Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach

Overview

This place looks as though it's been plucked straight from an influencer's Insta feed. Built right into the coastline, it's got direct access to Naithon Beach (hence the name), which - if you didn't know - is named one of the best beaches on the west coast of Phuket. Proper beachy. Plus, it's got its own food delivery service, super-snazzy sunken 'lounge islands' so you can enjoy your after-dinner drinks in the pool without getting wet (unless you slosh your cocktail down yourself, then that one's on you), and you can even take part in a Thai cooking class in the herb garden if you fancy getting down and dirty with the local food. Why not? Phuket.

Location

• Right along Naithon Beach with direct access

• Phuket International Airport is just a 13-minute drive away (transfer goals), so once you land on Thai soil, you know you're only a few mins away from sinking your toes into that white sand

Rooms

• Even the most basic room types at this place are way out of our league. Take your pick from Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Ocean, Ocean Grand or Family Rooms, plus Ocean Pool Villas which come with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea and rainforests, and a private infinity pool

• Each room type is kitted out with:

  • Air con with manual temperature control

  • FREE high-speed Wi-Fi

  • LED TV

  • Bathrobes and slippers

  • Hairdryer

  • Safety deposit box

  • Telephone

  • Kettle

  • Minibar (extra charge)

  • A balcony with a daybed (it's giving Love Island)

Food & Drink

• Elements - all Thai food, all day - with a laidback buffet breakfast and a la carte service at lunch and dinner. You won't want to miss the Yum Poo Nim (nicer than it sounds - it's deep-fried soft shell crab), or the falafel bowl with cashew tzatziki and pomegranate *heart eyes emoji*

• Vero - wine and dine with some Italian grub at dinner, with the likes of sausage-topped pizza and pork-cheek rigatoni, and you can even have pizza for dessert(!!!), smothered in Nutella rather than tomato sauce. Oh, and this place does take-out from 9:30pm 'til 10:30pm for the most sophisticated late-night munchies you'll ever have

• Bowls & More - we appreciate the straightforwardness of this name (of course we do, we're called On the Beach). Think build-your-own bowls, whether it's the acai kind for breakfast or the poke kind for lunch. You can even wash it down with a creamy smoothie - our personal fave being beet it! Mostly because of the name tbh.

• Float Pool Bar - cocktails, smoothies and juices (including grape and guava) served right by the pool, along with tasty snacks that'll go down a treat with the whole fam - from BBQ chicken to burgers and noodle salads

• C Bar - tapas and cocktails which you can enjoy from one of the 'lounge islands' in the infinity pool? Count us in. Oh, and happy hour is 4-6, where you can buy one get one free. Pina colada and a daiquiri, anyone?

• Azur Pool Bar - get your fill of cocktails right by the pool, with a menu that features breakfast burritos, bao buns and spring rolls. Our fave has to be the Aussie Steak Sandwich, though. Proper Australian sirloin, pickled beetroot, salad and BBQ sauce on toasted sourdough. Bosh.

• Pullman Home Delivery - think Deliveroo, but in Thailand, and just for this hotel. Simply dial "0", place your order and one of the delivery heroes will whizz over with your food in biodegradable boxes.

Keep it sustainable - this hotel takes sustainability pretty seriously, which is why any food you take away - whether it be from the pool bar or the delivery service, will be in biodegradable boxes that you can dispose of yourself. You can also buy a Pullman water bottle 1. as a souvenir (duh), and 2. as a handy refillable drinks container. Just take it to any of the pool bars and they'll fill it right up with filtered water for you!

Sports & Entertainment

• Two outdoor pools - take your pick between where you dip, with sun loungers for catching some rays and admiring those sea views

• Kids' club - something to keep the youngsters entertained while you tend to some very important business - i.e. topping up your tan

• 24-hour Fit Lounge & yoga deck - exercise, but make it fun. The fitness lounge at this place is sleek as they come, and the yoga deck is perfect for sitting cross-legged and going ommmmmmm

• Thai cooking class - what better way to experience culture than through food? Head to the herb garden for an exclusive cooking class where you'll learn all about mastering that sour/sweet/salty/spicy balance

• Dhatri Spa - this place won the award for Best Luxury Fitness Spa in 2017, thanks to the World Luxury Spa Awards. No biggie. It's got facial and body treatments aplenty, along with detox pampers and classic Thai massages.