For the past decade, I’ve been a frequent bleisure traveller to Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket in Thailand, exploring every room type available, from the standard lagoon view rooms to the Dusit Club rooms and the luxurious pool villas. If you are getting ready to travel there, I’ve gathered insights and recommendations that can enhance your stay at this resort and it’s surrounds.
Location and Amenities: A Paradise within Laguna Phuket
Situated within the expansive Laguna Phuket complex along the picturesque Bang Tao Bay, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket provides easy access and a sense of exclusivity. The resort’s entrance exudes a traditional Thai ambiance, leading to a magnificent beachfront that captivates from the first glance. Despite its vast grounds, even at full capacity, the resort never feels overcrowded. It offers a serene and enjoyable experience for guests of all ages, genders, and nationalities.
The resort’s swimming pool area, always well-equipped with towels and available space, is a hub for relaxation and recreation. It caters to a wide range of interests. If you are travelling with kids it offers water games, kids activities and play areas. Furthermore it offers seniors’ pool classes, embodying inclusivity and diversity.
Evening Entertainment
Evenings at the resort are adorned with musical delights, as a talented duo band performs nightly from 6:30 onwards, adding a charming ambiance to the bar area.
Beachfront
The beachfront, meticulously prepared by attentive staff, provides a private oasis for guests. Beach sports opportunities and friendly local vendors offering refreshments are an added bonus.
If you are a little adventurous hop on a jetski around sunset time and cruise off to the left and watch the sunset on surin beach. Local vendor charges around 1500 Baht for half an hour.
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Club Room
The Dusit Club rooms offer a remarkable experience, especially when paired with a scenic view. During my initial visit, I was assigned a room overlooking the restaurant kitchen, which was not ideal. However, upon raising the concern, I was swiftly relocated to an oceanfront room, aligning with my expectations. For those considering Dusit Club rooms, here are the top room numbers to request for a fulfilling stay.
Best Dusit Thani Phuket Club Room Numbers
100 to 108 Directly in front of the beach (Excellent)
109 to 118 Slanted towards the beach (Very Good)
121 to 128 face part restaurant part beach (Acceptable)
132 to 138 face restaurant (Avoid)
Dusit Thani Pool Villas Phuket
The pool villas at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket are a testament to luxury and comfort. Having stayed in both the oceanfront and lagoon view villas, I can attest to their identical interior layouts, with the primary distinction lying in their views and locations. The oceanfront villa offers unparalleled vistas just meters away from the ocean, while the lagoon villa provides serene views of the lagoon, albeit with a road nearby that may cause minimal disturbance to some guests.
These villas are spread across three levels, featuring bedrooms with ensuites, a spacious living area, kitchen facilities, and balconies overlooking either the ocean or the lagoon. The highlight of these villas is undoubtedly the private pool on the third level, offering breathtaking views.
However, it’s worth noting that one drawback of these villas is the absence of bathrooms on the middle and upper levels, requiring a trip to the basement for such facilities.
One more drawback is the view. Given the amount of trees surrounding the property try and request a villa with unobstructed views. While our lagoon villa offered a flawless experience, our oceanfront villa had a tree blocking part of the ocean view.
Best Pool Villa Room Numbers:
Lagoon Pool Villa 423
Ocean Front Pool Villa 406
Exploring Nearby Attractions: Canal Village and Beyond
Adjacent to the resort lies Canal Village, a charming enclave brimming with conveniences and delights. From a 24-hour supermarket and a pharmacy to a private medical hospital, wellness centres, cafes, shops, and a vibrant weekend market, Canal Village offers a glimpse into local life and ensures guests have access to all necessities.
Café Gluck Canal Village – Laguna Phuket
I do not suggest paying for the breakfast at the Dusit; it’s quite disappointing, especially considering it’s a 5-star resort.
For culinary escapades beyond the resort, Cafe Gluck in Canal Village stands out as a must-visit. This was our number one place for breakfast and lunch. Run by German owners, this cosy cafe serves exceptional coffee and delectable dishes, including freshly baked pretzels and indulgent cheesecakes. Its pet-friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it a favourite among travellers seeking authentic experiences. It has a well thought out corner set up for kids as well.
