Phuket is booming. Once known for affordable package holidays and its lively nightlife, the development of a private jet terminal, international-standard superyacht marinas and a wave of five-star hotel openings is driving a new surge of high-end investment and attracting affluent travelers to match.
In fact, upon arrival, the pace of development can feel almost overwhelming. Spoiled for choice seems like an understatement when considering the luxury stays now available on the island. Yet amid the influx of new investment, it’s often the established icons, the properties that first put the island on the map and helped define Phuket’s luxury identity, that continue to offer the most authentic and luxurious experiences.
Even after all these years, Trisara, which opened in 2004, remains one of the elite’s favorite hotels in Southeast Asia. Said to have hosted everyone from Kate Moss to members of Maroon 5, the all-villa resort offers a level of privacy and natural beauty that still outshines the island’s newer offerings.
The international jet-set comes to Trisara because there’s nowhere else quite like it. In contrast to many of the slapdash, beige-washed resorts now dotting Phuket’s shores, this family-owned and managed resort manages to perfectly weave Thai heritage and custom into the hotel experience. And despite opening over two decades ago, positively ancient in the fast-paced world of hospitality, regular enhancements, including a major update in 2024, have kept the resort in impeccable shape.
If we’re talking luxury, this all-villa resort checks every box for high-profile travelers, and then some. A private beach? Trisara claims one of the few on the island, thanks to headlands shaping either side. A vast infinity pool? Tick. Michelin-starred dining? The resort is home to PRU, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Southern Thailand and Phuket’s only restaurant given the nod by Michelin, led by Dutch chef Jimmy Ophorst.
Villa at Trisara / ©Trisara
Stay
Trisara still holds the crown as the Thai hotel with the largest on-site collection of private villas, with 64 in total. Each features its own infinity pool, pagoda-pointed roof and guaranteed views of the Andaman Sea. Scattered across lush jungle and landscaped grounds, the villas vary in location, from a short stroll to the resort’s main facilities to deeper within the greenery, with golf buggies available to transport guests as needed.
While the villas impress, Trisara’s oceanfront residences take the experience to another level. Ranging from two to nine bedrooms, each includes a dedicated team, so guests need never leave the comforts of their own poolside retreat.
The most opulent option is the nine-bedroom Oceanfront Residence, also known as Villa No. 2. Set in total seclusion on a private headland, it is wrapped in tropical gardens and uninterrupted sea views, offering complete discretion for those seeking a higher level of privacy.
Designed to feel like a resort within a resort, the residence spans more than 104,000 sq ft. Multiple pavilions cascade down a gentle slope, connected by open-air terraces and manicured lawns. Seven master suites and two additional bedrooms provide space for guests or staff, while a full team, including a chef trained in authentic Thai cuisine and a personal butler, curates every detail of the stay. At the villa’s heart lies a large infinity-edge pool framed by sculptural palms, oversized urns and sun loungers.
Dine
While Trisara continues to thrive on merit alone, the resort understands that staying relevant means continuing to evolve. Its recent culinary reinvention proves the point, with every dining venue thoughtfully redesigned and reimagined.
Though I’m not entirely comfortable with the term “foodies,” Trisara truly is a haven for those who travel to eat. Down by the central area of the resort, beside the pool and beach access, a courtyard connects three standout restaurants: La Crique, Cielo & Spice and Thai Library.
La Crique is one of the newest additions. An air-conditioned glass box serving refined French cuisine with a focus on seafood, it could almost be mistaken for a spot on the Riviera were it not for the swaying tropical palms outside. Just across the courtyard, Cielo & Spice delivers more relaxed Mediterranean fare. The standout here is their lively Sunday brunch, complete with live music.
Come evening, the options continue to impress. If you’re a fan of fine dining, Thai Library celebrates southern Thai recipes and regional specialties in a refined space decorated with Thai artisanal design. Service is formal, cocktails are carefully crafted and we were even guided through a few Thai wines.
The real showstopper, though, was Jampa. Located around 20 minutes inland, this Michelin Green Star-awarded restaurant is well worth the journey. A hyper-modern glass structure surrounded by jungle, Jampa offers a zero-waste, farm-to-table experience with alcohol-free cocktails to match. Choose from a leisurely four-course lunch, a seven-course dinner or, for the full experience, the ten-course farm tour menu, which really brings the garden-to-plate concept to life.
Jampa offers a Michelin Green Star-awarded, zero-waste farm-to-table experience at Trisara’s off-property farm.
Cielo & Spice blends both Eastern and Western flavours, where guests can enjoy a lively Sunday brunch.
Trisara holds the crown as the Thai hotel with the largest on-site collection of private villas, with 64 in total.
Explore
While Trisara is a fabulous place to simply be (and, of course, eat), the centrally located concierge are keen to encourage, and organize, exploration. Upon arrival, we found a thick bound brochure in our villa, filled with a variety of yachts available for charter, whether for a romantic sunset cruise or a full day of island hopping. For an easy excursion, nearby Banana Rock Beach is a peaceful spot to swim and snorkel. Sailing and windsurfing are both options, while jet skis, kayaks and dive gear are readily available. Kids are well looked after at the clubhouse, where they can learn the basics of Thai cooking or try their hand at Thai boxing.
For a dose of culture, head to Thalang Road in Phuket’s Old Town or drop into the Phuket Thai Hua Museum. And if you’re seeking a taste of the island’s legendary nightlife, we had a fabulous evening at nearby Cafe del Mar Phuket, a regularly host to international musicians and DJs.