Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa

Part of the Anantara empire, the Phuket-Layan Resort & Spa is a luxury collection of contemporary rooms and suites on Phuket’s western coast.

• The scrumptious and expansive breakfast buffet at Sala Layan
• The beautiful white-sand beach of Layan Bay
• The location of the resort near Sirinat National Park

As is to be expected from the Anantara brand, Phuket-Layan succeeds in creating the serene, Zen-like atmosphere that makes and retains fans. A quick 20-minute drive from the Phuket airport, the resort transports guests quickly to a fresh and modern retreat built on a pristine, secluded bay at Layan beach. Reflecting pools lit with floating candles surround the reception and helpful staff members discreetly stand by, waiting to assist with any need.

The warm sea breeze from Layan Bay together with the resort’s dimly lit, open-air environment creates an instant sense of peacefulness. Opened in 2014, the hotel has accommodations that are fresh and modern, featuring king-size beds and spacious showers, while villas include furnished outdoor decks with oval soaking tubs and private swimming pools. Accommodations here are more generic in style and lack a great sense of place but are of the utmost comfort, with luxurious bedding, dark-wood furniture, natural color schemes and rich textiles. The best rooms are the beachfront villas and Layan villas, both of which offer dazzling sea views, and some boasting direct access to the beach from your private villa deck.

On-property dining is minimal by comparison to other resorts, comprised of only two restaurants. Sala Layan offers international cuisine throughout the day in a soothing dining room or on the outdoor deck with views of the water. The breakfast buffet here is not to be missed, with various cook-to-order stations and a wide array of options. The more formal Thai restaurant, Dee Plee, is also a lounge that offers evening cocktails. During the day, the pool bar, Breeze, offers full-service to those enjoying the resort’s facilities.

The service at the Anantara is on par with its sister properties—professional, helpful and responsive. Guests are made to feel right at home with friendly staff who are eager to please, but not overbearing. Overall, the property’s atmosphere is one of ease and peacefulness, leaving guests to feel that what the Anantara lacks in drama and style, it makes up for in comfort.

Those who like fresh, contemporary rooms that feel like home will appreciate the style of the Anantara Layan. Anyone who values tranquility above all else will love the resort’s serene atmosphere. Travelers who prefer more stylish accommodations and a sense of place will be happier elsewhere, as will those seeking privacy, as most of the resort’s villas are built in close proximity to one another.