Splendid Kamala Beach in Phuket is home to the luxurious 5-star Intercontinental Hotel Phuket. Whether you want to stay beachside or mountain side the Intercontinental Hotel does not disappoint the traveller. The hotel oozes luxury from the minute you step inside the lobby and that ultra-luxurious feeling carries through to its 221 rooms, suites and villas and its 6 themed restaurants – one of which is listed in the Michelin Guide – Jarras. This is our Intercontinental Phuket review.
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The Intercontinental Hotel opened its doors in 2019 and then closed as COVID hit in 2020. Such an unfortunate time for the hotel and its team, or was it? The timing could not have been worse but what has impressed me the most is that the hotel has put in place some of the best sustainability environmental initiatives I have seen in the last year.
There are 4 levels to be achieved, level 1 has to be a requirement for all IHG hotels. By reaching level 3 alone it has shown a reduction of energy usage by 25%.
As a guest staying here, you know that you are in good hands and that your footprint has greatly been reduced.
The IHG Green Engage system includes over its four levels:
- Putting in a “Green Team” to monitor all aspects of the system
- Tracking of consumption data
- installing energy-efficient lighting in all rooms
- sustainable purchasing
- installing energy-efficient appliances
- reducing the amount of waste
- reducing the amount of water usage
- reduction of the use of plastic (I noticed that edible straws had been introduced, single-use toiletries were nowhere to be seen and glass water bottles provided in each room). Gone are the plastic keycards which have now been replaced with wooden keycards.
The system allows monthly data to be analysed and to measure the hotel’s carbon footprint and achievements.
Not only all of the above but the Intercontinental Hotel in Phuket works with the local community in the provisioning of produce for their restaurants. In the far right-hand corner of Jaras Restaurant is ‘a fermentation lab’ where local vegetables are cured and pickled. There are many health benefits from fermented food. We all want great gut health don’t we?
Monsoon Tea is served in the Devas Lounge. It is grown in the forests of Northern Thailand. The benefits are not only a great ‘cuppa’ but less deforestation and providing the local communities with a source of income. You must try the Jaras Silver Needle tea, the white tea from the region of Chiang Rai with subtle tones of ginger, watermelon, honey and rose and jasmine.
Kad Kokoa produces some of the best chocolate that I have tasted. Their Single Origin Chocolate made from two ingredients cacao and organic cane sugar originally came from Chiang Mai but it is now sourced from many other parts of Thailand. They support local farmers by buying their cacao beans. Thailand is becoming highly competitive in the production of chocolate. Taste Kad Kokoa for yourself when you visit the Devas Lounge.
Their teams work with the locals on a regular basis to keep Kamala Beach clean and also are a major sponsor in cleaning up floating waste off the beach with the Oceans For all Foundation’s coastal cleaning catamaran.
As I wandered from the lobby towards Kamala Beach I noticed that the hotel had also installed EV chargers.
Congratulations to the Intercontinental Hotel Phuket for its Gold Certification in the LEED programme – Leaders in Energy & Environmental Design. They achieved Gold Certification by:
- putting in place energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, windows, roof and wall insulation
- 100% LED lighting
- rainwater is collected and stored in tanks underground where it is treated and reused for flushing and landscape irrigation
That’s a lot to take in, but well worth the effort, time, manpower and costs involved as this will be the ‘norm’ in the future.
Accommodation at the Intercontinental Phuket
221 rooms, suites and luxury pool villas all luxuriously decorated with all the amenities you will need for a perfect stay.
The 43 sqm Classic Room is located hillside with a balcony or terrace. They are configured for a king-size bed or two singles.
You can choose from the Classic Mountain View Room, Classic Pool View Room or Classic Pool Access room.
Premium Rooms are available – Premium Pool View Room and Premium Ocean View Room are larger at 46 sqm.
If you love Club Intercontinental Accommodation you will thoroughly enjoy the Club IC Lagoon Villa at 104 sqm with all the facilities that come with the Club benefits.
