Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport – The Slate

Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport – The Slate

Words: Han Sen Hau
Photos: Monica Tindall

It’s no secret that we, the team behind The Yum List, live on coffee, tight schedules, and an overabundance of awe each time we set foot into a brand-new setting with gorgeous views, friendly smiles, and a compelling story. So, imagine our panic attack every time we ponder the question: how will I condense everything I’ve seen and experienced into a 2,000-word article?

We can’t. Though, we try. Very hard.

This is especially true for a location like The Slate, Phuket, an opulent resort, nay, township that so graciously hosted us for two nights during our time in the Land of Smiles. Again. We’re such a fan of this place that we’ve visited it several times now. Situated along the relaxed Nai Yang Beach and just five minutes away from your next flight at Phuket International Airport, The Slate is the epitome of the adage “location, location, location”.

Actually, no. 

It would be more appropriate to say “design, design, design”. With an identity that seeks inspiration from the tin mining history of the region (for a luxe resort?!), The Slate beguiles with its incredible use of original tin mining materials and equipment throughout the resort, from the directional arrows on the floor at the Tin Mine restaurant (which were once used to guide miners) to the sleeper wood for rail tracks repurposed for the Rebar lounge. We’re making it look as if we’re obsessed with flooring for some reason, but that’s how impressive the attention to detail is. Even the cutlery we dined with was shaped like wrenches and old oil drums have been refashioned into lighting fixtures.

Okay, so that’s just about 250 words for a start. Let’s dive further into the things that allow us to fall in love once more.

What You See Immediately

The sheer size and scale of the resort. Upon being dropped off at the porte-cochère, there’s the lobby reception directly ahead, two massive nest-like structures across the drop-off struggling to hide amongst the lush foliage, and a … steampunk tin mining generator on wheels with a TV screen. There’s plenty of art to be found on the grounds, though the most common ones tend to possess a Brutalist quality, which can be charming in its own right. After all, it takes a genius like Bill Bensley, chief architect of the place, to ensure everything falls precisely where it needs to be. 

Large, silvery Bismarckia palms feature prominently throughout the resort and serve as a homage to the precious mineral that inspired much of the design. But not everything is slate grey or silver, as shades of ultramarine and orange in the form of soft furnishings, lighting, and Heliconia flowers also catch the eye as we walked along the many aisles and pathways.

What You Don’t See Immediately

The sheer size and scale of the resort… It definitely bears repeating. 

To illustrate, and I can’t use the collective “we” here as this only affected yours truly, the writer, who found himself spending almost 20 minutes trying to find his way back to his suite with map in hand, mind you, from the Village Gate (one of two gates that exit to Nai Yang Beach). In my defence, this happened at night when I couldn’t really situate myself because of the lack of noisy activity, like children at a pool, and I hadn’t considered the possibility of requesting a buggy at the guard house by the Village Gate. 

It wasn’t until the following morning, when I was given an extensive and comprehensive tour of the entire grounds by the very capable Sorn, that I realised I had effectively walked along the perimeter of the resort past the suites at Blocks O, P, and Q (oh yes, there are that many blocks, beginning from A), brushed by its organic orchard, wandered past the Ondigo gym, made a wrong right turn towards the sports bar Tongkah Tin Syndicate, before finding my way round back towards Block L.

Any wonder why I cannot survive without Waze when driving back in Malaysia?

So, yes, this place is huge, and while many of its attractions are immediately visible and, to a certain degree, centralised around the lobby and Tin Mine restaurant (where you can see the Lagoon Pool from), there is still so much more to discover at The Slate, including two other adults-only swimming pools, a diving centre, two tennis courts, and a well-manicured “Coliseum” for weddings.

Room

We were once again given the beautiful Pearl Bed Suite, which comes with a massive bathroom that’s bigger than your average room, a spacious backyard, and an outdoor bathtub. Large floor-to-ceiling glass-panelled sliding doors separate the bedroom from the backyard, and this makes the living space feel even larger than it already is. Even the bathroom has its own separate exit out into the backyard, so if you’re planning to have a soak in the bathtub in your birthday suit, you’re not really exposed for too long. Anyway, that’s where the abundance of foliage comes in handy, plus the walls are just about high enough for privacy. 

