A Haven Bound by Sky, Sea, Forest: Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach

Who wants to start their holiday with a long hotel transfer? Not me! So I’m already awarding bonus points to Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach for being only 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

The resort is located between the gloriously blue Naithon Beach in front and backs on to the tropical Sirinat National Park, a favourite holiday destination for endangered sea turtles and tropical birdlife.

It’s been only minutes since I walked into the hotel, and between the sounds of the ocean, the blue skies above, and the breezes from the forest, I’m already winding down on my Phuket getaway.

Welcome drinks are always welcome, and Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach sets the tone with Heart Beets, its homemade, healthy, and sustainably sourced fresh drink. Enriched with local honey, beetroot, apple jelly, and fresh apple juice, the jewel-red drink promises all the good things to come.

We’ve timed our Thai getaway at the end of high season, which runs from November to April, and have arrived before check-in at 11 am, so we could pop in for a second breakfast at the buffet in Echo Bar & Kitchen, but choose to wander down to Naithon Beach while our room is readied. The beach is calm (added bonus; it’s jet ski-free!)

There’s definitely a wellness vibe about the hotel; while I could hit the pool loungers and simply rotate every hour, I’m drawn to the fitness activities, the white-sand beach, the always-on gym, and hello, Thai spa! I love a good breakfast buffet and I’ve already heard about Chef Kitty’s stellar cupcakes, but the salad bowls and signature non-alc cocktails are definitely appealing in this warm, tropical weather. Maybe Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach is the place to kickstart a fresh new me?

There are 270 rooms and seven luxury ocean villas at the beachfront property – understandably the one- and two-bedroom villas are the hottest property with maximum privacy and uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea.

We’re in the Ocean Grand room, the next category down from the villas, though if we were travelling with more than one kid, the family rooms with kids’ bunk beds would be the obvious choice.

The guestrooms are spread out over pods that dot the hillside overlooking the beach, with the Sirinat National Park behind. With only three floors in each pod, the hotel is immersed in its leafy surrounds, for a low-key feel.

That same, laid-back attitude continues through the room design; the look is beach chic, with soft, neutral hues that play second fiddle to the fabulous natural backdrops of sea and forest, which is the view from my bed.

I find exploring hotel rooms fascinating, and this one turns up a few gems: soft robes, a cute woven beach bag, a (compulsory) espresso machine, and toiletries by C.O. Bigelow, America’s oldest apothecary, whose products are free from synthetic fragrances and parabens.

Although we’re not in the top room category, there are no losers, as every room in the hotel has a balcony, with tropical garden or ocean views. They’ve also all got day beds, where I take a moment to soak up the rhythmic shush of the ocean and bird calls from the national park behind us.

Breakfast is served from 6.30am to a very civilised 11am in Echo, the main diner, which also serves lunch and dinner every day. It’s one of six dining venues or bars at the hotel, which includes the tasty Bowls & More for DIY poke bowls and healthy smoothies and breezy, fun-loving M-Bar in the adults-only hub, which turns out modern Mexican fare, tunes, and cocktails until sunset.

There are so many offers – the daily two-for-one happy hour in C-Bar and Azur? Steak night featuring Australian grain-fed beef in Vera trattoria? There’s a daily Bake & Shake of sweet cocktails and nibbles from noon in C-Bar (so yes, we toy with the idea of starting there and continuing on into the two-hour happy hour). I’m lured by the Art of Sabrage offering, where you learn to whip the cork from a bottle of champagne with a sabre – who knew?

Ultimately, what the hotel does know is that downtime is key: Pullman Home Delivery runs 24 hours a day, with a tasty menu of Thai favourites in cute, biodegradable containers. So on our third night, it’s pyjamas on, sparkling wine chilled, movie picked and no plans to head out on our Thai date night.

My absolute favourite event at the hotel is its simplest: I get to meet General Manager Brett Wilson on a beach clean-up. It’s a weekly event for Brett and his team, as they meet guests and collect rubbish from the beach, leaving it pristine for us and safe for sea animals. It shows a true commitment – not just lip service – to caring for the local environment.

The hotel straddles the best of both worlds – serene, natural Thailand and, further south, the energy of its party towns. Phuket Old Town steals my heart with its sweet, 19th-century shophouses painted in a range of pastels, and I spent an afternoon wandering between cafés for pick-me-up glasses of oliang (Thai iced coffee) while waiting for the night markets to kick off. I could hit the bar scene at Bangla Night Market in Patong, but Lard Yai, the Sunday Walking Street market in Thalang Road in Old Town, is more my style, for handicrafts and street snacking.

Fancy a spot of morning yoga (but not too early, you’re on holidays, after all)? I’ve launched into the complimentary activities, which range from yoga to mat Pilates and a jog along the beach with your new best friends.

It’s my first time trying Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) and I’ve got to say, my kick’s got some power behind it! You could ramp it up with private sessions with a personal trainer if group fun ain’t your bag, and the gym never closes; it’s literally open 24 hours a day.

The kids’ and teens’ activities are equally creative, with free face painting, crafts and treasure hunts for younger kids, while teens can burn off the rage with Muay Thai, wind down with yoga, or do one of the paid Thai cultural activities such as Chiang Mai umbrella painting.

Getting there: Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach is just 12 minutes from Phuket International Airport. A daily shuttle drops guests at the beach and the local shopping strip.

The details: Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, 22/2 Moo 4 Naithon Beach, Amphur Talang, Phuket, Thailand, +66 76 303 299