Phuket has no shortage of beautiful beaches, from Karon and Kata to Bang Tao. Yet Patong remains its best-known hub, particularly for visitors who want the beach, restaurants, and town life within easy reach.
Amari Phuket Resort offers a particularly appealing balance: a hillside setting at the southern end of Patong Beach, with sweeping sea views and convenient access to town. The centre is around 10–15 minutes away by car, and a shuttle service was available during my stay.
It is easy to understand why the property has become popular with international visitors, including Korean travellers. For a Phuket trip of a week or less, the location makes it possible to enjoy a proper resort stay while still having the option to explore Patong.
First Impressions – A Calm Welcome and a Remarkable View
Amari is an upscale hotel and resort brand with roots in Thailand. It is a flagship brand of ONYX Hospitality Group, part of Thailand’s Italthai Group, and participates in the group’s ONYX Rewards loyalty programme.
Arriving at Amari Phuket Resort around check-in time, I could immediately see how popular it was. There were plenty of guests checking in and out, yet the lobby felt composed and inviting. The staff handled everything with an ease that kept the atmosphere pleasantly calm.
After a short wait and a welcome drink, the check-in formalities were soon taken care of.
What held my attention, however, was the view beyond the lobby: a broad panorama of Patong Bay that made it difficult to put my camera away.
This is also where you will find Samutr Bar, a well-known spot that attracts visitors who come specifically for the outlook, even when they are staying elsewhere. As a hotel guest, I could wander over, enjoy the scenery, and take photographs whenever I wished.
By the time I had finished admiring the bay, my room was ready. The wait had passed almost unnoticed.
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One Bedroom Suite Ocean View – Space to Settle In
For my three-night, four-day stay at Amari Phuket Resort, I booked the One Bedroom Suite Ocean View Coral Lounge.
The suite had a separate bedroom and living room, a compact kitchen, and a separate bathroom. That extra space made it feel like somewhere to settle in comfortably, rather than simply a room to return to at the end of the day.
The refrigerator was generously sized, and the minibar contents, together with the snacks on the table, were complimentary on arrival. This was a one-time inclusion at check-in.
There was also an espresso machine, with four capsules supplied daily, along with six TWG tea bags. These thoughtful touches gave the stay a welcome sense of generosity.
Both the bedroom and the living room looked out towards the sea, so the feeling of being on holiday never depended on leaving the suite. Sitting with a cup of coffee, the pretty teapot nearby and the water stretching into the distance, was one of those simple pleasures that made slowing down feel effortless.
The interiors combined warm wood tones with a clean, contemporary finish. They felt natural and welcoming, while retaining the polish I would hope for from an upscale resort.
For couples considering a honeymoon, this suite would be a lovely choice. The separate living area, sea views, and relaxed atmosphere made it feel suited to an occasion worth lingering over.
Seafront Pools and a Beach Below the Hillside
The resort has 3 swimming pools in total. One is reserved for guests with the relevant club access, while the other two are near the beachfront.
The main pool, visible from the bar above, was beautiful even before I stepped into the water. Red sun loungers stood out against the blue of the sea, creating a scene that felt wonderfully unhurried.
Below this area was an Italian restaurant, with waves breaking so close beneath it that the sea felt part of the setting. Something about the combination of the rocky shoreline, the water, and the elevated outlook reminded me of Rock Bar at AYANA in Bali.
A little farther to the left, I found another pool with sun loungers, along with a shallow children’s pool.
What surprised me most was the beach access. Hillside hotels often offer wonderful views but make getting down to the water rather difficult. Here, a flight of steps led to the resort’s own beach area, so I could enjoy the sea as well as admire it from above.
Having both pools and direct access to the shoreline added much more variety to the stay than I had expected.
Coral Lounge – Leisurely Breakfasts and Coffee Throughout the Day
One of the most worthwhile inclusions in my suite booking was access to Coral Lounge.
Breakfast here felt noticeably more relaxed than in the main restaurant. It combined a small buffet with an Ă la carte menu, allowing me to order freshly prepared dishes without having to collect everything myself.
Eggs Benedict, waffles, and noodles were among the choices, and during my stay I could order whichever dishes I wanted. Pastries, fruit, salads, and fruit juices were available from the buffet.
I enjoyed putting together a generous breakfast and spending an hour over it, taking in the view. It became one of the happiest parts of my day.
The appeal of Coral Lounge extended beyond breakfast: tea, coffee, and simple cookies were available throughout the day. Whenever I wanted a coffee break, I could stop by much as I would at a café, making it especially easy to spend a comfortable day within the resort.
For anyone who enjoys a leisurely hotel stay, this is a suite benefit worth considering.
Rim Talay – A Different Theme for Dinner
Rim Talay offered themed dinners that changed from day to day during my visit.
On the evening I dined there, the buffet had a “Silk Road” theme, bringing together Indian dishes, Thai food, and seafood. The variety was greater than I had anticipated.
At the barbecue station, the team grilled satay, chicken, lamb, and other selections, while pasta was prepared to order. There was plenty to try, and I left comfortably full.
Dessert was just as tempting, with fruit, ice cream, and an assortment of sweets, including several unfamiliar treats that turned out to be delicious.
The following evening featured a different seafood buffet, so there was scope to choose a theme that suited your appetite. I would happily set aside at least one evening for dinner here during a stay.
The TreePods – A Lunch Worth Planning Ahead For
The grounds are extensive, and towards the right-hand side of the resort is The Jetty, which closes during the rainy season. Along the path leading towards it are three TreePods.
These intimate dining spaces sit among the trees, with a nest-like design and views of the sea below. They offer a beautiful setting for either lunch or afternoon tea.
With only three available, advance planning matters. During my visit, reservations had to be made at least one day ahead; same-day bookings were not accepted.
I chose lunch rather than afternoon tea, selecting a menu featuring local Phuket specialities and Thai dishes. Everything was beautifully arranged when I arrived at the reserved time.
The setting had an almost storybook quality: a little dining retreat tucked into the trees, with the water visible underneath. It was also a lovely place for photographs without needing much more than the surroundings themselves.
For honeymooners, I could easily imagine an afternoon tea here becoming the setting for a memorable couple’s photo session.
One practical detail is worth preparing for: there were quite a few insects around the TreePods during my visit. Be sure to bring insect repellent so you can enjoy your meal and the surroundings more comfortably.
The TreePods were one of the highlights of my stay, and an experience I would make time for again. The local dishes were excellent, and the portions were generous enough that I was still not particularly hungry by dinner.
Final Thoughts – Three Nights Without Needing to Leave
Over 3 nights and 4 days, I never once felt the need to leave the resort.
Between the main pool, the beachfront pool, time by the sea, lunch at the TreePods, and leisurely visits to Coral Lounge, the days filled themselves naturally. There were enough dining options to enjoy every meal on the property, and enough variety to keep the stay interesting without feeling scheduled.
For anyone who does want to explore, Patong remains close by, with the shuttle offering a convenient way into town.
Amari Phuket Resort would be a lovely choice for travellers looking for a comfortable, scenic escape in Phuket, particularly if a resort stay is an important part of the holiday itself.
The standard rooms may offer an appealing way to enjoy the property at a lower rate. If the budget allows, however, I would choose the one-bedroom suite with Coral Lounge access. The extra space, relaxed lounge breakfasts, and tea and coffee throughout the day made a meaningful difference to how much I enjoyed the stay.
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