Hotel review: Trisara, Phuket

Daily Mail​

15 hours ago

Phuket, Thailand 's largest island, has much to offer: white-gold beaches, turquoise waters, upscale beach clubs and an Old Town famous for its colourful Sino-Portuguese houses, street food markets and bustling nightlife. It's also steeped in culture, with Buddhist and Chinese temples, street art murals and traditional music festivals galore.
You'll find some of the world's most opulent beachfront resorts in Phuket, offering guests specialised wellness programs, personalised services and fine dining experiences. Trisara, a high-end eco resort on the quiet north-western coast, is a prime example.
With a name that lives up to its translation ('The Garden in the Third Heaven'), the five-star hotel is a seaside sanctuary spanning 40 acres of lush jungle surrounds, and a private coastline with impressive rock formations and one of the healthiest coral reefs on the island.
Its connection to nature is mirrored through its design. The resort's main buildings and villas feature sloping terracotta roofs, open layouts reminiscent of sala-style pavilions and intricate teak wood carvings, seamlessly blending Thai tradition with modern comfort.
Trisara is less than half an hour by car from Phuket's airport, and arriving feels like entering a private pocket of the world. I'm welcomed with a phuang malai flower garland, a chilled jasmine-scented towel and a refreshing drink, before a buggy whizzes me off to my villa.
Rooms and facilities
Trisara prides itself for offering guests a secluded and intimate experience. Each of its 39 pool villas and suites are cleverly scattered across a forest-covered hillside and boast their own private entrance, outdoor deck and infinity pool screened by lush hedges of birds of paradise flowers.
Stepping through the sliding doors of the Ocean View Pool Villa I get to call home for the next few days, I'm transported into an episode of The White Lotus. The focal point of the room is a king bed with crisp white cotton sheets, perfectly positioned towards the water to take in those glistening Andaman Sea views and magical sunsets.
The marble bathroom – hidden behind the bed when the turndown crew closes the teak pocket doors at night – contains his and hers sinks, a vanity table, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes with silk hangers, an enormous bath, two showers (indoor and outdoor) and the fluffiest robes and towels (more than you'll ever need).
Outside, there are plenty of spots to plop down (I count four comfy sunloungers and a dining set). Having my very own infinity pool is a real highlight. The landscaped gardens surrounding my villa do, in fact, offer total privacy, so a skinny-dip is basically obligatory.
But the real luxury is in the details and amenities here. You'll find mosquito repellent (chances are you will get bitten otherwise), a woven beach bag (it's very chic and available to buy in the gift shop) and large, clear umbrellas (in case of a tropical downpour) in your room.
A fresh fruit platter, glass jars of chocolate truffles, chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies, Nespresso pods, and reusable glass water bottles are restocked daily. And the hotel buggies, which are only a phone call away, will take you from your villa to the hotel's main buildings. Although the walk down the narrow lanes and steps is quite scenic.
Food and drink
It's tempting to sit on the deck and order room service (I'm told a lot of guests dine in their rooms) but Trisara is home to five restaurants and one cocktail bar (7.8˚N – make sure to order the Latitude) that deserve to be explored.
Breakfast at Cielo & Spice is a spectacular affair, with a buffet spread of fresh fruits, flaky pastries, homemade yoghurt jars and Thai delicacies such as pork dumplings and chicken fried rice. Still peckish? The à la carte breakfast options include cinnamon French toast with fresh mango and eggs cooked in every way possible.
Come lunchtime, the seafront restaurant serves up a mix of European and Asian fare. Highlights include the pomelo salad with green apple and chili, the Massaman curry and the cumin stir-fried sliced beef tenderloin.
On the opposite side of the deck sits La Crique. Trisara's newest dining destination draws inspiration from the Andaman Coast and the French Riviera with plates of artichoke salad, grilled tiger prawns and beef filet with Bearnaise sauce.
Looking to turn up the spice? At Thai Library, authentic Southern Thai classics are served family-style. There's an à la carte menu with a lot of choices, so I ask the Chef for his recommendations and leave more than satisfied.
Fine dining foodies will be spoiled at Pru, the island's first Michelin-starred joint, and Jampa, the farm-to-table restaurant located on the resort's farm, where I sample a ten-course sharing menu whilst overlooking the lakes and wildlife.
Hotel highlights
Despite having a villa with a private pool, I spend most of my time by the 45-metre saltwater pool that stretches along the resort's beachfront for alternating dips in the pool and the Andaman Sea. It's surrounded by sunloungers and umbrellas, daybeds and even a hammock (or two) hanging from the palm trees.
If a tropical downpour catches you off guard one day, there's no better place to hide from the rain than the Jara Spa, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the resort's lush greenery. Each treatment here starts and finishes with a cup of herbal tea and candied ginger. I indulge in the Jara Oil Massage: a 90-minute aromatherapy massage during which the therapist guides me through various stretches.
What to do
Get an active start to the day
There are endless ways to get your blood pumping at Trisara: hit the state-of-the-art gym (personal trainers are on call and infrared saunas await after your sweat sesh); brush up on your serving skills on one of the two private tennis courts; or get into ring with one of the resort's expert trainers for a Thai boxing lesson.
Alternatively, if you like a slower start to your day, Trisara also organises yoga and meditation sessions in its lush tropical landscapes.
Enjoy the complimentary water sports
I truly believe there's no better way to spend a week in tropical paradise than on a sunlounger with a good book, but if you're feeling a little more adventurous, the hotel offers complimentary non-motorised water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and snorkeling between the months of December and April.
Head into the Old Town
No trip to Phuket would be complete without a visit to its Old Town. Though just under an hour's drive from the resort (and that's on a good traffic day), there's plenty to explore in its colourful streets, from traditional ceramics shops to cool cafés and street food snacks. Thalang Road, the oldest and most iconic street, runs through the heart of the area and cannot be missed.
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