Beyond the usual offerings that we would come to expect, such as a safe, coffee machine, fridge, minibar, and hairdryer, there are many other unique features to love about the suite, beginning with the massive mechanical “Pangawala” fans used at the patio to generate a little breeze. Beyond their aesthetic and functional values, these fans have historical significance, as we were informed that they were once used to ventilate tin mines. 

We really appreciate the Aiwa Retro II portable speaker that we could connect with our devices via Bluetooth to play the music we liked straight from our preferred music app. The electrical switches are also labelled properly, thus eliminating rude awakenings at night from trying to guess which switch actually turns on the foyer lights.

Speaking of lights, we are obsessed with the downlights used above the sinks as they illuminate the reflections of our faces so beautifully that we had to resist the urge to take stereotypical bathroom selfies. The sink tap is a work of art in itself, as the faucet lever is cast in the shape of a metallic flower. As for the scent of their amenities? Fragrant champaca, a scent so spellbinding that it caused this dear writer to purchase bottles of body spray, lotion, and scrub at the resort’s shop, The Stockroom.

I blame The Stockroom’s incredibly persuasive proprietress, who could sell you the room’s bed and pillows if she wanted to.

Dining – Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport

There are many dining options available at The Slate, starting with the mystical Black Ginger that beckons with two rows of glowing shields at night, which are also available for sale at The Stockroom (they were absolutely serious about the bed and pillows). Our time at this restaurant was akin to stepping into another dimension, and it deserved its own article, which you can read here.

The other restaurant that’s unmissable is Tin Mine, which is adjacent and one level lower to the lobby and where everyone would come for breakfast. Oh, the breakfast buffet here is incredible, and we wouldn’t mind maximising the four hours it is open to sample every single morsel available, right down to the Khanom Thuai milk custard. There are three live stations: one usually serving a local specialty, like Khao Mok Gai (Thai turmeric chicken rice), one egg station, and one preparing Pha Tong Ko (similar to the Chinese deep-fried youtiao). 

In addition to regular continental options like bacon, sausages, sweet Danishes, charcuterie, and yoghurt, Tin Mine also whips out a mean selection of Asian delights, from aromatic green curries to steaming trays of dim sum. It is a crime to leave without eating every piece of fruit there, and we particularly love scooping out their passion fruits and sucking on their sweet mangoes. The frothiest cappuccinos were served here as well, and they made it hard for us to leave the table with each satisfying sip.

Another stunning location is Rivet and its accompanying bar, Rebar, above it. We didn’t have the opportunity to explore the grill house’s culinary delights this time, but a quick scan inside revealed a mesmerising interior that looked as if a billionaire had transformed a mine shaft into a gilded dining room. On the other hand, Rebar upstairs embraced a more open-air concept where patrons can enjoy views of the Lagoon Pool and the open Coliseum area. 

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention The Slate’s wine cellar, which can operate as an intimate dining venue for six, surrounded by an eclectic selection of wine bottles. If guests prefer a more casual approach to drinking, there’s the Tongkah Tin Syndicate, a sports bar complete with pool tables and dartboards, and the Pulley Pool & Bar.

Services & Facilities – The Slate

Describing The Slate as being a township earlier was no exaggeration, as the resort was clearly designed to keep guests perfectly comfortable and at ease within its walls for the entire duration of their stay. Like a less nefarious Hotel California, The Slate is such a lovely place that you can never (find an excuse to) leave.

Let’s just list down the full list of attractions, shall we?

There are three swimming pools at the resort, of which two are adults-only. If anyone needs ideas on keeping their kids preoccupied while they enjoy a mai tai by one of the pools, they can just drop their children off at Ondigo Gym and sign them up for a variety of classes, such as aerobics, yoga, or even pom pom making. That was one of the more amusing options we saw on the blackboard by the gym’s entrance. The Ondigo Gym is a fully-functioning gym, by the way, with a yoga room and separate changing rooms and lockers for men and women. 

