SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort

SALA Phuket Resort & Spa does a lot of things right, and one of them is their spot-on architecture, design, and grounds. Guests are greeted on a paved driveway in front of a black porte cochere and long narrow wall decorated with lattice work. The wall slides back to reveal an expansive reflection pond with islands of trimmed trees and the reception desk behind the water. Black lanterns cast an elegant glow at night. The black open-air (covered with a black roof) reception desk has metal bar stools where guests can perch while they check in. Overhead, crystals are placed inside black hanging birdcages. A partial black wall hides a luxe sitting area set with red cushioned couches and a modern bookcase decorated with Asian vases. The outdoor courtyard is walled-in for privacy and set with black umbrellas and black wooden furniture, including day beds. Grass grows between the rock floor and trees are planted in neat rows. This is a smaller property, with only 79 rooms, so crowding isn't an issue. Most guests are couples and this property is especially popular with honeymooners, who spend their time at the beach-facing bar or basking by the infinity-edge pools. Older kids might like it here, but little ones will most likely be bored. 

The resort's location is just about a 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport on the same stretch of Mai Khao Beach where several other luxury properties are built. Nearby neighbors include the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. There's nothing of interest within walking distance of the hotel and it's a solid 45-minute drive to Phuket Town or Patong Beach. Parking at the resort is free.

There are 79 rooms at SALA Phuket divided into: Deluxe Balcony, Garden Pool Villas, SALA Phuket Pool Villas, One- and-Two Bedroom Pool Villa Suites, Duplex Pool Villa Suites, and a Two-Bedroom Presidential Pool Villa Suite. Amazing outdoor bathrooms on the balcony come standard. Each room has a beautiful soaking tub topped with a wooden tray that holds large bottles of luxe shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. A wooden chandelier hangs over the tub. Next to the tub is an al fresco rainfall showerhead with a circular white shower curtain. A vanity with a bowl sink is directly next to the shower and there's a partial wall that hides the toilet. Fleur-de-lis white floor tiles, a coat rack, day bed, and wall art make each bathroom feel like an actual room. Some of the bathrooms can be viewed from other rooms, though white curtains provide privacy. Guests seem to fall into two camps about these bathrooms: love them, or loathe them due to the lack of air-conditioning and protection from bugs.Deluxe Balcony rooms are the most affordable option. These each include garden views from the balcony/bathroom and a stylishly minimalist design style. Floor-to-ceiling windows are gorgeous, but the layout is a little awkward. Essentially, the white platform bed is placed in the center of the room and a wooden desk (set with a phone, lamp, and brochures) serves as the headboard. Built-in shelves on the wall behind the desk hold free water, an electric kettle, mini-fridge, minibar, safe, umbrellas, and glassware. There's a wooden coffee table between the bed and a plush couch. Flat-screen TVs are small but Wi-Fi is free. It's entirely possible to pull the curtain back in the room and see your fellow guest sitting on the toilet. A tote basket with slippers and beach mats is a fun touch in each.Upgrade to a Villa for far more space and a wall around the outdoor bathroom (no one can see you in the bathtub from these) and a small splash pool. You'll also get double sinks and sun loungers on a small patch of grass. Past guests have complained about maintenance issues and irregular housekeeping. Evening turndown service includes mosquito coils as an attempt to keep pests away. 

This is a smaller, intimate property so it's not overloaded with features. One highlight is SALA Spa, a small and relaxing spa with an outdoor cement bathtub and treatment area designed for couples. Treatments range from facials using Clarins products to traditional Thai massages. There's a walled-off outdoor area where guests can drink hot tea after services. Massages on the beach can be arranged. More active guests can borrow bikes to explore the neighborhood or take the two kayaks out to sea. The fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and modern Life Fitness cardio and strength-training machines. A flat-screen TV hangs in one corner of the room.There's an indoor living room area with two desktop computers and a printer for guests' use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

The food and drinks at SALA Phuket generally get high marks in terms of quality and variety, though the offerings are on the pricier side. Sala Restaurant is the main eatery, serving a scrumptious breakfast buffet with Thai and American-style foods each morning. Some packages include breakfast with the cost of a room. Lunch and dinner continue the international theme with options like pad thai, burgers, and fresh seafood pasta. Fresh juice blends, like the Pineapple Thai Basil drink, are popular. Guests sit indoors in the elegant dining room set with white tablecloths and candles, but the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lawn and ocean give the space an outdoor vibe. An adjacent bar also overlooks the beach, and serves a good variety of wines and cocktails on an outdoor patio. Past guests have complained about birds and bugs, but it's hard to complain about nature in the tropics. The semi-open-air lobby bar isn't as popular as the beach bar, but it's still a nice spot for a cold drink. Room service is available as is rooftop dining, though both of these options incur extra costs. 

The two pools at SALA Phuket are placed next to each on a large green lawn set with comfy sun loungers and umbrellas, that leads onto the sandy beach. Both pools are rectangular-shaped and filled with turquoise water. The first pool is one solid level, while the second has differentiating levels of depth and a sunken square pit at one end, with submerged jets. There's a third much smaller infinity pool, and half of it consists of bubbling water fountains. A wooden pool deck is staged with chic day beds for two. Guests can pick up towels at the towel hut. 

Guests have private access to a long stretch of public sand at Mai Khao Beach, which often wins awards for being the best beach in Thailand. The water is clear, blue, and warm but there are definitely waves -- though it's nonetheless entirely swimmable. Like all resorts in this area of Phuket, the SALA doesn't have chairs on the sand or provide service there at all. Guests can borrow kayaks to take out on the water or walk down the sand to neighboring resorts. This isn't the party scene found in Patong, but vendors occasionally wander by to sell sarongs, coconuts, and snacks.