PHUKET, THAILAND - Luxury hilltop retreat Avista Hideaway is taking private dining to new heights, offering guests a la carte at altitude in the starlit seclusion of the rooftop of their own personal villas.

The elevated epicurean experiences are Avista's latest vision of luxuriant privacy, guided by the resort's new Executive Chef, culinary creative Tim Westaway who is bringing his own personal touch to the cuisine at all of Avista's restaurants, confidently blending refined, classic European fine dining traditions with the explosive and bold culinary style of Pacific-rim fare, comprising flavours and techniques from Hawaii, South East Asia, Polynesia and Chef Tim's native soil, California.

"My style of cooking is aimed at providing a little something for everyone. For example, the fine dining menu at the Avista Dining Room will be heavily based on European dishes, but will utilise the fantastically fresh fruit and vegetables that are on hand in Phuket to give the food a distinctive, tropical Asian twist," explains Mr Westaway.



Chef Tim is especially enthusiastic about making use of Avista's striking architectural layout to create unforgettable and dramatic dining served atop the resort's rooftops: "I've been cooking professionally now for over 30 years, and I have never seen a resort as beautiful and well-designed as this one. Avista is visually stunning, especially at night, and I want my food to reflect this warming and awe-inspiring natural ambience," he added.

Private dining on the resort's hilltop villas perfectly captures Avista's 'two points of view' philosophy, offering spectacular views across the Andaman Sea on one side, and the breathtaking backdrop of the surrounding virgin jungle on the other.

In addition to refined evening meals, Chef Tim will be bringing a unique approach to early morning meals at Avista Dining Rooms, aiming for the restaurant to be crowned the best breakfast buffet in Phuket, as well as reimaging two other restaurants within the resort; a barbeque and grill restaurant Sizzle, and Rendez-Vue, an upscale eatery serving playful yet sophisticated twists on traditional pub classics.

Joining the team at Avista Hideaway in Phuket is a 'dream come true' for Mr Westaway who is making the move to the island resort after working with the Ritz Carlton Group for over a decade, in both California and Hawaii.

Originally from Los Angeles, Chef Tim fell in love with cooking when he attended culinary school in New Orleans before moving on to work at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. Since then, Mr Westaway has been combining food with his other love, travel, working across the globe in various roles, including a period in London training under renowned chef Antony Worrall Thompson, and an adventurous role as one of the first American chefs serving diplomatic officials within the former Soviet Union in 1989.

Expressive and stylish, Avista Hideaway offers Phuket's visitors accessible ultra-luxury and privacy, with a host of lavish options including the resort's Jacuzzi Suites and Pool Suites which offer the ultimate in in-room amenities, exclusive arrival options such as private airport transfers in a choice of Ferrari,

Lamborghini, Stretch Limousine, Mercedes Benz E Class or BMW 5 Series, and other unforgettable experiences like a glorious island-hopping trip to Koh Phi Phi by helicopter.

For further information and high-resolution photography, please contact:

Somyot Yasavudhi

Group Director of Sales & Marketing Avista Hotels and Resorts

Tel: 66 (2) 6618141-3

Email:  dosm@avistahotelsandresorts.com  www.avistahotelsandresorts.com

David Johnson Managing Director

Delivering Asia Communications Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159

E-mail :  dj@deliveringasia.com  www.deliveringcommunications.com

Note to Editors:

Avista Hotels and Resorts is a growing luxury brand which has looked at the tropical escape from every angle, to offer more appealing points of view. In our world, there is room for everyone's personal vision of paradise, and we try to see things from the perspective of each of our valued guests. We recognise one size does not fit all. What unites all of our hotels and resorts is a commitment to deliver clear-sighted, warm-hearted hospitality that always includes and never excludes.

The 150-room Avista Hideaway Resort and Spa, Phuket is a high-end escape with spacious suites ranging from 55 sq m to 145 sq m with spectacular vistas of Andaman Sea, access to three separate beaches, butler service and three spectacular swimming pools.

Avista Phuket Resort and Spa, Kata Beach offers 143 tropical contemporary suites overlooking the pristine sands of Kata Beach and presenting the fresh face of accessible, comfortable luxury, with two generous swimming pools, a celebrated spa, five-star amenities and magical vistas from the private balconies of oversized rooms.

Patong Beach Lodge offers 64 guest rooms in a cool corner of Patong, within walking distance of Jungceylon, the island's biggest retail centre, great dining, entertainment and Patong Beach itself.