7/1 Ketkwan Road, Karon, Thailand | (888) 710-7049
Large,
family-friendly resort complex
Huge central
swimming pool with whirlpool seats
Spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and tropical-rain showers
Villas include separate lounges and private pools
Two-floor spa
with massage, sauna, and steam bath
Several eating
options and poolside bar with barbecue
Indoor play area with supervised kids' activities
Lack of sunbeds
during high season
Popular with large
groups and sometimes crowded
Dated feel in parts
Alpina Phuket Nalina Resort & Spa is an
upscale, family-friendly complex set on a relatively quiet road about a mile
from Kata Beach's white sandy seafront. Area bars and
restaurants are within walking distance and an hourly shuttle to the beach is a
bonus. The huge swimming pool is the hotel highlight and is especially suitable
for families with kids. Rooms are spacious and have ample amenities, though some units
could use a makeover. All in all the Alpina Phuket is a solid (if a little
characterless) option with reasonable rates and one of the area's largest
pools.
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Scene
Sprawling, family-friendly resort complex with lagoon and connecting bridges
Arrival at the Alpina Phuket is a rather
unglamorous affair -- a concrete roundabout and tired-looking forecourt marks
the entrance to an old-fashioned looking building. Inside, things improve with
a large, bright lobby area adorned with ornate Thai wood carvings, traditional
gold leaf-style art, and polished granite and terracotta floors. The complex is
comprised of a sprawling collection of buildings connected by pathways and
bridges that span the resort's lagoon and focus on the property's huge centerpiece
swimming pool. It's obvious from the general style and look of the place that
it's one of the older hotels in the area, and while it is mostly very well
maintained, it’s hard to escape the feel of it being on the dated side and that
some corners could use a contemporary makeover.
Location
Set away from Kata resort center, with a 20-minute walk to beach
The hotel is located on a fairly quiet road
within walking distance of Kata's resort center and beach in southwest Phuket.
The backdrop is mountain jungle, while the pretty white sands of Kata Beach are
about 20 minutes south by foot. The hotel also provides an hourly shuttle bus. The
nearby Patong Beach has more in the way of nightlife and is about 15 minutes north by tuk-tuk, while the longest of the three beaches, Karon, is a five-minute drive north. Phuket International Airport is within an hours' drive
to the north of the island, while flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport
take around an hour and 15 minutes, in addition to boarding time.
Rooms
Spacious, balconied rooms with free Wi-Fi and tropical-rain showers
All 140 rooms are relatively spacious and
decorated in typical Thai style with traditional wall art and dark wood
furnishings and floors. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, as well
as minibars, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.
Sliding glass doors open onto furnished terraces or balconies overlooking the
pool, lagoon, or gardens, while roomy bathrooms have walk-in showers with
tropical showerheads and twin basins. There are also eight roomy Villas that
feature lounge areas and private pools. While most rooms are well maintained, a
few are showing signs of wear, and mosquitoes can be a problem at
dusk.
Features
Huge central swimming pool with kids' play areas
The hotel's main draw is its huge central
pool, which is one of the largest in the area and includes three play areas for
kids as well as whirlpool seats and sun loungers -- though these can feel in
short supply during high season. Those with children have access to play rooms
and a mini-club with daily activities, while grownups can relax in the Gaia
Spa. The venue is spread over two floors and offers massage treatments, sauna and steam facilities, and jetted spa
baths. There are also plenty of on-site eating options, including a pizzeria,
Asian eatery, and poolside bar with barbecue.
