Elevator pitch
A 15 minute-drive from Phuket’s famous Patong Beach lies a quieter strip of sand framing turquoise waters. Here, the coast is serene—a peaceful oasis that remains untouched by the bustle of the city’s colourful nightlife and busy tourist activities. This is Emerald Bay, the backdrop against which Rosewood Phuket is set.
With 71 villas spread across an astounding 17.4 hectares of lush greenery, walking through its sprawling grounds feels more akin to taking a stroll through a gorgeously landscaped rainforest path. Chic and modern while still retaining a distinct sense of place, each of the resort’s villas is a little slice of paradise—coupled with private pools and beautiful views of the Andaman Sea.
But what truly takes luxury to the next level is Rosewood Phuket’s two new beach houses. A massive split-level private sanctuary, the Coral House is equipped with three bedrooms, a pool and both indoor and outdoor communal spaces. For something even grander? The Palm House uphill has four bedrooms, a fitness room and two pools—one for each floor, naturally.
The stay
After being greeted with a welcome drink at the resort’s entrance—a light-filled lobby with a lotus leaf pond running through—I was left in the good hands of my butler, Cookkai, who, for the next couple of days, went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my stay went as smoothly as possible. When she pulled open the gates to the Coral House, my jaw dropped at its sheer enormity.
Each of the house’s three bedrooms stands alone with its own walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, ensuring utmost privacy and comfort even on a group trip. Settling into the master bedroom, I found that the generous space was more than enough for me to complete a workout—after which an indulgent soak in the massive tub came very welcome.
Downstairs, an indoor dining room is attached to a fully-stocked kitchen. There’s also a separate living room, an outdoor counter and dining area should guests wish to have an in-villa barbeque, and best of all, a door that leads directly to the beach.
Whilst lounging by the villa pool after an afternoon swim—book in hand and an array of local snacks obtained from the kitchen by my side—a staff member arrived with baskets of fresh coconuts hoisted on a carrying pole. Chopping the top off one, he presented it to me, cheerfully bringing my attention to where my name had been engraved on the side of the fruit. When it comes to resort living, it doesn’t get any better than this.
The itinerary
Despite its distance from the city’s tourist centre, there’s no shortage of activities to occupy your time with at Rosewood Phuket. I began my days with the resort’s morning yoga sessions, held at the wellness pavilion in full view of the sea. Afternoons were spent at the beach, where water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are available for guests—under the quick guidance and watchful eye of resort staff. As for an activity less commonly found in Singapore, give padel tennis a go at the resort’s dedicated courts.
When all that’s done, make a reservation for the wellness haven that is the Asaya Spa, where the team will whisk you away into a state of absolute relaxation. It was here that I experienced one of the best Thai massages in recent years, as my skillful therapist expertly worked out the knots in my body while carefully avoiding old injuries.
The food
With three main dining options, each memorable in their own way, food was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my stay at Rosewood Phuket. There’s Red Sauce, where you’ll find an incredible breakfast spread every morning with both local Thai dishes as well as health foods. By the time noon rolls around, however, the restaurant transforms into an Italian bistro, serving up some excellent pasta and carpaccio. Meanwhile, The Shack is the perfect spot for casual poolside dining, offering refreshing cocktails alongside sharing plates—including a remarkably scrumptious Grilled Fish Burger.
But the real star of the show is the resort’s signature Southern Thai restaurant Ta Khai. Here, greens are grown in-house, the daily catch is acquired straight from local fishermen and other ingredients are sourced from the best independent farms all over the country. Ran by chef couple Khun Nun and Khun Yai—who regularly stopped by the table to make friendly conversation—the restaurant serves up hearty, authentic dishes inspired by the bounty of nature. Don’t leave without trying the Yum Nuea Yang (grilled beef salad) and the Gaeng Pu (crab curry), both of which had me reminiscing about the meal days after I bade the city farewell.
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