We were thrilled to revisit The Slate Phuket. It’s a much-appreciated return to a stand-out gem of the 60+ hotels and resorts in Phuket, Thailand, we’ve enjoyed in the past three years. It’s unique, definitely special, and embodies everything I seek in a luxury hotel for an exceptional vacation. Read on as I add my voice to The Slate Phuket Reviews.
Best of the Best – Out of the Ordinary
I write at a time when The Slate Phuket has earned the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award for Out of the Ordinary stays.
As the sole Thai hotel chosen for this award, this puts The Slate Phuket in the top 1% of the platform’s eight million hotels. On arrival, I smile as a pink, sweet-smelling lotus flower arrangement is delicately placed on my wrist as I sip my welcome drink. This is going to be so good!
What makes it memorable?
My previous stay was in 2021 when we had practically the whole resort to ourselves, and by this I mean we were alone there with one other couple! We could see the heart of the place was incredible and we loved the artsy industrial feel. Even in a pandemic sans guests, this resort had an energy that I find unique.
We admired the well-kept grounds with its treasure trove of sculptures at the time. We relished the safety of our incredible pool suite and we loved our empty Nai Yang beach walks found just outside the back gates.
The Bill Bensley design has a vibrant life of its own. Move forward three years and there’s a different vibe. Yep, I’m picking up on the excitement of guests from around the globe delighting in one of their most memorable holidays.
Won’t you come for a wander with me?
My Verdict
I’m a massive fan of The Slate Phuket, let me unpack exactly why this resort steals my heart at every stay.
Reasons to love and adore The Slate Phuket
Design
Whimsical Design
On every corner is some sort of artistry to be admired – a visual treat that stops you in your tracks and consistently surprises.
This is a design lover’s dream holiday, anyone who knows anything about hotels in Thailand will know The Slate.
It’s a lovely blend of authentic Phuket heritage mixed with some quirky industrial references to the local tin mining history.
Whilst Phuket has developed as a tropical island paradise, this hotel reminds you there is more to the history of the island than gorgeous beaches.
In a word, I’m attracted to the substance of the place!
Rooms
Rockstar Suites
You will feel like royalty in these stylish suites.
The all-suite property offers 177 villas and rooms, luxury living at its best. We have stayed in two room types detailed below. Both lovely rooms offer extraordinary comfort and elegance, inside and out. I spend my whole time admiring the wood and metal touches, which quite frankly is lost on Mr Wren, to him a tap is a tap. To me, the taps are a piece of art!
In the walk-in robe, I find plush black padded hangers, black flip-flops (with their own bag), and a grey kimono-style robe with a flamboyant orange belt. It’s all in the ultra-stylish details, or do I just not get out enough? I will never look at a pure white fluffy bathroom robe again and be impressed!
I mean check out that day bed, or the bath on the balcony, or how about a private pool in your yard?
PRIVATE POOL SUITES
The private pool suites are top-notch and the ultimate in intimate stays. Our 112 sqm oasis, includes the suite, patio, and personal plunge pool. This was offered for our stay in 2021, during you-know-what, when privacy was at the height of everyone’s travel agenda. With only 35 suites available, book ahead if this is your dream.
See more photos from our Private Pool Suite Stay here
Pool Suite Villa Room Tour video here
Wrens tip!
There is no such thing as a bad room at The Slate. No need to be too disappointed if these have sold out. All swimming pool options here are unique with designs that impress!
PEARL BED SUITES
Our most recent stay was in a Pearl Bed Suite These 65 sqm rooms boast a beautiful balcony with day beds and an outdoor bath overlooking tropical flora. With 95 suites available these rooms are my choice. You two can enjoy and revel in the stylish interiors and breathtaking Phuket landscaped views.
You can view my IG Room tour here.
Out of the Ordinary room features
My favourite ‘Out of the Ordinary’ experience has to be the jet-black humungous bath on the balcony overlooking the gardens and one of the swimming pools. It provides a slightly risque element of trying to get in and out without being spotted by the other guests! Or does everyone else only take a bath under the cover of nightfall? Surely they do not bathe with a swimsuit on? Such were the questions of life I pondered whilst relaxing in my balcony bath!
