As part of an official tour to introduce the facility, something that all guests have access to, it becomes clear almost immediately how smart the project Farmlife is. SALA Phuket Mai Khao sits in gorgeous, picturesque, beach-facing grounds with classy dining facilities and stylish accommodation, yet has always had a wealth of underused scrub land at its disposal. Recognising this and aligning to the objective of creating a more sustainable business model is how Farmlife came about.
Sectioned off by bamboo fencing, the area is quaint and well planned. Entering the facility through a decorated archway, one is immediately struck by the scale and range of fresh produce grown in the beautiful herb garden. You name it and the chances are it is being grown there: long green, purple and apple eggplants; hot sweet and Italian basil; long green beans, chillis, pumpkins; kaffir limes; rosemary; parsely, green peppercorns; okra; corn; lettuce, ginger, snake gourd; betel leaf; galangal, and many more. It is a visual delight offering an eclectic mix of scents.
To showcase this wonderful range of fresh produce a cooking class is organised in the grounds of the herb garden where chefs from the hotel fuse ingredients to create a range of delectable dishes that guests can enjoy, a great way to experience Thai cuisine in the freshest of all possible environments.
Elsewhere, two separate, spacious coups host 60 chickens and 60 Khaki Campbell ducks, who produce 30 and 40 fresh eggs respectively a day. Both are fed homemade organic food, ensuring the eggs are laden with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, while two attentive geese watch on and serve as ‘security guards’, seeing off any unwanted pests or intruders. In addition to producing fresh eggs for the hotel kitchen, the chickens also serve as perfect natural garbage disposals, eating up discarded scraps that would normally just be thrown away.
There are also four mixed-breed goats, Kim, Khloe, David and Karen – the first two named after the Kardashian sisters, the second two named after regular guests to the hotel. In time they will produce offspring which will either be used in the kitchen or sold, but for now they graze happily while being fed by guests. Shipped over from Koh Samui late last year, they are curious and extremely friendly and leave me convinced that goats would make for perfect domestic pets!
Further features include a comprehensive composting station and a charcoal production facility which is used to fuel on-site barbecues in addition to producing wood vinegar which is used for pest control. Also, all the robust animal enclosures are made from recycled wood and materials from the hotel.
Head Chef Tony Wrigley explains that all of the goods from Farmlife are now regularly used in the impressively exotic menu at the hotel. In the evening, he creates a delicious ‘tasting menu’ to showcase the range and quality of what is being grown and produced, while further demonstrating efforts to close the gap from farm to table.
“SALA Farmlife is an essential part of our commitment to sustainability and preserving the environment,” says General Manager Anthony Van Sleeuwen. “Our guests will experience fresh and organic produce that is grown locally while minimising the impact on the environment. Food is such a vital part of the culture in Thailand, and here we are able to connect our guests to the incredible ingredients and flavours that the country offers.”
Generating home produce is impressive but it is also the wider impact this has in cutting down costs and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting the goods to the hotel. Home produced, organic eggs ensure a grasp on quality control and not having to worry about shelf life or what may have happened to the eggs during processing or shipping. Similarly, organic fertiliser and charcoals eliminate the reliance on harmful chemicals in the cultivation of fresh produce.
The whole Farmlife initiative is extremely impressive and supports the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and a greener future while offering a genuinely fun, engaging and rewarding experience that guests can engage in and assimilate during their stay in this little corner of paradise. Both accommodation and dining guests are welcome to visit the SALA Farmlife project free of charge and can make their next overnight stay or dining booking via www.salaphuket.com.