It was sprinkling when I traversed a narrow lane from Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas to beautiful Nai Yang Beach in the late afternoon. The earthy scent assaulted my nose as the rain clouds swept over the sky, set against the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and a white sand beach. This scene seemed like it came straight out of a painting depicting a romantic holiday during the rainy season.
Just a 3km drive away from Phuket International Airport, it's close to Sirinat National Park, where vacationers can spend the day sunbathing on the beach, mountain trekking and biking to a fishing village during the day to appreciate the beauty of nature and observe local life.
At the same time, a lush pine forest has been transformed into a popular photogenic backdrop, and local fishermen provide a relaxing trip to adjacent islands and snorkelling spots where visitors can see colourful coral reefs, exotic clownfish, and other aquatic animals. It's far away from downtown Phuket, making it perfect for travellers who want to get closer to nature while avoiding the throng.
Design and Facility
Hemmed in by green landscapes, this luxury five-star resort accommodates 125 spacious rooms, suites and villas in natural tropical designs, allowing guests to live in harmony with nature while staying connected to modern life. Ranging in sizes from 38m² to 145m², each room provides a peaceful ambience and isolation as if we're sitting amid a verdant tropical garden listening to birds sing.
Facing the beach, the first building seems like a recreational complex, complete with a bicycle rental corner, an open-air lobby and a poolside bar overlooking a large infinity swimming pool with sundeck and the Residence pool with a jacuzzi, where guests can spend the day soaking up the sun and water while the gentle sea breeze and rhythmic sound of waves soothe your soul.
Lime Leaf Spa is another sanctuary with two spacious double private spa treatment rooms with attached bathtubs and showers, where you can enjoy the Dewa signature spa treatment that combines four different massage styles of Hawaiian, Sports, Swedish and Thai using aromatic essential oil to promote relaxation.
Parents and young vacationers aged three to 14 can join the Kids Play Room and the Family Terrace to boost their imagination with a variety of educational toys, board games, art and craft activities, table tennis as well as a wide collection of books. Set in the middle of the garden, sports enthusiasts can maintain their strength in a fitness centre that includes treadmills, exercise bicycles, free weights, and more.
My Room
I stayed in a spacious 70m² Pool Villa for two nights and plunged into a 16m² private pool with sun loungers during the day. The interior décor is a mixture of white and blue to inspire holiday beach moods, while oak-shaded wood furniture and a perforated ceiling honour classic accents.
Ideal for unwinding, a large living area provides a comfy sofa, a lounge chair and a flat-screen television with digital channels as well as a minibar corner filled with drinks and snacks, coffee and tea making facilities, fresh fruits and house-made nibbles.
The dressing space is open and airy, with two tall wardrobes and a little dressing table. A comfy king-size bed, on the other hand, is draped in white see-through curtains and overlooks a vista of green tropical landscapes and a pool, creating a romantic nostalgic atmosphere.
Another highlight is a large sexy outdoor bathroom where guests can shower and soak up in a bathtub under the moonlight. The villa is shady with tropical plants, yet it becomes a mosquito breeding ground.
Dining
I avoided the crowds in the morning to sample the tempting Floating Breakfast selections, which ranged in price from 1,290 baht to 1,990 baht. Available from 7am to 11am, I ordered a Phuketian set of fried eggs and roti mataba with chicken curry, Phuket-style dim sum, pa thong ko (Thai-style Chinese crullers), homemade coconut waffle and honey, tropical fruit platter with papaya, pineapple, and mango served with plain and flavored yogurt, as well as orange juice, homegrown coconut, freshly brewed coffee and tea.
The Cosmopolitan set is perfect for those who desire something a little more substantial. It offers Australian sirloin steak and eggs benedict with grilled asparagus, hash browns, grilled mushroom and black truffle Hollandaise, cheese and cold cuts platter, butter croissants, Danish pastries with honey meal, and white toasts with butter jam, marmalade, fruit preserves, and milk cereal. It also includes a bottle of sparkling wine in addition to a tropical fruit platter, juice, coffee, and tea. Guests are required to make a reservation at least one day in advance.
Leisure Experience
On the last morning of my stay, complex executive chef Danai Thotrakul took us to a fish market, which is located 650m away from the resort. Here, visitors can get a taste of local life while shopping for fresh fish, fruits and other ingredients from local vendors. There's a variety of street food such as roti and congee with pork and boiled eggs, traditional Thai-style coffee and milk tea and roasted pork with sticky rice to choose from.
Alternatively, a couple may spend an additional 2,990 baht for the Andaman Sea Catch package, which includes choosing seafood directly from local fisherman for a three-course meal and one-hour free flow sunset drinks at the Pool Bar.
Verdict
Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas is located near Sirinat National Park, providing a tranquil setting for those looking to experience Phuket's verdant forest and aquatic world.
Until Aug 31, the resort is offering the Breezy Summer package, which starts at 2,100 baht per night inclusive of breakfast and includes a free extra bed and dinner for children under the age of 16 in Pool Villas and Grand Pool Villas.
Direct bookings will get a late check-out until 4pm, a one-time minibar (excluding alcohol), 15% off food and beverage (excluding wine), a complimentary one-way airport shuttle, and a free scoop of ice cream for children under the age of 12.
Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas is at 65, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110. Call 076-372-300 or visit dewaphuketresort.com.
