Phuket Paradise Found: Unbeatable Luxury at Phu NaNa Boutique Hotel
Phuket Paradise Found: Phu NaNa Boutique Hotel - Is This Paradise REALLY Found? A Brutally Honest Review (with a Touch of Sunburn)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because your intrepid traveler (and occasional klutz) is back from a Phuket adventure, and I'm here to spill the tea on Phu NaNa Boutique Hotel. Forget those slick, airbrushed travel brochures. We're getting REAL. And by real, I mean maybe slightly hungover from that poolside happy hour.
First Impressions (And a Near-Disaster with the Airport Transfer)
Okay, so, getting to Phu NaNa was…an experience. I opted for the airport transfer (smart move, jet lag + Phuket traffic = recipe for disaster), but things nearly went sideways immediately. Picture this: me, bleary-eyed, desperately clutching my passport, being whisked away in a van that seemed to be auditioning for a Mad Max sequel. But hey, eventually we arrived! And the first thing I saw? Lush greenery, a pristine pool sparkling under the Thai sun, and a lobby that actually smelled divine. Phew. Crisis averted.
SEO-tastic Keywords (Because, You Know, Gotta Get Found): Phuket Hotel, Luxury Phuket, Boutique Hotel Phuket, Phu NaNa Boutique Hotel Review, Wheelchair Accessible Phuket, Best Phuket Hotels, Phuket Spa, Phuket Pool, Family Friendly Phuket, Romantic Getaway Phuket, Phuket Honeymoon
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Now, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate good accessibility, and Phu NaNa did okay. The lobby, restaurant (more on that later!), and some of the public areas were definitely wheelchair-friendly. There's an elevator (essential in this heat!), but I didn't personally check all room access - you'll want to call ahead and confirm specifics on your exact room type. Overall, though, they seemed to be making an effort, and for any traveler, the elevator is a lifesaver in those soaring temperatures!
For Wheelchair Users: While the hotel offers facilities for people with disabilities, its best to confirm specific room access and conditions with the hotel prior to booking.
The Room: My Oasis (After a Few Adjustments)
The room. Oh, the room. I opted for a [Room Type - I'd specify here, get specific! Maybe it was the Deluxe Something or other, with a balcony?] and it was, in a word, spacious. Seriously, I could have held a small dance party in there. The air conditioning was a godsend (essential!), and the blackout curtains? Pure genius for warding off that pesky morning sun. The bed? Like sleeping on a cloud soaked in relaxation. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it was good).
Available in All Rooms (And They Actually Mattered!):
- Air conditioning (YES!)
- Alarm clock (useful, even if I mostly relied on my phone)
- Bathrobes (Felt fancy!)
- Bathroom phone (Never used it, thankfully)
- Bathtub (Bubbles! And a glass of wine. Don't judge.)
- Blackout curtains (SAVING GRACE)
- Carpeting (Soft underfoot)
- Closet (Plenty of space, even for my overpacking)
- Coffee/tea maker (Morning essentials!)
- Complimentary tea (Nice touch)
- Daily housekeeping (Always a pleasure)
- Desk (I actually did some work. Sigh.)
- Extra long bed (Good for tall folks!)
- Free bottled water (Hallelujah! Hydration is key)
- Hair dryer (Definitely needed)
- High floor (Cool views)
- In-room safe box (Peace of mind)
- Internet access – LAN & Wi-Fi (More on this later…)
- Ironing facilities (Wrinkle-free bliss!)
- Laptop workspace (See above. Work. Ugh.)
- Linens (Clean and comfy)
- Mini bar (tempting…)
- Mirror (Gotta check the tan!)
- Non-smoking (Thank goodness!)
- On-demand movies (Perfect for lazy evenings)
- Private bathroom (Important)
- Reading light (Helpful for reading)
- Refrigerator (Cold drinks!)
- Safety/security feature (Always a plus)
- Satellite/cable channels (Sometimes you just need trash TV)
- Scale (Avoidance is key…)
- Seating area (Comfy for chilling)
- Separate shower/bathtub (Luxury!)
- Shower (Needed after a day at the pool)
- Slippers (Comfy)
- Smoke detector (Safety first!)
- Socket near the bed (Essential for phone charging)
- Sofa (Nice to chill with)
- Soundproofing (Quieter nights)
- Telephone (Used to order room service, naturally)
- Toiletries (Good quality)
- Towels (Soft and fluffy)
- Umbrella (Handy during the rainy season)
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service (Thank you, though I'm usually up with the sun!)
