Hello everyone.
I recently spent 17 nights at the Laya Resort Phuket, a brand-new 5-star gem located on the beautiful island of Phuket.
We stayed in the 5-star wing, which is one of the several star-rated wings they have. The resort itself is super clean, and the staff is incredibly friendly.
The entire property is lush and green, with two pools and lounge areas. It's a great place to relax and unwind.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketOur room was a standard two-bedroom with a view of the garden, which was essentially a view of the forest and the neighboring building.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketThe room was spacious enough, but it had only four or five hooks in the closet and not many shelves, which made it hard to keep our clothes organized.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketThe bathroom was a highlight, with a smart toilet that had features like a bidet and heating. There was also a shower and a bathtub, and you could lift the curtain and look out the window while taking a bath.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketThe standard toiletries like shower gel, shampoo, and soap were replenished every day, which was a nice touch.
We also had a balcony with a table and chairs, and a clothes dryer, which was super convenient.
There was a tea area with tea and coffee in drip packets, replenished every day, which was a nice perk.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketThey provided us with four bottles of water for two people, but keep in mind that you need to return the glass bottles or you'll be charged for them.Housekeeping was daily, but it was pretty superficial. They'd just tidy up and empty the trash. We had the bedding changed three times in 17 nights, and they'd replace the towels if you left them on the floor.
We only had breakfast included in our stay, which was a highlight of our trip. The selection was impressive, and it was hard to leave hungry, even for the pickiest of eaters.
They offered a range of dishes, including a custom-made soup, eggs, various muesli and yoghurt options, toast with different jams, oil, veggie salads, plain veggies, hot dishes like fried rice or noodles, chicken, sausages, bao buns, and simple rolls.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketFruit-wise, we had watermelons, a disappointing melon, dragon fruit, papaya, passionfruit, and pineapple. They usually had three to four types of fruit available each day.
For drinks, they had juices, good coffee from the machine, tea in different flavors, milk, and water.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketI was really impressed by the breakfast spread at this resort. It's definitely one of the best I've had in Thailand.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketThe dining area is bright and beautiful, and you can choose to eat inside under the canopy or outside by the pool. I never had to wait for a seat.
Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, Phuket Laya resort Phuket 5*, Thailand, PhuketBeach
One of the things that drew me to Laya Resort was its proximity to Bang Tao Beach. The beach itself is long, but you'll find fewer people compared to Patong and Phuket, and it's a lot less developed.
The entry point into the water is gentle, but that means the waves tend to bring in more sand and the water can be murky. Still, it's perfectly fine for swimming.
Laya Resort doesn't have its own private beach. You'll have to walk for about three minutes along a road without sidewalks to get to the nearest beach. It's not exactly the most pleasant experience. When I arrived, I was greeted by a crowded and somewhat dirty stretch of sand. If you're looking for a more secluded and cleaner spot, you'll need to walk further down the beach and head left.
Location
Surrounding Laya Resort, you won't find much in the way of civilization. No 7/11s, currency exchange, or anything like that. There are two restaurants and a few other hotels, though. The resort does have an ATM, so you won't go completely without access to cash.
We knew what we were getting into and had planned to rent bikes, so the resort's remote location didn't faze us. However, there were other guests who seemed to be completely caught off guard by the location. They were pretty upset.
The nearest hub of activity is the Botavon Avenue. That's where you'll find shops, massage places, cafes, and currency exchange - everything you need, really. Just be prepared for higher prices than what you'd find on Patong. It's about a 10-minute bike ride from the resort, or you can take a taxi for around 300-400 THB.
You can rent bikes directly from the resort, and they even have a designated parking area for bikes and cars. We didn't have any issues with parking space, and there's even security on site.
Just keep in mind that in Thailand, you'll need international driving permits and a category A license to rent a bike. The police can stop you for a check, and we actually got pulled over. It's not a huge deal, but it's something to be aware of.
It's about a 7-minute bike ride from the resort to the Laguna area, which has sidewalks - a rare find on Phuket, I might add. The area is really beautiful, and you can walk around comfortably.
Value for Money We paid around 1 million THB for 17 nights, including breakfast for two people.
I really enjoyed our stay at Laya resort, despite its remote location. For the price, we could've only afforded a dated third-tier hotel on a popular beach, and we've already experienced the party scene on Patong. We prefer the peace and quiet, so we can hit the town whenever we want. If you're considering this resort, think carefully about whether you want to venture out and how you plan to get there.
I docked a point for the location, specifically the lack of nearby shops. Otherwise, the resort is excellent, and I highly recommend it.
For more on our Phuket getaway, check out this review.