Posh
Rosewood Phuket
Phuket, Thailand
Jetsetter Approved
This Hotel meets our standards
What We Love
- Taking lessons in Thai kick-boxing
- The incredible free-form pool that has sections for laps, kids' play and activities
- The thoughtful amenities for children, like the child-sized sun loungers
What To Know
- The beach is surprisingly rocky
- You can borrow paddleboards and canoes
- You can try all sorts of alternative therapies, from reiki to sound therapy
Availability
Overview
Tropical haven on its own along a stretch of Thai beach, where each pavilion and villa has a private pool
The Lowdown
In the tourist-filled, cheesy parts of Phuket, it's all bucket cocktails and sex shows that obscure the fact that the island is one of Thailand's most beautiful. The Rosewood has eschewed the cheap thrills, though, by ensconcing itself on the southwest coast in a calm bay backed by forest, accessed by a winding coast road. The resort itself is a haven of fabulous swimming pools and welcoming villas and pavilions, all of which are spacious and clearly designed for long, leisurely stays when unpacking and spreading out is indicated. Each has its own pool, perfect for under-the-stars nighttime dips, but you'll probably spend less time in them than you expect: the resort has enough activities on offer that you can fill your days with something new every hour. Before a spa treatment, visit the herb garden to choose ingredients for a custom body wrap or scrub, go snorkeling in Andaman Bay, charter a luxury yacht and lounge on hidden beaches, visit one of three golf courses, go sea kayaking….and the list goes on.
In the Area
You can explore the island via helicopter or boat, or even hike through the jungle on foot, and Rosewood can arrange all of these for you. It's a quick drive into the historic Old Town if you're in the mood for eclectic nightlife options or a new dining experience. On Sundays, head to Lard Yai walking street for an outdoor market of handicrafts and street food. Ban Boran Textiles is a must-stop for shoppers; it sells incredible textiles in silks and cottons, including embroidered decorative fabrics and clothes made by Thailand's hill tribes. Make a reservation at Acqua for a special night: one of the island's best restaurants, it has a seafood-heavy menu that benefits from a strong French and Italian influence. Exploring the island's temples shouldn't be neglected: both Wat Chalong and Wat Suwan Khuha, with their rich decorations and Buddhist relics, are fascinating, and the latter also boasts a lively monkey population.
How to Get There
Rosewood Phuket
88/28 Muen-Ngern Road, Patong Kathu Chang Wat
Phuket, Thailand
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