We just came back from an anniversary trip to Phuket and can’t wait to return! Winson and I stayed at the Amari Phuket and our stay was nothing short of amazing! The moment we walked through the entrance hall, we noticed the massive, open-air lobby, bar and cocktail lounge with views to the water beyond…
The place is beautiful and upscale.
Staying for a week, and we never get tired of this spectacular view.
The beautiful view from my hotel room at Amari Phuket
Where to Stay in Phuket
Patong- the main beach in Phuket
Phuket, the largest’s island of Thailand has rapidly become one of the most sought-after destinations, attracting tens of millions of visitors every year.
Lush rainforests, beautiful white sandy beaches and excellent bar scenes. Of course, this beautiful island has been on my radar for some time. Finally, this year, we’re treating ourselves to the ultimate anniversary celebrate with the Amari Hotel in Phuket, Thailand.
So if you’re one of those people who are looking for a relaxing beach vacation with a vibrant nightlife, the iconic Amari Phuket will surely prove to be a choice that you won’t regret.
Excellent Location
Catching a very faint rainbow over Patong town
Patong, the liveliest district in Phuket is well-known for its party scene and legendary Bangla Road. If your hotel is right on the street, it can be a bit loud at night.
We found this beautiful hotel, perching on top of a hill with a private bay to be a perfect choice.
It’s strategically located on the quiet end of Patong neighborhood, but close enough to walk to Bangla Walking Street (Phuket’s famously raucous night strip),Patong beach and town.
How to Get there – Phuket Airport Transfer
Amari Phuket is about an hour drive away from Phuket airport.
While preparing for my trip, I came across many stories on the internet where tourists ended up paying exorbitant fares for getting a taxi at Phuket Airport. While some took a shared minivan, though it’s a cheaper option, oftentime they will be taken to a third-party travel agency along the way, in which the locals will try to sell you expensive tour packages.
To avoid taxi scams, save time and money, book a private Phuket Airport transfer in advance.
Hiring the resort’s private van costs around THB 1,300. While booking a private car online is a no brainer- costs less than THB 650.
Arriving at the Amari Phuket
Sawadeekap…
After getting off our pre-arranged taxi, we’re greeted with smiles from friendly staffs.
Nothing beats a cold towel and welcome drink after a long trip. It’s so refreshing.
After getting my keys, we’re escorted to our room. A driver whisked us away in a cart, snaking up to the hill until we arrived at our one-bedroom suite.
Room with Gorgeous Views
This was a total surprise!
I didn’t know they upgraded me to One Bedroom Suite Ocean Facing (from Superior Ocean Facing) until we entered the room. Okay, I admit, I did ask for a quiet room on a high floor with a view when I booked the hotel. Usually, I’ll put this special remark whenever I book a hotel.
Surprisingly, this was the first time I get a free hotel room upgrade.
I like the simple, sleek and modern interior design. It’s basically a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, small kitchenette.
And perhaps the best part is the bedroom’s floor
Imagine waking up every morning with breathtaking views overlooking the Andaman Sea right from your bed!
There are so many great foods in Patong, so during our stay, we don’t bother to use the kitchen. But we very much enjoyed good cups of coffee using the hot water dispenser and espresso machine.
Not to mention, we also received a free anniversary cake- another surprise!
It shows that we care for each other.
It shows that marriage is a priority in our life.
It gives us a chance to pull back from the daily grind, to remember, reflect and relive a moment that changes our life forever, all over again.”
Complimentary Breakfast Buffet
Kickstart the morning with scrumptious breakfast at the Amari Phuket where you can eat all you want, while enjoying beautiful views and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
Breakfast starts at 6.30 am with options ranging from fresh bread, pastries, salad, cheese, yogurt, pancakes, sushi to local Thai-style breakfast.
Everyone’s raving about the daily breakfast Buffet. Undeniably, they offer a large variety of food to satisfy everyone. But food is rather ordinary. I guess what makes it great is the ambiance and friendly staff.
