Suralai is an architect designed exclusive private resort, ideal for families or groups of friends to escape together in stylish yet relaxed surroundings. It was also designed to be the most stylish and luxurious private residence on the island. The furniture, fittings and artworks were all painstakingly sourced or custom made for the residence and are of the highest quality.
The ultra contemporary design was created and crafted using a range of natural materials and the finishing of the villa, with wooden-tiled pitched roofs, enables it to look at home in its spectacular tropical mountainside location. The mix of cutting edge technology, modern design and natural materials results in a remarkable and unique property.
Steps lead up to a reflecting pond and to the left is a huge living room with wood-lined vaulted ceiling. Once in here you’re faced with a tough decision as to where to look first. The room is exquisitely furnished with contemporary furniture, artwork and ornaments. But the whole front of the room opens onto a balcony with a glass ballustrade that affords a spectacular view across mountains and valleys; you can see the whole of Bophut Bay and right over to Koh Phang Ngan – Thailand’s world famous ‘Full Moon Island’ a monthly mecca for the young party set from around the globe.
Starting with the interior of the room, the first feature you see is the polished dark wood dining table complete with modern white chairs. After this there’s a flamboyant black-gloss and chrome finished open kitchen which runs parallel to the view. The black and chrome is expertly contrasted and complemented by a white polished island and breakfast bar. Between this and the balcony is a red leather chaise-longe accessorised with black leather cushions providing the perfect place to take in the view. At the far end of the room is the comfortable lounge area consisting of plush white leather sofas, stone tables, modern sculptures and a 50in flat screen TV. This sophisticated room is finished with polished grey terrazzo floor tiles and dark wood.
The wide stone balcony has plenty of outdoor furniture, a further dining area and looks over the garden below, the large pool terrace and the black tiled infinity pool. On either side of the balcony are stone staircases leading to the other levels of this expansive villa.
On the right, steps lead down to the lower level where there are three bedrooms situated below the main living area. Each double bedroom is stylishly fitted with contemporary furniture and artwork, has built-in wardrobes and benefits from an en-suite shower room with twin sinks. Each of these three bedrooms also has a private balcony with day-bed and seating that looks across the sea views and down over the garden and pool.
Staying on the right side, further steps lead you down into the garden and to the pool terrace and pool. At the right end of the pool is a large Sala complete with bar and stools sunken into the pool itself. The Sala has built in benches and comfortable cushioned seating.
Steps from the Sala lead down to a corridor that runs underground and alongside the pool. There are a number of storage rooms and at the far end of the pool you arrive at the private, well-equipped gym which also has windows, allowing sea views, and doors that open into a garden and lawn area.
Stepping stones lead from this garden up to the first of three master suites that occupy a three-storey building. The ground floor suite sits below the pool level with views over the garden and over the valley to the ocean. It has a separate dressing area, twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and a distinctive grey circular terrazzo bathtub.
Above this room, at poolside level, is another suite with separate dressing area, a modern four poster bed and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and an oval shaped grey terrazzo bathtub.
On the third story of this master pavilion is yet another suite that again has a dressing area, a four poster bed and an en-suite bathroom with shower and grey oval shaped terrazzo bathtub. In each of these suites the bathtubs are positioned at the front of the rooms with windows maximising the stunning panoramic views.
Finally, steps lead back up onto the wide balcony and to the lounge, kitchen and dining area. This is a very large property that has been well designed and thought out so as to provide private and practical accommodation that’s suitable for large families or groups of friends. The flexibility of the villa also makes it an ideal choice for weddings and events.
Internally every room is finished and decorated with high quality furnishings, unusual modern artworks and high-end electrical appliances. Each room has a 30in flat screen TV and the whole villa benefits from a sleek Bose sound system that’s piped everywhere including the garden and the Sala.
The grey natural stone effects and extreme contemporary furniture and artworks are brought to life by the water features, the neat lawns and the tropical planting of the garden areas. This is an exceptional villa that combines modern luxury and design with the complete privacy and exclusivity that comes from being at the top of a mountain.
