Swissotel Suites Phuket Kamala Beach

The Swissotel Resort Phuket fosters a better family-friendly environment than most hotels in the Kamala Beach area. The charming four-floor hotel entrance -- with a pitched roof and circular driveway -- sits in front of a scenic mountainside. Wooden stairs lead into the spacious lobby, featuring light wood furnishings, Thai decor, white floor tiles, comfy sofa benches with colorful pillows, oversize rustic vases, rattan furniture, and windows surrounded by tropical greenery. Those seeking romance should look elsewhere -- this property is popular with kids and the atmosphere can at times be noisy.

The Swissotel Resort Phuket is located in a residential area of Kamala Beach that’s surrounded by nature. There are shops, markets, and a cat shelter right next to the hotel. Taxis and tuk-tuks are available outside. The beach is a two-minute walk away. More restaurants, bars, and shops are less than five minutes away on foot. A 7-11 store is a 17-minute walk. Patong Beach, via the hotel shuttle or car, takes 13 minutes. Bustling Phuket town is a 30-minute drive. Driving to Phuket Fantasea takes six minutes. It’s a 33-minute car trip to the airport. Merlin Divers is a 10-minute walk.

One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites feature living rooms and terraces or balconies, overlooking the pool or tropical landscapes. Bedrooms offer large windows or balconies, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players. Two- and three-bedroom suites have dining tables and kitchenettes, with mini-fridges, free bottled water, microwaves, and sinks. Three-bedroom suites have two bathrooms. Hardwood floors, black furniture, colorful pillows, and rattan furnishings create a modern and tropical atmosphere in all suites. Features include safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, bathrobes, slippers, umbrellas, insect repellant, beach towels, irons, and sofa beds (in some). Modern bathrooms have green accent tiles and showers. Guests, though, complain about a lack of cleanliness and lingering smells in some rooms.

The sandy shores of Kamala Beach are easily accessible on foot from Swissotel Resort Phuket. There’s a large lagoon pool that winds by palms trees, two wooden bridges, a swim-up bar, a kids' pool, and a circular sandbar with tiles. Water polo goals are available and pool toys, brought by guests, are allowed. There’s also a blue waterslide. The pool, however, tends to get crowded and lounge chairs are sometimes full early in the day. Lawns line the deck, which offers white umbrellas and wooden lounge chairs.

Kids' World is a colorfully designed play zone for children ages four to 12. Babysitting services are also offered. The club features a TV lounge, fun video game pods that kids can crawl into, a painting area, dress-up wardrobes, and a playground in a ball pit. The 24-hour gym provides modern cardio equipment, weights, towels, table tennis, and a flat-screen TV. There’s also a spa with three treatment rooms, each with private hot tubs or saunas. The on-site restaurant, with a buffet, serves Thai and Western fare. There’s also a Grab and Go bakery and a poolside bar. 

The resort is primarily geared toward families, but other travelers will also find the facilities appealing. Eight meeting rooms are available, fitting 10 to 150 people. The Kamala I, II, and III can be combined to create a ballroom. Audiovisual equipment is available. The business center offers a PC computer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.