ENJOYING SERENE Naka ISLAND Days
My friends and I loved our carefree Naka Island days, it was a perfect choice for a secluded escape. If you are looking for a luxury resort & spa with gorgeous villas nestled in harmony with its natural surroundings, this is a good choice.
Save and share the love via Pinterest!
OUR STORY
Woah! What’s this? We’re off on our 105th Thailand Staycation and The Naka Island speedboat is full, it’s Farang ‘chockers!’ It’s good that it’s busy, but pass the hand sanitiser, please.
We’ve been invited by The Naka Island for a weekend retreat in early June 2021. It’s a big surprise to be with other guests, we’re used to having restaurants, hotels, even islands all to ourselves in these deathly quiet pandemic days.
There’s a chuckling and a mention through masks ‘I’m all right – had my first Covid jab!’
‘Front line workers’, they say to each other with a nod!
I’m all ears to hear of Phuket’s vaccination progress, but I’m mostly interested in their choice of resort. Whilst ‘front line’ in most countries might mean the medical profession, here in Phuket it indicates the hospitality business.
So I’m pleased to know that The Naka Island is the place of choice for a weekend celebration by those in the industry. This is all flippin’ exciting news…
Oh my gosh, can you last remember when you saw a boat full of people and life felt normal?
This was the moment that I felt that Phuket’s faint heartbeat of recovery,
might just about be able to work.
The Phuket Sandbox initiative
From July 1st, 2021 the Phuket Sandbox, offers vaccinated tourists a quarantine-free entry into Thailand, The Naka Island (not to be confused with their partner hotel The Naka Phuket) is one of the SHA+ certified hotels welcoming overseas visitors.
How chuffed the staff must have been to see us all piling off the boat. Giving a taste of what might be, what should be, for this fine resort.
This is our second visit to Naka Island. In March, we visited, on a daycation pass, to hang out with Bangkok friends who were staying for a long weekend and celebrating in rather fine style their wedding anniversary.
Having lusted after their pool villas, we spent a day bobbing around together in the warm waters at the beach. The time went quickly, who said there is not much to do on a tropical island? Not I!
OUR CAREFREE DAYS
We treated ourselves to an excellent massage at the Naka Spa, before regrouping for a glass of fizz with the backdrop of the most glorious colourful sunset.
We all agreed, whilst enjoying sundowner drinks around their villa pool, that the pandemic felt a million miles away.
Sadly, we could not linger as we were booked in for an early dinner at Tonsai restaurant and the 8 pm speedboat home. We left knowing that we wanted to return to Naka Island as soon as we could.
Location
From Ao Por Grand Marina pier
Close enough to mainland Phuket to be easy, far enough, to feel adventurous.
The Naka Island resort is located on its own island on the east of Phuket mainland and can be reached from Phuket International Airport by car (25 min) and complimentary speedboat ride (5 min).
One big advantage of Naka Island is the regular speedboat transfer which is included in the room rates, along with free car parking.
Arrival:
The resort is the only hotel on Naka Yai Island. You are greeted and collected by a buggy from the jetty. It’s not far to walk but everything on The Naka Island is made effortless for you.
We are invited to bang the gong twice to awake the dragon and make a wish – mine is already can I stay forever? You are handed a welcome drink before being driven onto the reception.
Your initial impressions are of a spacious resort, there is a large swimming pool with tempting sun loungers in the pool, which is rather cool.
Across the grass, a shaded beach with more sunbeds. Race you to the hammock which beckons in front of the gentle waters of the Andaman sea.
At this point I start to notice the curves everywhere at Naka Island, there is no sharp edge to the place, everything nestles within nature and it’s oh so soothing.
Lobby
I liked that their check-in desks are in air-conditioned comfort which is unusual here in Phuket, most hotels have open-air reception buildings.
With the formalities over, don’t forget to mention if you are a Marriot Bonvoy loyalty program member which offers extra discounts and maybe even a room upgrade.
We were off to our Villa #52. They have thoughtfully spaced us apart from the other guests and their birthday gathering.
Property & Amenities‘
Whizzing by golf buggy through the property, you appreciate the size of the resort. The 67 villas are spread out around the water’s edge of the northwestern coast of the island.
It’s a grand scale resort, you can walk it, and we did on occasion, but it’s nice to have the option of a lift, rather than arriving hot and sweaty for dinner!
Seaview Pool Villa #52
Our villa was utterly enchanting and huge. I actually don’t know where to look.
The views are amazing, out the picture window with a sunken window seat is our private pool and beyond the glistening Andaman Sea. A superyacht glides by and in the distance the islands of Phang Nga Bay.
Inside they have been very clever with their styling it is spacious and cozy. My eye is drawn from the mossie nets draped across the bed, and the welcome elephant.
Gotta love some great towel art! It comes to something when your bed decoration is so super cute that you refuse to move it all day because it makes you smile!
A curved walkway leads to the toilet and the outdoor bathroom, with the bath in its own garden cabana. It’s pure luxury with a rustic beach feel.
The natural wood furniture and stone details feel homely, almost old-fashioned. The high ceilings are adorned with interesting light fittings. It’s a great mix of natural earthy tones of an outdoor-indoor vibe, with added luxuries of modern TV, sound system, a decent coffee machine, etc.
It is impressive and works as a place to feel instantly at home, unwind and relax in.
