Boathouse, Phuket | Thailand

Boathouse

182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100, Thailand 

boathousephuket.com

Where are you going to stay next? – we were asked by several people in Thailand. And when they heard we’re heading to Boathouse, they all reacted the same way – Oooooh, Boathouse! – their eyes would lit up and we could feel the excitement in their voices. If everyone reacts this way it must be a really nice place – we said to ourselves and that set the bar for Boathouse very high. We went there expecting nothing but great service, beautiful interior, comfortable room and delicious food.

Area

Set just a few steps away from carpet-soft, sandy beach on one side and with a typical busy Thai street on the other, Boathouse is a perfect base for holidays.

We really enjoyed early morning and evening walks on the beach, with picturesque sunsets and smaller crowds. For those who prefer shopping over walks, there are many options around – clothing, shoes, leather accessories, tailors. Yoga studio across the road and parasailing on the beach if you’d like to stay active.

Facilities

Boathouse has a small pool and a few sun beds on a sunny terrace but they don’t seem to be popular. Most guests pick the relaxing Kata beach which is just a little bit further from the hotel. Part of the beach in front of Boathouse is private, just for the hotel guests and serviced – you can order from the bar, cold water is refilled as soon as your glass gets empty and they serve complimentary fresh fruit skewers.

There’s a choice of two dining options – in a contemporary Boathouse Wine & grill or more modern and young Re Ka Ta (which is right next to Boathouse and is a part of the same property).

Spa, beachwear boutique and cafe are also there, just in case you feel an urgent need for some pampering. I can recommend the ice coffees in the cafe, they are refreshing and give the energy kick during hot days.

They provide a decent speed WiFi internet which actually works even on the beach.

Re Ka Ta

Re Ka Ta is a beach club, bar and restaurant adjoining Boathouse. Breakfast for hotel guests is served there so you’ll definitely have a chance to check it out.

Modern, classy and looking fresh. Specialising in sea food, serving great cocktails (with happy hours 5-7pm every day) – I was sold in a matter of seconds. In the evenings there is a DJ, colourful lights to help to get in the right, holiday mood.

There are plenty of sun beds, chairs and lounges around (shame there is only one hammock) and a slightly bigger pool. And again – it’s free for hotel guests but also available for others for ~$30 (amount redeemable on food and drinks).

Room

Our room on the ground floor was convenient, only few steps to the pool area, beach and restaurant. It wasn’t the biggest but very tastefully decorated. I loved the marine theme and colours surrounding me there: navy blue pillows, delicate watercolour paintings, wooden floor and lots of white – it felt warm and classy.

Coffee machine in the room with a nice selection of arabica pod coffees was a great addition and I was happy that milk was waiting in the fridge and I didn’t have to ask anyone for it. Daily fruits, newspaper and bottled water seem to be a standard in all good hotels, so it wasn’t a surprise they were there. From “unexpected but very appreciated things” category – mosquito repellent and soothing balm were waiting in the bathroom (+100 points for that, I used it every evening).

I read some opinions on tripadvisor that ground floor rooms are noisy, and I’m surprised people say that. I need absolute silence to sleep and I didn’t have any problems with that in Boathouse.

Food

There should be poems written about food in Boathouse and Re Ka Ta – it’s really that good! Seriously, I was satisfied with every single meal, drink, cocktail and dessert. If you’re not staying at Boathouse, at least treat yourself to lunch or dinner there.

Breakfast – my absolute favourite (out of all hotel breakfasts. ever.). Mango smoothie, fresh juices, young cold coconut, homemade yogurts and great coffee made to order. Choice of a la carte dishes and buffet part with French style pastries, breads and anything you could desire.

Seafood lunch at Re Ka Ta, excellent Thai and French cuisine at Boathouse Wine & Grill in the evening, all accompanied by sea breeze and relaxing views. That was such a highlight of our stay there.

If you have trouble deciding what to try from their extensive menus, I can recommend some dishes:

• From Boathouse Wine & Grill: River Prawn Salad: avocado tomatoes pesto and crispy ginger, Seafood mousse with red curry served in a crab shell and if you fancy something different: Roasted duck cooked in red curry with pineapple, dark grapes and tomatoes.
• From Re Ka Ta: Asian tasting plate for entree, Thai green curry, Andaman pizza with lots of seafood, Fresh oysters and refreshing dessert: pineapple gazpacho.

Wine lovers will be happy with the award winning cellar and impressive, broad wine list. I had trouble deciding, but restaurant staff helped me with the right, matching wine which turned out to be a great choice.

I can’t put my finger on just one thing that makes Boathouse feel special to me. It must be the combination of warm, welcoming feel this place has, extraordinary food, helpful & knowledgable staff and the relaxing ambience (and maybe a bit of French additions here and there, which hits my soft spot for all things French 😉 ). Even now, while I’m writing this and putting photos together I have smile on my face and I know I want to go back there. It’s one of those places that you just want to keep coming back to.

If you’d like to see more (much more – this place was way too photogenic and I couldn’t put my camera away!) photos go to my flickr gallery, for rates and reservations go to boathousephuket.com.

—————

Stay courtesy of Bouthouse. All opinions and photos are my own.