Pros
- Stylish cliffside hotel with colorful tiered landscapes, overlooking Kata Beach
- Sleek rooms offer flat-screen TVs and balconies; some with private pools
- Open air terrace restaurant with a buffet
- Modern, furnished gym, plus sauna and steam room
- Two infinity pools with canopy beds and a bar area
- Business corner provides four PCs and a printer
- Meeting facilities available
- Rental car service and tour reservation assistance
- Free parking, in-room DVD corner, and Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
- Hillside property has steep slopes that may be inconvenient for those with mobility issues
- Minimalist room decor may not be to everyone's taste
- Restaurant doesn't serve dinner
Bottom Line
The 106-room Sugar Palm Grand, Hillside is a reasonably priced retreat perched on a multi-tiered property that overlooks Kata Beach. The upper-mid-range hotel offers 24-hour front desk service, airport transfers, an open air restaurant, and striking infinity pools with lovely views. Stylish, minimalistic rooms offer flat-screen TVs and stocked minibars; some offer private pools and whirlpool tubs on balconies. The hillside location, though, means that the property has steep inclines. The Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa offers a closer walk to beach, but for higher rates.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Pool
- Spa
Oyster Awards
Scene
A tropical hillside hotel with stylish decor and infinity pools
The Sugar Palm Grand, Hillside -- as the name implies -- is located on a cliffside that provides gorgeous views of Kata Beach, the cityscape, and Big Buddha. Nine floors are spread out over the hillside. The hotel was built in 2008 and features two stacked infinity pools with black tiles and waterfalls. Rock walls that are topped with green hedges surround the pool, along with canopy beds on artificial grass. Nearby is a bar area with small red stools. The romantic atmosphere appeals to couples. The hillside location and steep stairs, however, can make traversing the property difficult for those with mobility issues (though there are two elevators).
The entrance is accessible from a small parking area on a hill. Floor-to-ceiling lobby windows provide a lot of natural light near two wooden desks that sit in front of a silver-coated altar. The business corner -- also in the lobby -- provides four PC computers and a printer for guests. Oversized cushioned chairs offer stylish seating options in the reception area.
Location
Overlooking Kata Beach in Phuket
Situated above Kata Beach, the hotel is a five-minute walk to the sandy shores. There are tons of restaurants, cafes, and bars in the immediate area, including Kata Hillock, Royal India, Andaman Coffee, and the Elephant Bar. Traveling on foot will require climbing some hills. Scooters or cars can be rented on-site. Kata Hot Yoga is five minutes away on foot. The Phuket Surf Shop is also a five-minute walk. Taking a tuk tuk to Phuket City will take 20 minutes. It’s 46 minutes by car to the airport. The Big Buddha is a 24-minute drive. Wat Chalong Temple is a 13-minute drive.
Rooms
Stylish, simple rooms offer flat-screens with Apple TVs and stunning balcony views
Rooms are small, but packed with big views of Kata Beach or Big Buddha from glass balconies. There are four room types. All have flat-screen TVs, DVD libraries, Apple TV, electric kettles, air-conditioning, safes, umbrellas, bathrobes, and slippers. Free minibars are restocked daily. Minimalist and sleek designs, brown sofas, silver lamps, and white concrete walls create a stylish atmosphere. Bathrooms have semi-transparent glass walls that face the beds, rainfall showerheads, and separate bathtubs. Grand Jacuzzi Deluxe rooms feature whirlpool tubs on balconies. Grand Pool Access rooms have private pools, faux lawns, and lounge chairs. Rollaway beds and cribs are available for a fee. Some rooms have stairs.
Features
Open-air casual dining, a gym, and concierge services
Keeping with the hotel’s tropical and sleek design, the open-air Baby Palm restaurant has a stylish and casual vibe. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet, seating 80 people. Furnishings include light wood chairs and tables plus black ceiling fans. There’s a flat-screen TV over the buffet. Also on-site is a small gym with modern cardio equipment, towels, a flat-screen TV, a steam room, and a sauna.
The front desk is available to help guests with arranging airport transfers, rental car reservations, and setting up tours.
Related Hotels
Scene
A tropical hillside hotel with stylish decor and infinity pools
The Sugar Palm Grand, Hillside -- as the name implies -- is located on a cliffside that provides gorgeous views of Kata Beach, the cityscape, and Big Buddha. Nine floors are spread out over the hillside. The hotel was built in 2008 and features two stacked infinity pools with black tiles and waterfalls. Rock walls that are topped with green hedges surround the pool, along with canopy beds on artificial grass. Nearby is a bar area with small red stools. The romantic atmosphere appeals to couples. The hillside location and steep stairs, however, can make traversing the property difficult for those with mobility issues (though there are two elevators).
The entrance is accessible from a small parking area on a hill. Floor-to-ceiling lobby windows provide a lot of natural light near two wooden desks that sit in front of a silver-coated altar. The business corner -- also in the lobby -- provides four PC computers and a printer for guests. Oversized cushioned chairs offer stylish seating options in the reception area.
Location
Overlooking Kata Beach in Phuket
Situated above Kata Beach, the hotel is a five-minute walk to the sandy shores. There are tons of restaurants, cafes, and bars in the immediate area, including Kata Hillock, Royal India, Andaman Coffee, and the Elephant Bar. Traveling on foot will require climbing some hills. Scooters or cars can be rented on-site. Kata Hot Yoga is five minutes away on foot. The Phuket Surf Shop is also a five-minute walk. Taking a tuk tuk to Phuket City will take 20 minutes. It’s 46 minutes by car to the airport. The Big Buddha is a 24-minute drive. Wat Chalong Temple is a 13-minute drive.
Rooms
Stylish, simple rooms offer flat-screens with Apple TVs and stunning balcony views
Rooms are small, but packed with big views of Kata Beach or Big Buddha from glass balconies. There are four room types. All have flat-screen TVs, DVD libraries, Apple TV, electric kettles, air-conditioning, safes, umbrellas, bathrobes, and slippers. Free minibars are restocked daily. Minimalist and sleek designs, brown sofas, silver lamps, and white concrete walls create a stylish atmosphere. Bathrooms have semi-transparent glass walls that face the beds, rainfall showerheads, and separate bathtubs. Grand Jacuzzi Deluxe rooms feature whirlpool tubs on balconies. Grand Pool Access rooms have private pools, faux lawns, and lounge chairs. Rollaway beds and cribs are available for a fee. Some rooms have stairs.
Features
Open-air casual dining, a gym, and concierge services
Keeping with the hotel’s tropical and sleek design, the open-air Baby Palm restaurant has a stylish and casual vibe. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet, seating 80 people. Furnishings include light wood chairs and tables plus black ceiling fans. There’s a flat-screen TV over the buffet. Also on-site is a small gym with modern cardio equipment, towels, a flat-screen TV, a steam room, and a sauna.
The front desk is available to help guests with arranging airport transfers, rental car reservations, and setting up tours.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
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Air Conditioner
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Airport Transportation
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Babysitting Services
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Business Center
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Cabanas
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Children's Pool
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Concierge
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Dry Cleaning
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Fitness Center
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Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Laundry
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Mini Bar (with liquor)
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Pool
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Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
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Room Service
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Spa
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Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
