Movenpick Resort Bangtao Beach

It’s enough to put you in mind of the old joke about heaven being the place where the cooks are French, the lovers Italian, and the administrators are Swiss. Mövenpick Bangtao Beach might not quite be heaven, but it’s close: a hotel where the service is Thai but the attention to detail is characteristically — you guessed it — Swiss.

And the setting, it certainly bears mentioning, is Phuket. While it’s not the undiscovered Eden it once was, it’s still got the landscape and the seascape that made it famous in the first place. It’s an ideal location for a hotel that’s unassuming about its good looks and luxe comforts — the Mövenpick knows when to get out of the way. And while its understated contemporary interiors might not be setting the design blogs on fire, there’s something to be said for their subtle calming influence.

King beds are universal, as are home theatre systems with Bose surround sound, and all rooms, from the classic king to the Royal Jacuzzi Penthouse, come with full kitchens. Along the way you’ll pick up extras like guest bedrooms or private pools, and the best views take in the waters of the Andaman Sea.

The pool, the spa and the Palm Cuisine restaurant aim to make Mövenpick a self-contained resort, for those who prefer the quiet side of Phuket. Then again, you’re literally on the quiet side of the island — Bangtao Beach is one of the last to develop.

How to get there:
Moevenpick Resort Bangtao Beach is located on Bang Tao Beach, just minutes away from the town of Cherng Talay. The Phuket International Airport is approximately 20 minutes (by car) from the hotel.