Far from the chaos and crowds that overwhelm Patong’s streets and stretches of sand, there’s a luxury hideaway and a place we went to for healing during our time in Phuket. Instead of following the tourist trail south when touching down on the island, we turned north to Phang Nga, just 20 minutes from the airport. It’s there we arrived at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa, a 5-star eco resort catering to guests in search or luxury, wellness or a balance of both.
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa is a luxury wellness haven located on a quiet stretch of Natai Beach, 20 minutes north of Phuket International Airport. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Contemporary white buildings with dark wooden detailing rose up from between the palms. We wandered in between, guided by wooden boardwalks to the beachfront. Lush green tropical plants, fish-filled ponds and soft grey stone walls separated the resort’s public and private spaces. We soon arrived at the hotel’s infinity pool complete with plush day beds at one side and a swim up bar. It held prime position right at the sand and the surface of the water teased, sparkling in the sunlight.
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa sits beautiful in its natural surroundings, recently named “Thailand’s Best Small Green Resort”. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa: A luxury eco-retreat on the beautifully clean Natai Beach, Phang Ng. Image © Skye Gilkeson
All Suites, All Private
The Aleenta philosophy is “all suites, all private”. They have a range of accommodation from those footsteps from the sand to large family villas with pools and private gardens. Aleenta aims to give guests the space they need to relax and unwind while providing the personalised service and amenities to do so in a calm yet luxurious environment. The resort is set out in two parts. One is situated at Natai Beach, while the newest part of the property is located back from the beach and was opened just last September. It’s there we settled in to a Grand Deluxe Pool Villa for our stay.
Beautiful, elegant and modern interiors in our Grand Deluxe Pool Villa at Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Large, light bathroom with a view of the walled private garden and pool at Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Cute beach bags and towels provided for guests’ use during their stay at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Yoga mats for guests use during their time at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Work desk, flowers, fruit and games to welcome us to Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Our one-bedroom villa had it’s own garden complete with fragrant frangipani tree, pool and cosy day bed for two. The interiors were contemporary and chic, decorated in a classic palette of black, white and grey. A four-poster, king size bed was a romantic feature of the master bedroom, facing out to the garden and pool; a lovely view to wake up to every morning. A work desk with welcome fruit platter waited in one corner and a lounge in the other. Past the walk-in-robe there was light and bright bathroom. My favourite feature of the room had to be the sliding door off the main living area, which meant we could step directly into our private pool; the epitome of luxury.
Stepping out from our bedroom into our large private pool was pure indulgence in our Grand Deluxe Pool Villa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Home sweet home: our Grand Deluxe Pool Villa was more like a small house than a villa. Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The EDGE Restaurant
As the name suggests, The EDGE Restaurant is located right at the sand. It is there we enjoyed the majority of our meals looking out on to water and taking in the stunning sunset each evening. The EDGE Restaurant menu is shaped using local produce to create a variety of Asian and Western staples with a contemporary twist. The day begins with a breakfast buffet that includes a stand of sweet and savoury treats, fresh tea and coffee, fruit, cereals, soups, eggs and baked goods. For lunch, guests have the choice of Asian noodle, rice, fish and meat dishes and Western staples like burgers and sandwiches. The dinner menu showcases seafood and quality cuts of meat with sophisticated flavour combinations like Eye of Lamb Loin with Pumpkin, Coffee, Hazelnut and Snake Gourd and Blue Crab with Malt Bread, Eel, Corn and Safflower.
The EDGE Restaurant served up contemporary cuisine catering to guests on wellness programs and those seeking culinary indulgence alike. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The EDGE Restaurant at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa offers beachside al fresco dining or an air conditioned designer dining room.
Breakfast: Beautiful tower of sweet and savoury treats at The EDGE Restaurant. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Breakfast: Fresh, tropical fruit ready at The EDGE Restaurant buffet, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The EDGE Restaurant is located at the sand on the clean and peaceful Natai Beach. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The Natai Restaurant
The Natai Restaurant also serves the signature breakfast and a lunch menu. It is also a romantic setting for a candlelit dinner. The Natai has a comprehensive menu of Thai food (with a few Western options for children) using local ingredients, many of which are organic.
