Laidback Luxury Meets Beachside Bliss at Trisara Phuket - Hotel Review

THAILAND

A hotel review of Trisara Resort. Images courtesy of Trisara Resort and Jasmin Woolf | CSP Times.

More and more luxury hotels are cropping up in Phuket over the years, each trying to outdo the other, but there’s one particular resort we stayed at recently that’s in a league of its own: Trisara. This five-star resort feels like a hidden treasure, tucked away amidst lush vegetation on the hillside, offering a blend of privacy and breathtaking beauty that you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else on the island.

Imagine waking up in a stunning villa with your own private pool overlooking the sparkling Andaman Sea, surrounded by greenery, listening to the chirp of cicadas. It’s the kind of place where you can truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Throw in the private beach, an abundance of top-notch dining facilities and a next-level spa, you’d be forgiven for not leaving the property at all during your trip.

Want to find out more about this incredible property? Read on for a detailed breakdown of our stay.

Location

From its secluded perch on a hill, Trisara feels worlds away from the crowded beaches and busy tourist attractions you see in certain parts of Phuket, but it’s surprisingly conveniently located. You’re a short 15-minute drive from the airport, and about 10-20 minutes away from the nearby beaches, restaurants, night markets and shopping areas should you fancy a change of scenery.

However, chances are high you’ll find yourself spending most, if not all, of your holiday at the resort, lazing by the pool with a good book or on the private beach. After all, when you’re paying a premium price for a stay in paradise, you might as well make the most of it! Plus, there’s no shortage of activities to do or places to eat here.

The Hotel

The winding roads leading towards the hotel are lined with banana trees, coconut palms and other greenery, with hints of the Andaman vista poking through at intervals, already painting a scenic path to this secluded sanctuary.

The hotel’s open-air reception has a treehouse-esque ambience thanks to its rustic wooden structure enshrined in lush vegetation. The interior is modern and relaxed with several beige sofas and wooden coffee tables, it's akin to walking into someone's (luxurious) living room rather than a hotel lobby. Upon arrival, a refreshing welcome drink is provided while you complete check in. It's not long before we've completed the necessary admin and we're taken to our private sanctuary aka the Ocean View Pool Villa.

Accommodation

Each of Trisara's villas and residences is a masterpiece in understated luxury. Designed as standalone sanctuaries, each villa is designed with an ample amount of space, spectacular views of the Andaman sea and sunsets, and a sense of total privacy. The outdoor area features a private infinity pool, an expansive teakwood sundeck, and daybeds, all enveloped in a glorious canopy of ruffled leaves and delicate lilies. Feel free to wear as little as you'd like to avoid those tan lines, the thick layers of greenery hugging the villa shrouds you from view.

Inside, the interiors are Thai with a contemporary twist: light beige walls contrasting with dark wood paneling, plenty of rich marble, and dark wooden floors. The expansive bedroom cum living room is furnished with a king-sized bed, study desk and a lounging area with multiple sofas. Thoughtful details are abound, the room is tastefully decorated with artwork from all over South East Asia as well as silks by Jim Thompson. Admittedly, the technology automation isn’t on par compared to what you’d find in newer hotels, but the air conditioning and wifi worked perfectly which suited us just fine.

Adjoining the bedroom is a spacious bathroom equipped with a deep sunken bathtub, double vanities and a separate toilet and shower. Right outside the bathroom is an outdoor shower as well, although depending on the time of day, you might be better of showering indoors to avoid becoming a feast for the mosquitoes.

As we take in our surroundings, I'm struck by the ubiquitous vegetation and the hotel's seamless integration into its natural surroundings. During our stay, we would come across a banana tree brimming with fruits, or a lizard sunbathing by our gate. Here, there's no fussing about noisy next door neighbours through paper-thin walls, just the beauty of the jungle and sea.

Facilities

After getting settled, we're offered a hotel tour. We're taken by buggy towards the waterfront, where the majority of the hotel's restaurants and public facilities are situated, centered around a spacious central deck overlooking the ocean. As you walk down the stairs towards the deck, it's a sight to behold, starting with a spectacular tiered water feature with several pagodas sporting the traditional Thai gabled roof line on either side, while gigantic palm trees frame the azure waters.

