In Phuket, Thailand's largest island, there is always plenty to do. You might run out of time, but never out of things to see and experience. I was in Phuket for all of four days, and naturally, I couldn't do everything I wanted. Regardless, I was staying in Club Med, which did not really make me feel like I missed out on anything.
My trip to Phuket happened right at the onset of the monsoon season in Thailand. That meant I had to be prepared with contingencies in case the sloshing rains muddied any of my plans. The Phuket property is right across from Kata Beach, which was as ideal as it could get. Compared to other beaches in Phuket, Kata Beach is relatively less crowded by tourists, allowing you to relax without the usual beach rush. Although four decades old, Club Med Phuket looks as good as new now, thanks to its recent renovations.
A tropical paradise on the island of Phuket, Club Med sprawls 16 hectares and encompasses close to 300 rooms and various sections. My Thai GO–or gentils organisateurs–greeted me at the lobby, where I was offered light refreshments and a much-needed warm towel to soothe away the less-than-pleasant flight from New Delhi. A mellow fountain formed the centre of the area, cutting the reception and sitting area. I had been starving, and it was past lunchtime, so when Geegee, the staff member who helped me check in, asked if I wanted to go to my room or have lunch at the restaurant first, I chose the latter.
After a satisfying lunch at Mamuang, one of the two main restaurants at the property, and chatting with a fellow journalist from Indonesia, I finally arrived at my room. My room was in the newly renovated wing, which was a bit of a walk from the main pool area. Jake, another GO, showed me to my room, asking me about India and listing the number of activities I could do here during my stay. The flying trapeze instantly caught my fancy.
My room was one of the newly renovated superior suites, tastefully done up, keeping traditional sensibilities in mind, but complete with all modern amenities guests would require. The entire resort is divided into different sections, with the main pool for families and the main bar with its adjoining rooms where you can sit and relax in one of the many comfy chairs thrown around in a casual disarray (I sunk down in one and took a blissful nap after too many pina coladas). There is the adult-only Zen pool with its own bar, the spa, and the kids' club where parents can deposit their kids while they enjoy a break. A dedicated section called Family Oasis is set to open in July 2025, which will enhance the resort's appeal to parents.
Following the labyrinthine pathways hugged by beautifully manicured lawns will lead you to the volleyball, tennis, and squash courts. You can partake in Myuai Thai classes, Thailand's national sport, and learn some boxing skills to either show off or humble yourself in the process. There's also archery and golf with a seven-hole course, padel, yoga, and rock climbing, which are only some of the activities among the dizzying number of things you can do at Club Med Phuket.
At the Discovery Center, you can book excursions to nearby islands or go snorkelling and scuba diving in the sea. I took a Thai cooking class and had a hard time not eating the food immediately. One of the biggest highlights of the Phuket property is the flying trapeze. Although I missed out on it due to the sheer number of activities I was trying to cram in just a few days, I would recommend the trapeze if you want to try something truly exhilarating. Largely catering to families with kids, if you are a solo traveller, you won't get too bored at Club Med Phuket with its themed parties, which are a nightly occurrence.
I was introduced to their signature White Party at the Seychelles property last year, which is why, this time around, I was a little less apprehensive about mingling on the dance floor with other guests and staff members. For solo travellers, the trick is to make use of the open bar and lower down judgements; otherwise, you will only cringe in a corner instead of actually having fun. I befriended a bunch of staff members who were all friendly and amusing company, with one of them telling me she had Indian roots before singing me some popular Bollywood numbers to drive her point home.
The food at Club Med Phuket is an experience in itself. "An incredible amount of thought goes into curating everything on the menu," Ahmed Ali, the Food and Beverage Director of the resort, told me. "I start every day at 7 am, beginning from sourcing the freshest produce to making sure it is integrated in the best possible way in the menu; everything has to go through me," he explained. On my last night, I ventured out to explore Phuket's nightlife with a dozen or so people from the resort, including Ahmed. When we returned in the morning, all weary and gone from our nightly shenanigans, he was already at work. Such is the dedication of the staff at Club Med, which is the biggest asset of the brand and rightly reflects on the overall experience you'll have.
The two in-house restaurants serve a variety of cuisines that cater to every palate. The Mamuang restaurant offers a buffet of local and global flavours with live cooking stations and a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian and Thai. My favourite was the Thai station during my stay and the very elegant and rewarding dessert bar. From the famous Mango Sticky Rice to the freshest seafood you can find, the food at Mamuang lived up to my expectations of Thai food and then some. The stylish interiors are versatile, with big, comfortable tables for families and larger groups and high bar tables for solo diners.
Then, there was the speciality restaurant, Chu-da, which served all the authentic Thai flavours. Traditional Thai decor fused with modern elegance elevates the appeal of the restaurant. You can enjoy an intimate dinner with your family and friends with a well-curated menu combining local flavours with a gourmet twist. Do not miss their excellent Tom Kha soup, served inside a coconut.
All too soon my four days at the all-inclusive Club Med Phuket were up. I made many friends and made even more promises of visiting them all around the world (apparently I'm going to Egypt, Australia, and Dubai very soon). My holiday at the resort proved to be just like the brand promises: carefree and absolutely satisfying. So, until next time.
Address: A, 3 Kata Road Karon S-D, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Getting There: You can hire a taxi from the Phuket airport, which will take you around an hour and a half to reach the resort.
Tariff: From USD 680 for two nights, two persons.
For more information visit https://www.clubmed.asia/r/phuket/y