We review Noku Phuket and discover a resort that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings

We are big fans of Phuket when it comes to a cheeky vacay. Offering a gateway to exotic beaches, exquisite cuisine, and loads to see and do, Thailand’s largest island in the Andaman Sea is pretty much the perfect spot, plus the best boutique hotels in Phuket make things even better. And sitting high on a Chalong hilltop, surrounded by lush greenery and with views over the bay and distant islands, Noku’s Phuket offers true tranquillity.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Noku Phuket review

Hotel snapshot

Hotel: Noku Phuket
Address: 48/13 Moo 6, Soi Sai-Namyen, Chao Fa West Road, Chalong, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Number of rooms: 91 villas and lofts
Brand: Noku Hotels & Resorts
Year opened: 2022
Style: Contemporary hillside wellness resort blending modern Thai architecture with lush tropical surroundings
Family amenities: Family rooms, spacious lofts and villas, complimentary shuttle service to Kata Beach, Phuket Old Town and other attractions, children’s menu and large swimming pool
Wellness facilities: Noku Spa with private treatment pavilions, infrared room, steam sauna, fitness centre, yoga room and infinity swimming pool overlooking Chalong Bay
Best for: Couples, wellness escapes, honeymooners, digital detox breaks and travellers looking for a peaceful alternative to Phuket’s busy beach resorts
Prices starting from: THB 5,000–7,000 (£110–£155) per night, depending on season and room type.

Setting the scene

Located just 45 minutes from Phuket airport, the road turns off the highway, climbing higher until you reach the vast open-air lobby, complete with gently spinning fans, cool towels, and tea on arrival. This hospitality and attention are at the heart of the Noku experience, from being shuttled to your room to the complimentary afternoon tea with local sweet cakes served each day.

The elegant design of the buildings, using plenty of natural wood, curves, natural light, and greenery, blends traditional Thai architecture with modern touches here. In fact, the hotel has a Green Mark Gold Award for its dedication to sustainability, which can be seen throughout the resort’s small and large initiatives. The hotel redeveloped the land from a previous resort, rather than creating it from scratch, and its design is intended to seamlessly blend the guest experience into nature.

The room

91 villas and lofts make up Noku Phuket, ranging from spacious lofts to tree villas with private pools and the multi-storey Grand Villas. We stayed in a Tree Villa, reached in just a few minutes by golf buggy from reception.

As with many sustainable hotels, Noku Phuket uses real keys – no plastic cards here. The room encapsulates that island feeling with white linens, billowing curtains, and light wood furniture that ensures the view outside is the main focus. If you leave the French doors open, you can hear only the sounds of insects in the trees and occasionally, the chanting of monks in a nearby temple – although it’s best not to, in case the local monkeys get inside.

Inside the room is also a king-sized bed, a small walk-in closet area, and a minibar, which was regularly restocked. The Smart TV is another nod to sustainability, showing everything from the restaurant menu to your room bill on-screen to save on paper waste.

The bathroom was my favourite part of the room, which has sliding glass doors leading out onto the private deck, double vanities, and a large square shower sunken deep into the floor so that you could also enjoy a bath in it. Small touches by the attentive staff, such as freshly picked flowers, a tray of local snacks, branded tote bags, and an umbrella for Phuket’s unpredictable tropical weather, are the cherry on top.

Outside on your private patio, the infinity pool is a welcome break from the heat, reflecting the endless blue skies and surrounding jungle. The deck chairs are in the perfect spot to settle down with a book, and the rooms all face the sunset.

Food and drink

I had high expectations before dining at Noku Phuket, and all of them were exceeded beyond measure. As the hotel is nestled in its own slice of paradise, around 25 minutes from the Old Town, most guests eat on the property. The restaurant, decorated with gorgeous wooden furniture and an elegant bar area, takes in the signature view over the bay and is located below the reception, where a large, shallow pool wraps all the way around the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The buffet breakfast is extensive, combining both classics like French toast, cereals, and eggs any way, with local produce such as fresh fruit and pastries. The lunch and dinner menu has a strong selection of both Western and Thai dishes. We were recommended the Massaman Curry made with beef cheek, which simply melted in the mouth; the green Thai curry, pasta dishes and fruity cocktails were equally delicious.

Wellness and extras

After checking in and enjoying your freshly made tea in Noku’s open-air seating area next to the reception, the first thing you notice is the huge infinity pool, which curves like a half-moon around the front of the main building, providing uninterrupted views. Perhaps it was because every room has a private pool, but the main pool was mostly quiet; I spent my time here swimming and relaxing on the plentiful loungers, and you can order drinks from the bar.

Noku’s wellness is designed around this pool area, with the onsite spa featuring individual spa pavilions for private massages, plus their own infra-red sauna, steam room, and yoga studio. The well-equipped glass-walled gym is conveniently hidden underneath the lobby, making it easy to work out and then cool off in the pool.

Noku Phuket doesn’t forget that guests who stay in their secluded hillside oasis may want to leave. The hotel offers regular complimentary shuttles each day to and from Phuket Old Town, plus nearby beaches, temples and shopping malls, so there’s always something to keep you occupied if you do decide to emerge from your private slice of paradise.

Frequently asked questions: Noku Phuket