We review Sri Panwa Phuket: a legendary address with a hip reputation

Phuket’s western shorelines, Patong, Kamala, Karon, Bang Tao, and Surin, are the stuff of holiday brochures. But the eastern side? Most tourists only head there for piers and speedboat connections. As I recently discovered, though, there’s a whole different world framed by limestone karsts in the east, particularly the rugged headland of Panwa. This is where the legendary Sri Panwa perches high atop Cape Panwa, commanding breathtaking views of the island’s southeastern tip. Occupying the entire peninsula, Sri Panwa is an oasis of calm and luxury that offers a more authentic experience of Phuket, one that 90 per cent of tourists never see.

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

Sri Panwa Phuket review

Hotel snapshot

Hotel name: Sri Panwa Phuket
Location: Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand
Address: 88 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Number of rooms and suites: 120 keys (standalone pool villas, pool suites, penthouses, and residential villas) across its 32-acre property.
Brand: Sri Panwa (part of Charn Issara group)
Date opened: 2005 (with ongoing renovations)
Design style: Contemporary Thai luxury with rainforest-inspired landscaping, blending modern minimalism with traditional touches
Family amenities: Family-friendly with connecting villas, kids’ menus, babysitting services (on request), and children’s pool
Wellness facilities: Full-service Cool Spa, BDMS Wellness Clinic, private sauna and steam in select villas, state-of-the-art fitness centre, yoga sessions
Best for: Honeymooners, couples seeking privacy, luxury travellers, groups booking multi-bedroom villas, families wanting secluded resort stays, guests prioritising views, villas and relaxation over nightlife proximity
Prices from: Approx. £270-£800+ per night, depending on villa type and season

Villas in the clouds

At Sri Panwa, the 65 villas sit 40 to 60 metres above sea level along the eastern and western ridges at the very tip of the cape, with direct views of the surrounding islands and the Andaman Sea. Think majestic, expansive private villas on stilts, dotted among special protected areas where the trees were either relocated or built around. Not a single tree was ever disrupted during the building of the property more than 20 years ago – and they’re still going strong.

The entry-level Pool Suites and Penthouses span 70 to 140 square metres. Then come the Luxury Pool Villas, available in one- or two-bedroom configurations (up to 350 square metres). These units provide complete seclusion, with glass-enclosed master bedrooms wrapped by 12-metre private infinity pools, jet-stream Jacuzzis, and separate living areas.

And then there are the top-tier options, which include five-bedroom residence villas and the ultra-exclusive sky series villa collection. Mariah Carey famously stayed in the lavish latter, which I got to tour first-hand. The five-bedroom, four-storey villa she occupied during her visit comes complete with multiple private pools, a dedicated home cinema, spa and a private gym. It certainly wasn’t hard to imagine her swanning around here.

Most villas offer panoramic ocean views, though some are more uninterrupted than others. Mine was a One-Bedroom Luxury Pool Villa corner unit, which gave me different views and angles of the majestic landscape depending on where I stood. The kitchen, sitting area and hangout space were in an entirely separate building from my bedroom and bathroom, which came with, wait for it, another bathroom.

From the outdoor shower and the pool to the deckchairs and the outdoor lounge area, I made sure to embrace every moment of those magnificent surroundings. Lying outside under the stars in total comfort, surrounded by nature, ships passing through the night while watching my weekly Real Housewives episodes on my laptop was a mood and moment I wished never ended.

Inside, the design embraces contemporary tropical style, integrating the natural jungle and ocean with the modern comforts of luxury living. And because Sri Panwa understands that a chilled-out party atmosphere might strike at any moment, all villas and common areas have high-quality surround-sound entertainment systems and iPods preloaded by in-house music curators. Because Sri Panwa isn’t just a hotel – it’s purposefully a vibe.

Dining at Sri Panwa: omakase to open-fire grills

I’ll admit: I’m a firm believer in experiencing the best of Phuket’s street food stalls, bustling markets and famous landscapes. But Sri Panwa genuinely is a destination in its own right, so you’ll be forgiven for wanting to stay put. Here, you get the best of everything, including the region’s cuisine.

