A Love Letter To The Hoteliers of Phuket

The path to reopen Thailand is a tough one, just ask the hoteliers of Phuket. When this article was published at Expat Life in Thailand there was much to be hopeful for. Ahead is the plan to reopen the island to fully vaccinated International visitors arriving into Phuket without quarantine, by July 1st. The current third wave of Covid here in Thailand has been another big blow. Bookings taken for the Thai new year Songkran holiday period have been canceled, the future is again uncertain.

I wrote this in support of these wonderful hotels that we have enjoyed and to encourage those within Thailand and overseas to support when safe to visit. (updated 24 Aug 2021)

Love at the Nai Harn, Phuket

A Love Letter to the Hoteliers of Phuket

Phuket I love you. In 2020 I visited Phuket travelling solo, as a couple, and with friends. Every time I leave, the yearn to return gets stronger.

As the second wave introduced further travel restrictions around Thailand, we remained in Phuket where my husband and I had been holidaying for Christmas. The island has been deathly quiet, the local expat community launched #onephuket to support those helping feed islanders in need. It’s been grim times for many in Phuket and the surrounding islands.

A handful of hoteliers, unwilling to re-close their hotels in such desperate times, remained steadfastly committed to keeping their doors open,

‘If we close we lose money, if we open we lose money,

but at least we have jobs’

Intercontinental Phuket

This letter is a testament and a thank you to the hotel industry staff from gardening to the General Managers who, with a decimated tourism industry turned up day after day to greet a handful of guests. Their determination to ‘keep calm and carry on,’ and to provide an outstanding guest experience, when a number of hotels were forced to close their doors some never to reopen, has been a bright light in our continuing Coronavirus days, here in Phuket.

I see your pain, I have witnessed your struggle to operate shorthanded of staff, serving food in restaurants and running hotels without your managerial staff. I have seen jobs lost and I hear salaries have been reduced. I’ve seen the empty streets, your empty resorts and rooms with your pillows out for airing awaiting the tourists to return…

Phuket’s empty beaches

Since living in Phuket, I witnessed you stripped bare without your tourist friends. I’ve seen how amazing you are. I’ve stayed in your world-class hotels, wandered your incredible empty beaches, swam in your crystal blue sea and eaten in your Michelin awarded restaurants.

I loved as well a whole host of less grand but equally memorable Phuket experiences. Like arriving on Kata beach a few hours after a Super Mum turtle laid her eggs – the first time in twenty years! Or wandering at sunset along a tranquil Patong beach.

Waiting for the turtles to hatch at Kata Beach

First some hard talk. Phuket you feel like the popular girl at school who never had to try too hard. You were beautiful, with incredible beaches and people who flocked to you from all over the world. You mingled with ease with this crowd, you were multi-lingual and you had been educated at the best Swiss hotel management schools. You cooked the best food and you were known to put on a great party. You were popular for a reason, you are friggin’ awesome!

When Covid hit, none of your international friends who adored you could get to you and you were left all alone. The problem was that none of your local acquaintances were that interested. The popular girl of Phuket never had us on her Christmas card list, telling us how we must join her and how wonderful she was. Oh no, she directed all her marketing at her rich friends overseas.

Some of us remembered Phuket from our teenage party ‘Let’s go to Thailand’ years, it was Phuket and the Patpong ping pong show that stick in my mind from the 1980s. Later in the 1990s and 2000s, we returned with our kids and found the family-friendly side of Thailand. How many of us have photos of our children and the baby elephant at Laguna Phuket? I know, I know, we wouldn’t encourage that now, but that was then…

We may have ventured back to Phuket when we arrived to live as Expats in the Land of Smiles. But generally, we found that your prices were high and your taxis never gave us a ‘local price’. Our indignant few words of Thai never helped either; you wanted real foreigners with deep pockets! For decades, your beaches were packed with partygoing internationals and quite frankly we live here, and when we holiday we’re not going where the tourists go!

Phuket I wish you had told us more about yourself before. We never ever knew how amazing you are for the couples and friends market! All those things that make you incredible have always been there underneath the layers of tourist hordes. You are still the beautiful lass that became popular for a reason.

