High season is just around the corner for the holiday island of Phuket. Carolynne Dear rounds up the best new resort launches for families this year.
Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket
The recently opened Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket.
Radisson has opened a property by the golden sands of Kamala Beach on the popular west coast of Phuket.
Soak up stunning sunsets from the resort, which boasts a huge lagoon pool and no fewer than six bars and restaurants.
The property offers 179 one- to three-bedroom suites, ranging in size from 45 to 95sqm. All have king or twin beds and balconies or terraces overlooking the pool.
Offerings for littlies include a kids club and a kids’ slide at the pool. Parents can opt to make use of the fitness centre and spa and the palm-shaded pool also has a swim-up bar.
Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket is the hotel group’s fifth property in Thailand. Radisson Hotel Group is planning to expand its portfolio significantly over the next few years, with plans for an additional 100 hotels and resorts in Thailand by 2025.
GLOW Mira Karon Beach
Chen Restaurant at GLOW Mira Karon Beach.
This 154-key addition to Phuket’s west coast is just minutes from the powdery sands of one of Phuket's longest beaches.
The property opened at the beginning of this month in a prime location close to both the ocean and the lively local dining and nightlife scene.
Accommodation at GLOW Mira Karon Beach runs from the 20msq Standard (king) rooms to 42msq Family Suites with bunk beds for children and a king for mum and dad. All rooms offer flat screen tvs and a rain and handheld shower. Private balconies look over the ocean.
Further amenities include two main dining spaces as well as a pool bar serving light bites. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre.
This is the seventh GLOW hotel to open in Thailand a further GLOW hotel is slated to open in Bangkok in December.
Avani + Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas
Splash-down at the new Avani + Mai Khao Suites & Villas.
This brand new property in the northwest of Phuket is just 15 minutes from the international airport and steps away from stunning Mai Khao Beach.
The generously-sized family friendly one-, two- and three-bedroom suites are close to the resort’s main amenities, while the one- to four-bedroom villas offer outdoor living space, kitchen and laundry.
Children are well-catered for at AvaniKids, a club for four to 12 year olds, with activities such as pizza making, tree planting, visits to a turtle sanctuary, climbing wall, kids’ yoga and Muay Thai classes.
Dining options at Avani + Mai Khao Suites & Villas include casual seafood shack Claws & Co, Talad Restaurant serving regional street food and Chop Chop, an Asian-style beer garden. Talad and Chop Chop will both be hosting regular live music nights, themed evenings, guest chefs and cooking classes.
Melia Phuket Mai Khao
Soak-up the serenity at Melia Phuket Mai Khao.
Spanish hospitality group Melia has been making strong inroads into Southeast Asia over the last 18 months and Melia Phuket Mai Khao is one of its most recent Thai launches.
This wellness-inspired resort fronts onto Mai Khao Beach, Phuket’s longest stretch of sand. In total, the resort covers eight acres of coastline and draw cards include a chilled-out beach club, private pool villas and plenty of kids club fun to keep littlies busy.
In all there are eight accommodation categories, from suites to villas, and all accommodation offer open-air showers, terraces, Bluetooth speakers and Nespresso coffee makers, while selected suites have cabanas and villas boast private plunge pools.
At the top of the accommodation tree are the 15 wellness villas with open-air vitamin C showers, ultrasonic essential oil diffusers, GermGuardian air purifiers, Tempur-Pedic pillows, bath salts, fit balls and yoga mats. Wellness villa guests can also take advantage of a 60-minute massage during their stay.
Melia Phuket Mai Khao follows hot on the tail of Melia Koh Samui, while Melia Chiang Mai opened earlier this spring.
Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao
Views over Laguna from the pool at Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao.
This 177-room, seven storey hotel opened last December and is located in the popular Bang Tao Beach area on Phuket’s west coast. It’s around a 30-minute drive from Phuket’s international airport.
The hotel is walking distance from the local beaches as well as Laguna’s shopping and entertainment spots.
Guest rooms feature spacious rain showers and private balconies with views over the Laguna area. Dining experiences include the brand’s signature Garden Grille & Bar and a pool bar on the roof. Amenities include two rooftop pools and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao is the third Hilton hotel to open in Phuket and the 14th in Thailand.
“As more travellers return to this beloved resort destination, we will create better and brighter stays with the brand’s signature upbeat service,” said Hilton’s head of South East Asia, Paul Hutton.
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