The hotel’s restaurant concept, Baba, has plenty of variations dotted around the resort. Baba Soul Food offers an intimate Thai dining experience showcasing the region’s famous local cuisine with stunning sunset views, though it was closed for renovations during my visit.

My go-to was the 5,000 sq-m entertainment outlet called Baba Poolclub, which features an extensive menu of Italian, BBQ, delicious Thai and hot pot cuisine. This is also where the hotel’s elaborate breakfast spread is served alongside fresh local fruits and refreshing iced coffees. Indeed, the quintessential Thai breakfast in paradise.

Then there’s the iconic Baba Nest (main image), perched high in the sky. This bar is the ultimate spot for sunset cocktails, with views that have landed it on best-of lists around the world. It’s a must-visit for sunset or after-dinner drinks (open daily from 5 – 8 pm). Due to high demand and limited capacity, they’ve opened a larger sister concept on the property: TU Bar. What sets TU apart is that it was also designed with dream weddings in mind, giving couples a platform in the clouds to say “I do” with panoramic Andaman Sea views in every direction.

Baba IKI, which looks like it’s straight out of Tokyo, serves Japanese delights and expertly made omakase. Though, as someone who doesn’t eat Japanese food (at all), it sadly still didn’t convert me, but the tempura vegetables were delicious. My travel partners, however, were in raw seafood heaven.

Fortunately for my African appetite, the exclusive Baba Hot Box is a fabulous spot nestled in the garden, serving up grilled selections of meat and fish in various combinations from an open-plan kitchen. With marinated meats, seafood, sauces, sides, and grilled premium cuts, it was undoubtedly my favourite restaurant of the lot.

Speedboats, sunsets and a boxing ring

Aside from the private pools, hotel pools, fountain pools and everything else that could conceivably be a pool, there’s also Sri Panwa’s private beach: a small but charming strip of sand that guests can easily reach on foot.

The hotel’s facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre and gym, a boxing ring, two tennis courts, and a team of private tennis, yoga, Pilates and fitness instructors always on standby. If you’ve ever wanted to train in a state-of-the-art Thai gym complete with its own Muay Thai ring, all hidden in a jungle – this is it.

Because Sri Panwa sits on the opposite side of the island, away from all the main hustle and bustle, it’s also a great base for exploring the nearby islands in the bay. Excursions from the hotel include private yachting and speedboat trips to Racha, Coral and Lone Island. The usual Phuket sights and sounds can easily be incorporated too, and Sri Panwa tailors trips according to your wishes: Phuket Town, night markets, nightlife, safari adventures, sea canoeing, fishing, elephant trekking and plenty more.

Keeping fresh (and fabulous!)

Reflecting its location, the azure-blue Cool Spa draws creative inspiration from the island’s traditional Sino-Portuguese design, bringing the sights and sounds of the sea indoors. It offers six extremely spacious waterfall treatment rooms (because what’s more relaxing than waterfalls), a private salon, a floating yoga deck, and a juice bar, all set within water gardens serving light, nutritious local snacks.

From the traditional to the exotic, Cool Spa’s treatments are an essential fusion of local ancient healing rituals and modern techniques. I opted for the signature full-body scrub mango sticky rice treatment. It was sweet, sticky and deeply unique. I can’t say I’ve ever lain covered in fruit and bits of rice before, but my skin looked phenomenal afterwards.

For the uber-healthy, Sri Panwa offers a curated Cool Wellness programme in partnership with its on-site BDMS Wellness Clinic. This collaboration redefines wellness tourism by integrating advanced medical science with the tranquillity and exclusivity of Sri Panwa. At its heart is a personalised approach focused on scientific diagnostics: epigenetic testing, telomere analysis, hormonal evaluation, and micronutrient profiling. Here, each programme is designed to support your physical and emotional well-being. I, however, wasn’t in the business of any needle-related treatments during my visit.

Frequently asked questions: Sri Panwa Phuket