Keen on picking up a sport? No problem. There are two tennis courts, a diving centre, and even an archery range. Personal trainers are also available at a price, so it is entirely possible to fill an entire day with just a variety of physical activities. Did this writer mention that it took him almost 20 minutes just to walk around the resort’s perimeter? Oh yes, your thighs and calves will be bulging by the time you check out. But if guests prefer the relaxed route, there’s always a buggy service available. 

The Heliconia Flower Gallery is another unique option for creative souls with dexterous hands. Guests can immerse themselves in the art of floral arrangement under the guidance of the resort’s in-house florist. Across the floral gallery is Moo’s Kitchen, the perfect venue for inspired cooks to replicate the delicious green curry recipe they had over breakfast. 

The Stockroom and Shades Gallery are two interesting focal points to visit as well: the former for its curated inventory of local products and proprietary amenities (the storekeeper swore the champaca body scrub is to die for), and the latter for its rotating exhibit of art and fashion pieces. 

Alas, we have saved one of the best attractions for last, its spa.

Spa – Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport

Remember the two massive nest-like structures across the lobby mentioned earlier? They’re part of Coqoon Spa, a place where your muscles will be kneaded like dough. As part of our time there, we were treated to the Coqoon Rebirth Massage, one of the spa’s signature treatments. Upon arrival, we were asked to choose the intensity and areas of concentration for our massage and then select our preferred massage oil (sorted by specific ingredients, like eucalyptus, lemongrass, and coconut). We were then led to The Nest, the aforementioned structures made completely by hand using synthetic rattan, where we were treated to a foot scrub and then the actual massage.

Slippers, bath robes, and disposable mesh underwear are all provided at the spa, so the only thing anyone ever needs to do here is simply relax and feel the knots melt away. My masseuse, Sabina, was incredibly masterful with her technique, despite the fact that her knuckles cracked when she worked towards my shoulder blades. To her credit, she was loosening up the shoulders of a person who carries camera equipment everywhere he went and spends long hours typing in front of a computer. At the end of the massage, we were able to take a shower, and we truly appreciate the fact that we weren’t pressured to leave immediately. Instead, we were able to take our time to stretch, refresh, and gather our belongings before we exit. 

In addition to The Nest, Coqoon Spa also has multiple deluxe rooms named after different flowers, like ylang ylang or frangipani. The spa area even hides a wellness clinic, where guests can receive antioxidant drips or basic health checks, and a beauty salon just in case the hair isn’t Black Ginger-worthy. 

Final Thoughts – Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport

There is much to say about The Slate and never enough space to write about it, though we hope the above has been sufficient as a snappy snapshot of the place. The hospitality and the warmth we experienced throughout our time there is a big reason why we love to keep coming back, and for that, we have general manager Claude Sauter and hotel manager William Daguin to thank for hosting us. We also cannot forget Sanya, who received us, Sorn for showing us around (we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide), and Sabina for kneading the stress away. 

Our only regret during our stay here is forgetting to write down the name of the storekeeper at The Stockroom, who possessed a silver tongue that could persuade a bee to buy its own honey. If she’s read till the end of this article, we hope she knows we have thoroughly enjoyed her wit and charm.

Reasons to stay at The Slate, A Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport: a sanctuary is but a short drive away from the airport, and we suffered no loud noises from aeroplanes flying overhead; one-resort-fits-all architecture, especially in terms of its sizeable offerings; large and comfortable rooms, with equally large and comfortable bathrooms; diversity of dining concepts available, ranging from casual experiences by the pool to exclusive landmarks like Black Ginger; memorable spa experience at The Nest.

The Slate – Luxury Resort Near Phuket Airport
Nai Yang Beach
116 Moo 1, Sakhu, Thalang,
Phuket 83110, Thailand
+6676 327 006
www.theslatephuket.com

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