01
InterContinental Phuket
Our usual choice around Kamala. The beach location and proximity to Café del Mar make it particularly good for the way we like to do Phuket.
OUR PHUKET
Our favourite kind of weekend escape.
We go to Phuket frequently. From Singapore it is remarkably easy to get to, which makes it one of those places we can return to without needing to turn it into a major trip.
We tend to base ourselves around Kamala, usually at the InterContinental, where being so close to Café del Mar makes it particularly easy to move from beach days into long afternoons and nights of music.
But Phuket is much more than the beach in front of the hotel. We love getting out on the water, exploring the national park, finding quieter stretches of coastline, eating well and spending time around Bang Tao too.
FROM OUR CAMERA
Phuket, as we see it.
THE ESCAPE
Easy to reach. Easy to love.
One of the reasons Phuket keeps pulling us back is simply how easy it is from Singapore. A short flight can take us from city life to the Andaman Sea, without sacrificing good hotels, restaurants or things to do once we arrive.
KAMALA
Our usual base.
We tend to stay at the InterContinental. Its position on Kamala Beach works perfectly for us, particularly because Café del Mar is right next door.
THE BEACH CLUBS
From afternoon into night.
Phuket's beach-club scene has become a big part of its appeal. Café del Mar gives Kamala an easy place to settle in as the sun goes down.
MUSIC
The Ibiza of Asia?
Phuket is increasingly becoming one of Asia's big destinations for electronic music. More and more international DJs are coming through, and we love the fact that a beach weekend can turn into a very good night out.
BANG TAO
A different side of Phuket.
We also enjoy spending time around Bang Tao. There is a slightly different rhythm here, with good restaurants, beach spots and plenty of reasons to stay for the afternoon.
WHERE WE STAY
InterContinental
Our usual base around Kamala. We particularly like the location because Café del Mar is next door and the beach is right outside.
OTHER HOTELS
Rosewood & Cape Sienna
We have also stayed at the Rosewood and Cape Sienna. Both give you a different perspective on the west coast and are worth knowing when planning a Phuket stay.
THE OTHER SIDE
By boat
Some of our favourite Phuket days are spent away from the island itself, exploring the national park, caves, coastline and clear water by boat.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Places and experiences we return to.
02
Café del Mar
Right on Kamala Beach and one of the reasons we like staying at the InterContinental. A natural transition from beach afternoon to evening.
03
The Phuket music scene
Phuket is becoming increasingly important on the Asian DJ circuit, with more major international names appearing. We enjoy making a night of it.
04
Bang Tao Beach
A favourite change of scene from Kamala, with good restaurants and a relaxed beach atmosphere.
05
Rosewood Phuket
Another hotel we have stayed at and a very different experience from the InterContinental, particularly if you want something more secluded.
06
Cape Sienna
Another hotel we have experienced around the west coast and one worth considering when comparing different bases.
07
A day on the water
Take a boat into the national park. Exploring the caves, islands and coastline and swimming in the crystal-clear water is one of our favourite ways to experience Phuket.
OUR EDIT
Phuket works because it never needs to be just one thing.
We come back to Phuket because it gives us the combination we want from a short break. There is the beach, the food, the hotels and enough going on at night to make the trip feel like more than simply lying by a pool.
Kamala is our usual base, largely because the InterContinental puts us directly beside the beach and Café del Mar. We like being able to walk from a relaxed afternoon into an evening of music, and Phuket is increasingly attracting some of the biggest DJs in Asia.
But we also like to escape the developed parts of the island. A boat day into the national park gives you caves, islands, coastline and exceptionally clear water. Add Bang Tao, some very good food and the fact that Singapore is only a short flight away, and it is easy to understand why Phuket has become one of our regular escapes.
MORE FROM OUR CAMERA
More from Phuket.
OUR MAP
Phuket.
Kamala, Bang Tao and the coastline and islands we keep returning to around Phuket — from our favourite beaches and hotels to the places we explore by boat.