44/5 Moo 8, Sakdidesh Road, Vichit, Cape Panwa, Thailand | (618) 248-8274
Large holiday complex set in landscaped grounds and tropical gardens
Overlooking picturesque Makham Bay, 15 minutes from Phuket City
Two large swimming pools with ample loungers and daybeds
Contemporary Thai-style rooms with furnished balconies
Wide range of free activities for kids and adults
Several eating and drinking options with evening entertainment
Lovely spa offers numerous treatments
Fitness center has modern equipment
Free Wi-Fi in rooms and throughout the resort
Beach not great for swimming
Lack of personal touch
Rooms in need of a refresh
The 211-room Pullman Phuket Panwa BeachResort is a holiday complex located on the southern tip of Phuket island, a good hour's drive from the airport. The hotel occupies a tranquil spot overlooking picturesque Makham Bay, with a pretty, tidal beach on-site. Facilities (a spa, two pools -- one with a swim-up bar) and a range of activities (kids' club, fitness center) are excellent and the rooms are more than adequate, though perhaps lacking a real high-end finish or distinct style. Wi-Fi is free and there are several dining and drinking options on-site.
Scene
Large, relatively secluded holiday resort with chain (albeit an upscale one) vibe
First impressions of this Pullman Phuket Panway Beach Resort -- from seeing it from the outside -- are distinctly underwhelming; a weather-worn sign and a patchy circle of grass greet guests upon arrival to this boxy and architecturally unremarkable property. Inside things improve with a spacious and airy lobby area which blends warm polished woods and contemporary takes on traditional Thai-style decor. This area received some upgrades after our visit, including new flooring and upgraded furniture. Grounds, too, are impressive, with smartly terraced landscaping surrounded by lush tropical gardens that overlook a vast sweeping bay and golden sandy beach. The vibe is one of an upscale resort chain -- with the odd lack of detail and impersonal atmosphere that this often entails -- and it draws a mix of everything from honeymooning couples, attracted by the tranquil setting, to families with children taking advantage of the extensive facilities of this large holiday complex.
Location
Set towards the tip of Panwa peninsula in southeast Phuket overlooking Makham Bay
The resort is
located towards the southern tip of the Panwa peninsula on the southeast corner
of Phuket island. It's set just off the main, but lightly trafficked, road
leading to the end of the cape and a relatively remote part of the island which
overlooks the picturesque Makham Bay. Its location means fairly easy access to
the island's capital, Phuket City, which is about 15 minutes away by car -- the
hotel provide a free shuttle bus. Phuket Airport, however, is positioned on the
opposite north side of the island, so it takes about an hour to reach it from the Radisson Blu.
Rooms
Contemporary Thai-styled rooms with furnished balconies
The hotel's 211 rooms are decorated in a blend of light
tones and contemporary Thai-style touches with polished wooden floors,
furnishings, and fixtures. All rooms have large sliding doors that open onto furnished
balconies or terraces, many with views over the bay. Unusual for many Phuket
resorts, Wi-Fi access is free of charge in rooms, while amenities also include
flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players (with a DVD library
available to guests). Bathrooms are finished in marble, most with separate walk-inshowers and tubs, while luxury Pool Villas feature infinity-edge pools with
outdoor tiled terrace areas and wooden decking.
Features
Wide range of activities and large pools with sea views; one has a waterslide
The hotel
features one of the largest lagoon pools on the island, which includes terraced
wooden decking lined with loungers and parasols as well as daybeds overlooking
the beach. The other garden pool is also larger than most and features a
waterslide for the kids. Children are also kept entertained with a program of
activities and a mini-club, while kayaks, surf boards, and even scuba lessons
are available free of charge. As you'd expect, the hotel has a modern fitness center and a range of spatreatments on-site, as well as several eating and drinking options with evening
entertainment. Direct access to the sandy beach is also a huge bonus, though the
sea is only really accessible when the tide is in, and even then a bit shallow
for swimming.