New York has the Upper East Side. In Sydney, it’s Wolseley Road. Los Angeles has Calabasas, while Hong Kong has Causeway Bay. In locations around the world, there is always that one elite address that attracts the glitterati. The Thai island of Phuket is no exception. Here, the most exclusive address on the island is simply known as Millionaire’s Mile.
Phuket’s Evolution: From Hidden Gem to Luxury Haven
The island of Phuket has long been hailed as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea. Once upon a time, the island was a remote getaway favoured by backpackers. Since international flights were established in 1984, followed by the opening of the iconic Amanpuri resort in 1987 (the first luxury resort on the island), Phuket has been attracting a new breed of traveller.
Today, the island offers five-star luxury on an epic scale and draws in discerning travellers from all corners of the globe. With easy access to international schools and hospitals, the island also attracts long term expats looking for their place in the sun. Those wanting to enjoy life in the lap of luxury invariably make their way to Millionaire’s Mile.
A Drive Down Millionaire’s Mile
Millionaire’s Mile snakes along Phuket’s western coastline, carved into the Kamala Headland which sits between Kamala Beach in the north and Patong in the south. The actual road is a few kilometres long and with a few scenic twists and turns along the way, the drive from end to end takes around 20 minutes.
As the story goes, this area was literally home to the first million-dollar villa on the island. It’s easy to see why the area was initially chosen and why it continues to be favoured by the crème de la crème, as the local scenery will truly leave you speechless. Should you try to grasp for words, they would probably sound something like “stunning”, “amazing” or a breathless “O.M.G.” From its clifftop position, Millionaire’s Mile enjoys the most spectacular sunset views on the whole island, and from these great heights, the ocean views seem to go on forever.
So we’ve covered the million-dollar views. But how about the properties? From the road, they are almost invisible, but hidden amid the rainforest, there they are: the most exclusive and luxurious villas on the whole island.
A Look Inside Phuket’s Million-Dollar Villas
Etched into the cliffside and surrounded by lush rainforest, each villa built on Millionaire’s Mile promises utmost privacy – little wonder then that the area is so popular with A-listers craving a break from the spotlight. From the location to the facilities, everything has been curated to perfection, and when a villa goes on sale, the price is measured in the tens of millions – and yes, we’re talking US dollars here. Yet, when rented short-term, rates start from around USD $1,000 dollars per night.
So what does a million-dollar villa in paradise look like? Though they all share the same five-star standards, the villas vary in style, from ultra-modern to traditionally Thai. Many of the villas are so spectacularly sized that they actually more resemble your own private resort. The jaw-dropping Baan Paa Talee for example has nine bedrooms as well as a private gym, a karaoke room and a 25-metre long infinity pool gazing over the ocean.
Baan Paa Talee is part of the Cape Amarin estate, an exclusive gated community of stunning clifftop villas. Baan Paa Talee is neighboured by the likes of the magnificent Villa Aye and sister properties Villa Saan and Villa Samira. A particularly stunning offering is Villa Amanzi, which is nestled at the far end of the estate. With its sleek architecture, minimalist décor and divine infinity pool, this villa is the definition of cutting-edge cool.
Of course, Cape Amarin is just one of the estates lining Millionaire’s Mile. Driving towards Patong, the Mile is bookended by the lavish Samsara Estate, which is home to seven luxury villas mixing grand Thai touches with lavish modern comfort. Luxuriously appointed and sublimely private, these villas are fit for royalty… pop royalty that is – this is where Rhianna stayed while visiting Phuket.
Away From it All Yet Close to the Action
A lot of the area’s appeal lies in its seemingly secluded setting. Gazing at the endless blue ocean while lounging by your private pool, it’s easy to feel the rest of the world simply melt away. But though the setting feels secluded, Millionaire’s Mile is actually just 30 minutes drive from the excitement Phuket has to offer.
Driving down south, the never-ending party that is Patong’s Bangla Road is just 20 minutes away. If you prefer a more serene setting, the relaxed Kamala Beach is just 10 minutes away in the other direction. Chic beach clubs of the “see and be seen” variety, including Café Del Mar, Pine, Carpe Diem and Kudo, are all within a 15-minute drive. Looking to do some shopping? The Jungceylon Shopping Centre is also just 15 minutes away from Millionaire’s Mile.
And that’s the thing about this luxury enclave. The setting feels secluded in all the right ways, yet it’s so close to the action. The surroundings are lush and tropical, yet easily accessible, with all the modern comforts at your fingertips. The villas themselves are sublimely luxurious, yet not of the cookie cutter variety – they each have their own unique spirit and appeal. Turns out life on Millionaire’s Mile is all about striking the perfect balance.
