The Slate Phuket Review

If you are looking for a large-scale Thai hotel resort which offers a range of luxury accommodation options, great dining ideas, lots of space, multiple pools and located close to the beach and airport then The Slate on the island of Phuket ticks all of these  boxes. In February TLE stayed and experienced this very popular luxury resort. Read on to discover more.

Background & Concept

The Slate is an oasis of relaxation, located on Phuket’s popular Nai Yang Beach. Designed by Thai-based architect Bill Bayley the resort is cool and contemporary with plenty of nods to the island’s tin mining heritage. Villas and Suites combine luxury, privacy and space with all the mod cons you would expect from a five-star resort and sit in harmony alongside tropical manicured gardens. Numerous restaurants and bars provide plenty of dining options and the hotel’s floating Black Ginger restaurant is certainly one of Thailand’s finest restaurants. Spend your days chilling at one of the three pools with a cocktail, head to the beach or enjoy a day relaxing at The Slates Coqoon Spa. 

Lobby & Check In

The cool and contemporary design starts the very moment you step into the lobby in the hotel, cobalt pendant lights hang over the four sides of the reception desk, while modern art and sculptures, with an industrial theme, remind us just how important tin mining was to the area. Sit down on one of the lobby sofas while you are checked in and like all luxury hotels in Thailand, a cooling cold towel and chilled drink are a welcome sight. Following check in you are escorted to a gold buggy and driven around to your villa or suite, with the resort’s bars and restaurants pointed out on the route.

Location

Fly and flops don’t get much better than this, a ten minute drive from Phuket Airport and you are at The Slate resort. And while it might be very close to the airport it is very quiet. The hotel is located on Nai Yang Beach so you can walk directly from the hotel to the beach, if you want to discover more of the island you will need to rent a car or book a tour which can easily be arranged through the hotel.

Suites & Villas

The resort includes 184 guest rooms which come as either suites or villas ranging in size from 56 to 1000 square meters. All feature a separate living and bedroom, outside balcony or terrace and come with fabulously comfortable king sized beds (which can be swapped for twins too). You can see the full range here, but highlights include the 112 meter square Pool Suites which boast their own private pools and courtyards, the 132 meter square One Bedroom Pearl Shell Suites, with their own dining area and in spa treatment rooms and the Two Bedroom Pearl Shell Suites at 232 square meters which span two floors, including their own jacuzzi and sauna. For more space and bling, the Bensley Suite at 530 square meters boasts its own pool, outdoor tub, spa treatment room and suspended sundeck. And last but my no means least (and our favourite!) the one and two bedroom Pool Villas – these incredible villas have their own pool, dining room, treatment room and sauna and to top it all off a 24 hour butler service.

Pearl Bed Suites

Pool Suites

Bensley Suite

Pool Villa

We stayed in a One Bedroom Pool Villa during our stay and they really do have the WOW factor, starting with the automatic doors at the entrance, a tap of your keycard and hey presto the door opens for you into the villa gardens.

The one bedroom villa is made up of two houses, one side is the bedroom and the other side the dining room and down one side the private swimming pool, complete with jacuzzi.

Day bed and outdoor dining, your 24 hour butler service brings you anything you want and we chose to have afternoon tea and breakfast in the villa gardens.

The bedroom area is huge and you can see the industrial influence that flows throughout the space.

Behind is the large bathroom area, with indoor and outdoor showers.

Back in the bathroom is the indoor jacuzzi (the pool also has jacuzzi bubbles)

In the other building on the opposite side is the dining and living area

Looking for a spa treatment or sauna? You can have it right in your own villa!

Pools, Spa & Beach

The Slate has two large adult pools; the snakeskin infinity pool, ideal for some laps or sunbathing and the Pulley Pool which has its own swim-up bar!

For families head along to the Lagoon pool and if you want complete privacy then book into one of their Pool Suites and Villas.

Beach

Walk from the hotel to the beach in less than ten seconds.

Coqoon Spa

For some pampering head to Coqoon Spa where you can escape into an extraordinary setting and spoil yourself with a rejuvenating treatment. Choose from deep-tissue massages, through to scrubs and wraps. As the balmy breeze caresses your skin and birds serenade you from above. Nothing compares to the serenity of being pampered in an enchanted garden.

Food & Drink

The Slate offers a wealth of dining options, for all-day dining from breakfast through to a global dinner menu head to the al fresco pavilion Tin Mine. Offering an array of dishes ranging from steaks, Indian food, themed buffets and live cooking stations Tin Mine has plenty to choose from.

Tin Mine

Rivet & Rebar

For an intimate dining experience with a Japanese-inspired menu, head to Rivet where you can dine on options like fresh sashimi and wagyu beef. Booths have been made out of vintage horse carriages, it’s the ideal spot for a romantic night for two. Post dinner head upstairs to Rebar where the resident DJ has chilled tunes and their cocktail list cannot be missed! 

Black Ginger

Known throughout Phuket as one of the best fine-dining restaurants on the island. The Slate’s Black Ginger is a masterpiece, floating on its own lagoon, you enter the restaurant by boat and dine under one of its two traditional open-air peaked roof wooden salas or indoors in its air-conditioned restaurant. Serving a fusion of Thai flavours under the guidance of chef Piak who brings her 32 years of experience to a range of Phuketian and Thai dishes. This destination restaurant experience is not to be missed and we have included it in our guide to the most romantic restaurants in Thailand.

Final Thoughts

The Slate is ideal for couples, families and honeymooners who love lots going on and a great atmosphere. Its convenience with the airport so close is a huge plus point and its range of dining and bar options means you are spoilt for choice and don’t really need to leave the resort. The hotel’s free breakfast is a hit with guests and its wide range of luxury suites and villas means you are guaranteed to find the perfect guest accommodation for your stay.  We have included The Slate in our guide to the best luxury hotels in Phuket.