For the past three months, we have enjoyed a hither too unseen Phuket, and I’ve been visiting for forty years. Over the course of the year 2020 I visited three times, I did the same for Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, but Phuket has somehow attracted me to linger.

During our Thailand staycations, we have enjoyed many Phuket resorts and hotels and we will keep going. You are all that is acknowledged below. This letter is for you! You are doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances. These are the experiences and memories I absolutely treasure from my time with you.

Phuket Sandbox update

See : How to choose a Phuket Sandbox SHA+ Hotel you’ll love

North Phuket (close to the Airport)

Nai Yang Beach – The Slate

You win the award for the most fun, artsy, luxurious, and romantic resort with wow upon wow. We loved all the features Bill Bensley designed for your resort, based on Phuket’s old tin mine industry. Our dinner at your Michelin Plate awarded Black Ginger restaurant and stunning setting will linger with us forever.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: The Slate

Nai Yang Beach – Dewa Resort

You secure the prize for having the best and lushest gardens. We were so happy to make this one of our WFB working from the Beach home away from home staycations. Your apartment overlooking the pool gave us everything we needed. In your brilliantly run resort of apartments, villas, and suites nothing was too much trouble.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Dewa

Thalang – Trisara

You win my praise for being of the utmost elegance with your own private jetty and beach and Michelin Star restaurant PRU. Your pool and beachside area are absolutely stunners.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Trisara

Sunset at Trisara

Naithon Beach – Pullman Arcadia

You win my gratitude for the incredible view over the beach, wonderful food, and fantastic staff. Your hotel is effortlessly managed by your exceptional guest-orientated staff who love to go all out to give them the best experience.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Pullman Arcadia

Mai Khao Beach – Anantara Mai Khao Villas

You receive my highest praise for the best tropical hideaway designer villa ever! I could go on and on about how great this stay was more below!

For more on our stay visit our IG page:  Video tour of Sala Pool Villa and IG post: Anantara Mai Khao Villas

Mai Khao Beach – Rennaissance

We love how popular your resort is and we’re not surprised, as your sales and marketing team are super responsive. Your lagoon rooms are lovely, your breakfast memorable and your activities program from Yogalates to bike riding around the lake wonderful.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Renaissance

Mai Khao Beach – Anantara Vacation Club

SHA+ Approved 

No one seems to mind this is not beachfront, you come here for the water park swimming area, the Kid’s Club, and teenage activities. We (as a couple) loved our spacious two-bedroom new pool apartment, activities (yoga), and the food – the Seafood Buffet dinner at under 1000 THB was fab. This once predominately timeshare vacation club is offering good deals at present.

More on our stay – coming soon!

Mai Khao Beach – Blue Canyon Country Club

We love how your rooms pale into the background compared with not one but two amazing golf courses here, restaurants, great spa treatments on offer. Perfect for golf enthusiasts wanting a great golf package.

For more on our stay coming soon!

Phuket City

Phuket City – Woo Gallery & Boutique Hotel

You are a winner for the best owners’ passion project brought to life! You are loved for lovingly restoring your historic storefront building and your Woo Gallery museum. You are fantastically located tight at the heart of old Phuket town.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Woo Gallery

Woo Galley and Boutique Hotel

Phuket City – Casa Blanca

You are a standout in the best for the solo female market. You have a great Phuket city location, new modern styled rooms. Here’s looking at you kid!

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Casa Blanca

Casa Blanca

Phuket City – Memory on On On

You win the award for the steeped in history stay, go for this if you love history, you won’t get a better location.

For more on our stay visit our IG page:  Memory on On On

Phuket City – Blu Monkey Boutique Hotel

You secure the best elegant room with a fantastic bath, above a coffee shop award. Your stylish, slightly out-of-the-way location is worth finding, you are good value.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Blu Monkey Boutique Hotel

West Coast

Bang Tao Beach – Banyan Tree

You deserve the everyone is happy here award. This all-pool villa luxury resort with spa, 40m swimming pool, lagoon access, close to Bang Tao beach, and with an award-winning golf course – a perfect staycation for a golfer and his happy to be left, alone wife!