The Beachside Suite Ocean View is 61 sqm with a king-size bed with ocean views.
There are 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom Club IC Pool Villas as well! Perfect for a family getaway or holidays with friends.
Book hereDining Options at the Intercontinental Hotel
Jaras – Michelin Guide Thailand 2022 and 2023
Sophisticated modern Thai cuisine at its finest with stunning views towards the pool and ocean. Produce is sourced from local growers and local fishermen which supports the local community and part of the initiatives that have been introduced into the Intercontinental Hotel in Phuket.
- Opening Time: 12 pm – 10 pm
- À la carte menu: 12 pm – 10 pm (last order at 9 pm)
- 9-Course Dinner: 6 pm – 10-pm
- (24 hour advance reservation is required by 5 pm)
- Opening hours are subject to change without prior notice.
Pinto
Breakfast from 6.30 am to 10.30 am
Lunch from 12 pm to 5 pm
Dinner from 6 pm to 10 pm
Enjoy the best of local produce in their international breakfast buffet.
Lunch and dinner menus using locally grown herbs and vegetables, local seafood and local meats in tantalising Thai-inspired cuisine and international creations where ‘east meets west’.
Pine
Opening hours: 8 am – 12 am
• Food menu: 12 pm – 10 pm (last order at 9.30 pm.)
• Sunday Brunch: Every Sunday, 12 pm – 3 pm
Enjoy a healthy breakfast overlooking Kamala Beach followed by a casual lunch and then chill with a cocktail at sunset. Believe me, you will want to stay here all day in this vibrant beach bar and restaurant right on Kamala Beach.
Devas Lounge
Open from 8 am to 10 pm.
If you would like to enjoy afternoon tea with a view over the mountains the Devas Lounge is for you. Not only do they serve delicious cakes and the best of local Thai tea from Chiang Mai their chocolates are to die for. If you have had enough of the sun or sightseeing chill out in the Devas Lounge.
Tengoku
Opening hours: Thursday – Monday from 6 pm to 10 pm
The finest Japanese cuisine is lovingly prepared using ancient cooking traditions from the Osaka masters of cooking. Watch the Teppanyaki masters in action as they prepare your chosen dish.
Travel tip: You do need to book ahead
333 At The Beach
What a great venue that is open from 10 am to midnight for laid-back dining whether you choose to relax indoors, alfresco or on a sun-lounger. Try the latest cocktail or craft beer whilst enjoying oysters, lobsters or shrimp or the best wagyu beef from the BBQ. You will find me sipping the finest champagne on the deck overlooking Kamala Bay at sunset.
Facilities and Activities at the Intercontinental Hotel Phuket
- Fitness Centre
- Sati Spa – indulge in spa treatments and massages to rejuvenate and revitalise
- Beach power walks
- Bike tours of Kamala Village
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Boot camp
- Muay Thai demonstrations
- Waterpolo
- 5 swimming pools
- Planet Trekkers Kids Club – open from 9 am to 6 pm. The kids will love the jungle-themed play area with loads of activities for them to enjoy.
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Planet Trekkers Kids Club – image Intercontinental Hotel Phuket
Latest Guest Review
“Amazing hotel, delicious breakfasts with a wide range of choice. The Service was very nice and helpful. We chose a pool access room which exceeded our expectations. The rooms were very clean and cleaned daily. It was a nice gesture to receive a small treat from the Hotel because of our stay on the occasion of our honeymoon 🙂 There are sunbeds and towels on the beach, a lot of places to walk, and there are also many pubs with good food and drinks nearby. The hotel will certainly satisfy every demanding customer. The stay was wonderful and I would love to come again.”
Conclusion
Now that you have read about the Intercontinental Hotel in Phuket you will want to experience it for yourself. Go ahead, make that booking and you will return home reinvigorated and ready to face whatever you experience next.
There are international flights into Phuket and also many carriers to and from Bangkok and local domestic airports.
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