The wait is almost over! In case you haven’t heard, Phuket will welcome international fully-vaccinated travellers back to its shores on 1st July 2021, following the start of the “Phuket Sandbox” initiative.

That’s right, so long as you’re fully vaccinated and fly direct to Phuket, the pristine beaches and azure waters of the “Pearl of the Andaman” is yours to visit without the need to quarantine. After seven days in Phuket, you’re also free to travel wherever you want in Thailand.

Expect to be greeted with warm southern Thai smiles we’ve come to love and miss from a community that has been over 70% vaccinated to ensure the safety of locals and visitors alike. Hospitality companies have also implemented enhanced health and safety protocols, in line with official guidance from Thai authorities and the World Health Organization. Resultantly, all visitors can relax with complete peace-of-mind as they enjoy Phuket’s idyllic ambience and spectacular scenery.

As we count down the days and look forward to our own vaccines, here are 7 villas and resorts we’re eyeing for when the time comes for us to fly out.

Anantara Layan Phuket Resort

Retreat to an island paradise where lush hillside overlooks powdery beach here at Anantara Layan Phuket. Hide away in luxury pool villas for two or sprawling residences for families. Here at one of the finest luxury villas in Phuket, meals are had  in a cliffside chapel overlooking the ocean and you may access directly through the beach via a side entrance connected directly from your villa. You may also master the art of Muay Thai or submit to healing massages at the Anantara Spa, all seen to by a staff team that’s fully vaccinated against Covid-19. W anantara.com

Trisara

Phuket’s most renowned and exclusive private pool resort, Trisara embraces a pristine private access beach on the Andaman Sea. A secret hideaway nestled in a verdant, tropical paradise, Trisara’s private luxury pool villas and residences sit on gently terraced hillsides forested with indigenous palms, plumeria, exotic orchids and flowering vines. Each private pool villa and residence looks to the western horizon, offer gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea’s ethereal aquamarine waters. The island resort sits within fourteen hectares a protected nature preserve that lends itself to extreme privacy and tranquillity. Trisara’s collection of private luxury villas and residences, and elegant diningand spa pavilions reflect the warmth and comfort of traditional Thai architecture and cultural values with a pleasing mix of exotic natural materials and modern luxury elements. A private beach — reserved exclusively for in-residence guests — extends the length of the resort’s boundary and is ideal for sunbathing, water sports and long walks on the beach. W trisara.com

Keemala Phuket Resort & Spa

Located well away from the crowds and overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea within lush woodlands up on a hill, Keemala offers a retreat from every day life and welcomes you in to an enchanting evergreen wonderland. Villas are designed  in contemporary, borderline quirky, artistic directions for a stay that is a break from the conventional. Balance is the name of the game, with the villa located close enough to the lively Patong Beach and all the dynamic action that Phuket has to offer, yet far enough removed to step back and take time to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the rainforest and a plethora of holistic activities and cuisine to aid wellbeing. It invites all to escape the ordinary with its pool villas set in the rainforest, each designed to bring Thai cultural philosophy  to life through distinctive design and guests experiences. The spa treatments, holistic programs, gastronomic choices, activities and magical villas and cottages all honour Thai culture and heritage. W keemala.com

Banyan Tree Phuket

Escape to a Sanctuary for the Senses at the award-winning Banyan Tree Phuket. A private paradise, this resort offers luxurious all-pool villas nestled around a saltwater lagoon and surrounded by lush greenery. This is the perfect destination for travelers seeking a romantic resort in Phuket, a golf getaway, relaxing staycation, or a base from which to explore this beautiful island and its heritage, culture and stunning beaches. Designed for anyone looking for exceptional experiences, DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree Phuket gives you an intimate and serene environment with a luxury of space, set within a tropical garden with twin pools in which to luxuriate. Get ready to enjoy the tailored hospitality of your own Villa host to top off your Phuket 5-star villa resort experience. W banyantree.com

Six Senses Yao Noi

One of the world’s most spectacular seascapes of Phang Nga Bay sets the stage for your magical stay on Six Senses Yao Noi. Just 45 minutes from Phuket, this island resort is as close to nature’s luxury as you can be where  every shade of blue awaits for as far as the eyes can see. Accommodations come in the form of private “stilted and thatched” villas that perch like plush tree houses within tropical greenery. Choose dramatic bay or romantic forest views and from one to four bedrooms. All the creature comforts, the soul-soothing spa and your personal GEM (Guest Experience Maker) to make this a vacation with uplifting discoveries at every turn. The Six Senses in its name encompasses all of its brand values applied to its approach to local life and culture to an all-encompassing wellness experience. During your stay, you’ll also have the delight of befriending its resident hornbills that are mascots for the resort’s many nature initiatives for floral and fauna conservation. W sixsenses.com

Amanpuri Phuket

Soundtracked by the whispers of coconut palms and the sighs of the Andaman Sea, Aman’s first resort presides over its own peninsula, promising guests space, serenity, an idyllic white-sand beach, exceptional restaurants and a Holistic Wellness Centre. Set in seclusion on the tip of the Peninsula, Amanpuri’s villas offer unparalleled privacy and space, with their own swimming pools and private chefs. The turquoise waters that surround it offer voyages of discovery in all directions, whether you’re seeking paddle board, jet-ski or scuba dive. Play, rest and rejuvenate to your heart’s content right here in paradise. W aman.com

The Slate Phuket

Designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley as an edgy, whimsical adventure getaway,  The Slate seeks to reimagine Phuket’s rich tin mining past by combining industrial elements with raw beauty, evoking poetic reminders of a bygone era that stays relevant today. Natural beauty co-exists alongside contemporary elements, all to awaken your imagination with every stay. Fun is the keyword here from its family suites to pool villas, each stay complemented with servings of playful dining, sublime island experiences and adventurous escapes. W theslatephuket.com

Rosewood Phuket

At an exquisite location along a 600-meter beachfront at Emerald Bay, Rosewood Phuket is a tropical beach hideaway akin to an ideal ocean village. The luxury Phuket resort features innovative architecture with subtle Thai influences blending organically into a lush natural landscape, while sun-weathered shores and glistening, crystalline waters help celebrate luxury island living. Simple, classic recipes with premium ingredients, idyllic beachfront surrounds, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, all define dining at Rosewood Phuket. Four distinct venues offer authentic culinary experiences that create a must-try dining destination. From unforgettable excursions to immersive experiences, discover some of Phuket’s most cultural and idyllic scenes with its many featured experiences highlighting the natural beauty of the island. W rosewood hotel.com