TRAVEL GUIDE | PHUKET, THAILAND
Between the glistening blue waters surrounding the gorgeous islands to the decadent Thai dishes and the friendliest of locals, Phuket is just absolute perfection. If you're seeking an affordable tropical getaway that offers a luxe stay combined with lots of R&R, amazing food, and plenty of places to discover, you'll no doubt find it here. Phuket is known for all its little islands, but it's also home to some of the most gorgeous resorts and delicious Thai dishes. From the experiences to the quick bites and the fancy eats, these spots were the most memorable. I've fallen absolutely in love with this magical island. Check out my ultimate Phuket travel guide ahead and to see the full rundown, you can also check out my Phuket video recap on my IG stories here.
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WHERE TO STAY:
The Twinpalms Phuket Resort - For any trip, I always search for a resort that makes me feel at home. From the kind staff, unparalleled services, comfy rooms with wide open spaces, and a tropical meets modern aesthetic, The Twinpalms Phuket Resort met all my expectations and more. Located in Surin Beach, each room is conveniently built with entrances to the main pool. Your stay includes a breakfast buffet each morning and complimentary shuttles (at every hour) to and from nearby its beaches and sister venues. The resort is just a bit further out from the main attractions in Phuket, but it offers a tranquil stay where you can avoid the noise that comes with touristy areas. We took advantage of the breakfast buffet each morning and enjoyed our time lounging by the pool at every chance in between all the activities.
WHAT TO DO:
Phi Phi Islands - Clear green blue waters, white sands and high limestone rocks make up the beautiful Phi Phi islands. The trip from Phuket to the first island in Phi Phi takes approximately 1 hour by speedboat. We booked a 5am sunrise tour through Club Champagne with stops at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Island, and Bamboo Island. This package also includes some snorkeling time and a Thai lunch is also provided. While I wasn't thrilled by the fact that I had to wake up to catch a 4am shuttle to make it out to the docks, if I had to do it all again, I would jump at the chance. Trust me when I say, seeing the sun rise on a speedboat in Phuket is unreal. It's an experience of a lifetime. The early tour also isn't as crowded, so you get more space on the boat and the chance to get really great photos without a bunch of people in the way.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary - A safe haven for elephants, this sanctuary rescues elephants from abuse within the tourism industry and allows visitors to interact with them in an ethical way. There are many tourist riding businesses in Asia who mistreat elephants often beating and chaining them up. Though elephants are big in size, their backs were not built to carry heavy weight and can cause long term spinal damage. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is a safe place for them to roam freely in their natural habitat while giving visitors an up close and personal look at these intelligent and beautiful creatures. We got the opportunity to walk with the elephants, feed and pet them.
Patong Beach - Every destination has it's party spot and for Phuket, it's Patong Beach. A strip known for its beaming bright lights, bars, clubs, souvenir stores, and street shows, it's a main tourist attraction for sure.
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WHERE TO EAT: THE TOP RESTAURANTS
- LUNCH -
HQ Beach Lounge - An outdoor setting filled with large cabanas overlooking Kamala Beach, cool down in the shade with a few chilled cocktails and small plates to share. Noteworthy dishes include the saba grilled bruschetta, artichoke focaccia, and the cold summer squash soup.
Dirty Monstera - Located inside The Slate Hotel, we took a break from Thai food here for some Western inspired plates. We shared the smoke salmon baguette. Served with a light pesto spread, melted brie, cucumbers, and onions, it was savory and so delicious.
- DINNER -
Palm Seaside - A true restaurant gem in Phuket, enjoy Thai and seafood dishes with panoramic views of Bang Tao Beach. We indulged in the pad thai, steamed fish, and mango sticky rice with coconut ice cream. Pro tip: Take in the views by starting with drinks in the lounge then for the perfect ambiance during dinner, reserve a booth inside nestled between their water fountain.
Savoey Seafood Restaurant - Located in the heart of Patong Beach, this spot is a seafood lover's dream. Known for it's fresh seafood made to order, select your choice of fish, crab, or lobster straight from the tank and they bake, steam, or fry it in a variety of savory flavors. We had the garlic butter lobster, steamed fish and some stir-fried veggies.
Cafe Del Mar at Kamala Beach - This cool meets classy spot is a huge space that combines a restaurant with an outdoor pool and nightclub. We came here for dinner and soon discovered it's jaw-dropping interiors. While the restaurant is romantic and inviting, the amber lit nightclub was beautifully designed.
