Hello lovely readers — it’s Louise here. As a couple in our 40s from London, we’ve travelled extensively over the years, but Phuket offered something truly special: a perfect marriage of relaxation, natural beauty, culture and adventure.
This guide brings together everything we experienced on the island — the tours, the food, the beaches, the ethical encounters, and plenty of practical tips that help you truly travel properly.
Why We Chose Phuket
Phuket has an extraordinary blend of tropical beaches, stunning offshore islands, delicious food, and a pace of life that suits both energetic travellers and those of us who appreciate a little comfort these days.
We’ve been fortunate enough to see a great deal of Thailand over the years, yet Phuket felt like the ideal place to slow down, savour, and explore at our own rhythm.
Where We Stayed
We chose to base ourselves at the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, a beautiful beachfront property tucked away on its own secluded bay just outside Patong. After many years of travelling through Thailand, we can say with confidence that this was one of our most memorable hotel stays — a perfect blend of comfort, calm and understated luxury.
Why We Loved It
✨ A private, pristine beach
The hotel sits on Tri Trang Beach, a sheltered cove with soft sand and clear, warm water. At high tide, the sea comes right up to the edge of the resort — ideal for a morning swim. At lower tide, the water retreats to reveal rocks, tidal pools and plenty of tropical fish. We spent many peaceful moments snorkelling straight from the beach.
✨ Spacious, comfortable rooms
Our room was exactly what you want after a long day exploring: spacious, spotless and wonderfully cool. The beds were incredibly comfortable (worth mentioning, especially for those of us who appreciate a good night’s sleep!), and we had a lovely balcony overlooking the gardens.
✨ Excellent facilities & warm hospitality
From the multiple swimming pools and swim-up bars to the spa, on-site restaurants and peaceful sun-loungers dotted around the grounds, the resort is designed for proper relaxation. The staff were consistently kind, attentive and genuinely welcoming — which, in our experience, makes all the difference.
✨ Close enough to Patong, yet blissfully quiet
One of the reasons we chose this hotel was its location. Patong is a short taxi ride away when you want to shop, dine or dip into the nightlife — but once you return to Merlin Beach, the noise and bustle feel a world away. It’s the ideal balance for couples who want convenience without sacrificing tranquillity.
✨ Perfect starting point for island tours
The resort’s location on the western side of the island puts you within easy reach of marinas, beaches and pick-up points for the major day-trips. We appreciated how seamless it was to be collected and dropped off for all our tours.
👉 View rooms and availability at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
Our Favourite Experiences & Tours
1. Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands — Speedboat Adventure
This was our most memorable day. We boarded a speedboat early in the morning and spent the day exploring several iconic islands.
Highlights included:
- Snorkelling at Bamboo Island
- Swimming among colourful fish (we even saw a turtle and sea snakes)
- Monkey Beach (adorable, but keep your belongings close!)
- Viking Cave & Pileh Lagoon
- Beautiful Maya Bay, of The Beach fame
- A delicious buffet lunch at a resort on Phi Phi Don
It was a busy day full of swimming, exploring and sunshine — perfect if you’re an active couple who still enjoys being out on the water.
👉 Book the same Speedboat Adventure
Read more on this tour here: Phi Phi Islands Tour from Phuket
2. James Bond Island & Sea Canoeing
Another full and fascinating day.
We paddled through caves, lagoons and tucked-away inlets — all with the dramatic limestone cliffs towering above us. We also visited the famous floating village of Koh Panyee, which has its own floating football pitch!
One thing we’d do differently:
Next time we’d book the twilight version of this tour to see the glowing plankton after dark — highly recommended by others and firmly on our list for our next visit.
3. Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
As you know, we’re very conscious travellers, and choosing an ethical sanctuary was non-negotiable.
Our day included:
- Feeding the elephants
- Learning their histories
- Walking through the reserve
- Watching them bathe in a waterfall
- A relaxed Thai cooking class afterwards
It was humbling, peaceful and beautifully run — one of those experiences that stays with you.
👉 Book the Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
4. Cultural Tour: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong & Phuket Town
To balance out the beach days and island tours, we spent a full day visiting Phuket’s cultural landmarks.
The highlights:
- Karon Viewpoint — a postcard panorama
- Big Buddha — serene and impressive
- Wat Chalong — Phuket’s most significant temple
- Phuket Old Town — full of history, Sino-Portuguese architecture and charming streets
If you enjoy learning about the cultural side of a destination, this day adds a wonderful depth to your trip.
Where We Ate — Our Favourite Phuket Restaurants
Food is one of the best parts of travelling, isn’t it? We tried everything from elegant restaurants to humble but delicious local spots.
Our favourites:
- Raya Restaurant (Phuket Town) – refined, traditional and wonderful value
- Mee Ko Lan (Phuket Town) – incredibly inexpensive and delicious; arrive early
- Three Monkeys (Central Phuket) – stylish, great cocktails, beautiful setting
- Chao Leh Kitchen (Patong) – a higher-end option with very good food
- Ta Khai – rustic luxury by the sea
- Pine Beach Bar & Blue Mango Bar & Grill – perfect for cocktails at sunset
Most restaurants in Phuket are surprisingly vegetarian-friendly, so you’ll never struggle for options.
Getting Around Phuket — Practical Advice
We’re experienced travellers, but even we found Phuket’s roads rather chaotic at times. As a couple in our 40s, we opted to stay safe and sensible.
What we used:
- Grab and Bolt for taxis — reliable and inexpensive
- Hotel transfers for early-morning or long-distance pickups
- Tourist SIM card purchased from a 7-Eleven for a Thailand phone number
- Saily Travel eSIM for mobile data
⚡ Quick, Affordable, Hassle-Free
We always travel with a Saily eSIM now — it’s the simplest way to stay connected across Thailand.
👉 Buy Your Saily eSIM in Seconds
What we avoided:
- Motorbike rentals — too risky unless you are extremely confident
- Tuk-tuks — fun, but many overcharge tourists
Sticking to ride-hailing apps made everything easy and stress-free.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
Even after many years of travelling, each trip teaches us something.
On our next visit, we would:
- Book the twilight James Bond Island tour for the glowing plankton
- Leave more time to explore cafés, boutiques and galleries in Phuket Old Town
- Add at least one extra rest day with nothing planned except reading by the water
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