★★★★
121 Srisunthorn Rd, Surin Beach, Near Surin Beach, Thalang, Thailand
Property Location
With a stay at Manathai Resort in Thalang (Surin), you'll be minutes from Surin Beach and close to Laem Singh Beach. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Kamala Beach and Tsunami Memorial.
Business HOTEL
Hot spot: Manathai Resort, Phuket
Its intimacy, design and vibe are what make the Manathai Resort Phuket
my favourite of all holiday accommodations. As a product contractor in
travel, I have seen and stayed in a myriad of properties but this
particular boutique space, central to Surin Beach, really appeals to my
senses.
Separating from our frenzied scooter hive on highway 4025 and
throttling back onto the less hurried sois (streets and alleys) of Hat
Surin, we immediately felt the strain melt off our wind-swept faces.
This nook in the West of Phuket is a delight. It is north of damaged
Patong, central enough to access both the south and north of the island
easily and Surin is considered by locals and expats alike, to be a chic
weekend getaway.
There are no blazing neon signs advertising the resort. Instead,
puttering along Srisunthorn road, you are met with beautiful green tiled
A-frame roofs, white washed walls, trickling waters and an open plan
road-front restaurant fringed with white patio umbrellas. Security waved
us in and having killed the waspish drone of our scooter we were
welcomed inside with lemongrass drinks and cool moving air from silent
fans.
The open plan reception-cum-lounge-cum-bar is really the crux of why
this place is so attractive to me. The mood here is laid back, staff
come and go and never fail to greet or smile in passing, the constant
warm breeze lulls you into relaxation and it's where my partner and I
tended to spend most evenings.
We, of course, explored the local scene but found ourselves returning
early each night to relax on large couches, amid brightly coloured
cushions with drinks, books and the days' photos until we felt the need
to drift off to bed.
The room was huge, with high ceilings and shelving holding beautiful
ceramics, platters, stone and wood carvings, tiles and all sorts of
traditional Thai earthen wares. Huge, low-hung, pod-like lighting warmly
reaches all corners and the smell of lemongrass incense and the wafting
aromas of freshly cut lotus flowers polished off the setting.
Our days spent exploring Phuket Island by motorbike was a hot and
sticky affair. So, returning to ultramarine blue pool waters was just
bliss. Gliding up and down, eyeing out chirruping frogs in the pool's
pond edges and relishing the sound of tricking waters from enormous
mossy-skinned pots just felt so luxurious and private. The place was
'ours' and we never felt impinged upon by other holiday makers. In fact,
at any one time we spotted perhaps a couple here and there but we were
never in anyone else's company.
Summing up my surroundings:
Antique furniture, dark woods, pebble pathways, white walls, wrought
iron designer lights, fresh lotus flowers, comfort and class, natural
light abound, frangipanis, earthy colours and the staff.
Manager Khun Daniel and his staff were (and still are) a super crowd
with attention to detail and personalised touches being their unique
selling point. They are what made our stay wonderful and should we make
it back to Thailand again, Manathai Resort is where we will call home.
by Kate Walker
Fact Box
Manathai Resort Phuket
Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand