October 2019, our very first holiday surprise was joining my brother and his family in Phuket for his 40th birthday and my niece’s 8th Birthday. It was a fabulous surprise when they opened their hotel room door to find what they assumed were two strangers with balloons then within a few minutes my brother wondered if it was us haha.

Happy Surprise Birthday Dan and Soph!

Accommodation

Sala Resort- This unique resort is Thai owned, we really felt relaxed here and loved the location of this resort in Northern Phuket. Located in a touristy area much quieter to Patong on Mai Khao Beach, I really enjoyed being in a remote area and felt safer here. The staff are accommodating and the resort spa salon calming. We thoroughly enjoyed our massages too.

We booked a Deluxe Pool upgrade through deals.com for 5 nights in a Sala Pool Villa featuring a private entrance, spacious bedroom with a king bed, open air bathroom and a private pool with twin sun loungers surrounded by a tropical garden. Our deal included a 60 minute massage per adult, nightly authentic Thai cuisine and International dishes, daily cocktail, sensational daily buffet or a la carte breakfast and a one way Airport pick up.

A resort we would consider returning to.

https://www.salahospitality.com/phuket/

Crest Resort and Spa Hotel – Located on a hillside above Tri Trang Beach and 10 minutes drive from Patong is this eco-designed resort facing the Andaman Sea. This is our 2nd stay, we returned for the Deluxe Pool Access Seaview room. Here, you will love the view of sea, resort pool, pool bar and the delicious food and cocktails.

https://www.crestphuket.com/

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Tours

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary – This ethical sanctuary is a final home for retired working elephants, based on 30 acres in the jungle. We thoroughly enjoyed this sanctuary and learning and watching how the elephants are able to roam freely in the jungle. We were lucky to be able to pat, feed and bathe the elephants too.

There are 2 daily sessions, morning programs finish with lunch and the afternoon programs start with lunch. We did the afternoon tour.

Morning: 8:30am – 12:00pm         Afternoon: 1:00pm – 4:30pm

Inclusions are: Round trip hotel transfer, delicious Buffet lunch, free T-Shirt and showers provided.

Please click on the below link for a lot more information on this fabulous sanctuary. I highly recommend this tour!  

http://www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org/en/

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Sightseeing 

Old Phuket Town –A 25 minute drive from Patong, expect to be pleasantly surprised with the change of scenery with a lot of Sino-Portuguese colourful style shops, unique clothing stores, souvenir market place, local Thai restaurants, coffee shops and Japanese sorbet shops like Torry’s. I thoroughly enjoyed my passionfruit sorbet at Torrys.

Big Buddha -Located at Khao Nak Kerd Buddha Park, Karon, I highly recommend you visit the Big Buddha for a cultural experience and the amazing seaside view. Like us, write your names on a brick and it will be placed on the Big Buddha, pretty cool.

http://www.mingmongkolphuket.com

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Wow Point – A great plane lookout located at the far end of Mai Khao Beach right in front of the Phuket International Airport. 

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Beaches

Mai Khao – A stunning 11 kilometre sandy beach located North West of Phuket and a part of the Sirinat National Park. Mai Khao is a popular tourist area with many resorts and villas located in the village, yet quiet compared to Patong. James and I will definitely return in the near future.

Naithon – WOW what a fabulous beach, we really loved it here. No matter where you’re staying I recommend driving North West to this small secluded beach facing the Andaman Sea. Enjoy the sun, sand and surf whilst sitting under a shady tree too. Make a day of it like us and have lunch at a seafood restaurant across the road or purchase a fresh coconut from a lovely street vendor.

Kata – Located South West of the island, this is one of Phuket’s smallest beaches about 700 metres long. A few bars and beach side places but nothing that really caught my eye enough to stay. I took photos and off we went back to our resort’s pool.

Karon –   This 5 kilometre white sand beach is one of Phuket’s longest beaches and also faces the Andaman Sea. Here you can sea kayak, water ski, do wake boarding, parasailing or even enjoy a banana boat ride. If you’re interested in a jet ski, this would be the ideal place to hire one and take in the fabulous view.

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Dining

Two Chefs -After an 1 hour drive from Mai Khao to Patong, it was lunch time and some bellies needed food, the only place we found open was Two Chefs that I had previously dined at in Koh Samui. This franchise caters International food e.g burgers, pad thai, surf and turf, tacos, chicken wings, grilled sandwiches, wraps and more. Try the frozen margaritas and pad thai.

 

Le Siam – This Thai Fine Cuisine restaurant is located in Patong’s Central Shopping Plaza just in front of the entrance. Not the best waiter service but the food is good.

Sala Restaurant – The food here was sensational from morning to night and was part of our hotel package including a daily cocktail. Besides the gorgeous villas and beach, its really the food that makes us want to return. Lets face it how often do you really get great food at your accommodation.

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https://www.salahospitality.com/phuket/phuket-wine-and-dine/

3 Spices – We stumbled across this restaurant located walking distance from Patong Beach and the nightlife. Not many diners here but my pad thai and the service was good. 

https://phukethotels.impiana.com.my/dining/3-spices-restaurant/

Wiwan Restaurant – Located across the road from Naithon Beach I enjoyed this expensive delicious curry lobster all to myself. Communication was a bit strange here, nevertheless, we still enjoyed our meal.

Shopping 

Banzaan Fresh Markets – The food always looks fabulous at the markets. To my horror a lady was selling scorpions on a stick. See photo below!

http://www.phuket.com/nightlife/bangla.htm

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Jungceylon Shopping Mall – Located not far down from Bangla Road, here you will find all of your basic needs from clothing, electronics, cosmetics and more.

http://www.phuket.com/shopping/jungceylon.htm

Central Phuket – A high end shopping centre that I am sure lots of tourist will enjoy yet it not the kind of shopping I personally am looking for when I travel to Thailand. We love to support the locals at their unique stores and stalls in any way we can.

http://www.centralphuket.com/home

Bangla Road – The famous main strip of Patong where you’ll find loads of souvenir stalls, nightlife, salons, bars and restaurants. Never a dull moment on this street especially later in the evening with staff trying to persuade you into their venues. And I’m sure you know what kind too haha.

Tuk Tuk – Besides the beaches and food, Tuk Tuks are a huge highlight for me, a fun crazy experience with no seat belts being driven anywhere you want around the island for affordable prices. I guarantee you won’t find yourself in a taxi when in Thailand!

I hope my experience of Thailand can inspire you to visit. Overall, it is a great place to explore on your own like I did in 2000 or even better travel with a group is even more fun. So many wonderful times on this adventure with James and my family with memories to last forever.