Join travel blogger @ninjarod and @maryhadalittledream as they explore the most remarkable luxury resorts in Phuket and Krabi – prepare for the delightful surprise that captivated his girlfriend!
We arrived in Phuket from Singapore shortly before midnight. Our arrival at Phuket Airport was delayed by an hour due to air traffic. After an exhausting day in Singapore plus the flight, all we could think about was a restful night. Fortunately, we efficiently located our driver at the airport arrival lounge, who escorted us to the vehicle while providing refreshments and the car’s wifi password. The drive to the resort took a smooth 20 minutes which felt like just five minutes, as we were busy catching up on our Instagram feeds. Upon our arrival at the resort, the staff welcomed us with genuine smiles, fragrant flower bracelets, and two glasses of champagne.
We were subsequently guided to our accommodation, passing by the main pool which appeared vibrant and inviting. However, our primary focus for the evening was rest. We quickly fell into slumber as soon as our heads hit the pillows. The next morning, we awoke early to explore the property and proceeded to enjoy a hearty breakfast at The Oriental Spoon, renowned for its delicious Thai, oriental, and Western fusion cuisine, where I particularly savored the expertly brewed coffee and sweet Thai mangoes.
Our entire day was dedicated to relaxation and swimming in our private lagoon pool, conveniently situated next to our balcony.
Today marked Raj’s birthday, and I aimed to make it exceptional. We rose slightly late, so we enjoyed our breakfast in our suite. After a delightful meal, we opted for a quick swim and then indulged in an extraordinary Traditional Thai massage at the Sun Spa Esthederm. One of the staff informed us about a complimentary daily fruit tasting session at the Wine Room, compelling us to pay a visit which certainly met our expectations! We sampled various types of fruit indigenous to Thailand; Raj favored the Longgans while Thai Mangoes retained my top spot.
As evening approached, we dined at the stunning Palm Seaside Restaurant and Lounge. The journey there was effortless, with shuttle service provided every 30 minutes to transport guests to any of their three beach clubs. We arrived at Palm Seaside around 5:30 PM, just prior to its opening. We were graciously seated at one of the sunken marble tables, arranged by their exceptional Guest Experience Team. Enjoying the sunset, we were treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne. We paired this with a refreshing Spicy Seafood Salad and exquisite Smoked Salmon Tartar. For our main courses, we embraced Thai cuisine and ended our meal with coconut ice cream for dessert. The evening couldn’t have been more delightful, thanks to the attentive staff at TwinPalms.
We settled into bed that night, fulfilled and joyful.
We awoke around 7 AM for a brief jog at Surin Beach, located just two minutes from the resort grounds. The beach was tranquil and picturesque, lined with coconut trees and screw pines, and it was undoubtedly the most beautiful beach I had encountered in Phuket thus far. Before the influx of tourists, we returned to the resort to freshen up. We then headed to HQ Beach Lounge for brunch, where we thoroughly enjoyed the Tiger Prawns and Pasta. Following our delightful brunch, we relaxed under the shade of the pine trees, sipping cocktails.
Today we departed Twin Palms for our next resort, Sri Panwa. After a quick breakfast at The Oriental Spoon, we embarked on our ride to the southern part of Phuket.
The journey took approximately an hour due to heavy midday traffic, but the wait was well worth it. Sri Panwa appeared as though it belonged in a postcard. The property is perched atop a verdant hillside that cascades into a white-sand beach. From the reception area, we took one of their stylish tuk-tuks to the Habita building where we would stay for the next two days. Upon arrival, our Villa Attendant Doi greeted us and guided us to our penthouse.
We were amazed, our faces lit up as we entered our lavish and expansive room, which featured a chic aesthetic with an airy ambiance and a private infinity pool. The room offered a breathtaking view of the ocean with a stunning large multi-tiered waterfall pool situated below. Amenities included Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, a Nespresso machine, a kitchen, and a minibar. We quickly took a plunge in our private infinity pool before heading down to the larger Forest waterfall pool for some playful ‘belly flops.’
As the sun began to set, we ascended to Baba’s Nest Rooftop Bar. The establishment features a wrap-around infinity pool that encircles the rooftop deck, providing a 360-degree view of the Andaman Sea. We were unaware that an advance reservation was required for a table; however, fortune smiled upon us when a cancellation occurred. I enjoyed a cocktail termed “My Thai Lady” and ordered a platter of Mexican Tapas.
We rose at around 6 AM the following morning to witness the sunrise at the Baba Pool Club, where we also enjoyed a fantastic breakfast with a splendid view. After the meal, I was enticed by the prospect of swimming in the impressive 25-meter pool, boasting a glass edge. Who could resist? The Baba Pool Club stands unparalleled on this segment of the island.
Shortly after 10:30 AM, when high tide had arrived, we wandered down to the beach to try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) before returning to our penthouse to unwind by our private pool throughout the day. In the evening, we visited Baba Chino, situated just a few floors below, where we indulged in their delectable Shrimp Dumplings.
We awoke and had breakfast in our room before heading to the Beach Pool, where we spent several hours swimming. Subsequently, we returned to our penthouse to pack our belongings for our next destination, Dream Hotel Phuket.
