Review / Saii Hotels & Resorts in Phuket proves that luxury and sustainability can work together to create compelling stays that are indulgent, restful, and good for the local environment and community
From the design and activities to food and wellness offerings, the 2 Saii Hotels & Resorts properties in Thailand showcase approachable luxury that’s deeply rooted in local tradition
Call it an oversaturated market or just basic economics – whatever the case, many hotels now seem to compete for social media impressions rather than genuine impact – a metric that can’t be easily measured but stays with guests long after checkout.
As a first-time visitor to both Phuket and nearby Phi Phi, I have little idea of what to expect beyond the area’s reputation for attracting rowdy young party-goers. So imagine my surprise when I arrive at the sprawling Saii Laguna Phuket resort and there’s not a single British backpacker in sight. Situated far – but not too far – from Bangla Road and the beach clubs, I’m pleasantly surprised to find that same free-spirited approach to life you expect of Phuket is still pervasive around the resort, even if the typical clientele is absent.
The resort feels homely in a way that many newly opened facilities can only aspire to. Hundreds of guests and their families have come through and made cherished memories on this precious stretch of Bangtao Beach, lounging on daybeds inside the resort’s 200-plus rooms and suites, and taking pictures on the swings set up by the pool. This is the kind of storytelling you most often find in marketing brochures, but here you see reflected with your own eyes. At a time when generic luxury resorts are a dime a dozen, it’s refreshing to see a well-loved property standing the test of time with such a curated offering.
Recent renovations don’t betray the property’s identity, which remains firmly rooted in a sense of natural beauty. Here, sand and sea meet the silence and serenity of the rooms’ understated decor – never mind the white picket fences and shutter doors that remind me of summer homes in the Hamptons. But it’s the unfiltered backdrop provided by Phuket’s gorgeous beaches that really gives my suite a sense of luxury – who needs a white noise ASMR playlist when you have the sound of waves lulling you to sleep?