- Wi-Fi [free] (More details to follow!)
- Window that opens (Fresh air!)
Wi-Fi Woes (And a Hilarious Run-In with the IT Guy)
Okay, let's be real. The Wi-Fi was…patchy. It worked brilliantly at times, and then, BAM, the internet gremlins struck. I swear, I spent a solid hour one day yelling at my laptop, muttering about lost emails and the injustice of it all. I even had to call the IT guy (bless his heart, he actually showed up). He was this sweet, slightly frazzled young man who looked like he'd wrestled several angry routers that morning. He eventually got it sorted, but let's just say I developed a newfound appreciation for the beauty of a good, old-fashioned book.
Internet Access (LAN): Don't count on it. The Wi-Fi was the main player, and it had moods.
Internet Services: If you're relying on the internet for work or constant streaming, be prepared for some frustration. Otherwise, it's manageable.
Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms: While technically true, the quality can be inconsistent. Prepare for lag spikes.
The Food: A Feast for the Senses (Mostly)
The on-site restaurants…ah, the restaurants! Let's start with breakfast. The buffet (buffet in restaurant) was a glorious spread of Asian and Western delights. Think fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, fresh fruit piled high, and endless coffee. I may have accidentally eaten my weight in mangoes. The Asian breakfast options were an exciting adventure!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- A la carte in Restaurant (Delicious!)
- Alternative meal arrangement (They happily catered to my vegetarian requests)
- Asian breakfast (YUM!)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant (Amazing pad thai, yum!)
- Bar (Great cocktails!)
- Bottle of water (Free, and crucial for hydration)
- Breakfast buffet
- Breakfast service (Attentive and friendly)
- Buffet in restaurant (See above.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (Essential)
- Desserts in restaurant (Tempting)
- Happy hour (Yes, please!)
- International cuisine in restaurant (Something for everyone)
- Poolside bar (Cocktails in the sun? Yes, please!)
- Restaurants (Several options)
- Room service [24-hour] (Handy after a late night)
- Salad in restaurant (Healthy options available)
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast (The usual suspects, done well)
- Western cuisine in restaurant (Good selection)
The a la carte restaurant was also a treat, serving up a mix of International and Asian dishes. The poolside bar served some dangerously addictive cocktails. Safe dining setup, hygienic kitchen and tableware.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, It Matters)
I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge), and I was very impressed with the cleanliness. The staff was constantly disinfecting common areas, they had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the rooms were spotless. I felt safe and comfortable, and that's huge. They also offered room sanitization opt-out available. Professional-grade sanitizing services, room sanitization between stays, daily disinfection in common areas.
Cleanliness and safety!
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
**Pampering and
Escape to Zen: Sydney's Secret Ryokan Awaits
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! Here's my attempt at a Phu Nana Boutique Hotel, Phuket itinerary that's less "perfect influencer" and more "slightly frazzled, sun-kissed tourist":
Phu Nana Boutique Hotel Phuket: My Phuket Pilgrimage (and Mishaps!)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and a Near-Disaster with a Mango Sticky Rice
- 9:00 AM (ish) - Arrival & Initial Swooning: Landed at Phuket International Airport. The humidity hit me like a warm, sticky hug. Grabbed a pre-booked taxi (thank god for forward planning, even I can manage that sometimes) and started the scenic drive towards Phu Nana. Let me tell you, the anticipation was KILLING. The photos online made it look like paradise, but I'm always skeptical until I see it with my own two eyes… and oh boy, did I see it. The hotel lived up to its hype. Reception was smooth, the staff genuinely smiling (not the forced, plastic smiles you sometimes get!), and my room… well, it felt like living in a Pinterest board.
- 11:00 AM - Poolside Bliss (Almost): Ditched the bags, threw on the swimsuit, and beelined for the pool. I needed that first, glorious dip. The water was the perfect temperature, the sun was baking, and I felt like the luckiest person on earth. So much so, I nearly tripped over a sun lounger. Embarrassed, but still smiling.
