Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket ★★★★★

Last year, my daughter befriended an exchange student in her class from Thailand named Nampung. She was a lovely girl, I had the pleasure of meeting her several times and every time she didn’t hesitate to tell me a little more about her country. I learned Thai people are known for their generosity and openness of spirit, and that they love to make others happy. She once offered to cook dinner for the family. She brought over a bag full of special ingredients and left the whole family – including my fussy son – wanting more. It was probably at about that time that my daughter started to talk about the family taking a trip to Thailand.

After consulting with our new friend, we decided upon Phuket, Asia’s top holiday destination. She said it would be the perfect spot for the whole family, with its amazing beaches and activities, as well as the myriad of opportunities to relax. The hotel we chose, the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, embodies the very essence of Thai culture. It’s nestled in the middle of a fabulous tropical garden with coconut palm trees and emerald lagoons- it all feels so secluded, cosy and intimate. In the distance, we took in uninterrupted views of the Andaman Ocean as it sparkled gently, providing a sense of calm like no other. The hotel blends in perfectly with these surroundings, featuring original neo-colonial style wooden architecture with traditional Thai touches. A big open-air lobby lets you feel the breeze and hear the waves, while super high ceilings give you that holiday feeling. Arriving at the resort was a dream, and we didn’t wake up when we discovered our room.

The overall feeling of tranquillity continued inside our deluxe room with an ocean view from the private balcony looking out onto the stunning Andaman Ocean. We were really treated to the finest in accommodation here – elegant, beautiful and harmonious with silky Thai fabrics, authentic Thai ceramics and sculptures, and contemporary décor that made us feel right at home. The room had all the extra fittings, including coffee and tea and free designer toiletries. Modern, bright, and spacious, the bathroom was second-to-none. But the private terrace was probably my favourite place – I enjoyed several quiet moments alone there and was very grateful for this wonderful relaxing space.

The wonderful staff (Nampung was right, these people really are friendly!) were eager to go over the resort’s offerings. There were several options for dinner, from Royal Thai to Italian. The cuisine was world-class, but did I expect anything less? This was five-star service all the way. In the morning, we were invited to fill up on a heavenly breakfast buffet in the newly-designed Laguna Café. We could hardly wait to head there each morning - it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!

I also took full advantage of the Angsana Spa, where the hospitality was taken to yet another level. I couldn’t help but treat myself to a full-body massage while the others were at the pool. It was moments like this where I was most enchanted by this magical place. And while nothing beats splurging on the tastes, sounds, and smells, it’s always good to get in a little activity to get the blood flowing. At the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, there’s no shortage of things to do, including tennis, water sports, fitness, boutique shopping, horse riding and an 18-hole championship golf course. Everything is accessible by shuttle boats and buses. And if you’re looking to leave the resort premises, Phuket is a great place to explore for both its beauty and its culture. Check out some pointers below! And for more you can always consult the gracious folks at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, a resort truly like no other.