Phuket, the most beloved 'tai' island
If you're new to Thailand and want to spend the summer on the beach, this year could be a good time, as Phuket opens its doors to vaccinated travelers with no quarantine requirements. It is a full-fledged vacation destination, with secluded stretches of beaches and other super-urbanized ones; bohemian-boutique hotels and five-star resorts; after-hours venues and quiet zen tearooms; street food and Michelin stars!
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Phuket is also a paradise for enjoying spectacular seabeds, experiencing the joys of boating and practicing water sports. Or simply do nothing and indulge in the relaxation of a Thai massage. A luxury within the reach of all budgets.
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A WELCOME MASSAGE
At any of the urbanized beaches you choose for your stay – topless and smoking prohibited – you have the chance to give yourself a real Thai massage. For example, 2 hours in any of the Oasis Spa centers scattered around the island (oasisspa.net) will cost you €50, and you can receive them on alternate days. In addition, they can take you and bring you by car, so you just have to relax and enjoy.
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BEACH PLANS
The beaches of Karon Beach and Kata Beach are very similar: fine sand and very appropriate for exercising in all the water sports you fancy on the sand. They have semi-wild stretches that alternate with urbanized areas (with umbrellas and deckchairs), and many hotels are lined up on the first line. But its tranquility has nothing to do with the atmosphere of the famous Patong Beach, the “queen of the night”. At sunset, the streets of Patong burst with colored lights and disco music plays loudly. Baan Rim Pa (baanrimpa.com) opens its doors in Patong, one of the best restaurants in Thailand and with one of the best stocked wineries in the country. It is a real pleasure to put yourself in the hands of Nid, the sommelier, and talk about world wines. Albariño and Tempranillo are not unknown to him, but he will surely recommend a more exotic wine. Royal Thai cuisine. Excellence at the table.
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If you prefer a more sedate holiday retreat, a few kilometers from Patong is Thalang, where Asian luxury is called Dusit Thani Laguna (dusit.com), an exclusive resort located on Bang Tao beach. It is home to the Ruen Thai restaurant, another of the great gastronomic references, which has the peculiarity of having a Michelin starred dish on its menu: flamed lobster served with red curry (€45). Spectacular.
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More to the south of the island we find the Rawai beach, interesting because in this fishing port we can still see the typical Thai fishing boats.
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LET'S GO DIVING
Full-fledged diving (with a bottle) or just with goggles and a snorkel is one of the most interesting recreational activities on the island. The best option is to embark on one of the boats that leave daily from the pier (port) of Chalong and take you to the islands where the conditions for immersion and visibility of the water are guaranteed. The company HYPE (hypeboatclub.com) operates with modern catamarans that barely move with the waves. The all-day cruise includes a buffet and snorkeling equipment. They have cocktails and champagne on board which of course is paid for separately.
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On the voyage you will visit Koh Hae Island (Coral Island), a coral sand beach dotted with beach bars with shady areas sheltered by palm trees. Everything very organized and comfortable. The beach is accessed from the catamaran by means of inflatable walkways that lead directly to the sand. A pleasant bath in warm waters.
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Then the navigation continues to a rocky island thick with green velvet: Racha Island. A place almost inaccessible on foot, but ideal for diving next to the rocks. For the more experienced, going down to the marine paradise is a real pleasure. Those who want to try their luck looking for a marbled stingray or a whale shark are in the right place. Although also, equipped only with glasses and tube, you can see a whole assortment of colored fish: clown, mandarin, rainbow; and blue corals, starfish…
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PRACTICAL GUIDE
HOW TO GET TO PHUKET
Thailand's largest island is located in the southwest of the country. It has an international airport, which means you don't have to stop over in Bangkok, the capital, to land on the beach. Qatar Airways and KLM have flights to Phuket with a stopover in Doha and Amsterdam respectively. Emirates, with a stopover in Dubai, from Madrid and Barcelona, with prices from €425.
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The climate of Phuket is tropical, with high temperatures all year round. Summer is the rainy season, but they are the kind that make a lot of noise for a few minutes and then the sun comes out again, refreshing the atmosphere. Also, our holiday period coincides with the low season for Thais, so prices go down.
WHERE TO STAY
The Rosewood chain (rosewoodhotels.com/en/phuket) has a magnificent hotel near Patong, with every imaginable whim, including a Michelin-starred Big Gourmand restaurant. Dusit Thani (dusit.com/dusitthani/lagunaphuket) is another luxury accommodation in the Laguna Beach area and a perfect option for those who don't want to leave the hotel.
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WHAT TO VISIT
Phuket Town had a past in which Sino-Portuguese buildings sported a very distinctive architecture, although now few remain. Most of them house souvenir shops, fabric stores, or cheap restaurants. The former Blue Elephant Cookery School (blueelephant.com), housed in an old mansion, is an exception. If you are a "kitchen", here you can spend a very instructive day. Other recommended visits are the Big Buddha and the Chalong Temple.
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