In fact whilst we are here talking bathroom stuff and all the incredible details that go into making a stay so special. Did you spot the towels folded up and hanging from bags at the end of the shower?
Swimming Pools
Three swish, oasis pools: Set amidst the gorgeous tropical gardens and grounds 10/10
Two of the outdoor pools are adults only (for guests over 14 yrs old) and a beach club to enjoy. It is hard to see how the swimming pools could be better. The staff are on hand with towels, drinks, food. This is swimming pool bliss
SNAKESKIN POOL
We overlooked this infinity pool from our room. The stunning surrounds of silver palms are gorgeous. It’s a decent length for a swim too, if you can tear yourself away from bobbing around at the end of the pool admiring the view.
PULLEY POOL & BAR
A short wander through the resort brings you to the Pulley Pool & Bar – an adults-only angular design with industrial accents, a waterfall, and in-pool water jets adjacent to a gorgeous swim-up bar. This is the pool to choose if you want music and a cool vibe. It’s definitely the most funky place to strut your new swimsuit!
LAGOON POOL
The Lagoon pool is lovely because you just wander in, it has a gentle slope down, which is how in the pandemic I’m joined by a monitor lizard in the pool. It’s long gone in case you are wondering, but it was the most magical if somewhat alarming moment of many of my wildlife returning stories of my Thailand Staycations.
I’m always drawn to the waterfall cascading down, the pool is cleverly designed with many niches. You can find a shady spot next to the Underground Café and hang out. It’s big enough for a decent swim, and small enough in places to find your perfect pool hang-out place. All ages are welcome and there is even an additional infant’s pool situated adjacent.
Restaurants & Bars
Food is always a big part of any holiday in Thailand, you will not be disappointed here. 9/10
Culinary Delights: There is plenty of choice at The Slate. Foodies can be impressed and every day mere mortals such as ourselves can enjoy a gastronomic day from breakfast to dinner, without even stepping outside the gates. It’s the settings for Rivet & Rebar and Black Ginger, that add to the experience, every view and each bite a delight, their cocktails are the best too!
There are 8 restaurants and bars, so you have plenty of options. Here is a selection of the ones we saw.
Black Ginger
- Cuisine: Thai
- Setting: The posh restaurant on site is found floating on a lagoon and accessible only by a raft, Black Ginger offers a unique dining experience.
That walk into Black Ginger restaurant is a super dramatic start. You almost feel it is surreal, you arrive down a walkway to find large burning flames and a waterway to cross to get to the Black Ginger restaurant housed in a Thai traditional mansion. There is an air of mystery, Black Ginger is an occasion, one to be enjoyed in good company. We like to meet Chef Piak who is generous with her time.
With 20 years of experience in Thai cooking and a passion for her craft, Chef Piak prepares simple but exquisite, traditional dishes with complex flavours. I enjoy this local Phuketian food which they always manage to prepare to please my palate. So what if I ask for tourist spice, they nail it for me.
More photos @blackgingerexperience
Rivet & Rebar
- Cuisine: International
- Setting: Contemporary and stylish, Rivet & Rebar serves a diverse menu featuring international dishes prepared with a creative flair.
Another dramatic setting for a restaurant. They served the best cocktails we really enjoyed the live music as well from Cole Lee, who was an excellent singer.
The relaxed ambiance and sea views make it a popular choice for guests looking for a more laid-back dining experience.
Shore Thing
- Cuisine: Beachside dining
- Setting: Beach BBQ night on Mondays and Wednesdays casual open-air dining overlooking the beach.
The relaxed ambiance and sea views make it a popular choice for guests looking for a more laid-back dining experience. It looked brilliant, but we were on our way to Black Ginger and couldn’t stop.
They had a fabulous-looking seafood buffet offering a plethora of fresh seafood and imported meat when we were there.
Tongkah Tin Syndicate
This is another fun bar, which is also an open-air snooker hall this is your place to seek out if you are after rare whiskies and perfectly crafted cocktails.