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree Phuket

Bang Tao Beach – Dusit Thani Laguna

You triumphed at providing the best beachfront two-bed family pool villa as slap bang beachfront on the white sands of Bang Tao beach as you can possibly get. We loved the Dusit Thai styling, your lush gardens all overlooking the glittering Andaman Ocean.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Dusit Thani Laguna  + Video here

Bang Tao Beach – SAii Laguna Phuket

You nailed the great choice offering broad appeal at a good price award. SAii appeals to all ages and your activity program is the best we have seen. Your spacious rooms can offer options of either lagoon or sea views.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: SAii Laguna Phuket

Surin Beach – The Surin

You win the everyone will love staying here award, you suit discerning travelers, families, and couples seeking relaxation and indulgence in the utterly gorgeous serene beachfront setting of Pansea beach. Returning after recent renovations July 1st, 2021 with a brand new update.

For more on our stay visit our Youtube here

Surin Beach – The Chava Resort

You win the best two-bedroom apartment accolade. Your magnificent pool area opposite the lovely Surin Beach is always appreciated, as is your great coffee!

For more on our stay visit our IG page: The Chava Resort

Surin Beach – Twinpalms Phuket 

You win the magical, water garden landscape award, we literally jump right in the water from our room! We loved your connection and free transport to Palm Seaside, the Lazy Coconut, and Catch Beach Club.

For more on our stay visit our Youtube page: Twinpalms Phuket and see our Twinpalms Phuket Youtube here.

Kamala Beach – Twinpalms MontAzure

You land the ‘Life does not get any better than this’  award’ for the Azure Seaview Penthouse pool. We loved your unique stunning rooms offering both the mountain and beach views.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Twin Palms MontAzure and see our Youtube here

Kamala Beach – Intercontinental Phuket Resort

You win the vibrancy award for being slap bang in the middle of the most lively night-time action outside Phuket Town at Kamala beach. Your beachside rooms, your catering team and brilliant Sunday brunch, and your activities program offered us a memorable stay.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Intercontinental

Kamala Beach – Cape Sienna

We loved discovering your end of the beach – very posh! Your hotel has stunning views, lots of Instagram wow places, your bottomless coffee shop offer, your spa, and excellent massage therapists, your Vanilla Sky Bar & Gastro Pub for sunset drinks and dinner, my jacuzzi bath on the balcony room all get a big thumbs up from me along with your great price point!

For more on our stay: Coming soon!

Patong Beach – Holiday Inn Resort

You’re a standout winner for showing me the very best that Patong has to offer. This Little Wren was very happy in her Busakorn Villa with private pool access. Your large resort offers something for everyone. six swimming pools great facilities for kids, in downtown Patong with the beach opposite. You’re a resort that stands the test of time, can see why people return again and again, your staff are amazing,

For more check our Youtube:  Holiday Inn Resort

Holiday Inn resort

Patong Beach – Four Points by Sheraton

SHA+ Approved PHUKET SANDBOX STAY    At the quieter end of the vast Patong beach, you put the nice and new into Patong. Your location and your pool areas are brilliant. I’m particularly in love with the All-you-can-eat breakfast of kings! Get in quick in August 2021 to score the special promotion THB 1 on the second person bargain brekkie.

Patong Beach – Kalima Resort & Spa

SHA+ Approved PHUKET SANDBOX STAY

Sitting above the awesome Patong beach and wondrous bay, you win our hearts for giving your guests a great stay. Your fabulous romance rooms, with lovely staff, a wonderful pool area, brilliant fitness classes, a spectacular sunset setting (check out the Thai hotpot special) at all at a fabulous price. Talk about quietly getting on with and nailing a Phuket Sandbox offering. We loved our stay!

For more on our stay see our IG TV here: Kalima Resort 

Karon Beach – Centara Grand Resort Phuket

Our highlights here were the pool villa views, the waterparks, and the swimming pool area all tucked away at the end of the lovely Karon beach, early morning yoga and activity classes, spa, and the F & B team are doing such a great job – we loved our sunset beach picnic and especially the Bring Back The Love promotion for local Thai residents.

