A SOUTHERN PEARL WITH PERSONALITY

VIBRANT HUES AND ECLECTIC DESIGNS MAKES THE SLATE A DREAM DESTINATION IN PHUKET.

Forget the usual beach huts and bland hotel buildings you’ve seen on your previous visits to Phuket. Instead, imagine an eye-popping destination set on a lush and tranquil beachfront where the sand stretches for miles and the sea is made up of 20 different shades of blue. Welcome to The Slate.

The Origin

The property isn’t exactly new, you might have recognised its former name: Indigo Pearl, which was unveiled in 2007. Having said that, it’s still as majestic as ever and those who are a fan of Bill Bensley (that’s us!), will be able to spot his work straight away — whether it’s the vibrant hues, the contrasting textures or the general awe-inspiring combination of décor. Important to note is that the owner of the resort, Wichit Na-Ranong — the man whom many refer to as the father of Phuket’s tourism, was deeply inspired by his own family’s history of tin mining. He has ensured that the hotel embraces the island’s heritage through key visual elements, such as using original wood salvaged from old rail tracks of the mines and entrusting the hotel staff to inform the guests of the intriguing stories of Phuket’s past. It is this ingenious integration of modern design, appreciation of culture and history that makes this one of the finest Design Hotels we’ve ever been to.

Luxury meets fun

With 35 acres of land, a quiet beachfront that stretches far beyond what the eyes can see, it can be rather hard to find your feet at first. There are a total of 177 suites and seven private pool villas. The pool suite is worth the splurge as you’ll be just a stroll away from the pristine Nai Yang beach and you’ll definitely appreciate the luxury of taking quick dip in your private pool when you want a break from the sizzling sun. Oh, and did we mention that there’s an over-sized outdoor bathtub you can enjoy as well? There’s nothing quite like taking a bath amidst the sound of nature.

Plush bedding and five-star amenities might make it rather difficult for you to leave your room, but check out the rest of what the resort has to offer and you might not ever want to sleep.

Those who are seeking to keep up with their fitness routine, make sure you check out the fitness room which is fully equipped with a cardio machine and weights. Freshen up with a free detox water and cool down with a yoga or stretching class, available throughout the week. Thrill-seekers need to head down to the experience centre where you can rent out paddleboards and kayaks. If you’re more of a land-person, there are plenty of other activities such as mountain biking and archery. You can find a pool and a billiards table at the Tongkah Tin Syndicate, a perfect way to end a day with a cold one and a friendly competition with your other-half.

Seasonable scuba-divers will be delighted to hear that the hotel can organise diving tours around nearby islands. If you’re looking to get PADI certified, there is a dive shop within the hotel premises where you can get that done too!

Umami is the word

They say “wake up and smell the coffee”. Well, at The Slate, you get to wake up and indulge on a huge breakfast spread. From eggs and bacon, to gluten-free muffins — and pretty much everything in between.

After a hard day of lounging in the pool and basking in the sun, you’ll need to fuel up. The restaurants here are absolutely amazing and the quality of the food is unsurpassed — for the three days that we’ve spent here, we never felt the need to explore beyond The Slate’s gate.

Unmissable is the Black Ginger, which is a stunning Thai restaurant set on water. Chef Piak has been cooking for over 30 years and serves up mouthwatering southern Thai food. Don’t miss the Poh pia sod Phuket where you get to construct your own spring rolls, or the spicy but incredibly delicious Gaeng poo

bai cha ploo — a southern favourite curry packed with crab meat and fragrant herbs. Cool down your palate with an ice-cold cocktail like Hibiscus swizzle, a concoction of vodka, bael fruit, roselle flower infusion, apple, elderflower cordial, lime, bitters and ginger ale.

If you’re looking for fresh flavours and fusion-style dishes, head to Rivet where bite-size delights will spark your tastebuds. We loved the Smoked tuna tartar, comprised of yellowfin tuna with miso dressing and house-made rice crackers. The tasting menu is also a great choice if you want to try a bit of everything. It’s a five-course journey through Rivet’s signature plates.

For casual luncheons, our favourite spot is the pool bar where you can grab a quick burger or a duck wrap before heading straight back to relaxing and doing absolutely nothing.

Unwind and let go

Couples will love getting pampered at The Nest, which is the only two-person treatment room at Coqoon’s Spa. It tucks itself neatly among the trees, and like its name, resembles the shape of a bird’s nest. Plenty of natural light is let in through the slick design of the weaving technique used to build the nest. A short walk across will get you to a private bathroom fitted with a rain shower and bathrobe. Opt for Coqoon’s signatures and you’ll get a fully customised treatment where you can choose everything, from the type of aroma oil to particular areas you’d like the therapist to focus on and which style of massage you like. Extremely relaxing, you might just fall asleep half way into the treatment like us.