Tin Mine
- Cuisine: International buffet
- Setting: Located near the pool, Tin Mine offers an extensive buffet with a wide range of international dishes. This casual dining spot is perfect for those who want to savor a variety of flavors in a relaxed setting.
We ate breakfast here each morning. It’s buffet style and with what we Aussies would call a good spread. So it’s one of those brekkie experiences where you are continually bouncing up and down because you want to try everything. It is open air so my first tip is to sit near a good fan!
Location
Adjacent to unspoiled Nai Yang Beach and Phuket Airport.
Newbies to Phuket may be surprised to know how big the island of Phuket is (576 km2 the largest island in Thailand) This location with easy access to Phuket International Airport, will have you checked in and relaxing by the pool in no time.
Nai Yang Village and Beach: There is the unspoiled natural beauty of Nai Yang Beach and a wander-worthy village just outside The Slate’s doors. You will get the best long-tail boat photos here. Do not miss the Fisherman’s early morning market.
Recreation & Experience Centre Activities
There is so much to do at The Slate Phuket you will never be bored with of course the best part of the stay finding a place to curl up to do nothing! The heat of the day combined with the gorgeous rooms encourages just that.
In addition, the resort has a good activities schedule. The following are free: Bikes, Stand up Paddle Board, Archery, Kayaks, Badminton, Tennis Court Hire, Table Tennis, Flying Disk, and Beach Volleyball.
Fitness Activities
Every day there are a range of tours and group exercise sessions. Having previously enjoyed their yoga, this time I was back in time for the complimentary Pilates, the next day I even got Mr Wren to his first-ever Tai Chi class.
Around the resort you’ll find the Shades art gallery, I always love a wander around their designer boutique The Stockroom store. They have great toiletries that make lovely souvenirs and somehow I’m addicted to buying their teaspoons with a spanner on the end!
Cultural Experiences
You can also pay for extra activities. Dive into temples, take Thai cooking classes, and bike tours for an enriched stay.
I loved my private Sunrise bike tour (only private because no one else wanted an early morning rise!) Those activities guys are such fun. We visited a local temple and I loved whizzing across the sands on my mountain bike, finding the beach hammock. Have you seen the size of fish for sale at the local fishermen’s market below?
Service
Personalized Service: The staff is good at connecting. I have already mentioned chatting with Chef Piak at Black Ginger, which adds a personal touch to the experience.
Do take time to chat with the staff; they all have a story to tell. I especially loved chatting with the junior trainee staff in their developing English. You get an appreciation of their lives and how grateful they are for a career with The Slate.
Coqoon Spa
In recent years, I was fortunate to experience extraordinary spas worldwide, and none surpassed Cocoon Spa, especially its unique treatment venue The Nest. Don’t miss out on this exceptional spa journey.
The Nest offers a rejuvenation experience like no other, a pure wow setting. I’m still on a Zen high from my massage here. Mr Wren loved it so much he double-tipped the staff (which says a lot, he’s not normally fussed by a fancy spa!)
Our treatment was a 90-minute signature Rebirth massage. I have always wanted to enjoy a treatment in The Nest, it felt tailor-made for a Little Wren.
The treatment room comprises two joining areas. The couples massage tables are adjacent to an equally impressive changing room and bathroom—a truly Out of the Ordinary experience.
Events
Check out The Slate’s calendar for any upcoming special events
The Vibrations Festival
We recently attended the popular Vibrations Festival Rasta Jambalaya. It was a fun evening of immersive entertainment and feasting that brought Jamaica’s spirit to life.
The Slate is an incredible venue for special events: ‘Vibrations will be held on the resort’s Coliseum Lawn, an enchanting natural amphitheatre where guests can chill out on the soft grass, sip cocktails surrounded by swaying palms, and dance the night away under the stars.‘
Any Negatives?
If I say the buggy from reception was slow to arrive, will you roll your eyes? Yes, I know first-world problems. In a world of resort perfection, there is very little to complain about.
I thought some of the art around the place looked a touch more weathered than it did in January 2020. But you could argue that’s part of the rustic industrial charm look!
