The private pleasures of Phuket Mansions

MANILA, Philippines - Whenever you pass by South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay corridor, and recipient of the Best Golf Community Development by the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, and, recently, the Highly Commended Award for Best Development by the 2010 Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Residential Award, you always have that feeling of warmth, that sense of belonging. Is it the lovely homes, the charming enclaves, the wonderful amenities? Maybe it’s everything about it.

There are some gems that you really should not miss out on seeing while on your visit here, and we don’t mean the kind sold at the jewelers. We invite you to look at one of South Forbes’ most prestigious themed enclaves — Phuket Mansions — which ushers in the splendor of Thailand’s amazing tropical resorts combined with Filipino sensibilities, resulting in a unique blend that will equally amaze its residents as much as tourists get in the Pearl of the Andaman Sea.

Tropical Getaways. Phuket Mansions residents are immersed in an experience to remember, in a safe, comfortable place to retreat, refresh and restore, where there’s a meeting of mind, body, and spirit -- their home.

Meticulous effort has been taken to ensure maximum comfort to the residents of three model homes: the Ayutthaya bungalow, and the Chakri and Taksin mansions. With materials such as local dark wood, textured sandstone, and tiled roofing, the architecture of the mansions is a harmonious marriage of traditional styles and modern sensibilities that evoke a sense of tropical ease and balance. High ceilings, cleverly-designed windows and screens allow a natural flow of air and a tempered admittance of light.

A Stunning Street. From the gate alone, one is left in awe at the sight in front of them. A stone road guides motorists or pedestrians toward the clubhouse whose high-pitched roof becomes its most prominent element as it has always been the defining feature of classical Thai architecture. A massive pristine-white doorway with floral patterns hints of the plethora of vibrant Thai flowers. Beyond at the main lobby are interlocking wood-clad columns and beams that suggest warmth and hominess.

The Phuket Mansions clubhouse is equally stunning at night.

The clubhouse is designed to accommodate functions in different environments -- air-conditioned indoor, covered al fresco, and outdoor -- and the function halls are enclosed in glass, creating a seamless blend between interior and exterior. These glass doors that keep separate functions private can also be opened to expand to a larger space; hence, a bigger function area.

The blanket of black natural stones of the clubhouse’s driveway and rotunda leads down to the 25-meter infinity lap pool which presents a scene of sheer tranquility with the illusion of water flowing down the river below. Pavilion-style gazebos, outdoor showers, reflecting pools and a sunbathing deck remind of a Phuket weekend experience.

Nature’s Way. Any vacation in paradise will never be complete unless one is surrounded by the beauty of nature.

As with many structures in Thailand, there exists a symbiotic relationship between nature and structure as manifested in their tradition of building beside water because the Thai believe that water refreshes and cleanses our aura and body. Aside from the pool, several reflecting pools, including the sound the running river creates, help wash away tension and leave a cleansed soul.

So don’t just pass by. Move in right here, right now. Call 635-7777 or 631-8855 for a free city tour or log on to www.southforbes.com for more information.