Phuket, Thailand

Chef Noi's Suay in Old Town Phuket is a refined celebration of southern Thai cuisine using fresh market ingredients and bold, aromatic spices. The yellow crab curry is legendary among locals and visiting food writers alike, and for good reason. Dining in the restored shophouse setting, with candles flickering on teak tables, feels like discovering a delicious secret the island wants to keep to itself.

Raya has been serving authentic Phuket-style Thai food from its charming Old Town townhouse for over 30 years, and the loyal crowd proves every dish earns its reputation. The Moo Hong — slow-braised pork belly in five-spice soy — is impossibly tender and deeply comforting. Arrive early for lunch because tables fill quickly, and the wait is a testament to how truly special this kitchen is.

Floating on the mangrove-lined Bang Rong estuary, Kruvit Raft is one of Phuket's most uniquely atmospheric dining experiences. You feast on impossibly fresh seafood — grilled prawns, steamed clams, whole barramundi — while the water laps gently beneath your feet. The sunset views across the river turn golden and pink in a way that makes the whole meal feel like a reward for seeking it out.

Ka Jok See is a wonderfully eccentric Old Town institution where excellent Thai food is served in a colourful, antique-filled room that feels like dining inside an artist's home. As the evening progresses, the owner may spontaneously spin vintage Thai pop and guests inevitably start dancing between tables. It is the kind of place that turns a dinner reservation into one of your favourite travel stories.

Perched on a private cove in northwest Phuket, Trisara offers pool villas that spill directly toward the Andaman Sea. Every morning you wake to the sound of gentle waves and the scent of frangipani drifting through open-air pavilions. The attentive staff anticipates your every need, making it genuinely hard to ever leave the property.

Nestled within a lush rainforest canopy above Kamala Beach, Keemala is a dreamlike sanctuary of bird's-nest villas and tent pool retreats. The interiors weave Thai mythology into every carved detail and handwoven textile. Dining under the stars at the open-air restaurant while tree frogs serenade you is an experience that lingers long after checkout.

Inspired by Phuket's tin-mining heritage, The Slate near Nai Yang Beach is a design lover's paradise filled with industrial-chic art and lush tropical gardens. The sprawling pool complex is one of the most dramatic on the island, perfect for long lazy afternoons. Rooms are generously sized and the nighttime ambiance, lit by warm Edison bulbs, feels wonderfully cinematic.

Tucked inside Phuket Old Town, Sino House is a beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese shophouse bursting with character and charm. The rooms are cozy and decorated with antique furnishings that tell the story of the island's Chinese merchant heritage. Stepping outside puts you immediately among colorful street art, local coffee shops, and the famous Sunday Walking Street.

A speedboat ride from Phuket's Rassada Pier whisks you to the jaw-dropping limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons of the Phi Phi archipelago. Snorkelling in Maya Bay reveals kaleidoscopic coral gardens teeming with parrotfish and reef sharks gliding serenely through clear water. Arriving early before the day-trip crowds means you might have stretches of this paradise almost entirely to yourself.

The 45-metre Marble Buddha sitting atop Nakkerd Hill is one of the most spiritually moving landmarks on the island, visible from nearly everywhere in southern Phuket. The winding road up passes through jungle and emerges into sweeping 360-degree panoramas of the coastline that are genuinely breathtaking. Visiting at dusk, when the statue glows warmly against a violet sky, is a quietly unforgettable moment.

Strolling through Phuket Old Town's Thalang and Dibuk roads reveals rows of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses adorned with ornate shutters, bougainvillea, and vibrant street art murals. Local galleries, indie coffee roasters, and family-run herb shops give each block its own distinct personality worth exploring slowly. The area comes alive on Sunday evenings when the Walking Street market fills the air with sizzling food stalls and live traditional music.

Paddling a sea kayak through Phang Nga Bay's emerald waters between towering limestone formations is one of Southeast Asia's most iconic and humbling natural experiences. Hidden hongs — secret chambers inside the karsts accessible only at low tide — reveal interior lagoons alive with kingfishers and monitor lizards. James Bond Island, made famous by The Man with the Golden Gun, stands as a dramatic exclamation point on an already spectacular journey.