Noku Phuket – Private Pool Villas
Words: Han Sen Hau
Photos: Monica Tindall
The only way I can describe the feeling of arriving at Noku Phuket —the wave of calm, the soft rustling of leaves, the gentle fragrance of Thai red tea being prepared for guests—is akin to watching the elven sanctuary Rivendell being brought to life for the first time on the silver screen (thank you Peter Jackson). Sure, there were neither otherworldly immortals with pointy ears to greet me nor Howard Shore’s amazing score playing in my ears, but like the famous fellowship who beheld that sanctuary for the first time, so did I tread the lobby of Noku Phuket in stupefying slow-motion, as I walked into a space that seemed to suspend time itself, telling me to inhale deeply, slow down, and relax.
In retrospect, that could have been the fatigue from carrying photography equipment kicking in.
But the effect that Noku Phuket instilled upon my body and being was a state of serenity that whispered secluded luxury, and its architecture facilitates that. Located at the top of a hill overlooking Chalong Bay, the property feels distant and disparate from the cacophony that exists in the world below. The hotel is locked in a verdant embrace offered by the lush hillside, and seems content in being a displaced observer to the frenzied tourist trap that is Phuket.
Being the final destination in a frenetic itinerary, Noku Phuket offered me an experience that had been lost to me for years: undisturbed peace.
And this was just the beginning.
What You See Immediately
The large infinity pool across the lobby that served as a mirror to clouds floating by. While there was also a private infinity pool in the Hill Villa, where the hotel had graciously housed me, the swimming pool right by the lobby had the best view of Chalong Bay. It never got too busy, and the sun loungers by the pool were perfect for a siesta or an Aperol Spritz if I ever needed a post-lunch perk-me-up.
The Terrace that stretched along the side of the pool was also an ideal place to watch the world go idly by. The flaming red flowers of Royal Poincianas planted around the hotel can be admired from the Terrace, and even the famous Phuket landmark Wat Chalong can be viewed from Noku Phuket. Truly, there was nothing more pleasurable about my stay than to just sink into a couch at the Terrace and read an ebook to the sound of slow, whirring fan blades above me.
More crucially, and perhaps more obviously, was Noku Phuket’s landscaping. Walking around the hotel grounds felt like a tour of a Japanese botanical garden. While the placement of each plant was indisputably deliberate and meticulously cared for (not a single blade of leaf seemed flawed), the final composition was a reflection of Phuket’s natural resources and beauty. Considering that the property is barely a year old, it would be interesting to see how the foliage would flourish in a few years and whether or not the gardeners would espouse a wabi-sabi approach to their growing garden. Regardless, there is a certain stillness permeating the entire grounds that seemed to inspire mediation.
There is no conflict. Only silent respite.
What You Don’t See Immediately
Noku Phuket’s 3Ps to success: Pui, Poy, and Patty. I jest. What I meant to say was the excellent service offered by the team, who were instrumental in making my stay as comfortable as possible, and that experience is best explicated through my interactions with three ladies who coincidentally share the same starting letter to their name. These women were never caught off guard and were always seen with smiles that could only come from a place of pride and happiness for working at such a property.
I sound like I’m describing a dystopian dictatorship that compels its workforce to always remain happy at all costs, but I assure you, dear reader, that the sincerity expressed through the hotel team’s devotion to customer service was unimpeachable.
With Pui, I was given a holistic tour of Noku Phuket from the lobby at the top to the lofts further downhill. It was enlightening to witness how the brand’s approach to tranquillity extends even to the more compact lofts, all serene spaces that probably allowed guests to rediscover breathing slowly and deeply again. I particularly love the sliding windows that separated the bathroom from the bedroom in one of the lofts visited, as they were crafted to look like Japanese shoji. Pui’s knowledge of the history and design inspiration allowed me to better appreciate Noku’s many facets, and her enthusiasm to share that knowledge was deeply valued.
On the other hand, Poy could easily be the mascot of Noku Phuket hospitality. Simply look out for the young lady in glasses and ponytail (a very rare instance where these are actually defining identifiers for a person) at the hotel’s restaurant, EMBRACE, or the Terrace. I assure you that all your needs will be taken care of, including helping to purchase a packet of Thai red tea right before checkout just because a guest (a.k.a. me) couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the subtly sweet taste back in Phuket without bringing it home. Yes, she’s that good at entertaining a perfectly (un)reasonable request like that.
As for Patty, she was an excellent guide on places to visit around Phuket Old Town. The hotel itself offers complimentary shuttle bus service to four locations: Kata Beach, Central Floresta Mall, Big Buddha Statue, and Phuket Old Town. However, Patty sensed an unquenchable taste of adventure and souvenir shopping in me, so she worked out a travel itinerary with me over two days that would include the aforementioned locations and other noteworthy attractions, like chaotic Chillva Market, a hub for thrift hunters.
Thus, while the calming aesthetic of Noku is what most guests would immediately perceive upon arrival, it is the charm and hospitality afforded by the hotel’s dedicated team that elevates the overall experience, and with time, they would become the defining characteristic of a stay at Noku.
Noku Phuket Rooms
The same sense of peace enveloping Noku can be inhaled in their rooms as well. Shades of grey and rattan textures dominated the interior of my Hill Villa, and the room opens up to a private infinity pool. If it were any other hotel, a private pool would have been the highlight of the suite, but my favourite spot inside the Hill Villa was the sunken bath in the bathroom, which was the most relaxing location for a long soak after a tiring day.
