Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

The Outrigger is part of the Laguna Destination Resort complex, which includes several other hotels on the Phuket shores. A quiet, coconut palm-lined street leads up to the hotel's sweeping driveway. The interiors at this property are sharp and breezy, and the lobby has a high, vaulted ceiling, delicately patterned floor, and groups of large lantern-style ceiling lights. Black-and-white photos of local landmarks are framed on a wood-paneled wall. The hotel provides a balance of upscale and casual places for guests to unwind, with all of the requisite activities of a beach resort, including water sports, alongside more dressed-up restaurants that could be lifted straight out of downtown Bangkok. Most of the guests here are couples or families with children. The overall vibe is laid back and relaxed, with most guests spending their time on the beach or around the pool.

The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is in central Phuket on the shores of the Andaman Sea. The hotel sits on a stunning white sand beach along Bang Thao Bay, and has blue lagoons on either side. It’s a tranquil location and many guests do not leave the resort during their stay. However, those who do want to get out and about can reach both Patong Beach and Phuket City in 30 minutes by car. The Phuket FantaSea cultural theme park is also a 30-minute drive, where there are a range of performances daily, plus shops and restaurants. The bars and clubs of lively Bangla Road are around a 45-minute drive from the hotel, and Phuket International Airport takes 20 minutes to reach.

There are 255 guest rooms at the hotel, which all have a light and contemporary decor with an authentic Thai feel. Design elements include wood or tiled floors, off-white walls hung with vibrant artwork, and modern furniture with simple, clean lines. Lotus panels and textiles give the standard level rooms a fine local touch, while Suites have sharp clusters of landscape photography on the walls. All rooms have private balconies, daybeds, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, iPod docks, minibars, safes, free mineral water, and coffeemakers. Rooms are available as Lagoon View or Sea View, and Club Rooms and Suites are also on offer. Suites have separate living rooms and bedrooms, while those in the Club Rooms have access to a host of in-hotel amenities detailed below. Spacious two-bedroom villas are also available that sleep six, making them ideal for families. Bathrooms are large and modern, with separate showers with rainfall showerheads and sunken roman bathtubs alongside mosaic tiling or handsome marblework. Some rooms do pick up noise from their neighbors.

There are some excellent dining options available at the hotel. Locavore Restaurant is open all day and offers Asian and European dishes, including a spectacular breakfast buffet where choices include sushi, smoked salmon, and a huge range of fresh fruit and juices. Metzo's Bistro is a stylish Mediterranean restaurant where freshly made pasta is served alongside grilled meats and fish. Breakfast is not included in room rates, with the exception of Club Room guests, who have a private free breakfast in the Club Lounge, plus snacks and drinks throughout the day and themed cocktail events in the evening. The beachside bar and restaurant, Edgewater, serves Asian food and snacks, as well as a wide range of drinks, and the Icon Terrace and Lounge serves beers, wines, and cocktails and has live music in the evenings. Room service is available. 

There are plenty of activities on offer as well. The large freeform pool has a water slide, and there’s a separate children's pool plus kids' club and playground. The hotel also offers a spa, fitness center, bike rental, game room, non-motorized water sports like canoes, and badminton, tennis, and squash courts. There are meeting rooms and a business center, free parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Guests have access to the facilities and restaurants at the neighboring hotels within the Laguna Destination Resort. Free shuttles around Phuket and to ferry terminals are available.