Open: 7am-11pm

Style: Modern Classic Infinity Pool Surrounds.

Price range: Five-star prices. salmon cheek (888 baht) lamb chops (1288 baht) tuna steak (888 baht) mixed seafood risotto (688 baht) creamy bacon (528 baht) massaman curry (528 baht) noodles (120 baht) juicy/fruit blend (138/238 baht) perrier (198 baht coca-cola (138 baht) mad fish sideways, shiraz 2008 margaret river (2900 baht) all prices plus 10 percent service charge and seven percent government tax.

Specialties: The view. The Poolclub is magical enough but Baba's Nest offers all 360 degrees, at a higher price.

OCCASIONALLY with guests visiting Phuket we will splash out and there is no better place on Phuket than this one to splurge and splash. CNN named Sripanwa's Baba Nest as the world's No. 2 beach bar in 2012-13. As it's only open from 5pm and 1000 baht a head minimum spend, with sunsets a specialty, we set our sights a little lower and settled on the Poolclub for lunch. The outlook is just superb, spanning craggy Phang Nga Bay, with a few yachts scattered as if by a seascape artist. It's possible to hunker down between infinity pools in pods under umbrellas at four dining stations close to the edge or hang back in cushioned luxury much closer to the bar. We chose the cushions. Other groups eat then relax by the pool and a couple of boys are fun to watch as they snorkel about. We splash out in our preferred fashion, ordering a pizza, a lamb burger and the massaman curry. All rate a strong thumbs up. The cocktails and the fruit juice also almost seem worth the price. We are well out of our league at Sripanwa but if there's ever a special occasion when you want to give guests a real treat, this is hard to beat. Don't forget to take your swimming costume.

Telephone: +66 7637 1000 e: chill@sripanwa.com

Address: Sripanwa, 88 Moo 8 Sakdidej Road, Tambon Vichit, Amphur Muang, Phuket, Thailand

How to find it: Head for Cape Panwa to the east of Phuket City and follow the coast all the way to the end, where you'll see the Phuket Aquarium. Turn left just before the aquarium and Sripanwa staff will point you uphill to Baba's Nest or the Poolclub.

Parking: Plenty of space to park and it's up the stairs from there.

Phuketwan reviewers pay for their own meals. If we don't, we tell you. Baba Poolclub Phuket Restaurant is definitely not a candidate for Phuketwan's Good Value Phuket Restaurant of the Year 2014. But it's worth a splash.