A gentle breeze washes over me. It’s a welcome reprieve from the heat of the midday sun. I sit reclined, peeking across a flower bed overflowing with fuschia bougainvillea, to the bay below. The colourful plants, yachts rocking in the crystalline water and the striking white building behind me spark memories of Greece. But I’m a long haul from the Aegean. Instead, it’s the unique beauty of The Nai Harn Phuket, the pick of the Nai Harn beach hotels, that is making me swoon.
The view from my Deluxe Ocean View Room at The Nai Harn Phuket. Picture postcard perfection. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The Nai Harn
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When it comes to Nai Harn beach hotels The Nai Harn Phuket is the stand out. The property not only holds one of the most exclusive and sought after locations on the island, but it has a long history of delivering world-class luxury experiences to an enviable client list from royalty to international celebrities, since 1986. It was the only five-star resort on Phuket at the time. More recently, it was home to Royal Phuket Yacht Club. Now, after an extensive 18-month renovation led by General Manager, Frank Grassman (formely of Soneva Kiri and Six Senses), The Nai Harn is once again open for business with a new contemporary edge. Keen to live up to its reputation and the honour of being the only Phuket hotel that is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, The Nai Harn offers bespoke, luxury experiences for their guests.
The Nai Harn Phuket’s iconic location overlooking the Nai Harn beach and the gorgeous bay. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Deluxe Ocean View Room
There are 130 rooms at suites at The Nai Harn. Each shares the same stunning view. My Deluxe Ocean View Room was apartment-like. Aside from the 40-square-metre terrace with day bed, there was a king bed, seating area, lounge chair and my favourite feature, a bathroom that opens up to give you a direct view outside from the comfort of the bathtub. Pale, washed wood, white walls and a palette of simple grey, accented with splashes of sorbet made the space feel modern, contemporary and sophisticated. This is a room made for a Phuket honeymoon.
Juice and fresh fruit waiting on arrival at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Stunning and stylish designer Deluxe Ocean View Room at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Large bathroom featuring double shower with skylight in the Deluxe Ocean View Room at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Contemporary and comfortable seating are in the Deluxe Ocean View Room at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Four-poster sun bed on my private terrace frames the view beautifully at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Cosmo Restaurant
As I put a teaspoon of home made coconut butter into my coffee and stir it in with a grin I hear “I’m going to marry this guy!” from behind me at the breakfast buffet. “Home made banana and Nutella spread…”, she continued to gush. My smile widened. I felt exactly the same way about what Culinary Director, Kevin Jean Fawkes had created. Fawkes describes his food philosophy as, “working with the gifts from mother nature, organic, chemical free, to reconnect people with their food and where it comes from”. Tasked with re-establishing The Nai Harn as the culinary destination that it once was, Fawkes brings a list of impressive career accolades and evidently a passion for food that will help him launch the hotel’s two restaurants, Cosmo Restaurant and Rock Salt as must-dine destinations.
Cosmo Restaurant at The Nai Harn serves up farm-to -table fare, Asian favourites and an enviable view of Nai Harn beach at The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A farm-to-fork feast awaits at the Cosmo Restaurant breakfast buffet. The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Fresh and colourful tropical fruit at Cosmo Restaurant, The Nai Harn Phuket. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Window shopping the breakfast buffet counter was a treat in itself. Home made granola, nut milks, farm-to-table fare from hand made cheese, yoghurt, cultured vegetables, thinly sliced charcuterie to cured local fish from the hotel smoke house and baked goods; it’s clear the line up had been curated with creativity and care by Chef Fawkes. He says, “Firstly, if I have made it myself I know it’s pure and safe, secondly these techniques have been passed down over the generations and I believe it is important for me to pass them on so they do not get lost in time.” Some may say a hotel buffet is a hotel buffet, but there are a rare few like this.
Working my way towards my daily destination; the egg station, I spotted oven baked sweet potato (Paleos rejoice), a whole steamed fish cooked in chilli and lime (the following day it was fresh, roasted pork), stir fried vegetables and some Asian-style favourites too. Where the options for healthy diners can often feel limited, I found myself arriving earlier each morning ready to try something new.