Snorkeling at The Jetty
This upscale resort is huge.
After breakfast, you can walk off your meal to the Amari’s private jetty. It’s a short, pleasant walk along the coast. It offers one of the best-unobstructed views overlooking the Patong beach.
If you know how to swim, make your way to the square-shaped floating plank and snap some Instagram-worthy pictures.
But as always, safety first. There’s no safeguard at the Jetty.
Also be careful if you attempt to climb up the plank, as the edges are pretty hard and sharp.
Relaxing around Swimming Pools
There are few lounge chairs for gazing out at the ocean but unfortunately, they can get claimed very quickly.
Indoor Activities
Trust me. You’ll never get bored at this beautiful hotel. Amari Phuket has a myriad of scheduled activities to keep you entertained and perhaps learn some new skills, such as Yoga, TaiChi, Muay Thai, futsal and tennis lessons.
For those who want to pamper yourself with a facial mask and scrub, massage or body therapies, head to the Breeze spa.
On our last day, we explored the Voyager Lounge quite a bit while waiting for our pre-arranged taxi. It offers excellent facilities including lockers to store hand luggage, complimentary use of showers, library, computer and comfy seats.
There’s also a daycare center, Kids Club, for kids aged 4-12 where they can explore different types of games and toys.
Free Shuttle Bus
The complimentary shuttle bus is definitely a bonus. They offer free shuttle bus service to Jungceylon and Kata Beach every day.
Jungceylon is the biggest shopping mall in Patong. From here, you can walk to the infamous Bangla walk street, beach street and night markets. Everything is within easy walking distance.
However, Amari only offers one-way transfer to Jungceylon. You can either take a tuk-tuk (costs 200baht) or walk back to the hotel.
Seafood Buffet at Rim Taley, Amari Phuket
No trip to Phuket is complete without sampling some of their fresh seafood.
I’ve tried a few seafood restaurants in Phuket.
To my surprise, the freshest and best budget-friendly seafood can actually be found at Rim Taley, the hotel’s seaside International restaurant. What’s more, it’s a dinner buffet, so you can eat all types of seafood, including lobsters, crabs, prawns and mussels, as much as you want. Besides that, there are sushi, sashimi, mix-your-own salad, spicy seafood soup, appetizers, chicken and vegetables.
Lastly, end with desserts – fresh fruit, cakes, tarts and coconut ice creams. It’s absolutely delicious and very reasonably priced.
Italian Fine Dining in Phuket
Amari Phuket has another in-house restaurant, La Gritta, a waterfront Italian restaurant. We celebrated our special day here, ordering its signature salami pizza and risotto. The service was gorgeous and I absolutely loved the ambiance.
Conclusion
Amari Phuket is an excellent resort that’s close to a variety of attractions with many places to eat, shop and chill but away from the craziness! If you want to get the best of both worlds, Amari Phuket is definitely the perfect choice for you.
With its perfect location, world-class amenities and unbeatable views, this 5-start hotel will definitely give you your money’s worth, guarantee a fabulous stay and more! If you’re planning on a stay in the Patong district, I’d recommend this hotel to you.
Everything is being well taken care of -all you need to do is wake up, enjoy sun, sea, breeze and repeat.
What I like:
- Gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea from my room
- Peaceful setting with private beach and ocean views
- Great location. It’s within 5-minute walking distance to Patong beach and town
- Extremely friendly and helpful staffs
- Clean guest rooms with modern decor and full amenities
- Free shuttle bus to Patong
- Free breakfast buffet
- Free Wifi throughout the resort (Yes, even on the beach)
What I hate
- Limited access to the infinity pool
- A limited number of lounge chairs. I’ve to wake up early to score a great spot.
- The pools can get crowded
- Stairs. Don’t underestimate the many stairs that you have to take!
Have you been to Phuket?
What do you think of Amari Phuket? Would you like to try staying with them? Why or why not?
Have you stayed with Amari before? How was your experience? Tell me in the comments!
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