Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa

The Renaissance Phuket is a luxury resort from Marriott. Guests are greeted at the entrance, which includes a glass and wood porte cochere and infinity-edge reflection pool, by valets and bellmen. It's a short walk up a small flight of steps to the semi-open-air lobby. The space is small, but tall wood inlay ceilings, dramatic columns, and a huge, abstract wooden light fixture add interest. A circular settee is topped with pillows and there's a long (slightly stained) maroon couch and tables. Just beyond the lobby sit double reflection pools with infinity edges. You can't see the Andaman Sea from the lobby, but the property's tropical landscaping is evident. Grounds are pristinely kept and include tall palm trees, flowering bushes, and paved pathways. Though there are over 200 guest rooms and villas here, this is a smaller and intimate property -- you won't find a need for a golf cart or long walk to get from the rooms to the public spaces. The Renaissance Phuket is popular with families and couples, but nonetheless, past guests have reported that the overall scene is calm and tranquil. Families may be happier at the nearby JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa -- it has bigger pools, a better waterslide, and a much more expansive kids' club. 

For those who want minimal airport driving time and a location on the beach, the Renaissance Phuket is a solid choice. It's built on sandy Mai Khao Beach, but the resort is at least a 40-minute drive to Phuket Town and the nearest neighbors are other luxury chain resorts -- like SALA Phuket Resort & Spa and JW Marriot Phuket Resort & Spa -- so there isn't much of interest within walking distance. Guests who want to explore Phuket Town should rent a car. Renaissance Phuket is built on sandy Mai Khao Beach. Both valet parking and self-parking at the hotel are free. 

This hotel has 180 guest rooms and 25 Villas. The most affordable, but still super luxe, options are the Deluxe Rooms. These are spacious, and each has a small living room area set with a couch. They're also all bright, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking private balconies furnished with wooden chairs and small tables. Decor includes white walls and light wood furniture. Blue rugs and orange and green bed runners add pops of color, as do fun orange lamps next to the beds. Peek-a-boo marble bathrooms make the rooms look larger -- blinds on the glass between the soaking bathtubs and bedrooms bring a measure of privacy. Double wardrobes and beaches in the entryway are provided for storing luggage. Extras include an umbrella, beach tote, water kettle, electronic safe, slippers, robes, free bottled water, luxe toiletries, and a mini-bar stocked with fun items like gummy bears and instant ramen in each. Most Deluxe Rooms overlook the pool or garden grounds. The Pool Villa has one bedroom that leads onto a gorgeous outdoor area set with a private pool and chic sun loungers. A sliding door separates the bedroom from a huge bathroom complete with his-and-hers sinks and a bathtub big enough for two. Oddly, the desk is built into the back of the bed's headboard, which is a strange work around. Vaulted ceilings and a living room area set in front of the bed makes each Villa feel spacious, but these aren't the largest rooms we've seen for this price point, and there's no kitchen or dining room. Expect to pay for Wi-Fi. An upgrade to the Ocean Front Pool Villa is required for ocean views and more space. 

Though this is a smaller property, there are some fun and convenient features at Renaissance Phuket. Quan Spa is a highlight; it's built around a large circular pool underneath a circular opening in the roof that lets in fresh air and sunshine. Treatment rooms are focused on couples with double beds and enormous whirlpool tubs. An outdoor rainfall shower is surrounded by thick greenery. There's a small salon for beauty and bridal makeup and hair services.The fitness center is modern and looks new. White shelving holds towels, fresh fruit, and reading materials. Cardio machines face walls with built-in flat-screen TVs. Yoga and fitness classes are available. Outdoors, the property had a winding jogging/biking trail and bikes are free to borrow. There's a chic on-site boutique for upscale jewelry, resort-style clothing, and shoes. This property has a small indoor kids' club that's probably best for kids under the age of eight. Wooden toys, arts and crafts supplies, and a flat-screen TV in a colorful classroom-like space are all that's on offer. Events and weddings are popular here as there's ample indoor and outdoor space. Laundry services and limousines can be arranged for a fee. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi throughout the property. 

There are five on-site restaurants and bars at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa and each gets high marks for quality, though prices are a little high. Room service is available 24/7.Takieng does a casual Thai dinner. Sand Box Restaurant and Bar serves light lunches in the afternoons, and then turns into a fun bar and beach-style barbecue joint at night. Sand floors, wooden tables and chairs, and overhead ceiling fans complete the beachy scene. Loca Vore provides casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chef lets guests choose their own selection of fresh ingredients, then cooks it up for a customized meal. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. The Lounge is located in the lobby. This is the spot for hand-crafted cocktails and lighter bites like sashimi. It offers an evening happy hour, as well. There's bar seating and plush love seats overlooking the infinity-edge reflection pool. Doppio coffee house is open throughout the day and sells a good selection of take-away coffees and pastries. 

Mai Khao Beach is a public stretch of sand, though it's mostly quiet and free of the partiers and vendors found on Patong Beach. The sand is soft and brown, and the water is clear blue, though it's not exactly calm. The hotel doesn't provide any sun loungers or service on the sand. 

The pools at Renaissance Phuket are more sophisticated than fun, and they're definitely on the smaller side -- especially for a property with over 200 rooms. The Main Pool is open to kids and adults; it's rectangular-shaped with infinity edges and small bubbling jets. Two rows of black sun loungers and a green lawn separate it from the ocean. The kids' pool is irregularly shaped and has a few levels for interest and varying depths, though the whole thing is shallow. There aren't as many sun loungers here and the deck is surrounded by a grove of thick vegetation. Short stairs lead up to a small waterslide that ends next to a trickling waterfall.