InterContinental Phuket Resort
Monica Tindall
Fitting snugly between pristine sands of Kamala Beach and lush jungle-covered hills, InterContinental Resort Phuket is a luxurious beachside hideaway in Phuket, Thailand. The sleek and sophisticated resort offers an elegant escape surrounded by the beauty of nature with inspiring views of the Andaman Sea. Nature’s advantage, combined with the property’s stunning architecture, world-class amenities, gracious service and incredible dining options, makes for an unforgettable stay.
Location
Kamala Beach, at the doorstep of InterContinental Resort Phuket, is one of the nicer beaches on the island, benefitting from clear waters and stunning sunsets while at the same time being a short stroll to shops, restaurants and entertainment. The Tsunami Memorial Park is metres away, as is access to the island’s vibrant nightlife. While we find plenty to do without stepping outside the property, more extended stayers might appreciate discovering the natural wonders of Phuket slightly further afield, such as the iconic Big Buddha and the exciting Phi Phi Islands (where the movie The Beach was filmed).
Design
The resort’s architectural design is a stunning reflection of the region’s rich cultural heritage, inspired by Thai mythology and the natural landscape of Phuket. The property is both elegant and inviting, with a focus on natural materials and traditional Thai elements. Wood and stone, with traditional Thai rooves and intricate carvings, dominate structures, while the grounds are beautifully landscaped with abundant tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls, and serene pools.
InterContinental Phuket Resort Rooms
The sophisticated design extends to InterContinental Resort Phuket’s 221 rooms, suites, and villas. There’s something for everyone here, from the standard entry-level room with hill views to club rooms with balconies overlooking the sea to villas with direct pool access. Opening just before the pandemic, the interiors are near-new and in tip-top condition.
Aesthetics are bright and contemporary, with high ceilings and Thai fabrics providing a nod to their island home. The most important comforts for us – the bed and shower – are high quality. The former furnishes softness and, at the same time, support, and the latter has dual rain and shower heads, giving high-pressure, almost instant hot water. Yet, the luxuries extend beyond the standard with premium HARNN amenities, fast Wi-Fi, and a huge bathtub (perfect for winding down just before bed or escaping on a rainy afternoon).
Club InterContinental
We’re in a Club InterContinental room, so we benefit from all the perks. Guests staying in this category are not only entitled to breakfast (more on that further down), refreshments, afternoon tea and evening cocktails in the lounge, but also have access to a private pool and deck. There are five (!) pools on-site, so no location ever feels crowded anyway, but we do appreciate the adult zone and quietude found here. Furthermore, we get a few additional freebies in the min-bar and complimentary pressing of two items during our stay, which is particularly helpful the day we arrive when we want to hit the road running (or hit the scene dining).
Breakfast at Club InterContinental is a perfect match for us. The alfresco, garden-lined patio with sea views and the sound of waves rolling in is just the beginning. The ala carte menu of Western and local favourites is compact yet diverse, and everything is done exceptionally well. We fill our tummies with avocado on toast, eggs Benedict, smoked chicken cheese frittata, almond porridge, banana pancakes, and coconut French toast paired with freshly pressed fruit and veg juices of the day and coffee with any number of dairy substitutes. There is also a daily special, featuring superfoods. I have the buckwheat bowl with fruit and nuts, and it’s absolutely delicious. The ala carte menu is backed up with a gourmet spread of artisan bread, pastries, salads, cheeses, dried fruit, nuts, cereals and yoghurt. Alternatively, Asian favourites such as sea bass congee, dim sum, crab curry, bak kut teh and fried rice satisfy more local cravings.
Food & Beverage
And speaking of dining, we’re at InterContinental Resort Phuket for precisely that reason. This moderately-sized hotel has seven (!) different food and beverage outlets, with notable chefs at the helm. In addition to already extraordinary options, international celebrity chefs often grace the kitchens, and this weekend, we’re thrilled with the presence of David Zilber. Renowned for his work with 3-MICHELIN-Starred Noma and co-authoring The Noma Guide to Fermentation, he takes over the hom kitchen, paying homage to fermentation and the discovery of local ingredients. More on that extraordinary experience here.
