Hotel Review – Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket
Far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Phuket, Cape Panwa offers comfort in the heavenly day spa, on the pristine private beach and in an abundance of dining options.
Rooms
Whether you check into a Junior Suite or a Cape Signature Suite, the elegant Panwa Lodge or the incredible Cape Absolute Suite, you’re in for a treat. Rooms are light-filled and spacious, with most offering a sparkling view of the Andaman Sea. Expect sleek, modern furnishings and up-to-date tech in all suites, such as iPod docking stations, individual temperature control and complimentary Wi-Fi. There are thoughtful touches such as a pillow menu and local tropical fruits.
Location
Cape Panwa Hotel is located at the southern tip of the east coast of the island, 45 kilometres from Phuket’s international airport. The hotel spills down to the coastline and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, giving the impression of complete seclusion. The hotel’s 400-metre-wide private beach adds to the feeling of exclusivity and there are plenty of water-based activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, if lolling in the sun all day isn’t your speed.
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Food
There are six restaurants and several bars, plus the option to dine privately on the sand. For beachside dining, book ahead at Panwa House. Located in a stunning Sino-Portuguese mansion, Panwa House offers sophisticated Thai cuisine. Alternatively, nab a table at Top Of The Reef, where the menu focuses on grilled steak and fresh seafood. For a nightcap after dinner, pop next door to the hotel’s piano and lounge bar, Otter’s Bar. For something more casual, the airy Bamboo Bar by the beach or the spacious Café Andaman next to the hotel’s main pool both offer all-day dining. If you exhaust these, there are the restaurants at Cape Panwa’s sister hotel, Kantary Bay, where you can have Italian food in Thailand. A shuttle bus runs between the two.
Facilities
Cape Panwa offers all the luxuries necessary for a tropical holiday. Secluded beachside pool? Tick. Indulgent beauty spa? Tick. Fitness centre, sauna and private yoga classes? Tick, tick, tick! Must-try: the Cape Spa where the signature treatments are the skin-softening Black Sesame Scrub and the Detoxifying Dead Sea Wrap. And be sure to do a private Thai kickboxing class at the gym. Those travelling with children will get plenty of use out of the kid-friendly main pool and the indoor entertainment area.
Mercifully, Cape Panwa offers the Cape Lounge for guests whose flights are at an awkward hour. The air-conditioned lounge, available to all guests on the day of departure, offers complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and canapés, with a selection of newspapers, a television and computers.
Concierge
No one knows the ins and outs of Phuket better than Tim Laven, who has been the guest services manager of the Cape Panwa Hotel for more than 15 years. For an offbeat day trip without the crowds, Laven recommends the Phuket Heritage Trails: “a cultural tour of Phuket Town, packed with locals and places you must visit”, he says. Group sizes are between one and 12 and you’re guaranteed to experience the real cultural deal.
Fab factor
If you can spend big, book the Cape Absolute Suite. Boasting 360-degree views over the Andaman Sea, you can expect your own private infinity pool, a personal butler on-call 24-hours, private in-suite breakfasts with a personal chef and complimentary use of the resort’s yacht, The Panwa Princess.
Location: 27, Mu 8, Sakdidej Road, Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand
Phone: +66 0 7639 1123 5
Style: Luxury
Perfect for: Leisure travellers and luxury lovers
Number of rooms: 205
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