Location

Things to do

There's much to love about Phuket besides its over 40 beaches. Whether you're on a family holiday or a romantic getaway with your significant other, Phuket delivers. From beach massages to shopping sprees, here are some ideas to add to your Phuket itinerary:

Discover Local Coffee Culture | Thai people have always liked to sip their morning coffee, hence it's no wonder you'll see countless coffee shops in the area. One street cafe on the main road from Cherngtalay to Surin offers dark-roast coffee from Thailand and fruits such as lychee-like longan. Nuatone Cafe, tucked away in Bangtao's rainforest next to a waterfall, three kilometres from your villa in Phuket, is a great place to sample local coffee in peace. Relax in a hammock or lounge on a beanbag on a suspended net above the ground. The bubbling stream and calls of crow pheasants add to the cosy atmosphere.

Go on a Shopping Spree | Surin Beach has many souvenir and handicraft stores; one particularly good is the Lemongrass House. Focussing on handmade spa products, the shop offers anything from shampoos and essential oils to body lotions. Neighbourhood street markets sell all sorts of things from elephant pants to grilled chicken and Thai desserts made with coconut.

For a truly local market, head to Bang Tao Mukaram Mosque in the morning or late afternoon. Behind Cherngtalay's Lotus Mall, you can find the Thursday night market, a nice way to end the day on a warm evening. At The Plaza Surin, an upmarket shopping mall, you can find upscale fashion brands from anywhere in the world.

Visit Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve | A seven-kilometre drive from your Phuket villa is this ethical sanctuary, which has saved formerly captive and cruelly trained elephants. There's a strict no-riding and no-bathing policy here, though you can enjoy responsible interactions such as walking alongside these adorable giants or feeding them bananas and sugarcane. Listening to the bellows of the pachyderms as they blow air from their trunks is an experience.

Unwind on Surin Beach | This 800-metre stretch of powdery white sand is blessed with clear, green-tinted water that's particularly calm from December to April, Phuket's high season. The beach is lined with eateries and street vendors offering anything from exotic Thai fruits to fried rice dishes, so you'll never have to deal with hunger pangs while basking in the sun. If you're a snorkeller, approach the rocks on the northern and southern end of the beach.

Pull Off a Family Getaway at Blue Tree | Blue Tree's waterpark may be history, but the community centre is very much alive and not even six kilometres from your villa. With a skate and forest park, kids zone and lifestyle village, there's a lot to do. There are indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well, so you're guaranteed to enjoy quality time with your family.

Explore the Old Town | Twenty-four kilometres from the Surin Beach area, Phuket's old city is well worth a wander. Picture colourful shophouses that have stood the test of time. These Sino-European buildings were mansions of tin barons in the 19th century. Today, they've been turned into galleries, coffee shops and clothes stores. The old town's purple, yellow, barbie-pink and pastel-green row houses are beautiful in the daytime, but especially so after dark. If you're lucky enough to be here on a Sunday, a stroll through the Lard Yai Night Market is a must-see.

Water Sports | Surin Beach offers a wide variety of water sports for all levels of adventure. Enjoy paddleboarding, surfing (during season), and jet skiing along the sparkling waters. Whether you're looking to relax on the beach or enjoy some thrill on the waves, there's something for everyone.

Diving Excursions | For diving enthusiasts, there are plenty of dive shops around the area, offering excursions and lessons for all experience levels. Explore the vibrant underwater world and discover the beauty of Phuket's marine life.

Laem Sing Beach | Just a short walk away, Laem Sing Beach is one of the most beautiful and serene beaches in Phuket, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea. This one-kilometre long stretch between Surin and Kamala boasts white sand dotted with uniquely shaped rocks.

Fitness | Stay active with a fully equipped gym and 50-meter lap pool at Palm Fitness, located just around the corner from Surin Beach. Whether you're training or simply unwinding, it’s a great spot to keep fit.

Muay Thai | For those seeking a more immersive Thai experience, head to Bangtao Muay Thai, one of the best Muay Thai training camps in Thailand. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fighter, you’ll receive top-notch training in this iconic martial art.

Things to do in your villa:

Movie Nights | Enjoy the casual lounge atmosphere of the open-plan layout while watching films on the oversized Smart TV. Stream your own movies or find something on Netflix, Apple TV or YouTube; the big-screen TV supports all of that and more.

Spa and Beauty | While spas and massage parlours abound in the Surin Beach area, there's little reason to leave the villa. Speak with your Villa Manager if you want a massage in your holiday home, and a skilled therapist will turn up. A traditional Thai massage can do wonders if you're trying to fix office syndrome, and let's not even go into too much detail about oil massages. Just imagine that pleasant sensation when a therapist applies warm coconut oil to your skin.

Poolside Dining | With a glass of red wine in hand, enjoy outdoor dining at the covered pavilion fitted with a wooden table and six cushioned chairs. Asian and local Thai dishes are on the menu, and they taste even nicer when you watch the sun set in the Andaman Sea.