Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach

Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Review

Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach combines many features for a great holiday if you are searching for reasonable mid-range accommodation in Phuket. The hotel is right on the beach of Kamala, a unique and much sought-after feature on the island. There are nine room types, including affordable pool rooms and a cool rooftop bar! We had to go and check this for ourselves. The hotel is very compact, and the main pool is not very large, but it has a welcoming pool bar plus direct beach access.

The Location

A short and casual beach walk from the hotel will take you to no less than two great beach clubs, one of which is the famous Cafe Del Mar. We know the beach clubs and notorious parties were near the hotel, but we checked, and the music didn’t disturb the guests. If you walk a little more, you will reach a line of small local restaurants on the beach, perfect for any meal, but we love a second slow breakfast there.

The beach of Kamala

The location of Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach is, without a doubt, the most beautiful part of the hotel. The resort is at the very south end of Kamala Beach, on a beautiful piece of soft sand with trees above it, and it probably will remain this beautiful. The boulders and rocks at the end of the beach make the place a fun snorkelling spot, too!

Arrival

As we checked in, the reception was excellent. The staff was genuinely smiling and very welcoming, offering all the necessary information in good English and instantly making us feel like we were in a holiday mood (well, for us, it was more of a weekend escape mood). The deposit system is a bit confusing since you must make 2 of them: one for the room if you choose to pay at checkout, and one that allows you to sign at the outlets. Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach has minimal parking, so don’t be surprised. Save your energy and ask the staff to park your car for you.

The room

We booked a pool room with a sea view for 6,000 baht. That is quite a low price for having both! (We also added 450 baht per person for breakfast). As usual, we paid for our room, and by doing so, no one knew who we were. The staff welcomed us and treated us like regular guests. It’s always more fun and feels a lot more ‘real’!

The room is not very large (65 sqm) but has a good design, a functional space distribution, a 12-square-metre balcony, and ample storage space. Most importantly, like most of the rooms at Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, it faces the sea and the beautiful beach! The shower and toilets are separate in the back area, but there is no bathtub. Amenities include a coffee machine and water heater, safe deposit box, hairdryer, iron and ironing table, bathrobes and slippers — all the amenities you can expect from such an international brand hotel.

You will find many electric plugs at the desk in the room, including two very convenient USB plugs. The bed is large and comfortable, facing a large TV with plenty of channels.

The swimming pool is above the room, which is a little surprising. It’s a decent size, not a lap pool, but more than the plunge pool on the lower floor. Most importantly, you can enjoy a fantastic view from your infinity pool at a reasonable price. On the downside, there is absolutely no privacy in that pool. Your neighbours can see you, and even people walking back to their rooms can see you, too. The furniture is slightly run down and lacks tables to be entirely comfortable.

Restaurants and Bars

On The Roof Rooftop

‘On The Roof’ is a vast and breezy rooftop with plenty of comfortable seating and views of the beach. You can have a drink or even eat there. Don’t miss the happy hour from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm—two glasses for the price of one—it’s a bargain!

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Soul Kitchen Restaurant

Soul Kitchen, the main restaurant, is vast and not very intimate, but the outside seating is attractive if the weather is not too hot. It frequently serves a BBQ buffet for dinner and even Thai cooking classes for four courses at 1699++ Baht per person. We tried it for a small lunch, and it was good.

It’s designed to accommodate their vast breakfast buffet, and because of the size and very high ceilings, the restaurant never feels crowded. There is plenty of different food, and everyone should find something to start the day well-prepared. Breakfast costs 350 baht if you include it with your online booking and 450 baht if you take it once at the hotel.

Facilities

InBalance Spa

InBalance was another pleasant surprise. Every hotel in Phuket has a spa, but not all are great for this price. We had one-hour aromatherapy in a beautiful treatment room for 1,100 baht, and it was just what we needed to release the stress of a hard working week (yes, we do work; people believe that living in Phuket means hanging on the beach all day)

1-hour massages range between 900 to 1,100 baht per hour, and facial treatments from 900 to 1,500 baht. Then, you can pamper yourself with reasonable-value packages starting at 1,500 baht. The most extreme is a 420-minute package with a lunch set menu for 6,500 baht. That’s 7 hours. Just remember to book early, especially on a rainy day!

What’s Great For Kids

Little Ocean Kids Club operates from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Children aged 4 and above can attend supervised. Kids under 4 must be accompanied by a parent or adult. The club has arts and crafts, games consoles, toys, books, and foosball tables in the Family Zone.

Multiple pools including a kids pool connected to the adult pool. Pool bar available for parents.

Room options include Superior rooms at 30 sqm plus 5 sqm balcony, available in King, Twin, or Interconnecting configurations. Jacuzzi Villas at 42 sqm have private outdoor jacuzzis and beachfront access. Ocean Villas at 43 sqm have spa baths and separate balconies with ocean views.

The standout family options are the pool villas. 1-Bedroom Pool Villas at 65 sqm have rooftop private pools and sun lounge decks. 2-Bedroom Pool Villas at 170 sqm have two private pools, a 46 sqm entertaining deck, two separate bedrooms (one king, one twin), two bathrooms, and direct beach access.

Children under 16 stay free and eat free breakfast under the Novotel family policy. Espresso machines in suites and villas with complimentary capsules.

Three restaurants and bars including Soul Kitchen for all-day dining with Asian and Western options. Roof Bar has live music six nights a week from November to April.

Good for: Families wanting direct beachfront at 4-star pricing, or those wanting pool villas with rooftop pools.

Summary

Just as we expected, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach had everything we expected and more. A well-designed room with an infinity pool above one of the most beautiful beaches of Phuket, a rooftop bar, an excellent spa and great staff. It’s a walking distance of beach clubs and plenty of local restaurants. Of course, you can’t compare it to luxury hotels, but at this price, it is an excellent hotel at the right price.

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