By Rama Gaind.
The Thailand bubble has burst, now that its borders have opened to fully vaccinated Australian travellers as of this month. Australia is part of their no quarantine on arrival program, but visitors will still need to show they are COVID-free at the time of travel. This news is long overdue.
Thai Airways International will launch non-stop flights from Sydney to Phuket, three times a week, from 8 December 2021. Special fares are on offer.
Just steps from the resort, Nai Yang Beach is a serene and secluded setting for daytime activities and sunset strolls
Arguably, now is the best time of the year to visit Phuket. The monsoon rains have subsided and the island is abloom. The sun is shining, flowers are in bloom and lush, forested hills burst with life and colour. A perfect dreamscape awaits you, set against a sparkling blue sea!
Enveloped in the enigmatic, The Slate is a reimagining of Phuket’s rich elemental history. This paradise setting exudes natural beauty and sensuous elegance. It’s a place where old traditions meet wondrous new inspirations. Awaken your imagination in this fantastic world.
This whimsical, art-inspired beachfront resort – The Slate – on Phuket’s secluded northwest coast, is inviting international travellers to embrace the breathtaking beauty of the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’. Some special packages are on offer.
What’s more, The Slate’s co-founder and owner, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong (or ‘Khun Moo’ as she is known to her friends), has revealed a list of expert recommendations for the final months of the year. With a family heritage that spans four generations of tin mining and tourism in Phuket, curious explorers could not ask for a better guide to the island than Khun Moo!
These ideas will help holidaymakers maximise their stay and enjoy truly authentic adventures, away from the usual tourist hotspots.
Chill out on site: “We have to start at Nai Yang Beach, the stunning yet secluded stretch of golden sand where The Slate is located. This is my favourite beach in Phuket. Surrounded by Sirinat National Park, it is uncrowded and feels blissfully off the beaten track. It also has a flat seabed and is safe for swimming all year round. Whether you want to stroll along the sand, sunbathe, splash in the shallows, spot native wildlife or simply watch the sunset, Nai Yang Beach is a wonderfully serene spot.”
Just an hour’s drive from The Slate, Samet Nangshe frames panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay.
Dine with the locals at Laem Sai Seafood (approximately 17 minutes from The Slate):
“This charming, rustic restaurant, which is perched on wooden stilts over the sea (or mud flats, depending on the tide!), may not look glamorous but, in my opinion, it serves up some of the best cuisine in southern Thailand. Come and savour the freshest fish and seafood, caught by family fishing boats and cooked to perfection. I recommend dining like the locals and ordering a series of dishes – including a whole fish for the table – and sharing them between your friends and family.”
Snap fantastic photos at Samet Nangshe Viewpoint (about one hour from The Slate): just an hour’s drive from The Slate, Samet Nangshe frames panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay.
“Phang Nga Bay is one of Thailand’s most iconic attractions, and guests can appreciate its entire breath-taking beauty with panoramic vistas from the peak of Samet Nangshe, a remote hilltop in Phang Nga province. This spectacular seascape of jungle-covered islets rising from the shimmering sea is incredible at any time of day, but especially at sunrise and sunset, when vibrant colours light up the sky and sea. So don’t forget your camera!”
Embark on an Art Journey (onsite): guests can discover unique industrial-inspired artworks and instillations, including the Mining Machine.
“At The Slate, we strive to tell the story of Phuket’s industrial heritage through Bill Bensley’s design and unique artworks. To showcase these original sculptures and installations, we have created the ‘Art Journey’, an immersive QR code-enabled tour that transports guests through our living gallery and reveals the influence and inspirations behind our interiors. Phuket’s history is woven into my family story, so I love it when international travellers learn about our region’s rich history and culture,”
Slate stories
The Slate’s two-bedroom pool villa promises a personal haven of tropical calm.
All of Khun Moo’s recommendations, and many other local experiences, can be enjoyed with ‘The Slate Stories’ package. This appealing offer promises a free seventh night for six-night bookings, giving every visitor more time to explore the island’s exotic wonders. Every guest will also be treated to welcome cocktails, roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast, and 20 per cent off all food, non-alcoholic beverages and spa treatments throughout the stay.
Customers who book a pearl bed suite or D-Buk family suite will enjoy a 60-minute massage for two at the Coqoon Spa, and pool suite guests will receive a 90-minute massage. For the ultimate indulgence, customers who choose to stay in a luxurious pearl shell suite or pool villa can unwind with a 120-minute massage at the spa, or in the comfort of their suite or villa, plus a complimentary set dinner for two at Black Ginger, The Slate’s Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant.
Under the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 programme, fully vaccinated international travellers from over 60 countries and territories worldwide can unwind for seven nights in Phuket, then spend their second week discovering other idyllic destinations, such as Phang Nga, Koh Samui and Krabi. To cater for this, holidaymakers who book the ‘The Slate Stories’ package for 14 nights will pay for just 12 nights, with two nights free!
The Slate adheres to high health and safety standards, and has been certified under the SHA Plus scheme, which recognises that 95 per cent of the resort’s team members have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
It’s time to start planning your vacation at this fanciful beachfront retreat.
DETAILS BOX
Thai Airways
The Slate, Phuket, Thailand
