Panwa Boutique Beach Resort

Panwa Beach Resort is a peaceful, beachfront hotel that mainly attracts couples and families. The overall vibe is chilled out, with guests drawn here for total rest and relaxation. The entrance to the hotel is charming and in traditional Thai-style with a covered walkway below a decorative pitched roof. Inside, the simple lobby has a beamed, vaulted ceiling and the area is open on all sides, allowing the breeze to come through. The reception desk has ornately carved wooden wall hangings behind it, and there are lots of comfortable seating areas within the space. Some may find the location a bit isolated, but the atmosphere is consistently peaceful and the tropical grounds are lovely.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the Panwa Beach Resort is set in Phuket's rain forest. The location is remote, with no shops or nightlife nearby, but there are a few beachside restaurants within a three-minute walk of the hotel (and a couple of other hotels further along the beach). The sand here is incredibly soft, and the water is a stunning turquoise. It's worth keeping in mind that when the tide is out, swimming in the sea is not possible as there's a rocky reef in the way. The hotel runs a shuttle to Phuket town which takes around 15 minutes. The shuttle is not free though, and only goes once a day. Taxis are fairly easy to get and will connect passengers to Patong Beach in around 45 minutes, and Phuket International Airport in just over an hour.  

The spacious, air-conditioned rooms at Panwa Beach Resort are quiet and have nice views, either of the garden or the beach. Every room has a furnished balcony. Rooms have a clean and simple decor with plain white bedding and dark wood furniture, but are light on accents. On close inspection, some of the furnishings are a bit worn. TVs have satellite channels, although some rooms still have tube-style TVs. Mineral water is provided free in the rooms every day, and they also have bathrobes, flip-flops, a safe, an electric kettle, and a minibar. Bathrooms are spacious and feature a deep bath as well as a separate shower.

The highlight of this hotel is the freeform infinity pool with views over the sea. It’s surrounded by lush gardens with a range of tropical shrubs and trees. There’s a separate children’s pool and a hot tub. The small hotel spa has two treatment rooms for spa services including massages, facials, and aromatherapy. Dining options are limited here due to the remote location, but there is a restaurant on-site, as well as a beachfront terrace. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views over the pool and beach. It serves classic Thai dishes as well as international cuisine and hosts theme nights such as Thai, international, or seafood. Tables are set up outside in romantic spots around the pool and on the beach. Prices are steep compared to nearby restaurants. The beachfront terrace serves barbecued meat and fish, and other options such as pizza. There’s also a bar which has a good cocktail menu and a pool table. The buffet breakfast is not included in the room rate, but has a good selection of pastries, fruit, eggs, and omelets cooked to order. There are activities available on-site including scuba diving, kayaking, boat tours, and yoga. There’s also a small fitness center and computer room for guests to use. Wi-Fi and parking are free.