Category: Phuket

Located off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the largest island in the kingdom and the perfect beach paradise for sun lovers. The Island of Phuket is filled with loads of attractions. Some are really not worth your time, but others, you absolutely must see for yourself. If this is your first trip to Phuket, here are our recommendations of the 9 things you must do on your Phuket Beach Getaway in Thailand.

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1. Explore the beaches

There are loads of beaches in Phuket and it is probably the key reason why you visit this paradise in the first place. It is tough not to fall in love with the pristine blue water, white sandy shore and endless horizon. Remember to capture every precious second while you are there. Confused which beaches are worth the visit? Here is our simple Phuket beach guide for you:

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a) Patong

With lots of restaurants and accommodations along this beach, Patong is the centre of everything fun and exciting in Phuket. You will never need to worry about where to head to for dinner or drinks and the beach is nice. Nightlife is vibrant in Patong, and party-goers will definitely have their share of bars, music and dance. If you are looking for excitement, definitely head to Patong. The only drawback we can think of is overcrowded beaches.

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b) Karon

South of Patong beach and second biggest beach in town, Karon offers golden sand, clear waters and beautiful swaying palms. The downside is that the beach can be rough can the waves are high at times but this spells good news for surfers.

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c) Kata

Kata is divided into Kata Centre and Kata South. The area is popular amongst families due to the presence of restaurants, shopping malls and convenience stores. The beaches (Kata Noi and Kata Yai) are quiet and beautiful, the perfect place for you to post some Instagram pictures! You can also expect a good number of surfers here.

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d) Kamala

This beach is not as happening in terms of tourism hypes and activities when compared to the others. Relatively quiet and laid back with bamboo-hut-style restaurants. If you seek a local touch without the hoard of tourists, this is the place to be.

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2. Enjoy Local Cuisine

To experience the local culture, it is important to taste and enjoy the local cuisine. Make sure to put these recommended local dishes and restaurants on your checklist:

• Tom yam goong: Bang Pae Seafood restaurant, Ang Seafood restaurant
• Massaman Curry: N.C. restaurant, Oriental Spoon restaurant
• Green Curry Chicken: Kaab Gluay restaurant
• Kanom Jeen Phuket: Khanom Jeen Mae Ting Shop, Pa Mai Kanom Jeen Restaurant

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3. Massages

Massages are a must when you are in Thailand! You can get a massage almost anywhere in Phuket, from a beachside vendor to a high-end boutique, you get it all. Here’s a list of the best massages on the island:

• Atsumi Retreat Healing Center, Rawai
• Santosa Wellness Center, Karon
• Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, Cherngtalay
• Kata Day Spa, Kata
• Spa by Burasari, Patong
• Breeze Spa at Amari Phuket, Patong

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4. Visit Phuket Town

Other than the main beach areas, you should also check out the township at Phuket. While tourism has changed most of Phuket,  you will still be able to have a glimpse of how this coastal town used to be.

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5. Visit the lively night Market

Similar to those that you see in Bangkok, Phuket also has its fair share of night markets. There are lots of things to see and the prices are very cheap. These night markets are the best spots to go for colourful souvenirs and street food:

• Phuket Weekend Market, Chao Fa West Road, Phuket Town
• Phuket Walking Street, Thalang Road, Phuket Town
• Phuket Indy Market, Limelight Avenue, Dibuk Road, Phuket Town
• Malin Plaza Patong, Prachanukhro Road, Patong

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6. Check out Bangla Road in Patong

Bangla Road is an exciting, rowdy spot with lots of alcohol, neon-light night clubs, street vendors and transvestites. This place is not for everyone, but you need to see for yourself to find out if you like it or hate it.

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7. Stay in your own private luxury villa

Why not make your stay ultra special with a luxury villa? There are plenty of villas in Phuket for all kinds of budget. You can also gather a sizeable group to split the cost and enjoy a villa at an amazing price.

