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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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ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
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
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy, will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched a course by customer experience expert Dan Gingiss on its iLearn platform.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Corinthia appoints Peter Roth as president of hotel operations
Peter Roth has been appointed as Corinthia’s president of hotel operations.
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
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Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]

Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Aromatherapy Associates

Aromatherapy Associates is a world-leading British wellness brand, harnessing the power of essential [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ 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