Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort – Phuket, Thailand

It was one of those days when you’re not in the mood to do anything. Me and my buddy were on our second day in Phuket and we did nothing but lazed around on the enormous pool for hours. Not minding the afternoon sun piercing towards my skin, I started to float on the water and drifted away. I didn’t realize that my buddy went up to our room and captured that moment from our private veranda. It was beautiful, that moment, just floating away and not worrying about anything. And that’s just how I summarize our four-day stay in Phuket, we did no tours or whatsoever, just a worry-free staycation at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort.

Halfway through our two-month Beach Hop Asia 2016 summer backpacking trip, we arrived in Phuket (our fifth and final stop in Thailand after exploring Malaysia) longing for urban comforts after our island life stint at Koh Pangan, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.

Grandiose lobby

Arriving at late afternoon, we were welcomed by a staff garbed in a traditional Thai ensemble and brought us to the grand receiving area. The thatched roof provided a magnificent ceiling that was adorned with a unique installation piece of mini light fixtures. Wooden sculptures with touches of Thai culture spread out through the spacious lobby.

Wooden sculptures at the lobby

Upon confirming our reservation, we were ushered at Le Club Lounge to complete the process. We enjoyed the privilege of personalized check-in and afternoon cocktails as some of our privileges. We were handed our key cards and were given a rundown on the possible activities we can have during our stay.

Le Club Lounge

I was blown away when we walked into our room and saw the immense 2,000-sq.m. swimming pool right in the middle of the resort, the focal point of Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort. I asked my buddy on our itinerary so as to include a day of lounging at the pool.

A part of the 2,000-square meter swimming pool,
the biggest in Phuket

Earth tones filled our spacious Superior Room (check for discounted rates) brought about by the wooden furniture and fixtures. There’s a wardrobe closet, mini-bar with coffee and tea-making amenities, entertainment rack with flat screen TV and a separate work station/vanity dresser all made of wood. The dimmed light coming from the headboard also made everything warm and cozy.

Superior Room

A daybed with a well-designed coffee table rested on a corner. The comfy king-sized bed with premium bed linens and fluffy pillows sat in the middle of the room. The cutesy elephant-shaped towels plus lavender orchids that rested on top of the bed added a local touch. Right on top of the headboard was a huge painting that featured Thai culture and history.

The en suite toilet and bath had a clean white finish. Bathroom amenities were provided as well as a hair dryer. Hot and cold shower was available on a separate stall while a luxurious bath tub rested on a corner. I pulled the shutters up that revealed a glass window that opened up to the room, perfect for honeymooners.

Open bathroom design

I went to the room and moved to the huge drapes that covered the far end of the room. I parted it sideways, revealing a sliding door to the private veranda. I went outside and noticed a lone lounge chair overlooking the huge outdoor swimming pool. I also saw some of my neighbors enjoying their afternoon tea on their own verandas.

We have our own veranda!

I went back inside the room and found my buddy enjoying his coffee time as well. I collapsed on the bed and went into a quick deep slumber which lasted for a couple of hours. I came around when my buddy reminded me that it was dinnertime.

It was around eight in the evening when we went to the resort’s in-house restaurant for dinner. The Square serves freshly prepared meals 24 hours a day. It specializes on Asian and International dishes with highlights on their themed buffet dinners. I remembered when we were at Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam last year and my memories of our breakfast and lunch buffets at The Square (same name) were nothing but superb meals.

The Square

The Square at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort has a different themed buffet dinner every night and that day (Friday), we had a seafood themed feast.

The dinner buffet spread at The Square was divided into different sections; salad, soup, live cooking, live grill, dessert, drinks, and more. I enjoyed the endless plates of crustaceans that we personally handpicked to be grilled. We’re both seafood fanatics and we enjoyed a good two hours of indulgence.

My dinner plate from the seafood themed buffet dinner

Crustaceans ftw!

We were so tired from our previous trips so we decided to buy some beer on the in-house convenience store at the ground level of Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort and spent our beer sesh at the comforts of our room while catching up on our favorite TV series.

I don’t know if it was the beer or the accumulated exhaustion from the past days but me and my buddy woke up really late the next day that we almost missed breakfast. Realizing that, we hurriedly ran outside and headed to The Square.

The Square

The aroma from comfy breakfast food was very inviting as we opened up the door to the packed restaurant. Different buffet stations surrounded the whole space; fresh fruits, breads, salads, cereals, hot noodles, Thai dishes and more.

My breakie plate

My buddy freaked out when he saw a platter overflowing with pork bacons. Since we started our backpacking trip, we haven’t had bacons so imagine his delight when he came back from the buffet spread with a plateful of crispy-fried bacons. On the other hand, I enjoyed the kids’ section as it featured pasta and mini burgers. Same thing went on for the next two days.

Crispy Bacons ftw! :) #BeachHopAsia2016

A photo posted by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on May 4, 2016 at 6:27pm PDT

It’s my first time in Phuket and although I wanted my buddy to show me around (he’s been here before), we decided to rest the whole day and catch up with our favorite series, again.

That night, armed with a day’s rest, we marched towards the famous Bangla Road to experience the best party scene on the southern part of Thailand. We had a blast and went home at wee hours in the morning. The next day, we went for a walk and explored Patong Beach.

We had a wonderful 4-day staycation at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort

On our last day, we booked for a Rojana & Sangthong Love Story Couple Package at In|Balance Spa (THB2,900 | US$ 81.74 per couple).

In|Balance Spa

The award winning signature treatment is inspired by a famous Thai literature with the same name. It started out with a 2-in-1 body scrub and mask for 30 minutes and then followed by a soothing oil massage for 60 minutes. Thailand is famous for their massages but this particular treatment was totally remarkable as it invigorated our spirits.

Thai massage is love!

After our relaxing massage, me and my buddy lounged at the poolside. The afternoon heat was punishing so we sought the shelter of the parasols that paved way for our afternoon siesta.

My buddy seemed excited as he woke me up. He then suddenly jumped into the pool and motioned for me to follow in which I obliged. We had a fun afternoon trying to cover the vastness of the pool at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort. We had few hours left before we head to Sri Lanka but we chose to spend it at the comforts of the biggest pool in Phuket.

Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort (check for discounted rates here)
89 Rat U Thit, 200 Pee Road, 
Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Contact Number: (+66)76.380.555

Email Address: H8099@accor.com


(check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Phuket)