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8. Explore cultural attractions

Want to fit some cultural activities in your itinerary? There are plenty of temples, galleries and museums to check out in Phuket. While there are many temples on the island, the following 5 are not-to-be-missed:

• Phuket Big Buddha
• Wat Chalong
• Wat Phranang Sang
• Wat Srisoonthorn
• Wat Tham Ta Pan

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9. Check out Phuket Viewpoints

Other than the beaches, Phuket offers numerous viewpoints with captivating sights of the beautiful town. Gorgeous coastal sceneries, undisrupted vistas of the sun, the sky and the sea, mesmerising sunsets, these viewpoints just take your breath away. Take this silent moment to wind down, forget all about the rat race and just enjoy what life has to offer. Here are 5 of the best viewing spots:

• Radar Hill
• Windmill Viewpoint
• Promthep Cape
• Khao Rang Viewpoint
• Karon Viewpoint

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There is something for everyone in Phuket. We hope you find our recommendations useful. Do share with us your personal Phuket experience in the comments section below!

Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is pleased to announce the launch of a unique wellness retreat in partnership with nutritionist, body coach and the UK’s Goddess of wellness Mel Wells.  Set amidst the lush oasis of northern Phuket, Anantara Layan invites women from around the world to take part in The Goddess Sanctuary, a four-day retreat offering a private haven to help transform themselves and their relationship with food.

The retreat, which will be the first for Mel Wells in Thailand, will encourage emotional, physical and nutritional restoration and relief for women who want to set themselves free of diets and fall in love with their bodies. Mel will use her certification as a Health and Eating Psychology Coach to help women gently transform their mindset and make peace with food. Carefully selected for its location, Anantara Layan will help to bring to life her positive self-love message, encouraging goddess of every type to celebrate themselves and each other in a safe and luxurious environment.

The Revolution on Tropical Shores

The retreat programme has been out together to ensure that Goddesses will get to embrace the peace and harmony of their surroundings, be nourished by the team of chefs and relax within the glamorous private spaces. The workshops will be an extension of Wells’ best-selling book ‘The Goddess Revolution’, a handbook for women to help them make peace with food, love their bodies and reclaim their lives. It is a collection of tools, mindset shifts and lessons, as well as stories from her own journey and those of other women that she has worked with. One of the most important parts of the transformation is nutrition, so Anantara has worked closely with Mel to offer a dedicated menu of healthy and wholesome dishes and meals throughout the retreat.

In addition to the workshops, retreat goers will be invited to take part in active and indigenous experiences such as traditional Thai Boxing (Muay Thai), paddle boarding on the Andaman sea, exploring bustling local wet markets, learn how to cook flavoursome and healthy Thai dishes and care for rescued elephants in a nearby sanctuary.  To ensure that the soul is taken care of there will be complimentary spa treatments, revitalising yoga sessions and time to relax by the infinity pool, relish in the luxurious surroundings and connect with like-minded goddesses for the ultimate week of holistic nourishment.

Mel says “If you’re sick of your life being controlled by food and your weight, then I want to work with you and Anantara Phuket is the perfect paradise to do just that. The retreat is all about self-love and self-worth. And to celebrate the journey, I will be throwing a private Goddess Beach Party at the end of your stay, can’t wait to see you there!”

Luxury Transformation

For something truly bespoke that can be enjoyed with friends, Anantara Layan Phuket and Mel Wells can tailor make a one-of-a kind retreat in The Residences by Anantara. Situated atop the hillside overlooking Layan Beach, the incomparable location, with sweeping views of pristine Sirinath National Park, is the ideal way to retreat amongst nature and feel rejuvenate in luxury.

15 uniquely designed pool residences depict a modern interpretation of classic Asian design. Exceptional living spaces and incredible coastal vistas are showcased by expansive windows, sweeping verandas and rooftop elegance and include a live-in butler for anything a guest needs. Residences range from three to seven bedrooms, providing the ultimate island retreat for Goddesses.

Fred Varnier, managing director of The Residences by Anantara and Anantara Layan Phuket says “We are thrilled to be partnering with Mel Wells, her story is inspirational and we hope to be able to help pass that message to women across the world.  Phuket by its very nature is calming and incredibly beautiful.  What better way to marry these elements together than to create a life changing retreat”.

Finding Your Goddess

For more information on the Mel Wells retreat, please visit here and for affirmation quotes from some recent goddesses, please click here.  Bookings are currently being taken for Friday 27 to Tuesday 31 October 2017.