Walking further along the deck and you'll come to the main pool right next to the beach. The beach is where most guests tend to congregate during the day, sipping a coconut under bamboo umbrellas, but even then the loungers are spread out so it's relatively peaceful. Meanwhile, the rest of the hotel promises utter privacy and seclusion. You'll rarely run into another guest as you wander the extensive grounds, so at times it feels like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.

If the abundance of natural greenery and fresh ocean breeze isn’t enough to relax you, a trip to Jara Spa is sure to do the trick. Each of the treatment rooms are located within their own villa, with its own garden as well as sublime ocean views. Here, you can explore signature therapies rooted in ancient Thai healing, specifically designed to bring immediate relief and promote a sense of well-being. Not sure what to choose? The spa consultants can also help to create a personal treatment series tailored to your mind and body needs.

Things to Do

While we could have easily spend our entire stay lounging by the pool and strolling about the grounds, Trisara also offers a wide range of outdoor experiences suitable for both adults and children. This ranges from snorkelling and beach football to guided farm tours and Muay Thai classes. Given that the hotel has a private beach, the resort even features a unique Marine Discovery activity for kids, giving them a unique opportunity to observe marine life in the natural habitat, observe vibrant coral formations, and learn about conservation and preservation of the delicate ecosystem.

Unfortunately weather conditions prevented us from doing a snorkelling trip, but I had the pleasure of joining for a stretching session one morning, which took place at an open-air sala steps away from the beach. The mindful gentle movements combined with the occasional echos of cicadas and the roar of the waves crashing onto the beach left me feeling surprisingly relaxed and rejuvenated, a wonderful feeling I carried with me throughout the rest of the day.

Dining

With five on-site restaurants and a bar, Trisara is not just a place to stay; it’s a destination for food enthusiasts too.

The pride of the resort is Pru, Phuket’s first and only 1-Michelin star and Michelin green star restaurant, where Dutch chef Jimmy Ophorst’s community to fork philosophy comes to life. The Japanese-style counter offers front-row seats to the action happening in the open kitchen, where you can watch chefs whip up dishes like smoked durian mousse with caviar from Hua Hin and shiso oil, showcasing Thai ingredients and creative cooking techniques.

Thai Library offers an intimate ode to Southern Thai flavours, where delectable dishes such as Pla Goong Mae Nam (Tapi River prawns salad with with herbs, dala flower and palm sugar) and Gaeng Kua Nuea Bai Ra, braised Pranburi beef cheek curry with shrubby basil, are served in an elegant setting.

The hotel's newest addition, La Crique, is where Chef Notty bridges the Andaman Coast and French Riviera in the best way possible. Think locally caught yellow-tail fish tartare elevated with jalapeno, coriander, caviar and a refreshing citrus dressing or Phuket lobster cooked to perfection, enjoyed at the upscale poolside pavilion.

For all-day dining, head to Cielo & Spice. There's a breakfast buffet as well as an extensive a la carte menu featuring everything from Thai classics to Western dishes. Of note, the breakfast buffet featured a traditional Thai-style drip coffee and a wide array of fresh fruit juices to create a blend of your choice. For lunch and dinner, choose between wood-fired pizzas, seafood platters and authentic Thai recipes.

Whilst not one of the on-site options, Trisara's sister restaurant Jampa deserves a special mention. This zero-waste, farm-to-table concept celebrates organic produce in bold, earthy flavours. We highlight recommend visiting this exclusive dining experience in the heart of the PRU Jampa Farm a quick 15-minute drive away from the hotel. Each dish was a rich reflection of nature’s bounty, made all the more special by starting our dining experience with a tour of the organic farm discovering the seasons flora and fauna that is later served at the table.

The Verdict

With an emphasis on laid-back luxury, Trisara offers a sanctuary where guests can really kick off their shoes and unwind amidst the stunning backdrop of the ocean.

Book Now

Address: 60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand |

Website: Trisara.com | Phone: +66 (0) 76 310100 | Email: reservations@trisara.com |

Instagram: @Trisararesort | Facebook: @Trisararesort