TRAVEL PHUKET

THE SIS KATA // PHUKET

WORDS: GAVYN ANDREWS

DESIGN LUXURY IN THAILAND AWAITS

you in 2021 so stop dreaming and get booking today.

If you want something unique and exciting for your holiday plans for 2021 then look no further than the SIS Kata resort on the island of Phuket. Phuket to this very day is an ever adapting and changing Thai island which caters for many international markets with a key focus on wellness and luxury experiences. Kata beach resort is no different and is situated around 15 minutes from the much larger and well known Patong Beach destination which houses Bangla Road and has a very party atmosphere. Kata Beach however is a much more relaxed destination with a fantastic chilled out vibe with numerous bars, cafes and restaurants. The beach offers excellent clean white sands with spectacular views and backs up onto coastal paths where you can often find many street traders throughout the day.

LGBTQ travellers can expect a true Thai welcome and can feel instantly at ease in this award winning unique destination. It does not matter if you are a single traveller or part of a group/family SIS Kata offers you the opportunity to be yourself and really enjoy Phuket and Thailand.

Once settled into the hotel and resort you will find what a fantastic destination you are in and what entertainment is on offer for you within both your resort and nearby. Kata is only 10-30 mins from other resorts such as Karon with its vast white sandy beaches or the smaller Chalong and Rawi further south. The key point is that staying at the SIS Kata means that you able to maximise the opportunities of visiting some of Phuket’s key visitor attractions & events. The ‘Stay in Style’ hashtag was the building block for the ‘The SIS Kata’ resort which opened in June 2017 nestled a few hundred metres up from the awardwinning golden sands of Kata beach. Hashtag #stayinstyle was created before the resort name was thought of, so when it came to resort name brainstorming sessions, ‘SIS’ came along naturally.

Owned and developed by the local Pattaravoranee Phuketian family, ‘The SIS Kata’ was the dream child of the three Sisters who joined together in designing the adult resort with a local architect. Having operated hotels and resorts since the late 90’s the family business dream

was to open a designer in-trend resort for young couples, singles and friends plus the LGBT market.

The family really have hit the mark with this resort since opening SIS Kata has won awards for ‘NOW Travel Asia Travel Awards - Best Design Resort’ by the NOW Media Travel Organization, ‘One of the Top 100 LGBT Resorts in the World’ by EXPEDIA and ‘Best Designer Resort – ASIA’ by the International Travel Awards readership.

The SIS Kata houses 124 guest rooms. ‘Style’ is the main focus on the interior design with emphasis on guests experiencing five senses whilst staying with us. I think the hotel really does gel luxury and funky style and suits the LGBT with all its little design quirks.

The ‘marshmallow’ beds; as described by

past guests, boast 7-foot king beds with all the trimmings. Phuket is famous for pineapples which now form our ‘welcome pineapple pies’ produced by a local family. Curtains separating the sleeping and bathroom areas reduce the sound to enhance a perfect sleep. Bluetooth speakers, hi-spec coffee machines and 42’ inch smart TV’s complete the guest room set up as well as the expected safety deposit box. ELLE spa products are used as the guest’s bathroom amenities too! Guests can choose from a variety of ‘views’ including garden rooms which incorporate large sized Jacuzzis on their balconies offering perfect privacy whilst enjoying fresh sea breezes. Pool view rooms and hillside rooms provide a more economical option whilst the partial sea-view rooms overlook the Andaman Sea and Kata beach. Also housing an on balcony Jacuzzi for two, the partial sea-view rooms really offer the best of the best in views! The top of the range SIS Suites provide that extra luxury of style plus panoramic views oversized Jacuzzi

plus loungers for two on their balconies!

The Crescent ‘infinity’ pool overlooks the Andaman Sea with some of the best sunset views anywhere on the island – views parallel to the famous ‘Leam Promthep’. Monthly DJ Pool Parties have made local headlines offering both local and international (once borders re-open) the chance to chill and enjoy views mixed with a local DJ sounds on a Saturday night enhanced with a three hour ‘free flow’ bar and buffet. Since opening, the Crescent pool has become one of the most popular photographed views on social media.

The Stella pool is the perfect swim for a romantic evening with the stars. Over 800 underwater LED lamps twinkling like stars during the evenings, the ‘SIS Over the Stella’ guest rooms surround the pool for extra peace and quietness. During the day, the Stella pool offers Muay Thai boxing classes plus other activities for guests to enjoy. A renowned local Thai Chef de Cuisine joined the hotel team to develop the ‘Dine in Style’ concept. The resort’s signature ‘Twilight Sky’ casual dining experience takes the best in the views across the ocean with a fusion of local Phuketian cuisine with an international twist. Phuket has been awarded a gastronomical award by UNESCO so the hotel menus were created to incorporate this award with our style. Himalayan salt stones plus hot stones feature in the menus whilst locally sourced vegetables and fruits are used. Chef Yha as created some mouth-watering dishes using cooking methods herbs and spices of Southern Thailand and combining those with his international experiences.

Fit24 the Life Fitness equipped exercise room incorporating a quite reading room plus a separate games room; Moments tea and coffee corner enhance the resort’s facilities. Bossa-nova sounds can be heard as guests mull around the resort to further touch the senses whilst in house.

GNI Magazine is very happy to recommend you think about Stay in Style at The SIS Kata – and be welcomed as a guest and leave as a friend.