On our second evening, we savour contemporary Thai cuisine at Jaras, overlooking the beachfront pool. The team are passionate about sustainability, reducing the miles food travels, and producing close to zero waste. It’s some of the prettiest and most delicious Thai food we’ve had the privilege of dining on. Read more about their menu and our favourite dishes via this link.
Pinto is InterContinental Resort Phuket’s all-day dining restaurant, serving a buffet breakfast and international cuisine throughout the day. I’m not a fan of crowds, so I appreciate the quiet confines and ala carte menu of Club InterContinental for brekkie. However, we do lunch here on our final day, getting a taste of the kitchen and its global offerings. And, we’re once again impressed with the quality of food and service. We enjoyed our meal so much, I dedicated a post to the kitchen here.
333 At the Beach, the hotel’s beachfront grill, is an awesome gathering place bordered by sand and enhanced by the twinkling blue sea. From local seafood to plant-based recipes, succulent oysters to grilled Thai Wagyu, the menu here is simple, wholesome and fresh. Accompanied by expertly mixed cocktails and a decent wine list, we settle in for a blissful day at the beach. Follow this link for our favourite menu items.
Three days in the resort and we still don’t manage to get to all seven outlets. We’re yet to explore Tengoku, a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant with a fun and contemporary edge. Deva’s Lounge serves a pretty afternoon tea and a typical lounge menu with cakes, pastries, tea, coffee and even a glass of wine. Lastly, Pine, just up the shore from 333 At the Beach, is a terrific spot for sundowners, soaking up the last of the day’s rays before easing into the evening’s cooler night breeze.
InterContinental Phuket Resort Facilities
For many, a major drawcard of InterContinental Resort Phuket is direct access to the beach. The three-kilometre strip curves around a pretty tree-lined soft-sand strip and faces west, guaranteeing spectacular sunsets if the clouds keep at bay. Plentiful sun loungers and umbrellas mean we never have trouble finding a spot, and we appreciate the food and beverage service directly to our sunbeds – fresh, chilled coconuts are the perfect beachside refreshment.
Moreover, InterContinental Resort Phuket has not one but five swimming pools! As mentioned earlier, our fave is the Club InterContinental Pool, gifting exclusivity to Club InterContinental guests. However, the second runner-up, The Beach Pool, is a superb alternative. Encircled by pine trees, it presents an optimal location to view the golden Andaman sunset. On the other side of the resort, on the hillside, there are three more ponds for dipping. Besides a swim, the Rooftop Pool is a great location for capturing a pic of the hill section of the resort and the magnificent white structure of hom restaurant. The Lagoon Pool and Serene Pool flank the sides of the property, meaning no guest ever has to walk more than a few metres to access the water.
InterContinental Resort Phuket’s spa is also worth investigating. While we regrettably don’t find the time for a full session, we do get a small taste with a welcome head and shoulder massage. Our therapist is exceptional, and in the 15 minutes she has us, she manages to ease tension and lull us into complete relaxation. I’m sure you could find a session for a quarter of the price somewhere along the beach but I bet the service and setting would also be a fourth of the standard.
InterContinental Phuket Resort Review
InterContinental Phuket Resort is a winning combo of luxury, authenticity, and natural beauty, offering guests an unforgettable escape to indulge in world-class service, exceptionally comfortable accommodations, and exciting food and beverages. Whether seeking serenity on a private sunbed, an activity-packed getaway, or a culinary adventure, the resort promises to create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise.
Reasons to stay at InterContinental Phuket Resort: fantastic location between Kamala Beach and the lush hillside; small enough to offer a luxury feel yet large enough to provide 5-star resort facilities; extremely comfortable rooms; award-winning food and beverage options; Club InterContinental delivers an even more exclusive and personalised experience with a gourmet brekkie to start the day off right.
InterContinental Phuket Resort
333, 333/3 Moo 3, Kamala Beach, Kathu
Phuket 83150, Thailand
+66 (0)76 629 999
@InterContinentalPhuket
[email protected]
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Awesome!