THE HOTEL REVIEW: THE NAI HARN, PHUKET, THAILAND

TNH-Resort Exterior

Review: Jennifer Bonfield

23/3 Moo 1, Vises Road, Rawai, Muang District, Phuket, 83130 Thailand  www.thenaiharn.com

 

THE RESORT

After an extensive refurbishment The Nai Harn re-opened its doors in January 2016 after an 18-month makeover. The hotel sits high overlooking Nai Harn bay with fantastic panoramic views from the expansive room terraces, pool and restaurant. The design concept is sleek and contemporary with splashes of bright colour, making for a truly tropical feel. The Nai Harn beach is just a minutes walk and there is a beach butler service where pool staff will take your beach towels and umbrella and set up a spot for you.

 

THE FACILITIES

130 rooms | 2 Restaurant | 2 Bars | 1 swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas | Spa | Complimentary Wi-Fi | Water-sports centre | Babysitting services

| Luxury guest transportation services (limousines, helicopter or motor-yacht) | Valet parking | Scuba diving and snorkeling | On-terrace dining

 

THE ACCOMMODATION

Our Ocean View Suite was spacious with immensely comfortable beds dressed in soft cotton sheets. There is a lounge area complete with sofas scattered with cushions, bowls of welcome snacks were awaiting and there was a complementary ‘water bar’ featuring a choice of several premium brands such as Voss and San Pellegrino. The bathroom had sliding doors to reveal an open plan bathroom / bedroom with a freestanding bath and a huge monsoon shower complete with skylight. There were plentiful Elle branded toiletries, hairbrushes, shaving kits, toothbrush kits – all of which were replenished daily. The ample terrace leading from the double sliding doors of the bedroom featured a double day bed with perfect views over the Nai Harn beach.

26_TNH_Ocean View SuiteOcean Suite Terrace

THE SPA

The spa, which opened in April 2016, includes 4 spa suites and offers a selection of traditional Thai treatments mixed with the latest therapy innovations. The spa itself was still being built at our time of stay but I enjoyed a traditional Thai massage at the Spa Cabana (located at the pool) which specializes in oil-free massages – perfect to hop in and back out onto your sun lounger without having to faff around to shower off the oils used in traditional massage. The traditional Thai massage is not necessarily an option for relaxation as it is quite firm to say the least, but afterwards my entire body felt completely rejuvenated and I would give it a serious recommendation. Spa treatments are also offered by the poolside or in your room.

TNH-Sail Roof GardenReflections Bar

THE DRINKING & DINING

Rock Salt lounge and restaurant is the latest addition to The Nai Harn hotel offering a spacious terrace with canopied tables and a chic lounge area with bean bags and daybeds. The dinning specialty here is the lavish seafood buffet.

The Reflections bar is a strong contender for one of the best bars in Thailand, with the imposing crescent shaped seating areas sitting pretty in the middle of a huge water area accessed only by an over-water walkway. The bar offered beautiful views by day and spectacular views by night – all lit up by flickering lanterns. This is the place to enjoy the hotels extensive cocktail menu – the Espresso Martini’s are a must-try. In the day, a poolside menu is available with waiter service and offers a selection of light snacks and salads, smoothies and juices.

The Cosmo restaurant is an expansive open-air affair with a menu that is quite simply first class standard. Seafood comes in day boat fresh from the Rawai Sea Gypsy fishing village, and the Angus beef from trusted pasture raised farms in Australia. There is a weekly Asian night buffet at Cosmo with dishes from Thailand Vietnam Cambodia and Japan.

Rock Salt_015Rock Salt Lounge & Restaurant

For lunch we recommend the Angus Burger and Rawai Gypsy Crab Cakes. For dinner we had the Andaman Jumbo Tiger Shrimps, Duo of Koh White Snapper and Maine Lobster. The Cheese board was quite frankly immense. The wine list is absolutely fabulous.

When it comes to breakfast the lavish buffet style layout brings one of the best breakfast selections I’ve seen. The food options and quality here really raises the bar when it comes to luxury dining. We actually ate breakfast lunch and dinner here for 3 days straight, the choice was so extensive and the food was so delicious we weren’t interested in dining anywhere else!

The staff were welcoming and made us feel we were right at home. The service was impeccable and nothing less than outstanding.

61_TNH_CosmoCosmo Bar and Restaurant

THE HIGHLIGHTS

* The Food at Cosmo Restaurant

* Thai massage at the Spa Cabana

* The Staff Service

* Expansive room terrace

THE G&G RATING:

5STAR

 

THE RATES

The Nai Harn – £157 Deluxe Ocean View room per night B&B

 

THE TRAVEL

Around 50 minutes from Phuket airport.

Cathay Pacific flies from London Heathrow to Hong Kong five times daily and from Manchester to Hong Kong four times per week, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally. For further information, visit www.cathaypacific.co.uk or call 0208 834 8888.

The Premium Economy return price from London Heathrow to Phuket, including taxes, starts from £1,839 per person.