SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, Phuket, Thailand

Thankfully, I was staying at SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort which is only a short transfer from the airport.

You drive through Mai Khao Plaza where there are a variety of bars, restaurants coffee shops and retail outlets as well as several other resorts, so the SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is certainly not isolated, though it is situated in a protected national park area.

On arrival we were escorted to a Private Check-in room, where our passports were processed and then we were offered meals from the Late Arrival Menu. There was a good choice of meals available and the option to eat in the room or in the restaurant. I chose the room because after my long journey, I would have needed to freshen-up and I was really tired and nearly ready to sleep.

During check-in, we also chose from the Pillow Menu and the Soap Menu. I chose Lemongrass.

I stayed in a SALA Signature One Bedroom Pool Villa Suite. There are high walls around the Villa and a big, heavy, outer door, so when this was opened to reveal the 22.5 sqm Pool, all lit-up in the dark night, it really was a WOW! moment and a stunning view.

The inner Suite was spacious with a large bed and a seating area that could be separated from the sleeping area by some folding doors. There were so many amenities in the Suite, pretty much anything you envisage needing, as well as a fruit bowl and a rejuvenating bottle of juice, which was healthy and beneficial, and the ingredients changed daily.

Outside was the open-air rain shower and toilet, with a large bath next to the swimming pool and a large double sink washing area.

There was also lots of decking with a double day bed and a couple of sun loungers with a parasol.

In the morning, I was up bright and early for my first ever Yoga class and a I soon discovered muscles I never knew I had as I was aching all over. The lesson proved the benefits of Yoga and that I am 'out of shape'.

The lesson was conducted on part of the large expanse of lawn, which has large trees at either end with the beach in front, so it really does make for a lovely setting,

The next morning, I had a Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) lesson, where we discovered more muscles that weren't identified during the Yoga!

These morning lessons were followed by breakfast in the SALA Restaurant, which has an excellent variety and lots of healthy options.

I chose the Eggs Benedict every day as this came highly recommended by the General Manager Anthony and the Executive Chef Tony.

It was very nice, as was all the food and the Massaman Curry was a particular favourite.

The 100 Candles Restaurant is another dining outlet for special occasions.

There is an organic herb garden at the side of the hotel so a lot of the ingredients come from there and that means they are as fresh as can be.

They also have very healthy-looking Hens and Ducks and this is evidenced by the beautiful orange yolks in the Eggs Benedict. There are also Geese in with the Ducks, but they are only there to scare away snakes!

In front of this restaurant is a very long infinity pool where it is possible to swim lengths and this is surrounded by a wide variety of oversized sun loungers for those wishing to laze in the sun or shade.

There is also a really nice Spa here and I took advantage of this to help alleviate the strains and stresses of my long journey.

For those energetic guests, the resort also offers complimentary use of their bicycles, so it is possible to go off discovering, or just riding to Mai Khao Plaza.

The Resort also offers several Day Tours and Excursions away from the Mai Khao Beach and we opted for a tour to James Bond Island from ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ fame, combined with Kayaking around the Caves and a visit to a Floating Village, complete with a floating football pitch.

There are a number of different room categories with some more suited to families.

I think SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is perfect for those wishing to avoid the busy beaches like Patong, Karon and Kata, which are over-commercialised with too much concrete and is also perfectly situated for short stays depending on arrival and departure time due to the proximity to Phuket Airport.

The level of customer service throughout the resort is of an exceptionally high standard, which is a credit to everyone, and I would certainly love to stay here again.