5 stunning new hotels in Phuket 2016

The powdery shores of Phuket have seen their fair share of luxury digs, but a new wave of beach hotels is cresting above the rest. Here, ASHLEY NIEDRINGHAUS calls out the island’s most compelling newcomers.

1. Manathai Surin

When the Manathai Surin owners enlisted the Thailand-based CDG design group, they wanted to integrate regional interior designs while avoiding the all-too-common pitfall of overloading the room with dark teakwood and Thai silk. The result: clean-lined, light-filled rooms that are tastefully Thai and not overwrought. Lotus ponds surround the resort’s pool, and the pièce de résistance is the oversized birdcage sofa in the lobby, a nod to the Phuket custom of keeping nice-looking cages outside the home. The hotel’s restaurant caters to mild-palated Westerners, but with a prime location on the upmarket Surin Beach, Phuket’s best eateries are easily accessible.

You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

2. Fishermen’s Harbour Urban Resort

The 390 spacious rooms have a relaxed weekend-away vibe and, despite their massive size, the property manages to mute the noise of nearby Patong to create a relaxing, family-focused retreat. Rooms play to the area’s elements, with crisp white walls, marine blue accents and under-the-sea murals. Nearly 100 of the resort’s rooms are designed with families in mind, including bunk beds and a separate living room, plus access to youngster-friendly amenities, like a kids’ club, game room and bike rentals. Parents will enjoy the swim-up bar and well-appointed spa. The hotel’s organic farm sources herbs and produce for the three restaurants, which serve everything from teppanyaki to Halal to Thai.

You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

3. The Nai Harn

This property has had many acts in its 30-year-old lifespan, but high-end beachgoers will be flocking here for the new Côte d’Azurmeets-the-Andaman vibe courtesy of the cerulean blue water, whitewashed walls and accents of punchy on-trend Pantone colors. In December 2015, the resort emerged from an 18-month overhaul and nabbed the exclusive honor of being named the island’s only member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Airy rooms with heavenly beds have private balconies with four-poster sunbeds overlooking Nai Harn Beach and Bay, and the swish service extends from beachside butlers to an in-villa button expressly for champagne. Fancy something other than bubbles? Try the Lady Nai Harn, a signature cocktail made with indigenous Chalong Bay Rum, which was crafted by legendary barman Salim Khoury of London’s The Savoy Hotel, or peruse the wine list culled by expert James Suckling; you’re bound to find a bottle you’ll love.

You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

4. Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa

This resort, with its youthful hospitality, eco-friendly attitude, in-pool bar with top-notch spirits, and trendy beach club manages to appeal to almost every segment of traveler. The newest outpost from the folks behind the ever-popping disco ball of a hotel Dream Bangkok is a seaside knockout north of Bangtao Beach peninsula. Feast at Trilogy, a three-part restaurant with offerings of Thai, Tuscan and contemporary European foods crafted by three world-class chefs, or puff on an imported cigar and sip wine at the leather-clad Indulge lounge. Head off property to the nearby Dream Beach Club, the hotel’s tailor-made club on Layan Beach where in-house DJs spin beats and champagne flows freely. Looking for Phuket’s young and trendy? This is where you’ll find them Instagraming.

You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

5. Keemala

The design-centric Keemala, built into the forested hills just up from Kamala Beach, is a welcome alternative to the district’s more traditional offerings. The 38 villas—grouped into cottages, tents, tree houses and bird’s nests—draw upon tribal designs paired with posh perks, like private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and deep soaking tubs with sea views. Spend an afternoon at the organic Mala Spa, where signature treatments incorporate a wide array of essential oils. Honeymooners will find the proximity of neighboring villas to be a buzz kill to their privacy, but the staff is gracious, efficient and nearly invisible, so won’t interfere with anyone’s idyll.

You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Phuket accommodation

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for Phuket island hotels and resorts on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Phuket you can refer to

• (All Areas Inclusive) Private Phuket International Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket by Thai Rhythm
• Private Transfers for Phuket City and Surrounding Attractions
• Private Krabi (KBV) or Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Krabi, Phuket, and More
• Private City Transfers between Phuket and Nearby Cities
• Shared Phuket International Airport (HKT) Transfer from Phuket
• Shared Van Transfer from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to Phuket
• Phuket City Sightseeing Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Full Day Tour
• Phuket Adventure Day Tour
• Phuket City Introduction Half Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Tour: Racha Island, Phi Phi Island, Phuket Fantasea, Dolphin Show, and More
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you finding more top things to do in Phuket: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.