The Pe La Resort

Despite being located in a tourist- and nightlife-heavy area, the Royal Embassy Resort & Spa is a refreshingly small, peaceful, and authentically Thai-style resort, with pretty tropical grounds and a family-friendly atmosphere. The hotel is serene enough to have a popular resident bunny rabbit -- a big hit with kids -- and early risers will hear local birds wake with the sun; the call to prayer also can be heard from the neighboring mosque five times a day. The resort is set in a lush tropical garden, with two small but pretty swimming pools, plenty of sun beds, and airy public spaces. The lobby feels like a cozy living room, and that is the general vibe of the entire resort: calm and relaxed, but near enough to Phuket’s beach and club scene to please a variety of travelers. 

The Royal Embassy Resort & Spa is located on Phuket island, between two busy Kamala Beach village streets, in an area with several supermarkets and convenience stores. There is a beach within a five-minute walk of the property, and the Tsunami Memorial is also within walking distance. Phuket Fantasea, the island’s enormous “cultural theme park,” is three miles away, and there are several world-renowned beaches within a 10 minutes’ drive, including the non-touristy Laem Singh Beach. The town of Patong, a nightlife destination, is 15 minutes by motorbike from the resort. Motorbikes and cars can be rented from the hotel, and parking is available. The hotel offers an airport shuttle for a fee, as well as a free shuttle to the beach.

Rooms at the Royal Embassy Resort & Spa are soundproofed, which shields guests from the two noisy adjacent streets and the periodic call to prayer from the nearby mosque. Guests may choose between private detached villas and two- or three-bedroom apartments, the latter of which have full kitchens. All rooms have private patios, most with views of the inner courtyard and swimming pools. Each is individually decorated with bright colors, dark woods, and Thai flourishes in the artwork and fabrics; some villas have romantic carved canopy beds, and the overall look is unfussy and authentically Thai. The rooms aren't overly luxurious, but they are comfortable and cozy. All have air-conditioning, flatscreen-TVs with cable channels, coffeemakers, and huge tiled bathrooms with walk-in shower stalls, but no tubs.

The Royal Embassy Resort & Spa has two small, freeform pools and a hot tub surrounded by palm trees, sunbeds, and beach umbrellas, with poolside bar service. The Ambassador Bistro serves Thai and European food in its breezy dining room and terrace, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and other casual cuisine by the pool. Room service is available during limited hours. Breakfast is offered for a fee. The resort offers a 24-hour airport shuttle for a fee, and motorbikes may be rented from the lobby. In addition to free Wi-Fi, there is a lobby computer station with free internet. Babysitting can be arranged, and there's a small library with books for borrow.