Beauty and the Beach
Review: Indigo Pearl, Phuket
Friday, 24 Aug 2012
Calling the cool cats: if you’re looking for a quick and easy getaway (with or without kids), we’ve found just the place – boutique hotel Indigo Pearl on Nai Yang beach, Phuket.
Having just spent the week there, here’s our verdict: it’s cool, it’s hip, and it’s a million miles away from the razzle dazzle of Patong. Plus, it’s 5 minutes from the airport on the North West coast of the island. Ding ding, we have a winner.
We loved the hotel’s minimalist, industrial chic style which incorporates the island’s tin mining history. Think indigo lighting, exposed metal, and riveted furnishings.
With rain showers, freestanding baths and walk-in closets in each of the 177 rooms, we were sold! We stayed in a fabulous Dbuk family suite which had a huge day bed for the kids to roll around in. It’s a shame the terrace had no view, but at least it meant the children couldn’t pull a Houdini.
The brand new Pool Villas are very cool. They’re decked out in black and grey, have loads of privacy and space, a dining and living area, BBQ and a separate sleeping pavilion. They even come with your own butler. Bring it on!
Parents, heads up: Indigo Pearl may not seem child-friendly, but they’ll quickly disprove that misconception.There’s a great kids’ club, huge family pool (and two adults only pools), babysitters(!), and excellent kids menus.
And the food? Let’s just say we were extremely well-fed by all seven restaurants onsite. Thai restaurant Black Ginger is particularly impressive as you get to it on a raft – we always love a bit of romance.
Another must-do: book a spa appointment at Coqoon Spa. We had our spa treatment in the Nest, suspended midair in the branches of a huge tree, at Coqoon Spa. You can only imagine how well we slept that night.
Now if you’re a regular traveller, you’ll know it’s the little extras that really make a trip count. Indigo Pearl definitely ticked those boxes with the baby welcome gift, daily treats in our room, and ice lollies handed out by the pool.
There’s also a gym, dive centre and lots of activities, cultural tours and classes available, and even a cooking school. It’s easy to explore the rest of Phuket too as the hotel will book taxis and provide car seats.
Nai Yang beach itself is gorgeous. Cotemer is the hotel’s beach club, but there’s also plenty of casual beach bars and restaurants dotted along the beach. The kids loved it, we loved it, and best of all – we left completely rejuvenated.
These escapes were brought to you by Lightfoot Travel p. 6438 4091, e. info@lightfoottravel.com, a Singapore-based luxury tour operator offering expert travel advice & inspiration, tailor-made itineraries & full booking services.
