Travel
At the southernmost tip of the island, Promthep Cape and the Windmill Viewpoint provide the island’s most dramatic views of the Andaman Sea. These landmarks are essential for those seeking an immense, endless horizon and a quiet place to reflect. One of Phuket’s most famous sunsets.
Just 10 to 15 minutes from the resort, we recommend going in the late afternoon to catch the sunset.
Tip from the locals: Arrive early to walk the path beyond the main viewpoint for a more private perspective, then return to Rawai for a beautiful seafood dinner by the water.
The Big Buddha is a majestic 45-metre marble landmark situated on the peak of Nakkerd Hill, and is one of the island's most significant destinations. Aside from its architectural grandeur, the ascent reveals panoramic views over Phuket's Chalong and Kata bays.
Approximately 30 to 40 minutes from the resort, the site is best visited in the early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the heat and the larger crowds. We recommend pairing this visit with Wat Chalong for a fulfilling half-day cultural circuit.
Tip from the locals: Dress modestly and seek out the rear viewpoints for a quieter perspective of the island.
Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most significant Buddhist temple and is a historical cornerstone of the island’s religious life. Every architectural detail tells a story. The temple is a colourful, intricate demonstration of Thai devotion, and is an essential destination for those looking to understand our traditions.
25 to 30 minutes from the resort, go in the morning for the best experience. We recommend also heading to the nearby Big Buddha for a full cultural day.
Tip from the locals: Climb up to the main pagoda for a bird’s eye view of the grounds and a quieter environment
Where the island's history is most legible. The streets of Phuket Old Town are lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses and colonial mansions, a colourful record of the Hokkien Chinese and European settlers who shaped the tin-mining era. Here, history is not preserved, it is lived. Along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, storied facades frame a vibrant yet unhurried rhythm of cafés, galleries and local life. It is best explored slowly, allowing each street to tell its story.
Approximately 40 minutes from the resort. We recommend arriving in the late afternoon and staying into the evening, pairing a cultural walk with dinner in the neighbourhood.
Tip from the locals: time your visit to coincide with the Sunday Walking Street Market for a particularly vibrant atmosphere.
The Phuket Thaihua Museum is housed in a 1930s colonial-style building, serving as the primary archive for the island’s Hokkien Chinese heritage and the tin-mining industry that founded Phuket’s modern economy. It is a quiet, thoughtful archive of the island’s development: the place to understand the architectural and historical foundations of the region.
Approximately 40 minutes from the resort. We suggest pairing this visit with a walking tour of the surrounding Phuket Old Town, as the museum provides great context for the streets you are walking through.
Tip from the locals: Try to visit on a weekday, in the late morning or early afternoon to avoid busy periods.
Phuket Mining Museum is set in grand Sino-Portuguese architecture and looks back at the tin-mining industry that laid the groundwork for modern Phuket. The museum is a comprehensive documentary of our landscape and cultures, and is an enlightening visit for those interested in the history of our island.
Approximately 35 minutes from the resort, try to visit in the morning to allow enough time for a full tour of the archives, plus a half-day historical itinerary around the area.
Tip from the locals: The Kathu district is littered with historical landmarks and pit stops, well worth your time.
Phuket as an island is defined by the water that surrounds it. We encourage you to venture out of the mainland to discover the true scale of the Andaman. Navigate the majestic limestone formations of Phang Nga Bay or dip in the crystalline, open waters of Phi Phi Islands and Racha. Whether a full-day voyage or a gentle half-day escape, these waters invite you to discover the island at your own pace.
The pier is a 20 to 60-minute commute from the resort, and we advise planning these trips between November and April for the clearest waters. We also find that a full-day excursion is just enough time to be fully immersed.
Tip from the locals: Choose an early departure. It is a small effort that rewards you with the islands at their most private moment.
Phuket’s evening theatres are bright, bold, and unmissable. Phuket FantaSea and Carnival Magic are theme parks that reinterpret Thai mythology and folklore, bringing them to life as a vibrant high-energy spectacle. It is a side of the island that is unapologetically bold and reflects the Thai penchant for storytelling.
Both Phuket Fantasea and Carnival Magic are approximately 1 hour from the resort. Plan for this to be an evening out, combining the show with dinner at the venue.
Tip from the locals: These venues draw huge crowds, pre-book your seats in advance to ensure a seamless experience.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a forested retirement refuge for rescued animals where the focus is entirely on their welfare. There are plenty of opportunities here to observe these majestic elephants moving through their natural environment with dignity, without intrusion or interference. Come and experience the quiet, deliberate pace that nature demands when it is finally left alone.