We checked out at noon, and a luxury transfer provided by Dream Phuket Hotel was prepared to take us to our next location. The journey took approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach our destination. The leather seats were exceptionally comfortable and spacious, allowing me to fall asleep without even realizing it. Upon our arrival, our sleepiness disappeared as we were warmly greeted by the staff, who presented us with refreshing Pandan leaf drinks and cold towels. Dream Hotel radiated a modern and contemporary atmosphere, exuding tranquility. The tropical pool shimmered from afar, surrounded by verdant walls of hanging vines and palm trees. Upon reaching our room, which was polished and included a private balcony overlooking the main pool, we were famished after our long journey. We ordered lunch at the Trilogy and enjoyed it in one of the cabanas adjacent to the pool. We also visited the 7th floor, where the Vu Rooftop Pool and Bar is situated. The view from this vantage point was absolutely stunning. The infinity pool seamlessly blended with the lush rolling hills of Bang Tao, overlooking the main pool below. In the evening, we ventured to Boat Avenue at Cherng Thalay for some Friday night shopping and to sample local Thai street food.
Today marked our final day in Phuket. We arose at 5 AM and quickly packed our things to avoid missing our ferry to Krabi, for which the hotel staff kindly prepared takeaway breakfast for us, showcasing their exceptional service!
Our ferry departed Phuket at 9 AM and took two hours to reach Krabi. The journey provided some of the most breathtaking views of the islands while navigating the Andaman Sea, definitely one of the best ferry experiences I have encountered.
Upon arrival, we boarded the hotel speedboat situated adjacent to the ferry dock. The scenic ride led us to Pai Plong Beach, where Centara Grand is located. This beautiful, expansive white sand beach is entirely secluded from Ao Nang, featuring a striking limestone rock formation that enhances the property’s natural beauty.
The staff welcomed us with refreshments and a buffet lunch at the Club Lounge as we awaited our room check-in. After a light meal, we were ready to explore our accommodation, positioned atop a hillside forest. The trek to our room was quite the climb, but we were rewarded with breathtaking ocean views. The only sounds we heard were the gentle rustling of the trees and the chirping of birds, confirming that choosing Centara as our last destination in Thailand was undoubtedly the right decision.
Without hesitation, we immersed ourselves in the jacuzzi to cool off from the warm and humid Thai sun, savoring every moment. We spent the afternoon mostly lounging on our balcony and in the jacuzzi while interacting with some playful wild monkeys that dropped by for a visit. As the sun began to set, we headed down to explore the main pool and enjoyed a brief session of SUP around the stunning rock formation facing the resort.
In the evening, we savored a delightful home-style Thai dinner at Suan Bua Restaurant before boarding the shuttle boat to Ao Nang. We strolled through the streets, discovering local shops, bars, and restaurants. After hours of exploration, we treated ourselves to a massage at one of the local therapy houses, returning to our resort relaxed and ready for a refreshing night’s rest.
No visit to Thailand would be complete without delving into the nearby islands and beaches. Today, we embarked on an island-hopping tour! We opted for Hong Islands over Phi Phi, as it is less crowded yet equally stunning in my view. Apologies, Leo!
We quickly grabbed breakfast at the club lounge before hiring a ride to Railey West Beach (the ride cost 300 Baht per person). The journey from the resort took only five minutes to reach Railay West Beach. It was an ideal moment for photographs as the beach was devoid of tourists and the tide had just begun to rise. We leisurely walked the beach while anticipating the arrival of our tour boat. We departed Railay around 10 AM and set course for Hong Islands. I booked a private tour, so we were the only guests aboard, accompanied by the tour guide and boat captain.
Our first destination was Hong Lagoon, also referred to as Emerald Lagoon due to its striking green waters.
We enjoyed lunch on a sandbar at Koh Phak Bia, indulging in Massaman curry, vegetable rice, watermelon, and pineapple.
In the afternoon, we ventured to the large swing and interacted with wild cats at Koh Lao Lading before proceeding to the main beach of Hong Island. By the time we arrived at the beach, all other tourists had departed. I instructed the tour guide to remain on the boat while Raj and I descended to the beach, equipped with my camera bag and tripod. The island was stunning. The sand was incredibly soft, and the water was crystalline and tranquil, allowing us to glimpse fish swimming near the shore. As we prepared to capture the moment, I was aware that the camera battery was down to 5%, demanding a rapid setup. I positioned the tripod, instructed Raj to strike a pose, and set the camera for a 10-second timer. There was no time to waste as I swiftly approached her, knelt on the sand, and without hesitation, drew out the RING from my wet pocket, my hands trembling and my voice quivering as I asked the question. She joyfully exclaimed YES! YES! YES! Those 10 seconds were undeniably exhilarating as we returned to our boat wearing radiant smiles, with our captain and guide completely oblivious to the momentous occasion that had just taken place. We just got ENGAGED!
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We were convinced it was time to conclude our tour; however, our guide informed us of one last stop: sunset snorkelling. Initially, I did not grasp the concept of sunset snorkelling. The explanation emerged that we would snorkel as the sun set, experiencing not colorful corals and fishes, but rather Bioluminescent plankton – glowing in the dark!
We anchored next to a grand rock outcrop as we awaited nightfall. Upon entering the water, it was warm, though the current was decidedly strong. Underwater, as I moved against the current, I observed my hands and feet glowing, blending into a scene reminiscent of the film Avatar.
Early the next morning, I departed Thailand engaged to my best friend, grateful for the most remarkable eight days of my life!
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FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT:
Baba’s Nest at Sri Panwa – Offers sunset drinks with the best view of Phuket and the Andaman Sea.