The outside spaces are equally as special. For a villa luxury wow this is pretty up there.
Won’t you take a wander with me and I’ll show you why…
MY VERDICT
Naka Yai Island ACCESS: 9/10
One of the easiest luxury island resorts to access from Phuket. Naka Yai island offers the best of both worlds a luxury stay on an unspoiled island.
Resort Design: 10/10
If rustic luxury floats your boat, you will find this charming.
Pool: 9/10
This double-tiered freshwater swimming pool has sun loungers in the pool overlooking the beach.
Beach: 8/10
A sandy beach offers good shade under the trees and calm waters for kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats, the seawater is warm, calm, and clean but perhaps misses the wow of a private bay?
SEAVIEW POOL VILLA: 10/10
One of my all-time favourite villas! Especially the giant outside bathtub.
DINING: 9/10
Not all the restaurants have been open but we have enjoyed the high standard of Naka Island food. It’s clear that they put an emphasis on the importance of the food on offer. With freshest local seafood and exceptional imported steaks from the finest suppliers, and herbs are grown at the resort. They offer the freshest ingredients despite their offshore location.
Floating Breakfast: 10/10
Memorable and worth it, even if your hubby says he prefers his eggs freshly cooked! What a view!
Afternoon Tea 9/10
The afternoon tea complete with scones is served in the room and was a highlight. Make sure you are hungry and this is Thailand be warned, they go heavy on the sweet cakes!
Destination Discovery Program: 9/10
Bikes, yoga, kayaking, watersports & some Thai crafts, a thoughtful program for guests to enjoy.
Naka Spa: 9/10
We enjoyed massages on our daycation trip that we made sure we returned. The timings coincided with the spa reopening after Phuket had temporarily closed all spas, as part of its Covid health measures.
We were their second booking back and they were so excited to see us. It is personal encounters like this where we know that our tourist Baht goes well beyond having a massage. It is work and it is hope for the people of Phuket, at least that was what I was thinking before I nodded off!
Service: 10/10
The staff are wonderful and really go out of their way to engage and give you a good time. l loved the turndown service!
Grounds: 8/10
The island struggles in dry months because water is brought in by boat. On our daycation visit, the gardens looked slightly frazzled. Thankfully what a difference a few months of monsoon rains made, but even so the grounds are natural rather than pristine.
STAY WELL POLICY 10/10
Your guest room is your sanctuary for the duration of your stay with us
I’m reassured by the Marriott Stay Well policy, which identifies all the elevated cleaning protocols taken. Whilst I have continued to travel throughout Thailand in the pandemic, I never take my personal safety for granted, as you might well tell!
Here at The Naka Island, I was pleased with their approach to keeping me and their staff safe.
Naka Yai TROPICAL Island: 8/10
As no cars are allowed on Naka Island, it is unspoilt and can only be explored by foot, bike or kayak. The island is mostly natural jungle, with a small fishing village. The best beach is on the opposite side of the island accessible by sea.
Longtail boat trip around the island
Overall experience: exceptional – 9.2/10
Naka Island is one of those places that makes you want to raise your hands in the air and shout Yay! The longer you stay the more you’ll enjoy it.
Not for the first time I leave more of a Zen Wren than I arrived and wishing I could stay longer. Thank you Team Naka Island for a wonderful stay.
PHUKET SANDBOX
I would choose The Naka Island resort as my Phuket Sandbox hotel if I wanted to escape the world, where I put a priority on relaxing. This is a great choice for those that enjoy watersports, and for guests who put a high priority on having an amazing and large villa.
Just be aware if you are planning on WFB – working from the beach, you might want to discuss the options of having an additional desk and chair. The sunken seating and table are beautiful, but there is no back support for those long office TEAM meetings!
COMBINE WITH A MAINLAND STAY
With this hotel, there is also the opportunity to split the Phuket Sandbox stay (see SHA + rules when you can move hotels) and combine it with The Naka Phuket (full disclosure I have not stayed there but it looks gorgeous)
THE DETAILS
Toll Free Telephone : +66 76 371 400
Email: Naka.Reservations@luxurycollection.com
Quick Links:
- Check out all our stays at Little Wandering Wren Instagram
- As featured in The Big Chilli Why you should not miss a Phuket Staycation
- As featured in Expat Life in Thailand Love Letter to the hoteliers of Phuket
- As featured at Little Wandering Wren Choosing your best SHA Plus hotel in Phuket
- As featured at Little Wandering Wren All you need to know about the Phuket Sandbox
- Not to be missed why booking your holiday to Phuket matters: An Unbelievable True Story from Phuket
Disclaimer: Little Wandering Wren stayed as a guest of The Naka Island Resort.
This Little Wandering Wren has reviewed over 145 hotel stays in Thailand since the start of the pandemic in February 2021. More hotel reviews & staycations can be found on Instagram and Twitter and YouTube.
5 comments
Looks and sounds good 🙂
All the best Jan
Thank you so much Jan- Yes it was a fabulous visit!
Have a lovely week
Wren x
sounds like a leavely stay – I’d love to go!
Hi Carol – thank you for stopping by and admiring The Naka Island!
Hope you have a lovely week
Wren x
Hello Wren,
What a fabulous getaway. The resort is beautiful.. Take care, have a happy weekend!