- 12:30 PM - Mango Sticky Rice… A Love Story (and Food Fight): Okay, this is where things took a turn. I had been dreaming of Mango Sticky Rice. Found a little restaurant a few minutes walk from the hotel, ordered the dish, and it was divine. Absolutely, melt-in-your-mouth divine. I was in heaven. Then, in my overzealous enjoyment, I went to take a bite. The plate tipped. Rice everywhere. Mango, stuck to my face. I looked like a toddler. The waiter (who, bless him, had the patience of a saint) brought a wet cloth and I cleaned myself up, mortified. But the mango sticky rice was too good to let it ruin my day.
- 2:00 PM - Hotel Hangout: After getting over my sticky rice disaster, took a little time to relax and acclimate myself with the hotel. Went to an afternoon spa, and found a secluded spot for reading.
- 7:00 PM - Exploring the Night Market: Took a tuk-tuk to the local night market. The smells! The noise! The colours! It was pure chaos, in the best possible way. Ate street food (Pad Thai, naturally), bartered for a few souvenirs, and generally soaked up the atmosphere. My bargaining skills are terrible, by the way. I'm pretty sure I got ripped off on a t-shirt. Worth it.
Day 2: Beach Day, Tantrums, and the Curse of the Sunburn
- 9:00 AM - Beach Bound (And a Grumpy Morning): Woke up feeling… not great. The jet lag was catching up with me. The sun was beating down, and the sky was a blinding, merciless blue. I was NOT in a good mood. Dragged myself down to Patong Beach (I'm not a huge fan to be honest, but it's iconic, right?).
- 10:00 AM - Beachside Shenanigans: Decided to make the best of it. The waves were surprisingly gentle, the sand was soft, and the people-watching was excellent. Tried ordering a smoothie from a beach vendor. The language barrier coupled with my already grumpy demeanor meant I ended up with something that resembled green sludge. Not the happy start to the day I was hoping for.
- 12:00 PM - Sunburn Horror Story: This is a tale of woe, dear readers. I'm normally good with sunscreen, but apparently not today. Somehow managed to miss a crucial spot on my back (I blame the mirror). Spent the afternoon sizzling like a sausage. Now i looked like lobster.
- 2:00 PM - Pool Respite (Again): Crawled back to the hotel, sought refuge in the pool, and tried to soothe the burn. Took some medication, and vowed to never again underestimate the power of the Thai sun.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner and… Regret? Ate dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was lovely, but by this point, I was feeling the burn and the fatigue of the day. Ended up ordering far too much, devoured half of it, and then realised I had absolutely no room for the mango sticky rice. It's a curse, I tell you! Woke up at 3am, still hungry/
- 9:00 PM: Early night!
Day 3: Island Hopping, Fisherman's life, and a Search for Paradise
- 8:00 AM - Wake Up, and Hope: After a very poor night's sleep, I got out of bed to get ready for my ferry to explore the islands around Phuket.
- 9:00 AM - Island Hopping: Hopped on a boat tour to Phi Phi Island, and it was STUNNING. Turquoise water, towering limestone cliffs, hidden coves… Honestly, it's even more beautiful in reality. Got to swim, snorkel, and generally feel like a mermaid. (Or, at least, a slightly burnt, lobster-hued mermaid.)
- 12:00 PM - Fisherman Life: After a good time, I decided to go looking for food and drink. I met a fisherman. Got offered a drink, and sat down to eat some fish on the beach.
- 3:00 PM - Back to Reality: Got back to the hotel to relax, reflect, and enjoy the sun one last time.
Day 4: Departure and a Promise to Return
- 9:00 AM - Last Breakfast & Regret: Had one final breakfast at the hotel. Tried to savour it, but the sadness of leaving was already setting in.
- 10:00 AM - Last dip and pack: Took a quick swim to get the most out of the experience. Packed my bags with a heavy heart.
- 12:00 PM - Checkout with a Tear: Checked out of Phu Nana. Said a sad goodbye to the staff.
- 1:00 PM - Drive to the Airport: Taxi to the airport. Looking out the window at the scenery.
- 3:00 PM - Takeoff: Plane takes off, and I’m already planning my return, the burn, sunburn and sticky rice mishaps. This island has more than a charm, it's a way of life- and I need all of it.
Final Thoughts:
Phu Nana Boutique Hotel Phuket? Absolutely recommended. Phuket itself? A rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. I'll maybe invest in a slightly more intense SPF next time. And maybe, just maybe, learn some basic Thai before I attempt to eat mango sticky rice.
Escape to Paradise: Eleals Boutique Hotel, Corfu Island
