Right by the pristine sands of Natai Beach just 20 minutes north of Phuket International Airport lies the boutique hotel akyra Beach Club Phuket. A sophisticated retreat on a secluded stretch of Thailand’s sunset coast with 58 stylish rooms, suites and villas complemented by lashings of in-room comforts, and appealing facilities including beachside massage salas and a fully equipped fitness centre, the beachfront member of the akyra family offers an enchanting escape full of hip happenings and stylish surprises.
Meander through tropical gardens to find your secluded suite or luxury villa. Where floor to ceiling glass windows let in the breathtaking views of palm trees, white sandy beaches and blue skies. We were staying in one of the properties Beach Club SeaView Villas which features 53 sqm overlooking a tropical paradise and the free-form swimming pool at the beachfront with a spectacular view towards the beautiful Andaman Sea. The Seaview Villas serve as a perfect getaway for anyone who is looking for more boutique accommodation. The bedroom features an oversized king bed along with other luxurious amenities, a mini bar, wardrobe and a fully fitted bathroom with rain shower. We also had a private terrace where we could chill out with cocktails created by akyra’s master mixologist whilst watching the sunset over the breaking waves. Our Villa was also perfectly positioned for easy access to the pool and beach.The pool here might be small but the floating lounge chairs make up for that as you float across the water absorbing the sun only having to (gracefully) slide off to cool down. The beach is only a short walk but beware the waves, the Andaman Sea is a choppy one so if you are not a confident swimmer maybe best to stay in the safe confines of the pool! If however you want to brave the waves make sure you check the flags as even for the most avid of wave hunters there are times when the sea is off bounds.
Wellness is at the heart of akyra Beach Club Phuket with daily yoga on the beach, sun drenched spa Sala for obligatory massages by the sea and juices and net-fresh seafood sourced by neighbouring fishing villages, but what makes akyra Beach Club Phuket is its available activities and excursions. There is not a day at akyra Beach Club Phuket that something is not happening, whether it be a trip to the local market to source ingredients for a cooking class at Club akyra with Head Chef Valerio Pachetti to heading to the local pier with a few brews and having a go at sea fishing or taking a cultural excursion to the nearby Turtle Sanctuary and Buddhist Temples to borrowing one of the hotel bikes to explore the coast or maybe even plan a scuba diving trip complete with leopard sharks and ancient shipwrecks; the list of things to keep you busy is impressive. It’s safe to say that despite this hotel being further away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket Town you will not be bored, if anything you’ll be glad for a day by the pool or in the spa suite!Another jewel in this hotel’s crown is its food. Head Chef Valerio Pachetti, who has Colombian, Italian and German heritage, heads the kitchen up, he oversees not only Club akyra but also the kitchens at the nearby sister hotel Aleenta Resort and Spa and needless to say the food is delicious. Whether it be a BBQ on the beach at one of the hotel’s White Party evenings (held Friday depending on season) to the international fare served up at Club akyra the food is fresh, full of flavour and will have you begging for more (my travel partner became addicted to the Calamari to the point there may have been a squid shortage in Natai Beach region). The hotel offers up free ice cream, yes you heard me FREE ice cream, everyday at 3pm form their little ice cream parlour, the breakfast is a buffet with hot and cold options plus a glass (or two) of bubbles, and the restaurant and beach bar serve up nibbles to full plates evening, noon and night so waistlines beware!This charming boutique hotel is a great mix of traditional hideaway to hip and trendy; with Ibiza-esque poolside beats to the blue lighting of the pool area at night one could think you were at a resort in Europe. A great hotel for couples, friends or families this little gem offers a lot, they encourage you to go out, see the sites, meet the people and truly immerse yourself in Thai culture and that is what makes them unique. It is probably a good thing as well they do encourage this, as one will need to burn off the calories from all the mouthwatering grub!
akyra Beach Club Phuket
32/7 Moo 5
Pilai Beach
Khok Kloi
Takua Thung District
Phang-nga 82140
Thailand
