The Naka Island Phuket is a Starwood Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. An exclusive all-villa resort on Naka Yai island, it’s just 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport. To get to the island, you will need to arrange a private boat transfer from Ao Po Grand Marina via the hotel. A hotel arranged car from the airport to the marina is about 25 minutes and the boat ride to the hotel is about 5-10 minutes.
Naka Island Speed Boat
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
The hotel is located on a private island isolated from the tourist filled mainland. The resort is tranquil and is a haven for those looking or a peaceful retreat. A former Six Senses resort, the Naka has kept the adobe-style villas in tact but added the Luxury Collection standards you expect from Starwood.
WHO SHOULD GO:
While almost anyone would love their time at Naka, I wouldn’t recommend it for children because it’s a quite resort and other guests might not enjoy your noisy children running around. That said, there were kids while we were there, but for the most part they were pretty invisible (thank goodness.)
Naka Island beach view
Upon arrival at the hotel we were greeted at the dock by hotel staff. Our bags were unloaded from the speed boat and we were taken by golf cart (buggy) to the reception area where we were told to hit a gong two times and make a wish. The hotel GM personally met us and welcomed us to the island. From there we were taken to our villa’s where check-in was completed.
Naka Island Villa Entry
Naka Island Seaview Villa Plunge Pool
Naka Island Outdoor Shower
Naka Island Outdoor Bathtub
Naka Island Indoor Shower/Steam Room
Naka Island Room with King-sized bed
Naka Island “Do Not Disturb” Rock. Eyes “closed” = Do Not Disturb, Eyes “open” = okay to enter
Naka Island “Do Not Disturb” Rock. Eyes “closed” = Do Not Disturb, Eyes “open” = okay to enter
There are two restaurants at the hotel as well as two bars. There is one restaurant open for dinner with the other open for lunch and breakfast. The resort is unique, they don’t server pork at all due to the large Muslim population, but they do serve alcohol (the concierge assured us there would be plenty, and he was right there was.)
Naka Island Breakfast
Naka Island Cooking Class Tom Yam Soup
The spa is beautiful and if you’re on the island, something you should check out. I could have spent a whole day there relaxing. The menu is pricy but the hotel was offering a very good discount in July so it was much more reasonable (assuming since it was off-season.)
You’ll want to spend time at your private plunge pool taking in the spectacular views, but the resort pool and beach are amazing too. There are plenty of chairs and areas to relax. In addition, there’s a second beach on the other side of the island that is accessible via bikes you can check out from the concierge.
As a platinum member, I was upgraded from the Tropical Pool Villa to the Seaview Pool Villa. It was lovely and a great upgrade. If you’re not there in low season, it would be well worth requesting suite night award upgrades.
Some reviews mentioned transportation challenges and problems with airport transfer. I experienced none of that. We were met at the airport baggage/pick-up area and escorted to the car for the 20 minute or so ride to the marina. At the marina the hotel staff took our bags and brought them all to the boat. The walk from the drop off area to the boat is only about 2-3 minutes and quite easy.
\If you don’t like nature this might not be the place for you. If you like luxury, relaxation, beautiful scenery and attention to detail, then you’ll love it here! The only negative about the hotel is that the pillows are not the best (and we were with friends who said the same about the pillows in their villa.) If pillows aren’t a make it or break it item for you, then I highly recommend a visit. I’m sure I’ll be back!
Do they charge for the transportation between the airport and the property? If so, how much?
Hi Jimmy,
Yes, there is a charge for hotel arranged car to the marina from the airport. It runs between $40 – 60 depending on car type.
The transport via boat is complimentary.
One person in our group took a local cab and paid $20, but it also took double the time to get to the marina (so it might be worth ensuring a taxi knows where they’re going.)