As you’d expect from the name, the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is a luxury resort hotel on the island of Phuket, Thailand. Situated on a steep oceanfront hillside on Phuket’s Millionaire’s Mile, the recently remodeled contemporary resort enjoys sweeping vistas of Kamala Beach and the Andaman Sea. I first stayed here in 2021. The experience was so enjoyable and surprisingly reasonably priced that I returned in late 2022.

The infinity pool appears to be part of the bay

Following my first stay I reviewed this hotel and the breakfast buffet and club lounge. See my hotel review for info regarding hotel features and the ocean view king room I received as an upgrade during that stay.

I was a mid-tier member in the World of Hyatt frequent guest program when I received that upgrade. As a result of a promotion that double counted Hyatt nights in 2021 (I can thank lack of travel during Covid for that), in 2022 I had attained Globalist status — the top tier of the World of Hyatt program — with only half the nights that are required normally..

Globalists receive enhanced benefits such as better complementary upgrades, including suites, and free lounge access. For this stay in 2022, I reserved the least expensive room in the house as I had in 2021.

But this time Globalist status fetched an even more luxurious upgrade. Upon arrival at the hotel, the clerk upgraded me to a room that is listed on the hotel’s website as a 1 King Bed with Terrace Whirlpool. It must be one of the hotel’s most prized room types because only the 2 Bedroom Regency Suite and 1 King Bed Hilltop Ocean View Suite cost more.

My room was 44 square meters in size and featured a 65 square-meter terrace with a whirlpool, sun loungers, and a covered seating and dining area.

Guests had a choice of numerous cable and satellite channels in a variety of languages on the huge LED TV. The raised floor of the sleeping area was made of some species of beautiful, dark tropical hardwood.

The TV ad for snorkeling on the house reef was tempting but I didn’t try it this time

While the bedroom was on the smaller side for this hotel, it was more than large enough for me and boasted all of the essentials and more. The bed was outfitted with a cozy duvet and high-thread count sheets. Pillows offered various amounts of support.

Housekeeping staff were skilled towel sculptors.

It was easy to stay hydrated because the supply of six bottles (glass not plastic) of water was replenished daily.

Functional work space, a convenient luggage stand and coffee service, snacks and water on top of the minibar and refidgerator.

To the right of the cabinet that houses the refrigerator and minibar were closets that lined the entry hall. That’s where robes, slippers, umbrella, a wardrobe and safe were located.

I really liked the bath. It was located off the entry hall. It had dual vanities separated by a large soaking tub, walk-in shower with a seat, enclosed commode and stone floors.

Some prefer separated vanities. Do you?

Shower with hand-held and rain-shower heads, natch.

Bath amenities included dental kits, shaving kits, lotions, bath gel, shampoo and just about every other personal hygiene or bath amenity you might need.

Most major hotel chains are mounting large dispensers of shampoo, conditioner and bathing gel in the shower instead of stocking bathrooms with little bottles of those items. Hotels say they are doing that for the environment. I prefer the little bottles. I have a large stash of them at home and haven’t purchased shower gel and shampoo in years.

The room interior was amazing; however the best feature was the large, L-shaped terrace featuring two sun-loungers, a shaded outdoor lounge area, and private hot tub with views overlooking the hotel property and the Andaman Sea.

For relaxation and meditation, the whirlpool, fresh air and scenery were a very close second to a Thai massage.

Sun loungers were just a couple of steps outside the door by the desk.

I preferred to pop the umbrella out here as I liked the tan I had already.

Sliding glass doors by the bed led to a more secluded portion of the terrace.

Having room service breakfast here was almost worth skipping the feast at the breakfast buffet. Almost.

The lounge and daybed were super comfortable. A ceiling fan supplied a cooling breeze. The table for two was the ideal spot for room service. The roof let me use the laptop outside even if it rained.

The terrace was perhaps even more enjoyable in the evening. There were sunsets over the ocean, and one night the terrace served as my box seat for a spectacular fireworks display.

On second thought, the hot tub at night with my favorite beverage was probably more relaxing than a Thai massage.

Overall Impression

There was no question that the King Bed with Terrace Whirlpool Room was an outstanding room. It made the second stay even more memorable and enjoyable than the first.

Adding to the very favorable impression was the fact that both stays at this hotel were very reasonably priced. As mentioned, each time I stayed here I booked the least expensive room at the hotel and was upgraded for free because of status in the World of Hyatt frequent guest program. Those rates were dirt cheap due to Covid travel restrictions. Yet even today the cost for this room is considerably less than the price I was asked to pay last summer for a basic Marriott room in Cincinnati, Ohio.

One part of this otherwise delightful experience was frankly disappointing. I’ll cover it in the next post.

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