Phuket was somewhere I had very few expectations of, beyond a frenetic nightlife scene and hopefully a few decent beaches. I’ve never been a beach bum, traditionally preferring fast paced cities to keep me stimulated. My partner on the other hand, is all about slowing down when we travel - give him a sun lounger, pina colada, and an ocean view and he’s happy. Therefore I’ve learnt to adapt to the beach life, and have in time become native to it - doing such an intense job I can appreciate the lure of doing absolutely nothing, and not needing to.
Phuket surprised me. Yes there were decent beaches (better than decent, beautiful, deserted stretches of golden sand), a party scene in thronging Patong, but also pockets of culture such as Portuguese-influenced Phuket Town, and plenty to do in the form of Island hopping and watersports for the adventurous (and physically adept, which I am not). It has something for everyone, and there is peace and quiet for those who seek it. Do something, or do nothing, Phuket caters to all.
This post is part guide (I don’t feel I saw enough of the Island to title it as such - a reason to return!), part photo diary, part wistful eulogy to a holiday that already feels like a distant, rouge-tinted memory.
Rest and Play at The Surin
We spent two nights in the haven of Surin, a peaceful spot on the West coast. The perfect place to relax and unwind, Surin is not a destination for those looking for a wild time (though Patong is a reasonably short drive away if you want a night out). We stayed at The Surin from the YTL Hotels portfolio, an elegant hotel perched at the edge of a secluded beach, comprised of a number of individual cottages overlooking the ocean.
The Surin is a world within itself - there’s a bar, several restaurants including a romantic beachside dining option, as well as a spa, library and gym. There’s little reason to leave, and we rarely did, choosing instead to lounge by the striking hexagonal pool with a glass or two of wine.
Fair warning, The Surin is not for those less able to walk (or those that dislike stairs), I forego the gym in favour of the steep hike up and down from our cottage to the beach. But the regular exercise makes it easier to say yes to the food, from Thai classics to fresh seafood and oversized pizzas for those ready for a break from noodles (guilty). It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Quality ingredients, decent portions, and you can trust that both Asian and Western dishes are made expertly.
As if nodding off by the pool weren’t sufficiently relaxing, we booked in for indulgent oil massages at the in-house spa. You can’t go to Thailand and not get a massage (honestly, they won’t let you leave the country, it’s in the immigration small print…). It was a blissful 60 minutes, the perfect thing to utterly, completely relax in our little slice of paradise.
The Surin
118 Soi Hat Surin 8
Choeng Thale, Thalang District
Phuket 83110
Visiting Phang Nga Bay "James Bond Island"
Phuket isn’t all just poolside lounging, when you’re looking for a little more activity there are plenty of companies offering excursions and day trips from touring temples to paradise Island hopping. There’s enough to keep you entertained for weeks, but with only a couple of days we settled on a day trip to Phang Nga Bay, more famously known as James Bond Island.
The towering rock formation jutting from the ocean rose to fame in the 1974 film The Man With The Golden Gun. Honestly there are plenty of impressive rock formations in the area and this one isn't really that much more special. There's not really anything to do as such (except maybe spend your cash in one of the many tourist tat shops crowding the land nearby), but it's still interesting to visit for the pop culture significance, especially if you're a Bond fan.
The tour we chose, booked online from My Thailand Tours (though there are plenty of different options including a private tour, ferry and speedboat options), also included a visit to a cave, kayaking around the islands, lunch on a fisherman’s village, and relaxing on the beach to finish off the day (my personal favourite part, chilling on the sand with a cold Singha and ocean views!). It was nice to spend a day with everything planned for you, plus the opportunity to meet new people and visit places that aren't so easy to access solo.
Phang Nga Bay
Phuket
An Afternoon in Phuket Town
After reading about Phuket Town’s colonial Portuguese architecture, foodie hot spots and cafe culture in the guidebook, I knew it would be my scene.
It’s perhaps not what you go to Phuket for - why leave the calm of the beaches for dusty, busy inland roads to visit the city? But the compact central streets of Phuket Town are worth leaving the comfort of the sun lounger for, to admire the brightly coloured pastel houses and stop by one of the many great dining options for a bite. With a growing hipster and creative subculture, there's also street art to admire and smart coffee shops aplenty when you need a break from exploring.
When our stomachs started to rumble we headed to Kopitam by Wilai on Th Thalang after reading recommendations. An old shophouse (there are both AC and non-AC branches a few doors from each other) serving up classic Thai cuisine, it did not disappoint, with a heaving menu of rice and noodle dishes, plus dumplings and other dim sum. We tucked into pork dumplings, seafood noodles and marinated pork with rice, all of which I would happily eat all over again...
Kopitam by Wilai
14 18 Thalang Rd
Mueang Phuket District
Phuket 83000
Despite having just been Phuket is definitely remaining firmly on my bucket list to revisit, because it's so much more than just a few party beaches, and four nights just doesn't do the Island justice. If you've been, let me know what you'd recommend in the comments!
how amazing! i love to see photos of such places because I won’t be able to visit them too soon XD
Cate // 35mminstyle