We arrived at The Racha (
www.slh.com/theracha) office on mainland Phuket having just completed a mammoth journey from a ski trip in the Alps so we were feeling pretty exhausted and a little worried about the prospect of more waiting and travelling to get from Phuket to the resort, however these worries were unfounded – the office was comfortable and airconditioned with comfortable seating and complimentary water and snacks. The staff also helpfully directed us to a recommended restaurant (go right out of the office and it’s at the end of the road near the pier) which had great local Thai food and a scenic breezy seaside location and the waiting time flew by. The boat transfer was also very swift and comfortable. Arriving at the hotel we were wowed by the clear turquoise waters – a great improvement over the beaches of nearby Phuket.
We were given a complimentary room upgrade as SLH Club members and this made all the difference as it meant we could see the sea from our room terrace – perfect for lazy sunny breakfasts!
For all your onward travel plans make sure you ask to speak to Khun Ning at the reception area – she is a genius with travel arrangements big or small (she even offered to arrange a private speedboat charter for us to our next destination as we were travelling onwards to another Thai island 3 hours away to which there was no direct public boat available).
There are lots of daily activities arranged by the hotel (hiking, fishing, ATV tours, diving etc.) so make sure you check out the itineraries at the start of your stay so you don’t miss out on anything you might be interested in.
The Fire Grill restaurant has fantastic views, but our tip would be to make sure you reserve a table the day before – there are not that many outside tables at the restaurant.