A large floor-to-ceiling window and glass sliding door right next to the bath offers direct access to the patio from the bathroom. There are blinds for privacy, but the entire unit itself already offers a lot of that simply via its architecture. The slate grey walls also absorb much of the harsh afternoon light, so if it ever gets too bright and sunny for a soak outside, then the sunken bath is an equally appealing option for vampires like me. I did wonder, though, how many bath bombs it would take to completely cover the bath with bubbles. An experiment I would love to complete in a future visit.
One nifty little detail about the Hill Villa that I really appreciated was the complete absence of paper. No brochures. No pamphlets. No thick room service menus. Every piece of information can be found on the TV mounted on the wall, allowing guests to watch their favourite YouTube videos or check the Internet for fancy cafes at Phuket Old Town. Even the trash can had a compartment for recyclables. Plus points for going green.
All basic amenities expected from a five-star hotel are available in the room, like high-speed Internet, fluffy towels, safe, well-stocked mini fridge, proprietary toiletries, and sandals, but the offering that truly satiated my soul was drip coffee sachets. The smell of freshly brewed coffee is my kryptonite, and these were so fragrant that I packed a couple for home.
Dining
All of the food enjoyed at Noku Phuket was prepared by the hotel’s sole restaurant, EMBRACE. For my first night, I was treated to its six-course dinner set menu, which featured (i) Butter Fried Octopus, (ii) Grilled Scallop and Truffle Oil Capellini, (iii) Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad, (iv) Seafood Saffron Soup, (v) Miso Glazed Cod Fillet or Baked Spiced Free Range Chicken Breast as the main course, and (vi) Classic Tiramisu for dessert.
While everything at dinner was gratifying, I need to single out the Seafood Saffron Soup and the Miso Glazed Cod Fillet. The former could function as a main in its own right as the restaurant was very generous with the large cut of silky salmon, fresh mussels, and chewy calamari. A sprinkle of saffron in the light broth added a touch of luxury to the dish too.
As for the Miso Glazed Cod Fillet, the fish was charred just enough to caramelise the fatty parts without dehydrating the flesh. Deep-fried, sliced ginger crowned the cod, adding a delightful piquancy to a dish that brimmed with umami and a creamy mouthfeel, much thanks to the accompanying buttery béarnaise sauce.
Fast forward to the next morning, breakfast at EMBRACE was a warm and familiar affair, with a surprise dish I hadn’t expected to find at the live station: Bak Kut Teh! Just as I was recovering from my shock, my eyes then spotted another Malaysian staple, Curry Laksa. Of course, it was my duty to sample both. As a Malaysian Chinese, I am very happy to report that the Bak Kut Teh prepared at EMBRACE is a faithful reproduction of the original. The ratio of herbs and spices mixed in the dark broth was just right to momentarily transport me back home, and I happily enjoyed it right next to local Thai delights like Pad Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice. The same can be said of the Curry Laksa as well, which warmed the tongue, heart, and soul.
Beyond the amusing finds of the morning, the breakfast spread at EMBRACE was much more focused and compact compared to the usual sprawl of offerings found elsewhere. In addition to familiar local options, continental offerings dominated the island counters, allowing guests to easily construct a big breakfast with bacon, sausage, and eggs done their way, then ending the feast with sweet danishes and pastries.
Services & Facilities
As mentioned earlier, Noku offers complimentary shuttle bus services to four locations, and having fully utilised this service, I can say confidently that it is absolutely possible to visit all four places over a two-night stay at the hotel. As Phuket Old Town and Central Floresta Mall were within the same area, I hopped on the 10am shuttle to visit the Big Buddha Statue first, returned to the hotel via taxi at noon, and then hopped on the next available shuttle for Phuket Old Town at 2pm. From there, I walked all the way to Central Floresta Mall because I’m insane that way, but a five-minute taxi ride could have worked, too (assuming there’s light traffic; otherwise, those kilometres can only be covered in twenty minutes). I saved Kata Beach for my last day and took the earliest shuttle at 10am, spent a couple of hours listening to the sound of waves crashing, then returned to the hotel at 1:30pm for a quick shower before checking out.
Besides the public infinity pool, other facilities include a gym and yoga studio right across the restaurant, along with a spa and wellness centre close to the lofts downhill. While I wasn’t able to experience the latter personally, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that an afternoon spent there would induce a Zen-like state of mind, what with the entire property exuding a serenity that’s usually reserved for monasteries.
Noku Phuket – Final Thoughts
A stay at Noku Phuket is one of the best gifts you can give to your body. Being the traveller I am, I would always take every opportunity to get out of the hotel and explore every sight and sound within my reach, but this property radiated with such stillness and calm that it was incredibly hard to even leave the property for a day trip, as sweet, sweet repose was a luxury I could rarely afford, and much like the lotus-eaters of Greek mythology, I never wanted to leave.
A most heartfelt gratitude to Pui, who showed me around; Chan, for checking me in; Chum, for serving dinner; Patty, for helping to plan my travel itinerary; and lastly, Poy, for going out of her way to secure a packet of delicious Thai red tea leaves before I left. I felt like the happiest smuggler.
Reasons to stay at Noku Phuket: spectacular view; warm customer service; tranquillity that oozes out of every corner; one of the better breakfast experiences I’ve had at a hotel, maybe because everything felt like they were prepared at home, which really fits the whole “take your time” philosophy.
Noku Phuket
48/13 Moo 6, Soi Soi Namyen,
Chaofa West Road, Chalong,
Muang Phuket 83130, Thailand
+6676 384 076
https://phuket.nokuhotels.com
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