Transport
Taxis
Taxis from the Dusit Laguna Phuket are easy to get costing 200-baht one way to get you to boat avenue. They will generally drop you off at villa market. A huge supermarket to stock up your villa with goodies. Reasonably priced. If you want really cheap, then opt for a taxi ride out to a more local supermarket or 7 eleven.
Shuttle
There is a little shuttle bus that comes round every so often and transports guests around the laguna area. You can hop on this and take a ride down to boat avenue. Its complimentary. Just be sure to get the time table as there is a certain time it stops in the evening.
Boat Avenue
Boat Avenue stands out as the vibrant heart of the Laguna area, boasting a plethora of dining options, bars, massage parlors, night markets, and shopping districts. Noteworthy eateries include En Wagyu Yakiniku, promising an unforgettable culinary experience, Savona Restaurant for delightful Italian cuisine, and Joya Bistro for a memorable dining experience. The mango sago at Joya is a wow dish.
For burger enthusiasts, Millionaire Burgers in Surin Beach offer a fabulous treat that’s not to be missed.
The glowing Google reviews of these restaurants authentically reflect their culinary excellence, further enhancing the anticipation for a delightful dining experience.
If you’re in search of authentic Thai flavours, unfortunately our favourite Club 22 restaurant has closed. In its place a new one has popped up called Sand & Sea. This beachfront Thai restaurant serves up some of the most delicious Thai dishes I’ve ever savoured, complemented by a sunset view that’s truly priceless.
To reach Sand & Sea from Dusit Thani, simply face the beach and turn right, strolling along the shore for approximately 800 meters until you arrive. Alternatively, if walking on the sand is challenging, you can navigate around the back. Look for the tall grey tower, follow the footpath alongside the lagoon, and you’ll soon spot their sign, guiding you to the entrance from the rear.
Oasis Spa
Just a 5 minute drive from Dusit, this place is wonderful for a full spa experience. They will pick you up and drop you off to your hotel. The premises, rooms, staff and experience is out of this world. A 90 minute relaxation massage will set you back around 2380 Baht. It’s well worth it.
For your ordinary foot massage head on out to boat avenue and find one of two places:
Peppermint massage or Lagune massage. Both are equally good and charge around 400 Baht for one hour.
Dusit Gold Member
Becoming a Dusit Gold Member is highly beneficial and easy to sign up for. This membership offers various perks, including discounts at restaurants and other exclusive benefits. By simply signing up, you can instantly enjoy a 10% discount on your room rate. Additionally, keep an eye out for special offers sent by Dusit, as these can lead to significant savings. We’ve been fortunate enough to secure bookings at a 35% discount for both of our stays in the villas, showcasing the value of being a Dusit Gold Member.
Other tips
Airport Fast Track:
Get Coral Fast Track on arrival and departure – they speed you through immigration and security.
Money Exchange:
Right next to the hotel in canal village. Had the best rate in Phuket.
Take Care Clinic 24 hrs:
Have a medical emergency during your stay? Note this as part of your travel safety tips. Simply contact these professionals, and they will promptly come to your hotel to provide treatment. A team comprising one doctor and two nurses will arrive within 45 minutes. The call-out fee is 2000 Baht, and your total bill will depend on the specific services required. For instance, treatment for food poisoning, which is a common occurrence, typically costs around 20,000 Baht. This covers the administration of an IV, medications, with the medics right by your side for as long as you need. We had firsthand experience with this service during a food poisoning incident, and while it was an unpleasant situation, it was reassuring to receive such high-quality care.
Off season:
Opt for off season or shoulder season if you can. Things are heaps cheaper and less hectic. The weather is still great in the months of March. In fact I sensed less humidity as well. Pack light and keep doing your laundry – it’s so cheap. In fact Thailand is still one of the cheap countries to travel to from Australia.
Sum Up
Overall, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket offers a blend of luxury, natural beauty, and diverse experiences, making it an attractive destination for travellers seeking relaxation and exploration in Thailand’s paradise. The resort’s location also allows easy access to attractions like Boat Avenue for dining and shopping experiences. Depending on where you are travelling from, Thai airways (especially their new A350’s in business class) is always my go to airline for travelling into Thailand. You get that Thai hospitality before you are even in the country.
Enjoy your stay!
