Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Smack in the centre of it all is the somewhat absurd Laguna Phuket complex - a net-
work of five four- and five-star resort properties and an ageing shopping mall knitted to-
gether by an artificial lake (patrolled by tourist shuttle boats) and a paved nature trail. But
in the north, Mother Nature asserts herself once more, and a lonely stretch of powder-
white sand and tropical blue sea extends past all the bustle and change, and delivers the
kind of peace you imagined when you booked your trip.
Th Srisoontorn, Chergtalay; treatments from 1500B)
has an excellent reputation. It offers traditional
Thai massage, sauna and mud body wraps in a tranquil wooded setting at the edge of a
lagoon. The Hideaway also has its own line of spa products.
Sleeping
Laguna Phuket is home to five luxury resorts, an 18-hole golf course and 30 restaurants
(the gargantuan Sheraton Grande alone has eight restaurants). Guests at any one of the re-
sorts can use the dining and recreation facilities at all of them. Frequent shuttle buses
make the rounds of all the hotels, as do pontoon boats (via the linked lagoons).
Andaman Bangtao Bay Resort
OFFLINE MAP
HOTEL
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 0 7627 0246;
www.andamanbangtaobayresort.com
; bungalows 2900-5900B; )
Every bungalow
has a sea view and there's a summer-camp vibe at this pleasant little resort. The design is
very Thai, with woodcarvings on the walls and coconuts hanging from the eaves of the
roofs, but for this price we expect a little more luxury.
Angsana Laguna Phuket
( 0 7632 4101;
www.angsana.com
;
10 Moo 4, Th Srisoonthorn; r from 5800B; )
Gated
away in Laguna Phuket, the Angsana Laguna Phuket is a remodel of the older Sheraton
Grande Laguna. The gigantic hotel reopened in late 2011 and appeals to a lively, active
crowd. It features a gigantic 323m-long pool, water-sports facilities galore and well over
400 rooms. Best rates are secured online.
HOTEL
$$$
Banyan Tree Phuket
( 0 7632 4374;
www.banyantree.com
; villas from 16,200B; )
One of Phuket's finest ho-
tels, and the first to introduce bungalows with their own private pool, the Banyan Tree
RESORT
$$$
