A sandy path of the Shore Walk materialises in front of the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort during low tide and the Sun reflects on the Andaman Sea waves, creating a mesmerising backdrop. Visitors can take advantage of this opportunity to explore the marine environment surrounding the tranquil Kamala Beach, while watching the locals demonstrate their fishing prowess.
Situated around 30km from Phuket International Airport and Phuket Old Town, this luxury beachfront resort is a welcome getaway for urbanites seeking an escape from the rush and bustle of everyday life. Kamala beach is home to a sea of coral reefs and marine creatures, making it a popular snorkelling spot to discover a diversity of marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
Those who prefer water activities can stretch their muscles by surfing, stand up paddle boarding or kayaking throughout the day. Not far, families may enjoy a cultural tour and entertainment at Phuket Fantasea and Carnival Magic from day to night.
Design and Facilities
The Covid-19 outbreak hampered the tourism industry for years, but the resort saw an opportunity and turned the situation around. It spent millions of dollars refurbishing its facilities and landscapes to offer new holiday experiences for when visitors returned to Phuket.
Visitors may feel calm when walking through the spacious lobby. It is adorned with wood accents and has a white ceiling sculpted to mimic native leaves to create the impression of a tropical jungle.
Outside, a green courtyard is currently replaced with a marquee for wedding ceremonies, meetings and seminars while evoking calm beach sensations.
Overlooking Kamala beach and the Andaman Sea, the enormous infinity swimming pool remains at the same location, where vacationers can spend the entire day sunbathing on a sizeable sundeck.
Some of the common areas have been set aside for the new One80 pool bar, where visitors may relax on deckchairs or in cabanas while enjoying a variety of light meals and tasty snacks that enrich the leisure pool experience.
Families are gathering nearby at the brand-new Camp Hyatt Kids Club, which features Phuket's first vertical playground. A programme of interactive activities, tours of the resort's house reef, and mocktail and pizza-making workshops are available for young visitors.
For those searching for a chic backdrop for snapping Instagram shots, the recently-opened Casa Boho restaurant and bar perches on the hillside, making it a fantastic viewpoint to watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea and pristine Kamala beach.
Its design blends classic mid-century modern with Palm Springs style from the 1970s to create a colourful bohemian ambience. The all-white tropical architecture serves as a blank canvas for the vivid splashes of a Latin American colour palette and Bohemian elements.
Visitors can relax on daybeds and listen to a mix of Afro-Latino beats and nu-disco tracks as well as Latin house music from Casa Boho's house DJ on the outside pool deck. The basement has been transformed into The Den, a private playground outfitted with eccentric furniture, a movie corner, and a variety of activities like pool, foosball and table tennis.
The resort has 201 rooms and suites in 10 different categories, with sizes ranging from 46m² to 235m². To highlight the charm of the southern region, all rooms have been modified in elegant Thai contemporary designs.
My Room
I sojourned in a 48m² One King Bed Ocean View Club Access for two nights. This spacious room is simple yet appealing with a beachy colour scheme of white and blue and a collection of oak-shaded wood furnishings to create a comfortable environment.
There's an eye-catching mural on a wall that portrays Phuket's tourist attractions, historical sites, and Sino-Portuguese-style structures to promote multiculturalism and the way of local life. The work station has plug connections and USB ports to provide convenience for business travellers.
The other side is dedicated to a mini bar with a coffee machine, an ironing board-equipped walk-in closet and a large see-through bathroom with a bathtub, separate show, toilet and a counter basin that provides guests with all necessary amenities.
The comfy king-size bed became my favourite spot, where I woke up to the beautiful view of the sea in the morning and tumbled around while a smart TV connected with entertainment applications on my smartphone. Throughout my stay, I had access to the Regency Club Lounge, where I could unwind before dinner with a selection of light dishes, cocktails and mocktails.
Dining
Mizu, a new poolside Teppanyaki restaurant, attracts guests with its tantalising menu of authentic Japanese cuisine in a modern touch. Skilful chefs showed off their artistic talents as I enjoyed the Kamala Set for dinner.
Seared scallops arrived with yuzu zest, cucumber julienne and lemon sauce, and my gastronomic journey continued with a mixture of sea bass, edamame, mushroom and wakame seaweed.
Along with black tiger prawn fried rice, Angus striploin was served as a main course with a choice of whipped garlic mash, garlic onion soy, yuzu ponzu and spicy bean paste sauce. I finished our dinner with vanilla ice cream flambé with seasonal tropical fruits.
Leisure Experience
In the afternoon, I opted for Nahm Spa's 90-minute Himalayan Salt Thermal Therapy. Hand-carved salt crystal stones are rich in 84 minerals and are heated to massage the body. To encourage complete relaxation, it can melt away aches and soreness, loosen up tense muscles, increase blood flow, purify the body and re-materialise the skin. Oils are used alternately with the cold salt crystal stones and merge with organic massage to calm and balance the body.
Verdict
The Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort has undergone extensive renovations and has created a wide range of recreational activities for people of all ages to enjoy unique holiday experiences together. It is bordered by tourist attractions and shopping areas, but it maintains a tranquil vibe.
The resort offers various packages for short and long stays. Throughout this month, guests who book a stay between now and April 30 can enjoy up to 20% discount.
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is at 16/12 Moo 6, Tambon Kamala, Phuket, Thailand, 83150. Call 076-231-234 or visit hyatt.com.