For more on our stay visit our  Little Wandering Wren YouTube channel.
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Kata Beach – The Boathouse Phuket

You win my affections for the best food with a view. Your hotel is a firm favourite right on Kata Beach, with our best-loved Executive Chef.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: The Boathouse Phuket

The Boathouse Phuket

Kata Beach – Kata Rocks

You win the award for the ‘pinch me is my life for real?’ Staycation life doesn’t get any better than a stay at Kata Rocks, fun, exclusive, and forever in my heart.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Kata Rocks

For a full blog post see: Kata Rocks stay in style and brunch

Kata Rocks

Kata Beach – The SIS Kata Resort

SHA+ Approved

You are a brilliant choice for the dynamic young and trendy crowd who want good value and an excellently run resort, minutes from the fabulous Kata beach.

For more on our stay visit our IG post: The SIS Kata Resort and our video reel of Kata Beach

Southern Phuket

Nai Harn Beach – The Nai Harn Phuket

You have our highest praise for the best value in a stunning location. Beautiful rooms overlooking our favourite beach.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Nai Harn

Rawai Beach – Mangosteen Ayurvedic Resort & Spa

You win hands-down for your wonderful yoga retreat. Love your fabulous bungalow in pretty gardens with a choice of wellness programs.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Mangosteen

Cape Panwa – Cape Panwa Hotel

You gain our praise for your stylish, away from it all location in southern Phuket, two lovely pool areas, and serene small but exclusive beachfront.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Cape Panwa

Ao Yon Beach – The Cove

Winning the tiny hotel award, you take the boutique to the extreme with only three rooms. You are quiet and remote, an absolute beachfront with a great bar and restaurant.

For more on our stay visit our IG page : The Cove

Coconut Island 

Coconut Island – Island Escape by Burasari

You win the award for the easiest island escape from Phuket. you are exquisitely secluded amongst nature. loved your 3-bed pool villa and pool table which would be perfect for a family stay.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Island Escape by Burasari

Khao Yao Yai and Khao Yao Noi

Koh Yao Yai – Koh Yao Yai Village 

You win our praise for your tropical island escape, your romantic rooms, and for helping guests recharge on an Island time with an eco-rustic feel.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: ??? ??? ??? ???????⁣

Koh Yao Noi – Paradise Koh Yao

Wins the award for the prettiest beachfront and total Robinson Crusoe setting. Your pool villas are lovely.

For more on our stay visit our IG page: Paradise Koh Yao

Naka Island

The Naka Island

You win our hearts for the most exclusive romantic resort within easy speedboat access of Phuket. Your pool villa and bath in the garden are simply beautiful, pure luxury.

For more on our stay See our Instagram here and as featured on our YouTube channel here

Koh Racha Yai

The Racha

Certainly last but not least we loved your beautiful resort with your powdery white sand beach & those turquoise waters. You will always be remembered for the night we were your only guests and how you treated us as if your resort was full down to every last cushion going out at sunset. With your attention to detail, your staff service supports one of the most beautiful island resorts I have ever stayed at. I didn’t want to leave.

For more on our stay visit our IG page here and as featured on my Youtube channel here

The Racha

Yes, this like my Bangkok Love Letter, is a shameless plug, and thank you to these hoteliers for wonderful staycations. We have been happy to support you, we know of your struggles without many guests. I know that we’ve been saying this for months but the end of the pandemic IS edging closer. Whether it is October 1st or even better July 1st for Phuket to reopen to vaccinated international visitors, the time is edging towards the return of tourism throngs to Phuket.

However, please don’t forget us domestic tourists who have fallen in love with you again and supported you when in need. Don’t hike your prices back up so that you are beyond our reach or interest. Now that your natural beauty has been unveiled, try to preserve it when the world returns to normal. This popular girl of Phuket can really have it all, both domestic and international guests, and we ALL will get the best of all worlds!

Thank you for reading.  Please like, pin, comment, and share to share the love and show some support to the hoteliers of Phuket as you are able.

Here’s to future happy and safe travels for us all!

For more Phuket content please see: How to choose a Phuket Sandbox SHA+ Hotel you’ll love