Phuket treehouse retreat is hit with Instagram rich kids but manager's having ‘palpitations’

When a new $30million rainforest retreat opened in Phuket in December 2015, it was expected that the clientele would be those wanting a slice of secluded Thai luxury.

With its unique treehouse-style villas spotted along a picture-perfect hillside, Keemala offers “a retreat from every day life and welcomes you in to an enchanting evergreen wonderland.”

Sadly, the wonderland - found 20km from Phuket's party capital of Patong - is so enchanting it has become a poser-paradise and the go-to for rich kids wanting to brag on Instagram.

Since its much-anticipated opening as one of Thailand's most unusual properties, Keemala has been hashtagged almost 6,000 times. 

To put that into perspective, our very own QT hotels has just 600 mentions more on Instagram despite opening its flagship in 2011. And that’s one Instagrammable hotel brand.

Natasha Eldred, from Keemala, told Elsewhere: "We weren't aware that it was becoming a hit with rich kids, but when @doyoutravel and @gypsea_lust came to stay, their iconic images of them both teetering on the edge of our Bird's Nest Pool Villas and our Tent Pool Villas went viral.

“And now we have many guests vying to capture the exact same shot. Suffice to say it gives our general manager palpitations every day."

So, what exactly is so alluring to the young, beautiful and wealthy? Well, for one, there’s the bragging rights that it’s Thailand’s most expensive set of villas.

There’s a 24-hour concierge to cater for every whim, transfers from the airport and a range of fine dining options, including private dining on some of the ground’s secret spots under starlight.

And unlike Kata Rocks, whose slick yacht-feel design once attracted the social media-loving set, Keemala is more earthy, with rustic interiors and cocoon-like beds.

Each of the villas, or should we say “cottages”, has an infinity pool, outdoor bath and four-poster beds overlooking the surrounding stunning rainforest and nearby beach.

They range from two-bedroom cottages, tent-style villas and treehouses, including the Bird’s Nest Villa which has become  particularly picture-worthy. And at $1100 a night, they really are for the rich kids among us.