With a master bedroom and separate living space, the villas are 140sq m (1,507sq ft).

The seven Tree Pool Houses use building techniques to give the impression that the structures are suspended from trees to represent the We-Ha, or Sky clan, who worshipped the universe. The quirky two-floor villa design is 169sq m (1,819sq ft) and can accommodate up to four guests.

The Rung-Nok, or nest community, inspired the design of the eight Bird’s Nest Pool Villas. This group enjoyed an opulent way of life, which is reflected in the exclusive interwoven design of their homes, and these are the most expansive of the villas, with a total space of 185sq m (1,991 sq ft).
The resort’s Mala Spa has eight treatment rooms alongside a Thai massage pavilion, steam and sauna rooms, fitness centre, and yoga and meditation spaces Credit: Keemala
Designed by Thailand-based Architect Space along with Pisit Aongskultong from Pisud Design Company, the design is inspired by fictional early Phuket settlers Credit: Keemala
The Clay Pool Cottages reflect the earthiness of the fictional Pa-Ta-Pea clan Credit: Keemala
The Tree Pool Houses have a quirky two-floor villa design Credit: Keemala
The Bird's Nest Pool villas are the most opulent Credit: Keemala
The seven Tent Pool Villas reflect the nomadic way of life of the fictional Khon-Jorn, or wanderer clan Credit: keemala
PROJECT PROFILE:

Keemala
The five-star Keemala resort, set to open in Phuket in October 2015, is designed to harness “the history of fictitious ancient Phuket settlers” and incorporate the story of four different clans within the resort’s unique design that includes 38 cottages, tent villas, “birds nest” viilas, and suspended treehouse villas – all with private pools.


RELATED STORIES
  Phuket’s Keemala resort to feature 'bird's nest' villas, seemingly suspended treehouse villas, and an East-meets-West spa facility inspired by fictitious ancient settlements


The five-star Keemala resort, which will open in Phuket in October 2015, has been designed using storytelling to create its own folklore. The designers have created a fictitious tale of ancient Phuket settlers from four different clans to underpin the design.
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Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
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Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
‘Bird’s Nest Villas,’ tree houses and tent-like structures star at Phuket’s new five-star Keemala resort
POSTED 02 Dec 2015 . BY Jane Kitchen
The seven Tree Pool Houses use building techniques to give the impression that the structures are suspended from trees Credit: Keemala
Five-star resort Keemala, located in the lush woodlands of Kamala in Phuket, Thailand, has opened this week with an exciting array of wellness offerings.

Designed by Thailand-based Architect Space, with Pisit Aongskultong from Pisud Design Company managing the resort’s creative vision and interior designs, Keemala is inspired by stories, cultures, traditions and lifestyles of four fictional indigenous clans.

The resort’s Mala Spa has eight treatment rooms alongside a Thai massage pavilion, steam and sauna rooms, a fitness centre, and yoga and meditation spaces. Products are from Voya, Siam Botanicals and Spa Ritual.

Four holistic living retreats packages – Purify, Energise, Unwind and Rejuvenate – are available as three-day and six-day retreats, and are personalised to guests’ individual needs. Retreats typically include massages, wellness consultation and guidance, body-enhancing exercises and daily spa cuisine.

Practitioners from around the world will take up residency throughout the year. During December and January, the resort will welcome Jenny Ostling, who specialises in Arvigo therapy and holistic massage; Andy Mack will offer Dissolve Therapy; Akiko Igarashi will offer Tibetan Singing Bowl Healing; Victoria Kirkwood will offer clinical aromatherapy and acupuncture; and Lisa Levine will offer Arvigo therapy and acupuncture.

Keemala includes 38 unique private pool cottages, each with a different theme.

The sixteen Clay Pool Cottages reflect the earthiness of the Pa-Ta-Pea, or Earth clan, who believed in a strong connection to the earth and harnessed agriculture as their trade. With a selection of one- and two-bedrooms, the cottages range in size from 126sq m to 180sq m (1,356sq ft to 1,938sq ft).

The tent-like structure and wildlife-inspired prints and textures of the seven Tent Pool Villas reflect the nomadic way of life of the Khon-Jorn, or Wanderer clan, who consisted of foragers, performers and traders. With a master bedroom and separate living space, the villas are 140sq m (1,507sq ft).

The seven Tree Pool Houses use building techniques to give the impression that the structures are suspended from trees to represent the We-Ha, or Sky clan, who worshipped the universe. The quirky two-floor villa design is 169sq m (1,819sq ft) and can accommodate up to four guests.

The Rung-Nok, or nest community, inspired the design of the eight Bird’s Nest Pool Villas. This group enjoyed an opulent way of life, which is reflected in the exclusive interwoven design of their homes, and these are the most expansive of the villas, with a total space of 185sq m (1,991 sq ft).
The resort’s Mala Spa has eight treatment rooms alongside a Thai massage pavilion, steam and sauna rooms, fitness centre, and yoga and meditation spaces Credit: Keemala
Designed by Thailand-based Architect Space along with Pisit Aongskultong from Pisud Design Company, the design is inspired by fictional early Phuket settlers Credit: Keemala
The Clay Pool Cottages reflect the earthiness of the fictional Pa-Ta-Pea clan Credit: Keemala
The Tree Pool Houses have a quirky two-floor villa design Credit: Keemala
The Bird's Nest Pool villas are the most opulent Credit: Keemala
The seven Tent Pool Villas reflect the nomadic way of life of the fictional Khon-Jorn, or wanderer clan Credit: keemala
RELATED STORIES
Phuket’s Keemala resort to feature 'bird's nest' villas, seemingly suspended treehouse villas, and an East-meets-West spa facility inspired by fictitious ancient settlements


The five-star Keemala resort, which will open in Phuket in October 2015, has been designed using storytelling to create its own folklore. The designers have created a fictitious tale of ancient Phuket settlers from four different clans to underpin the design.
MORE NEWS
Accor reinvents its 1970s Thalassa hotel to launch Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa
Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa, MGallery Collection has opened on the French island Île d'Oléron off the country’s western coast with a 27-treatment-room spa.
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
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AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
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+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
BC Softwear Ltd

Founded in 2002 by Barbara Cooke, we provide expertise in crafting premium spa linen, towels, bath [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS