Thavorn Palm Beach Resort

Our next beach experience was with Thavorn Hotels & Resorts, a brand that celebrates Thai culture, traditions, hospitality as well as nature and an ethos of conservation and sustainability. With the first stop at the Thavorn Palm Beach Resort in Phuket.

It is located right on the beachfront, within easy walking distance of local bars, restaurants, and nightlife, and only a few steps from the popular Karon Beach. We arrived late in the afternoon, just in time for a quick stroll through the extensive gardens on our way to catch the sun set over Patong Bay. There were families, couples, and even a paraglider out enjoying the balmy evening. We watched as the sky went from pale shades of blue to a 34 responsible traveller dark and mysterious indigo, the ocean soon becoming a mirror reflecting the twinkling lights from the surrounding hillsides and the shimmer of a full moon.

A walk through the bustling streets and alleys of the Karon Beach area revealed a choice of restaurants that offered both authentic Thai cuisine and a European menu for those less adventurous. An assortment of seafood, satay sticks and chicken wings nestled on trays of ice, fresh prawns and mussels sizzled on a grill, and a food cart filled with a variety of fresh tropical fruit trundled by. Massage parlours sat beside small shops that spilt their colourful wares onto the sidewalk – racks of shoes, colourful dresses blowing in the tropical breeze and a variety of

beach attire, as well as colourful buckets and spades and a plethora of safety swimming rings all called for attention. We opted for a delicious plate of Thai yellow noodles with chicken washed down with local Chang beer. With our senses and taste buds appeased - it was time to head for the comfort of our suite.

Thavorn Hotels & Resorts has been a prominent family-owned hotel brand in Phuket for over 30 years with its history tracing back to the very first full-service hotel in Phuket – thanks to a display in the reception area we were able to explore this history in detail. Having begun with the founder Tilok Thavornwongwongse’s dream in 1950 to steer Phuket into an international tourist destination, today Thavorn Hotels and Resorts features two luxury beach resorts in Phuket’s best locations – the Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, where we were staying and the Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa located on Nakalay Bay.

Our spacious and comfortable suite overlooked the gardens and one of the four swimming pools at the resort, with a diversity of palm trees dominating the view. Heading to breakfast the following morning we strolled beneath flowering frangipani trees (Plumeria), beside beds overflowing with colour, lush ferns, ancient bonsai trees in stone pots and a variety of authentically Thai sculptures.

The colonial style main buildings are a delight with a modern Thai architectural style, high beamed ceilings, and historic detail at every turn. Walls draped in greenery and the tranquillity of koi ponds echo the founder’s ethos of sustainability, and commitment to nature and conservation over profit.

Best described in his words, ‘I would rather be poor on the beauty of nature than to be rich on the destruction of the environment’ - Tilok Thavornwongwongse

So, what did I love most about Thavorn Palm Beach Resort?

Its proximity to the less busy action of Karon Beach (in preference to other areas).

The sense of history and the personal family touches evident throughout.

The commitment of the

Thavornwongwongse family to conservation over profit – something evident in both

Thavorn Hotel properties we visited. •

www.thavornpalmbeach.com