Sunprime Kamala Beach

The Kamala Beach Resort, a Sunprime Resort, is geared toward travelers, especially couples, seeking a peaceful Phuket vacation on a large property that’s loaded with upscale facilities and services. The small entrance of the hotel -- with a white, pitched roof and two praying Thai statues -- doesn't prepare guests for the sheer size of this resort. Sleek wooden floors and planked ceilings decorate the lobby, which has modern furniture by windows that overlook the grounds. Pathways -- lit by garden lamps -- weave through the manicured grounds and lawns. There are recycling bins available outside. Families with kids are reportedly in a separate part of the property to keep noise down. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and laid-back.

The Kamala Beach Resort is situated on the peaceful shores of Kamala Beach, where there are plenty of vendor and restaurant stalls. Within 10 minutes walking distance are several restaurants and bars, a 7-11, a beer garden, and shops. The airport is about 32 minutes by car. It’s a 30-minute drive to bustling Phuket town. Phuket FantaSea, a buffet dinner and lively show, is a 16-minute car trip. Driving to Wat Chalong temple takes 35 minutes. The Big Buddha statue is a 43-minute drive. It’s a nine-minute drive to the Phuket Surf School. The Siam Safari Nature Tours are a 35-minute drive away.

The hotel offers several room categories: Deluxe Ground Terrace, Deluxe Partial Sea View, Grand Deluxe Mountain View, Grand Deluxe Pool View, and Junior Suites. Wooden floors, silk textiles, pop culture artwork, and dark wood furniture are in most rooms. Features include air-conditioning, bathrobes, slippers, flat-screen TVs, minibars, umbrellas, irons, safes, and coffee/tea makers. Modern bathrooms are outfitted with soap/shampoo combo toiletries, and showers or shower/tub combos. Keycards operate electricity. Lovely balconies or terraces offer patio furniture, overlooking the mountains, pool, and/or gardens. Partial sea views are available. Suites have living rooms with partition doors, kitchenette sinks, two bathrooms, walk-in rainfall showers, and a soaking tub.

There are four outdoor lagoon pools that are surrounded by greenery. Lounge chairs and white umbrellas are on the decks. There are two swim-up tiki bars. One pool offers partial views of the beach, a lovely stretch of sand, lined with palms. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are not available on the sand, and past guests have complained that the pools can get crowded.

The Prime Gym offers wooden floors, modern cardio equipment, weights, a water cooler, yoga mats, and a flat-screen TV. Prime Studio, used for yoga and aerobics classes, is clean and airy with wooden floors and large windows.

The resort is one the best equipped in the area, with two restaurants and four bars. The Primekitchen by the sea serves European and Thai cuisine from a open-air tiki restaurant. Primekitchen by the pool has Italian fare, themed dinners, and live music. The Primewellness snack bar is by the gym. The Primelounge is casual and open-air. Two swim-up tiki bars are also available. There’s also a well-stocked mini market and a clinic, Dr. Sonita’s Team, on-site.

Three bright, classic meeting rooms are also available, respectively fitting up to 25 and 225 people. There’s also a business center in the lobby with four PC computers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.