The Natai restaurant serves up contemporary Thai dishes using local and organic ingredients. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Wellness at Aleenta
Ayurah Spa and Wellness Centre
Aleenta Phuket is more than a 5-star resort. It offers a place to heal, detox and indulge in some pampering, thanks to the state-of-the-art Ayurah Spa and Wellness Centre on site. The wellness centre has a range of individual treatments from medical to therapeutic, there are also four types of all-inclusive packages which will appeal to those looking for a retreat-style experience. We chose the 4-day Detoxification (Total Purification) package to reset and recharge our travel-weary bodies. The Detoxification program is designed for just that; to rebalance the body and mind through healthy meals, holistic yoga and healing therapies.
A calm and inviting environment for healing at the Ayurah Wellness Centre, Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Day One
12.30pm: We arrived just in time for our first Wellness Lunch. When Seared Tuna, Vegetables and Pesto came to our table and I took that first bite, a wave of both relief and satisfaction came over me. It was a delicious introduction to the incredible meals that followed, during our stay. No flavourless, extreme diets here. Just really great food; a menu crafted from locally grown vegetables, fruits and lean, clean fish and organic chicken.
Wellness Menu: Tuna with Vegetables and Home Made Pesto at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
It’s important to mention we specifically asked for a fruit-free menu during our stay (as I am low FODMAP). Chef Valerio, Billy and their teams showed amazing creative flare in coming up with dishes and drinks that were very tasty and beautiful, given that restriction. Fruit-free can be a tough ask on a detox program.
Wellness Menu: Rosella Ice Cream with Coconut Whip and Puffed Brown Rice. Image © Skye Gilkeson
2pm: After lunch, we went straight to the Ayurah Wellness Centre for our Wellness Assessment. The therapists did a Bioimpedance Analysis (checks on BMI, body fat %, body water %, muscle mass, bone mass, BMR, metabolic age, visceral fat). They also checked our blood pressure and blood sugar, analysed our skin and conducted a Thai Element Analysis. All-in-all the process was fast and painless. Some of the results were less so for the two of us, but absolutely reflected the fact that we had been travelling full-time for almost a year and needed to tighten up some areas.
Wellness Program: We started each day of treatments in the futuristic Oxygen Bar at Ayurah Wellness Centre, Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Our first treatment was Oxygen Therapy. We entered the futuristic room, furnished with four comfortable black leather loungers. Fitted with oxygen tubes the therapists left us to relax. Only one light remained on during the treatment. The light illuminated a tank holding live jellyfish. The colour of the light changed and combined with the gentle movements of the jellyfish swimming made for a mesmerising show. We both nodded off for part of the 3o minute session.
A Himalayan Salt Glow Body Polish was next. After our scrub we were left to relax in our own private spa complete with fresh ginger tea, for a while. The whole experience was quite surreal and very relaxing.
Wellness Program: Private twice daily yoga sessions are included in the Detoxification: Total Purifying Package. Image © Skye Gilkeson
4.30pm: Our first Ayurah Yoga session was with instructor Graad. He took us through a gentle practice, adjusting the sequence intuitively to meet our level of ability. It was a great way to wind down at the end of the day.
7pm: A Wellness Cuisine Dinner was served at The Natai. We were served Pumpkin Soup with Pot Stickers, Stuffed Squid Penang Curry and Floating Island (a light fluffy sugar free dessert made from egg whites and custard). We loved every bite.
Wellness Menu: Stuffed Squid in Penang Curry at The Natai, Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Wellness Menu: “Floating Island”, a delicious, healthy sugar and gluten free dessert. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Day Two
7am: Day Two began with a morning yoga practice.
9am: We made our way to The EDGE for a Wellness Breakfast of Egg White Soufflé, Tomato Salsa with asparagus, Fresh Tomato and Celery Juice and a Garden Salad.