Some of the staff were learning the ropes, and maybe it took a while to get the coffee orders right at breakfast… but honestly, the truth here is bravo to The Slate Phuket for employing and training local staff at a time when gearing up for high seasons means they are learning on the job. And when it really mattered like the evening cocktails, they sure learn to produce a cracking cocktail. Cheers!
Final Thoughts
The best time to visit
High Season is officially Nov – March/Easter, but from my perspective, there is no bad time to stay at The Slate. Sure, later in the year, the monsoon rains kick in, but there is always something to enjoy at this resort.
How to save money
My top tip to save money, (this resort does not come cheap) is to go in the off-season, and put up with a little rain (well ok when it rains in Thailand it can be massively heavy but you have to be very unlucky for it to rain the entire time of your stay!
Overall experience: exceptional
Before you go!
What I love most about a stay at The Slate is that it is unique and Out of the Ordinary. For me, a great choice in the Best of the Best Awards. Here is a private world that combines the best that Thailand offers with a breathtaking design that is made for comfort. This gives something memorable at every turn to intrigue and admire, whether in your room, on your plate, or just a happy feeling. You can come back time and time again and find new things.
Cheers to The Slate Phuket for making each stay extraordinary!
The details:
More information is found on the website: www.theslatephuket.com
Disclosure
Little Wandering Wren was a guest of The Slate Phuket. This is the sort of stay that as you leave with unforgettable memories gathered in enchanting surroundings, you whisper to yourself I’ll be back! Thank you to The Slate, Phuket another incredible stay!
Read More
Please check out Good Vibes at the Rasta Vibrations Festival at The Slate
You might also enjoy: The Making of a Thailand Staycation Queen and the original Love Letter to the Hoteliers of Phuket as featured In Expat Life in Thailand
P.S. If you enjoyed this hotel review check out these hotel stays around the world: Worldwide: Little Wandering Wren’s Good Hotel Guide, UK: Corinthia London, Thailand: Outrigger Khao Lak USA: New York Athletic Club. Australia: Gwinganna
If you haven’t already, I would love you to support my work by following my blog and Instagram!
10 comments
Hello Wren,
It does look like a beautiful resort. Hubby and I still have Phuket and Thailand on our bucket list.
Lovely photos, I wish I was there. Take care, enjoy your day!
I hope you get to Phuket one day Eileen. We would love to show you around. You would love the birding in Southern Thailand too!
Have a great week.
Wren x
Such a beautiful place to stay! Must consider it for our next visit to Thailand. That sunrise bicycle tour sounds amazing!
How lucky was I that no one else got up early to join me, it was such a fun activity. Just one of the many things that you can see and do whilst staying at The Slate!
You would love a stay here Inge!
Wren x
The New York Athletics Club is amazing. It is a private members club and we are fortunate to be able to stay as we have reciprocal membership arrangements via our Bangkok Sports Club. However no worries I will have to make sure that I’ll be in NYC on your next visit and we can go together!
The history here is amazing, I always feel I should try and be more sporty whilst I’m staying but between being opposite Central Park and in the most incredible location in New York I’m always tore between staying in or going out!!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
A wonderfully detailed review, and I enjoyed your photographs.
All the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
Hi Jan, you would find staying at this hotel good for all dietary needs. The food here is amazing and they have several restaurants to choose from and extensive menus, there is something for everyone foodwise at The Slate.
Have a great week!
Wren x
Thank you so much Jan. The Slate is a photographers dream, at every turn there is something arty to enjoy, and of course it is all set in the most incredible tropical garden setting which in itself is amazing for photography. I hope you feel as if you have had a lovely tropical virtual holiday!
Have a great day
Wren x
I’ve stayed there twice, when it was still called Indigo Blue (if I remember correctly). It was a very special place with a very unique personality. Both times I took cooking classes. And both times I took Muay Thai classes. It was my introduction to Muay Thai. When I got back to Hong Kong, I discovered that my gym offered kickboxing classes, which were similar to Muay Thai but in an aerobics format. I became an addict!
That’s pretty cool to have found a passion for Muay Thai and kick boxing from this stay. You’ll be pleased to know the current team at The Slate are still as inspiring when it come to offering their guests great activities and experiences. You’re right this is a special place with a unique personality – definitely an out of the ordinary stay!