Phuket for Lovers

If you have done any research on travelling to Thailand, chances are that you have heard of Phuket. Phuket is a beautiful island surrounded by the amazing blue and emerald waters of the Adaman Sea. It’s economy thrives on tourism so needless to say you will see people from all over the world if you choose to visit. Here are five tips on making Phuket your next romantic destination.

1. Choose the right hotel

Pick a hotel that has beach access. You would be surprised to find out that not all hotels in Phuket do. Along with this make sure you pick a hotel room with ocean views. There is nothing more romantic than waking up in the morning to a view of Phuket’s magnificent ocean. If your budget allows it, pick a hotel room with a private balcony or even a private plunge pool. You will feel like you are living in a luxury dream, trust me.
Make sure your hotel offers a good variety on room service. After a full day of sightseeing and activities you might not really want to make the effort to get dressed for dinner. Share a delicious meal right in the comfort of your own room while enjoying those amazing views.
If you don’t pick an adults only hotel, then make sure that your hotel offers an adults only zone. If you travel on popular dates and you don’t want the kiddos splashing you at the pool this might be something to consider. Our hotel was family friendly, but it had an adults only pool area with a bar and snacks.

2. Rent a Scooter

It’s so cheap! We rented a scooter in downtown Phuket for $10 for the WHOLE day. What???!!! Word of caution...traffic can get pretty hectic and they drive on the other side of the road so you really have to be careful if you decide to do this. My husband grew up in the Philippines riding dirt bikes in crazy traffic so I felt totally comfortable riding with him. Having the scooter gave us so much freedom to explore on our own. We visited the Big Buddha and even stopped at a local place to eat in a neighboring town. It was so nice to just ride the streets and stop wherever we wanted. We went to the fruit stand pretty much every day for a mango smoothie. The mangoes in Thailand are much sweeter than what we are used to in the United States. Having our own adventures on that scooter was one of my favorite things about our trip! 

3. Get a massage

I think this is one of those things you should probably cross off the list, but if I’m honest I was not a big fan of the traditional Thai massage. It hurts! That being said you can get an hour massage for super cheap so maybe it’s worth it. We did end up at a massage place on our last day where they gave us more of a relaxing massage and I did enjoy that. There are several places that will also give you just a foot massage which is great after a day of walking around sightseeing. Most of the nicer resorts have their own spas as well, but the price will probably be more steep than heading into town.

4. Take the Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Island tours

These two experiences are completely different, but both have a lot to offer and are great for couples. We used Simba Sea Trips and I highly recommend them. Everything was very well planned out and we had an amazing time. Your tour includes food, soft drinks, and water so you just have to pack a towel, sunscreen, and your camera. Exploring the caves and mangroves channels as well as seeing these huge islands that just tower over the emerald waters is something I will never forget!
​Phi Phi tour is totally different, but just as magical with it’s clear blue waters and magnificent snorkeling! You will also be given time to relax on a beautiful beach if that is more your style. These tours are very popular so make sure you reserve your spot well before your travel dates.

5. Watch the sunset together

This might seem a little too simple, but sunsets in Thailand are out of this world! Few things are more romantic than holding your lover while watching a beautiful sunset. This is one of the things that we always made time for. We sat in the lounge chairs at the adults only pool, and because the pool was at a higher vantage point it gave us beautiful panoramic views of that amazing Thai sunset. The pool bar served the best cappuccinos, and we would sit and sip our coffees while enjoying the view.

So there you have it. Obviously there are a million of romantic things to do in Phuket, but hopefully this gives you an idea of where to start if you are planning a trip there. Have you been to Phuket or are you planning a trip? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! 

Until next time!
​
Ana Echem
Barefoot Voyages