Originally Posted by thbe

Phuket is packed with hotels, and the range of options is very broad. If you book the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort simply because it is the only Hyatt on the island, there is a significant chance that another hotel might suit you better.

The Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is a very good hotel. The service level is genuinely strong, the food is very good, and the rooms are nice and clean. I did not have a single issue with the room, and that is already above average. I also like the overall style of the property. From Bangkok, it is about a 1.5-hour flight plus roughly another hour by car.

There is a beach in front of the hotel, but across a large part of it the seabed is rocky from the shoreline out toward deeper water. Swimmers can use the paved walkway to reach the section that is suitable for swimming. Children may enjoy observing animals in the rocky area. But if you are looking for a broad, fully sandy beach directly in front of the hotel, you will not find that here.

The hotel is one of those properties built into a hillside. The paths are steep. Walking downhill is not great for the knees, and walking uphill is not especially comfortable either, particularly in the sun. Of course, the hotel offers complimentary golf-cart rides, but that usually involves some waiting time in both directions. The overall setting has a bit of an island-lair feel, almost like the retreat of a James Bond villain.

The hotel is located in a quieter part of Phuket. It is not far from Patong in pure distance, but with Phuket’s notorious traffic, the trip can easily take 30 minutes or more each way. If nightlife or other kinds of infrastructure are important to you, it is probably a much better idea to stay directly in Patong.

The service level is already very good and, in my view, the hotel is on its way to becoming excellent. Thailand gives hotels two big advantages: large staffs and a naturally friendly service culture. The challenge is consistency and execution. The Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is clearly aiming high, and it comes closer to that level than most other 5-star hotels in Phuket, and than many in Thailand more broadly. You can see that some highly competent staff members are working very hard to make the guest experience as good as possible.

Some of the most scenic islands in Thailand, and indeed in the world, are about 1.5 hours away — roughly 45 minutes by car to the marina and another 45 minutes by speedboat to the islands. The Similan Islands are a bit farther away and are particularly popular for diving. If that highest level of island scenery is what you are after, the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort and the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui are, in my view, the only Hyatts in Thailand that really offer access to it. Of the two, however, the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is the stronger choice for scenic-island access. A private tour will usually cost somewhere in the region of THB 20,000 to 40,000 per group, depending on the boat and the quality of the operator. That may sound like a lot, but in my view it is absolutely worth it. I would strongly recommend an early departure, ideally around 7:00 a.m. from the marina, if you want the full once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In comparison with the other Hyatt beach resorts in Thailand, the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui is probably the closest alternative in spirit. It is an oceanfront resort with a semi-private beach, rocky coastline, lush grounds, and strong sea views. Koh Samui feels a bit more self-contained, whereas Phuket gives you easier access to Patong and to a broader range of infrastructure. From Bangkok, it is about a 1 hour flight plus roughly another 15 minutes by car.

The Hyatt Regency Hua Hin has somewhat dated hardware. It does, however, offer a fully sandy beach. On the other hand, it is difficult to find a good area for snorkeling or diving there. For kitesurfing or e-foiling, though, it is probably the best Hyatt in Thailand. Depending on the time of year, the weather there can also be significantly better. From Bangkok, it is about three hours away by car.

The Andaz Pattaya Jomtien is a very beautiful property and on another level when it comes to food. It also has a fully sandy beach. SUP and kayaking are possible, but from my point of view it is not really a hotel for water sports. From Bangkok, it is about two hours away by car.

Would I come here again? Yes. You can easily have a great stay here, especially if you book a speedboat tour to the scenic islands to the east or if you want to enjoy Patong’s nightlife and infrastructure without actually staying there. The most important thing is to check the weather and the season. Phuket can be much rainier and stormier than Hua Hin or Jomtien.