The Yama Hotel Phuket

In Buddhist cosmology, the name Yama refers to the third of six heavens, one that’s based on the senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste). And this little boutique property aims to appeal on all these sensory levels. On the “sight” level, it certainly succeeds, presenting a contemporary, stylish, and unified look. The hotel’s emblem of the “Yama flower” can be spotted throughout, from the lobby’s enormous suspended flower on its reflective ceiling to the staff uniforms, even down to the coffee mugs in rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby can be tipped open giving a wonderful cross breeze. While this is an inviting space to linger, the action here tends to center on the pool, a turquoise body of water skirted with woven loungers, several set on a shallow ledge with their feet submerged. A bubbling whirlpool acts as the centerpiece here, and a few rivulets pour down from a second-story water feature, adding to the serenity of the scene that’s free from any animation or blaring sound systems. (Soft instrumental music can be heard here.) Everything faces the rooftops of Phuket as they unfold toward the sea.The Yama was previously part of a chain hotel, but in early 2017, it became independent and has proceeded to roll out some touch-ups on their property, both in rooms and in public spaces. On our visit, plans were in the works to complete a rooftop lounge, which is sure to become another hub in the hotel. In the meantime, the poolside bar caters to guests and serves calmly sipped cocktails. The majority of clientele here tend to be couples on romantic getaways, but a few families and solo travelers also book this property. 

The Yama’s location is a polarizing feature that could either be considered a pro or a con. For those looking for a hushed spot away from the thumping beats of the beachfront or the nightlife that's anchored there, its location will be a pro. But travelers looking to get into the thick of Phuket’s scene will find the Yama far too removed from the action. Still, guests aren’t entirely divorced from the area's highlights: a free shuttle service runs to the beach three times a day and the ride takes eight minutes. Alas, there’s little in walking distance, making it challenging to reach offsite dining or shopping, so guests looking for other diversions should make use of the beach shuttle or take their own taxi to hit restaurants and shops by the waterfront. Other major attractions, including Big Buddha statue and Wat Chalong, will also require a car to reach as they're a 23- and 12-minute drive away, respectively. Phuket International Airport is 53 minutes by car.

The Yama-flower motif, evident throughout the hotel, comes into full bloom in the rooms. It pops up on the headboards, throw pillows, coffee mugs -- it’s even projected from light fixtures. But somehow it remains a pretty decorative touch that never overtakes the space. Decor throughout is refined and streamlined: Recessed lighting is set behind long, pale wooden countertops that stretch along a full wall giving both a work desk and a TV shelf. And throughout soft neutral hues are set off by navy or tangerine accents. All rooms open up onto furnished balconies, giving a perch to take in the (varying) views. Bathrooms throughout are especially chic, with a concrete finish to the walls and countertops. A small handful of standard (Superior) rooms have only showers (no tubs), but most include both roomy walk-in showers and deep soaking tubs. Showers and toilets are divided from the bathroom with glass doors. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with international channels, coffee and tea facilities, individual air-conditioning, minibars, bottled water, flashlights, safes, robes and slippers, and giant umbrellas for those unavoidable Phuket showers. The property has five room categories that vary in terms of their size and view. Superior Pool Access Rooms have balconies with their own ladders to dip into the pool area. Superior Sea Views offer pretty glimpses of the waterfront. Others have mountain views. (The back of Big Buddha statue’s head can be spotted from the side of the property.) Deluxe Doubles and Suite bump up with square footage, with the latter adding separately partitioned living room spaces, vanities in the bedrooms, and freestanding soaking tubs in the bathrooms. There are 12 adjoining rooms available, too, which are popular with families. In 2017 the hotel began sprucing up some of the rooms and retouching their paint, but that effort is ongoing, so at the time of our visit, some rooms were refreshed while others were awaiting their touch-ups. 

For a petite boutique property, the Yama has a few surprising features more commonly spotted at bigger resorts -- along with the typical beach-hotel amenities. The hotel's most popular feature is its turquoise-tiled pool. Shallow ledges here give a place for guests to dip their feet or recline on a partially submerged lounger. An inset whirlpool gives a spot to be massaged by jets, too.For dining, the on-site restaurant serves all meals, including breakfast (which isn’t always included in rates). The breakfast buffet serves up a solid spread of Western standards (eggs, fresh bread, fruit, and pastries) along with a few Asian-style dishes. Drinks are offered at the poolside bar as well, and room service is available, too.The hotel's petite spa, scented with fragrant lemongrass, has a pair of plush chairs for foot massage treatments along with a treatment room that can accommodate couple’s massages. The fitness room, open 24 hours,  is also on the small side, but it’s outfitted with a good selection of cardio and weight-lifting equipment, along with treadmills, flat-screen TVs, free weights, and yoga mats. It’s an attractive space, but alas it lacks windows.Surprisingly the property has both a kids’ play room and a teens’ room, but note that both lack supervision and are sparsely outfitted -- the kids’ room has little apart from a play kitchen, a few blocks, and a handful of other toys on a soft surface. The teens’ room has a foosball table and a PlayStation 4 console. Still, we did find young guests enjoying their video game time down here. Families can also make use of cribs and cots that the hotel provides.On our visit, plans were in the works to convert the rooftop into an attractive bar space complete with a lounge space offering 360-degree views of the lush hillsides and the shoreline in the distance. One small meeting room is on the premises that can fit up to 80 people snugly. There's also one public computer workstation for guests' use, and secretary services are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.