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A Thai-Style Retreat in Rawai Beach

20 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

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Navatara Phuket Resort is a 37-room resort tucked into the residential south of Phuket, a short ride from Nai Harn and Rawai beaches. It’s not a flashy property. The appeal is the quiet, the teak furniture, the saltwater pool, and a price point that makes the south of the island feel accessible without staying in a guesthouse.

(880 reviews) #2 of 113 hotels in Rawai

Navatara Phuket Resort
Location	Rawai Beach
Beach	Not a swimming beach. Rawai is for longtail boats, seafood, and views. Nai Harn Beach 2km away.
Hotel	3-star boutique. 37 rooms with Thai Art Home design, handcrafted teak furniture. Pool access rooms available.
Facilities	Saltwater pool, Tara Cafe restaurant, fitness centre, spa tub, free shuttle service, complimentary bikes.
What’s Around	7-Eleven next door, Tara Cafe attached. Rawai Beach, seafood restaurants, local cafes 10-15 minute walk.
Who is it for?	Couples, relaxation-focused travellers. Not for beach swimmers, families with young children, or party crowds.
Worth Noticing	Free shuttle to Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Promthep Cape. Art Home philosophy with authentic Thai architecture.
Price	Mid-range

The Rooms

Every room comes with a private terrace or balcony, most looking directly onto the pool and tropical garden. The design leans into a Thai art home aesthetic with handcrafted teak furniture, separate shower and bathtub areas, and a window cut between the bathroom and bedroom that gives the space an open, airy feel.

Superior Rooms are the entry point. Compact but well-finished, with pool and garden views from the terrace. Grand Superior Rooms add slightly more floor space. Pool Access Rooms are worth the upgrade if you want to step straight from your terrace into the water. The design is consistent throughout. No room feels like an afterthought.

Restaurants and Dining

Tara Cafe handles all meals from breakfast through dinner. Breakfast is buffet-style with a wide spread, and guest reviews consistently call it out as a highlight. The menu covers Thai and international dishes, which is enough variety for a short stay.

For longer visits, you’ll want to venture out. Rawai’s seafront is lined with seafood restaurants and local spots a short drive away. The resort is not in a walkable dining area, so relying entirely on the on-site restaurant for every meal gets repetitive quickly.

Facilities

The outdoor saltwater pool is a genuine selling point, open 24 hours, with a built-in Jacuzzi section. There’s also a separate kids’ pool. A spa and massage facilities are on-site for basic treatments. The fitness centre covers the essentials.

Bicycles are available for guests, which works well for the flat roads around Rawai in the early morning. The shuttle service runs to Nai Harn Beach, Rawai Beach, and Promthep Cape from 8 am to 8:30 pm. Without a rental car or scooter, you’re dependent on that shuttle for anything outside the resort.

The Location

Rawai is one of Phuket’s quieter corners, and Navatara sits firmly in that character. Nai Harn Beach is about a 5-minute drive. Yanui Beach and Promthep Cape viewpoint are under 2 km away. Patong is 18 km north. This is not the right base if nightlife is the plan.

Phuket International Airport is roughly an hour’s drive, which is worth factoring into arrival times. The surrounding area is residential and low-key. Rawai’s seafront market and local restaurants add genuine charm if you explore rather than stay put.

Who should book Navatara? Couples and families wanting a quiet, affordable base in the south. Anyone planning to spend most days at Nai Harn or exploring Promthep Cape. Guests who want a pool and a decent breakfast without paying luxury resort prices.

Who should skip it? Guests wanting to walk to the beach. Anyone planning to be in Patong regularly. Travellers expecting a high-end spa or refined dining experience.