COMO launches 20 villas for private ownership

PHUKET: Twenty new villas were up for private ownership this month in Point Yamu by COMO Hotels and Resorts. Designed by Italian Paola Navone, the 2- and 3-bedroom villas priced from US$1.6 million (RM5.2 million) to US$3.5 million come with rental packages to make them viable long-term investments.

The villas are part of the 32-acre (12.94ha) Point Yamu resort, which boasts panoramic views of the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, a Unesco World Heritage site.

“The villas [have all the features] of the Point Yamu resort, with its [COMO trademark]of [good food, great service, and exciting adventures],” said the resort group in a statement recently.

“Dining options include ... the Italian-inspired La Sirena, Thai-based Nahmyaa ... and COMO Shambhala Cuisine ... [restaurants].”

The villas also offer a wellness retreat as part of COMO Shambhala Estate, which includes a 100m infinity pool, yoga studio and treatment rooms. Point Yamu is also a popular yachting destination with underwater attractions for divers and snorkelers, and opportunities for kayaking, sailing, fishing and rock climbing.

Navone designed the villas [to go with] the serenity of the clear blue waters in Phuket. COMO’s signature clean lines and [minimalist] contemporary style is [paired] with the Italian designer’s eclectic approach and use of local materials. Tones of the deep blue sea ... and the saffron of Buddhist robes are matched by elegant shapes and bold textures with the use of glass, ceramic, wood, tile and marble.

COMO Hotels and Resorts were founded by Christina Ong, a Singaporean businesswoman and the wife of Singaporean business tycoon and investor Ong Beng Seng. COMO Hotels and Resorts offer personalised luxury travel experiences [with] its urban hotels, island resorts, adventure retreats and wellness resorts.

Its properties also include The Halkin by COMO in London; three Metropolitan by COMO hotels in London, Bangkok and Miami Beach; Parrot Cay by COMO in the Turks and Caicos; Cocoa Island by COMO and Maalifushi by COMO in the Maldives; and three Uma by COMO resorts in Bali and Bhutan. — by Zatil Husna Wan Fauzi


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 28, 2014.