New hotels open in ‘world’s most overcrowded destination’
Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket – Handwritten Collection is the latest property to open on Thailand’s largest island.
The new Andaman Beach Hotel.
Located in tourist hub Patong, 250 metres from the beach, the 157-room property is part of Accor’s newest collective, Handwritten, which encompasses mid-scale hotels with unique personalities.
All rooms have balconies, some with views of the Andaman Sea. There’s an all-day restaurant serving Thai cuisine alongside popular Asian and continental choices, and a bar serving tapas-style bites and drinks including cocktails.
Andaman Beach Hotel is within walking distance to plenty of attractions.
It follows the opening only days earlier of the M Social Phuket, a 418-room property also in Patong. It’s the sixth M Social hotel globally and the first in Thailand for the Singapore-based parent company, Millennium Hotels & Resorts. M Social is all about cool tech – there’s an in-room “AI concierge” for instance – and vibrant design. It has two swimming pools.
They come as the Thai government is considering piloting a new 4am closing time for entertainment venues (a change from 1am). If the new regulation passes, the test will be run in areas popular with tourists, including Phuket, Chiang Mai and the capital, Bangkok, and it will run for the New Year period. Phuket tourism has come roaring back this year to pass pre-pandemic levels.
Room with a beach view.
The number of rooms on offer may be up but so too are occupancy and room rates, with Russian, Chinese, Indian, Australian and Kazakhstani tourists leading the charge.
Phuket is struggling with the influx. A recent study put Phuket as the most overcrowded destination in the world, citing 118 tourists for every local. There’s growing concern regarding the island’s failing infrastructure and lack of movement on much-needed new roads and public transport options, with operators warning there could be traffic gridlock this high season in already hectic areas such as the Kathu-Patong route.
If you’re going in high season and want to avoid being part of the problem, the great aspect of stays such as the Andaman Beach Hotel is that you need only get in a vehicle to get to and from the airport.
With its lovely pool, onsite eateries, proximity to the beach and central location withing walking distance to many of the area’s delights, you can avoid contributing to traffic. The fabulous Kalim Beach night hawker market is also less than 15 minutes’ walk away.
As with all popular destinations, it’s also worth considering travelling off season. Phuket is warm year-round, of course. It’s tropical, but the rainy season is less persistent than in some other Asian locations. While the best time weatherwise is December to March, there’s a lot to be said for the quieter times of the year – including minimising your contribution to over-tourism issues.
See all.com and msocial.com
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