Phuket is a highly popular Thai island, with millions of tourists flocking there every month for a retreat at the many beaches. And because everything is so affordable, and that options are aplenty, you will never have to put up at shabby and dirty hotels. Home at Phuket can be a nice and quiet villa with your own private pool!

Some months ago, we took a flight out for a weekend getaway, and we chose to stay at the Kata Beach area. We are particularly fond of that area, because it is less crowded, slow and has a little rustic charm to it – just the way we like our Phuket to be. It was a vacation to relax, so we chose to put up at Metadee Resort and Villas – an ideal spot for couples who want to be lost in each other’s worlds.

Located at an hour’s drive from Phuket International Airport, Metadee offers a variation of deluxe rooms and villas at decent rates. Our recommendation has got to be the Private Pool Villa – a spacious one-room villa with floor-to-ceiling windows. The king-sized bed was so soft and inviting, and it was perfect for a deep slumber. At the corner of the room is also a resting corner with a mini bar, where we spent a lot of time reading our magazines and indulging in tropical fruits. There is also a walk-in wardrobe with a vanity desk, and the double-sink toilet came with a huge bath tub and nice shower area.

In the day, we enjoyed soaking up the sun at the outdoors of our villa, which is complete with a private plunge pool, a sheltered pavilion and an outdoor rain shower that is surrounded with tall palm trees. It was a simple kind of joy, and one that was much needed.

Metadee Resort & Villas also has a gorgeous pool that spans across the property, granting a pool view for most of its contemporary rooms. And if you are lazy to get out of the resort, head over to Himmaphan (‘cashew nut’ in Thai) Restaurant for a meal of Asian and European cuisine, complete with a chill-out bar by the pool where you can order your favourite ice-cream and drinks.

Metadee Resort & Villas
66 Kata Road, T.Karon A.Muang
Phuket, Thailand
Tel: 66 76 337 888

There are many reasons why so many people fall in love with Phuket – white sand with turquoise waters and blue sunny skies; luxurious beach villas that will make you feel like royalty; cheap and delicious Thai street food; and wonder spa treatments for your tense shoulders after your flight.

Granted, Phuket has become very touristy in recent years as travellers escape there for a getaway, but there are still many beautiful beaches that are waiting to be explored. We spent a weekend in Kata Beach and had a memorable experience.

We preferred Kata Beach as it is a quieter area as compared to the extremely popular (and commercialised) Patong Beach. Our home for the weekend was a 1 bedroom grand seaview suite at The Aspasia Hotel Phuket (1/ 3 Laem Sai Road, Kata, Phuket, Thailand).

What I like most about the hotel is its location – a short 5 minutes walk to Kata Beach. Plus, it has a clean and spacious room with a terrific ocean view.

The first two days were spent hanging out by the pool, reading a book on the couch, and taking nice long strolls along Kata Beach.

There are also plenty of restaurants in the area. If you are planning a trip to Phuket Kata Beach, the following are just a few recommendations that you can try.

Our favourite place during this trip was Home’s Food Thai Food (87/2 Tayna Road Kata Beach, near Easy Rider Pub) a small eatery that serves cheap, honest and delicious Thai food. It was so good that we went back a few times.

Perched on the rocks overlooking Kata Noi Beach, Mom Tri’s Kitchen (12 Kata Noi Road, Kata No, Kata, Phuket Tel: +66 76 333 569) is an award-winning restaurant which food lovers must check out. For a spot to watch the sunset, go Re Ka Ta (3rd Street Cafe & Guest House 92/15 92/15 Khoktanod Road, Kata Beach Tel: +66 76 330 015), one of the most hottest beach clubs in Kata Beach, if not Phuket.

We also spent a day exploring Phuket Town, the largest town in Phuket. Most people go to Phuket for the beaches and hardly venture to Phuket Town. But our recent trip showed us a different side of the place. There, we discovered many nice cafes, eateries and boutiques.

Coffee lovers must check out Mac-chiato House & Cake Box (48 Thalang Road, Muang Phuket), a trendy cafe which serves a range of speciality coffee and desserts such as honey toast (B85), brownies (B55) and chocolate lava cake (B75).

You should also drop by Pirrera Cafe Bar (39/1 Dibuk Road, Phuket, Thailand Tel: +66 08 5782 4406). Housed in a beautiful old building, the cafe offers coffee, cakes and light snacks – a nice place to watch the World go by.

Another place that you should go is Kopitiam by Wilai (18 Thalang Road Tel: +66 83 606 9776), an old-school coffee shop that has affordable Thai food. On the menu, you can find local eats such as Cha Koay Teow (B70), Pad Thai (B70) and Tom Yum Koong (B100).

Getting to Phuket from Singapore is easy. Silkair, Jetstar, Tiger and AirAsia have direct flights (1 hour 46 minute) and the tickets are usually very affordable if you book in advance. Everyone needs a beach holiday, and if you have not been to Phuket, maybe it is time to book your tickets and pamper yourself with a weekend getaway.