Holiday Inn, Phuket - Facilities

Overlooking the clear, blue waters of the Andaman Sea, this resort hotel is a self-contained place of fun and relaxation. Come with your family or friends, for the former and you’ll stay in the Main Wing, close to the beach and overlooking the large pool. Its 265 rooms all have their own private balconies, as do the 25 suites.

Rather quieter, and more adult in tone, the Busakorn Wing has 140 studio and villa rooms centred around two beautiful deep-blue, tiled pools, with a Jacuzzi, elephant fountain and luxuriant tropical landscaping. It’s a ‘hotel within a hotel’, perfect for couples.

Active holiday-makers will have plenty to keep them occupied. The beach has jet-skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and more. This resort certainly keeps the kids active too. A Kids’ Club has four zones, with computer games, arts and crafts, TV and organised games. Outside, two dedicated kids’ pools await, with a slider, water cave, water guns and a full daily programme of supervised activities.

Club 12 takes care of the older children, with a ‘parent-free zone’ full of diversions, supervised by qualified staff.

Practical matters are well-sorted too. Beauty salon, laundry/dry cleaner, car rental, a Minimart with food and wine, even portrait painting, the resort has all the services to smooth your holiday’s progress.

The Aspara Spa has won awards for its approach, treatments and facilities. Its private spa pools, relaxation areas and terraces will slow you down while you look forward to indulging body, mind and spirit. Choose from nine types of massage, premium facials and body treatments like the well-named ‘Body Bliss’ or ‘Simply Heavenly’. Share the bliss with your partner in one of the couple’s spa suites.

Things are little less relaxing in the Fitness Centre, especially with ten of the latest fitness machines awaiting your workout.

Every day, the resort organises a full daily programmes of leisure activities and tours. These include Thai cooking classes, traditional handcrafts, nail or batik painting, aqua aerobics, sunset tours or visits to nearby beaches.

Conferences with a tropical difference happen here too. Choose your full meeting packages for all sizes, from 14 to 160 people, in seven possible layouts of room. Full catering options complete the picture deliciously.

Of course, such a beautiful location is a great setting for a wedding too. A professional wedding assistant will keep things running smoothly, aided by traditional Thai hospitality and some very special settings.

Dining options include the chance to enjoy superb Thai food in an open-sided Thai ‘sala’ with a great pool view. Or, if you prefer Italian dishes like fresh pasta or wood-fired pizza, head for the Terazzo Ristorante. In Sam’s Steaks and Grills, there’s no guessing what’s on the menu. The best US or Australia beef shares the stage with a great wine list. The Sea Breeze Café and Terrace is all about Asian and Western favourites, with a great choice of buffets, perfect family fare. The Bar is a more adult proposition, with superb cocktails and nightly live entertainment.