GONE CLUBING
Written by: William Buckley
The Club Med Resort on the Thai Island Phuket is perhaps the most beloved of all the province's resorts. With a 39-year history, the property has expanded to a vast 16 hectares, with luscious palm groves and hidden swimming pools, all facing the breath-taking Kata Beach
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THE VIBE
Flying, for the first time, across Thailand’s bright jade- green sea, with its signature limestone towers jutting out of the water, is like a James Bond dream. The Man with the Golden Gun secured the region’s Avatar-esque landscape in the world’s consciousness, and as the cabin crew prepare for landing on the country’s largest island, Phuket, the thrill of adventure is palpable. During its nearly four decades as a dream destination, Club Med Phuket has enjoyed various renovations, but none so exquisite as its latest, which has transformed the guest rooms into the most tranquil and perfectly appointed havens of luxury comfort. The tropical garden pathways weaving from these rooms to a heaven-sent spa and onto restaurants, a fitness center, two stunning swimming pools, and even a Muy Thai ring, are so transportive you could almost forget the outside world exists. But, an adventuring menu of excursions to surrounding cultural treasures or other islands will remind you, there is a whole island out there.
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THE SPA
Nothing is more indulgent than a spa, and surely there are scant few spas in this world as indulgent as the Club Med Spa by Payot. It would be audacious, surely, to spend three hours of each day between a massage table and and an individual outdoor Jacuzzi, but is it not also the boldest of declarations that one’s well-being and rejuvenation are nothing short of the most paramount importance? This is a rare opportunity to prioritize self-love and health; an unapologetic pursuit of luxury and tranquility, and the refusal to succumb to the demands of the outside world. So, be it; a 90-minute Club Med Signature massage, which is a soul-melting mix of both ancient and modern techniques, with the luxurious touch of French skincare expertise truly rejuvenates body and mind. And so what, if after 90 minutes of being rubbed and buffed, you spend another 30, or 60, walking through the gardens, acutely tuned into nature’s symphony, on a slightly higher plane. Perhaps, you might also take a dip into each bubbling pool you encounter as you weave your way to the spa’s veranda for a herbal infusion of life-giving elixir? In short, you absolutely should. No, you must.
THE EXCURSIONS
As heart-wrenching as it may be to tear yourself away from the spa and its therapists’ magic hands, there is so much you must try your damndest to do. Truly, to miss the transformative journeys on offer would be nothing short of scandalous. There are myriad other islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, immortalized by the Leonardo DiCaprio-led movie, The Beach. Coral Island, Maiton Island, and Racha Yai island are no less stunning, each a short boat ride away. Phang Nga Bay, of James Bond fame, is a full day’s adventure, including canoeing around the rock formations in the impossibly green sea, and a culinary Thai extravaganza including freshly- cooked fish, whipped directly from the ocean’s cornucopia, and served with coconut rice steamed in banana leaves. If heavenly boats over calm crystal waters and bright white sand beaches isn’t your thing (we can’t be friends, but if that isn’t your thing), the historic center of Phuket Town is a wondrous cultural extravaganza, immersing visitors in the island’s rich history and vibrant local life. This fascinating glimpse into the heart of Phuket’s cultural tapestry, beyond the sun-kissed beaches, is unlike anything you will experience anywhere.
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THE FOOD
If you live neither under a rock nor on the moon, chances are you have sampled some Thai cuisine. But at Club Med Phuket, prepare to sample it all. The resort’s main restaurant, Mamuang, is buffet-style with a smorgasbord of stations, each offering different delectables. At one station you might find a chef preparing the soup of the day – tom kha gai (chicken in coconut milk with galangal and kaffir lime), or its sexy, spicy cousin, tom yum. At another station, perhaps Massaman curry, or in translation, Muslim curry, due to its preparation using spices from the Middle East not typically found in Thai cuisine. Of course, there are noodle dishes for days (Pad Thai is perhaps the best known), and if you’ve still not tried the life-affirming traditional desert, sticky rice with mango, you should stop reading this immediately and order it on Deliveroo. It is unlikely to be at quite the same level of perfection as the iteration in Club Med, but it will serve as a place holder until you fly out. Naturally there is a fine dining option too, often reimagining Thai classics through a French culinary lens. It is quite possibly the best restaurant on the island.
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