Located approximately 1 hour from the resort. We suggest a half-day wildlife experience, starting in the morning, to see the herd at their most active.
Tip from the locals: the terrain is natural forest, so comfortable footwear is essential.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is the island’s last remaining rainforest. The park reveals the original landscape of Phuket in layers of verdant green, with the Bang Pae waterfall just within earshot. Explore a trail system that offers a shaded, unhurried experience of the island’s terrain.
North of the island, approximately 45 minutes from the resort. Visit in the morning, and stay for a half-day, so you’ll have ample time to take in the cool forest air and serenity.
Tip from the locals: Bang Pae Waterfall is typically less crowded earlier in the day as well.
Muay Thai is the national martial art of Thailand: a discipline of immense technical precision and centuries of heritage. Watching a match, especially in Muay Thai Stadium Rawai, is a chance to witness the 'Art of Eight Limbs' practiced with genuine grit and soul.
Just 5–10 minutes from the resort, the stadium really comes to life especially on fight nights. Later on, complete your evening with other cultural experiences around the area.
Tip from the locals: To really immerse in the fight, try securing a seat close to the ring.
Barada is a stellar example of the world-class potential of Thai Cacao. They work directly with local farmers to refine raw beans into finished creations, providing an intimate and sensorial experience for chocolate and confectionary lovers.
20–25 minutes from the resort. We suggest a late-morning visit, as a quick cultural stop.
Tip from the locals: Explore unique Thai cacao flavours with their tasting sessions.
Set in the sugarcane fields, Chalong Bay is a distillery where traditional French distillation techniques meet the raw potential of Thai sugarcane. Visit the distillery to experience the deliberate, unhurried process of turning harvest into high-quality craft, of course, ending with a tasting that fully captures the terroir of the island.
Approximately 20 minutes from the resort. We suggest heading down in the afternoon, perhaps before or after lunch around the area.
Tip from the locals: The guided tour is truly an experiential journey that you mustn't miss out on.
Away from the bustle of Phuket Town, Khao Rang Viewpoint shares a calmer perspective over the city’s sprawl, looking out to the distant sea. The locals love a quiet meal at this panoramic viewpoint, just as the sun sets and the island lights begin to mirror the starry night.
Approximately 40 minutes from the resort. Visit before the sun sets to watch the island transition from daylight into a tapestry of evening lights, ideally over a picturesque, relaxing dinner.
Tip from the locals: The local restaurants in the area have some of the best authentic Thai cuisine.
Coral Island is famous for its clear, shallow turquoise ocean and pristine white sands. It is a premier destination to observe the multitude of marine life just beneath the water’s surface, and is perfect for snorkeling and water sports.
The island is extremely accessible, just 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Chalong Pier. The best visibility is in the morning and early afternoon, and makes for a fun half-day excursion.
Tip from the locals: ideal for those who prefer shorter boat journeys.
For those who prefer the rugged path, Black Rock Viewpoint is a hidden vantage point that remains something of a local secret. It offers a staggering, unobstructed ocean view and a sense of immense stillness, looking down over the dramatic coastline and the curve of Nui Beach far below. It is less a destination and more a way to wander and discover.
20 minutes from the resort plus a short hike will take you to the viewpoint. Go at sunset, when the light is at its most cinematic.
Tip from the locals: The path can get steep at times, so proper shoes are essential.
Chinpracha House is a museum that has brilliantly preserved the Sino-European architecture of a private residence. Walking across its original tiled floors, you’ll feel as though you are stepping into a perfect memory of Phuket’s refined history, where European influence and local heritage blend seamlessly together.
Approximately 40 minutes from the resort. As the house is best visited during the day, we suggest making this part of a cultural half-day tour of the area.
Tip from the locals: pick up a little refreshment while café hopping through the surrounding streets of Old Town.
Laem Krating is a destination for the truly adventurous. A raw, wind-swept trail takes you to a more private viewpoint, far from the island's more crowded corners. Easily, one of the most beautiful and untamed sunsets to be found in Phuket.
15 minutes from the resort plus a short, scenic hike will take you to the cape. We advise setting out in the late afternoon to ensure you reach the point before the sun begins to set.
Tip from the locals: Bring water and allow plenty of time for a slow, steady pace.
Laem Krating is a destination for the truly adventurous. A raw, wind-swept trail takes you to a more private viewpoint, far from the island's more crowded corners. Easily, one of the most beautiful and untamed sunsets to be found in Phuket.
15 minutes from the resort plus a short, scenic hike will take you to the cape. We advise setting out in the late afternoon to ensure you reach the point before the sun begins to set.
Tip from the locals: Bring water and allow plenty of time for a slow, steady pace.