After lugging an overpacked suitcase around Thailand for several weeks, bouncing from place to place, I was overdue for a reset. My days had been full of long journeys, crowded buses, and nonstop exploring, and although spectacular, it grew to be exhausting.
So you can imagine my relief when I was welcomed to InterContinental Phuket Resort, a five-star utopia resting peacefully on a private beach in the otherwise lively Phuket, the largest island in Thailand. This was my necessary respite during three months of traveling through Asia: a sanctuary where I could finally relax and let go, soothe my tired back, and pause to soak in the ocean in relative silence.
A Resort Designed Like a Living Story
Arriving at InterContinental Phuket Resort felt almost otherworldly. The architecture draws from an ancient Thai epic, weaving together elements of the sea, earth, and sky. On the beach side, serpent-like curves flow through the pools and winding pathways, while the lobby rises as a grand “human world” in between.
At the highest point sits the gleaming white Sawan Pavilion, surrounded by lotus ponds and designed to look as though it’s floating among the clouds. Walking through the resort felt less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into a living story. Even crossing between the two sides became part of the narrative, with murals in the tunnel painted by locals, guiding the journey.
A Look Inside the Suites
After being stunned by just the walk to my suite, I wasn’t prepared for its interior. A massive tub greeted me upon entering, the bathroom open to the rest of the room with the option to close it off. I love this style of room because it allows natural light to pour in while you indulge in a bath with a view. The balcony provided a perfect vantage point, overlooking several turquoise pools and a sunbed-lined beach.
This suite was pure luxury, a room I had a hard time leaving. But the allure of the pools and white sand beach quickly won me over.
I stayed in the Beachside Suite Ocean View, though there are many other rooms, suites, and villas to choose from.
Wholehearted Commitment to Sustainability
What I adored the most about InterContinental Phuket was that it encouraged meaningful travel, with intentionality and a commitment to sustainability down to the last detail. Unlike other resorts that sometimes fall into “green-washing” and performative sustainability, this one is genuine.
The resort builds strong relationships with local farmers, creating a give-and-take that benefits everyone. All the food is locally and ethically sourced, either from small farms or the wild. Their seven restaurants, including two Michelin-starred ones, serve dishes designed to contribute to the greater good.
Leftovers are photographed, weighed, and composted, with the compost sold back to farmers to grow more food for the restaurants, completing a full cycle. They are constantly evaluating what people leave on their plates so that they can better the quality and portion sizes. They even share these practices all across Thailand, so other hotels and restaurants can step up their sustainability efforts as well.
There are gorgeous resorts all around the world, but why not choose one where you can enjoy paradise while supporting the people, the ecosystem and the world?
A Symphony of Flavors at Jaras, a Michelin Star Restaurant
Dinner at Jaras was one of the most memorable parts of my stay. The Michelin-recognized restaurant truly exemplifies how seriously the property takes sustainability, with a nine-course tasting menu built around local produce, fresh seafood, and – what blew my mind – ingredients sourced from invasive species.
Before the meal began, I noticed shelves lined with jars displaying some of the very species that would appear on the menu. Seeing them there added a fascinating context and made the dining experience feel even more intentional.
The wait staff was remarkable, providing just the right amount of attention without ever feeling intrusive. They explained each dish in detail, including how to enjoy each course properly, which was a huge help for someone like me, unfamiliar with some of the ingredients.
From water mimosa in a squid tart to palm shoots in a blue crab curry, the dishes transformed unexpected ingredients into something refined and flavorful. Even the menus, crafted from lemongrass, reflected the resort’s zero-waste philosophy. It was fine dining that impressed, not just for its flavors but for how it reshaped the way I thought about food and sustainability.
Wellness Beyond the Ordinary
Wellness at the InterContinental Phuket goes far beyond the usual. I decided to go outside of my comfort zone and tried a hypnotism session during my stay, which put me in a strange, in-between state of mind where I felt weightless and clearheaded. Several months later, I noticed shifts in the behaviors we addressed during my session that made me glad I gave it a try.
The real highlight, though, was the Sati Spa. I booked the signature four-hands massage, and it was unlike any treatment I’ve had. Two therapists worked in perfect rhythm, using warm coconut oil and even a rare one-eyed coconut shell, which in Thai culture is said to bring luck. Their hands moved in complete synchronicity, almost as if they shared the same mind, and the result was the best massage of my life.
The spa menu is extensive, offering everything from traditional Thai and Ayurvedic massages to body scrubs, masks, and facials.
Leisure in Luxury
InterContinental Phuket prioritizes a wide variety of unique ways to relax. The resort has five different pools, each with its own setting and personality. Some are tucked away in the lush gardens, winding between the villas, while others are bar adjacent and right on the beach.
I had the hardest time leaving the Club InterContinental Infinity Pool, which offers a more private setting rising above the rest, with beautiful views of Kamala Beach. And of course, it was just as hard leaving the sunbeds along the beach. This place was designed for intentional relaxation, a conscious escape from the hustle and bustle, with a premium location on one of the most beautiful coasts in the world.
The rest of my experience in Thailand was enjoyable chaos, overindulging in mangoes, massages and dancing on the sand. InterContinental Phuket offered the perfect balance to all that energy, with so many ways to slow down.
Between dips in the turquoise pools and lazy afternoons stretched out on the private beach, a stay here was the kind of oasis everyone craves; a rare pause in the middle of the beautiful whirlwind that is Thailand.
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