Wellness Menu: Fresh, chilled tomato and celery juice at The EDGE Restaurant, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Wellness Menu: Egg white souffle with tomato salsa and asparagus at The EDGE Restaurant, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
12pm: We were served an incredibly tasty Vegetable Soup and Steamed Fish with Chilli, Ginger, Garlic and Lemongrass for lunch.
Steamed Fish with Thai Aromatics at The EDGE Restaurant, Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
2pm: Our afternoon treatments began with Oxygen Therapy and a Detoxifying Healing Massage, leaving us feeling rejuvenated.
The lovely treatment room at Ayurah Wellness Centre where we had a Detoxifying Healing Massage. Image © Skye Gilkeson
4.30pm: We made our way to the Fitness Centre for our evening yoga session.
7pm: A Wellness Dinner was served by candlelight at The EDGE Restaurant. A couple next to us were served up two well-stacked burgers with fries and neither of us felt even a slight inkling that we were missing out. We had Crab Meat and Coconut Soup and Steamed Chicken with Bok Choy with a sugar free Rosella and Ginger Spritzer.
9pm: Detox Juices (a wheatgrass blend) were delivered to our villa to drink before bed.
Wellness Menu: Delicious Crab Meat and Coconut Soup at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Wellness Menu: Green Detox Juices are delivered at 9pm each night as part of the program. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Day Three
9am: After our morning flow we went straight to the beach for breakfast. A moreish Flaxseed Porridge was promptly delivered to our table and we both ate it at lightening speed. We also had a lovely Creamy Carrot and Cucumber Juice and a little herbal tea.
Wellness Menu: Delicious flaxseed porridge on Day Two at The EDGE Restaurant, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
12pm: Lunch was a chilled Green Juice, Fresh Crab Rice Paper Rolls with dipping sauce arrived, followed soon after by a Quinoa, Avocado and Roasted Vegetable Salad. It was healthy, fresh and very filling.
Chilled Chinese Kale and Cucumber Juice & Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Dipping Sauce. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Wellness Menu: Quinoa, Roasted Vegetable and Avocado Salad at The EDGE, Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
2pm: The Oxygen Therapy room awaited. 30 minutes later and we were ushered into a treatment room for a Healing Massage; which was exactly what we needed after feeling a bit tight from yoga.
4.30pm: We decided to give Muay Thai a try in the afternoon in lieu of yoga as neither of us had learnt the discipline before. Trainer “Mr Big” demonstrated each movement clearly and built up the combinations so the session was challenging but also whole lot of fun.
Skye and The Hubby ready for an afternoon of Muay Thai at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
7pm: Feeling a little weary we asked for our evening Wellness Dinner be sent to our villa. We were very excited to see Pad Thai with Scallops, a Chicken Soup and a Green Juice arrive.
9pm: Our Detox Juices arrived right on time.
Skye Gilkeson doing some pad work in a Muay Thai session with trainer, “Mr Big” at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Wearing: Skins Recovery Tights; Oysho singlet; Skins Crop. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Day Four
7am: Our final morning began with yoga. We were both enjoying the benefits already.
8.30pm: Oat Porridge was on the menu for breakfast and a fresh Vegetable Juice.
11am: We began in the Oxygen Therapy room. Afterwards we were treated to an incredible Haute Couture Facial.
The state-of-the-art Ayurah Wellness Centre at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
12.30pm: A gorgeous Green Salad, Steamed Chicken with Vegetables and Green Juice was delivered to the villa to eat while packing. They even sent a cucumber and Kaffir Lime Spritz for us too.
Steamed Chicken and Cabbage in Broth, delivered to our villa at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Whether you are looking for a spa break, a quiet place to relax on the sand or you want to make a shift in your health through a personally tailored wellness program, Aleenta Phuket could be the place for you. We left feeling refreshed and back on a more balanced path.
The Fit Traveller was a guest of Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa for this experience. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.
Soft pink sunsets across Natai Beach at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa
33 Moo 5, Takua Thung, Khok Kloi
Phang Nga, Phuket 82140 Thailand
+66 2-514-8112
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.