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A Rooftop Bar With 360° Views on Koh Sirey

23,985 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

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Hilltop Cafe by Sinae Phuket is a rooftop bar perched at the top of Sinae Hotel on Koh Sirey, a small island east of Phuket Town. The bridge across is so short it never feels like an island, but the hilltop changes that. You climb above the trees, and the sea opens up in every direction.

Getting to the Top

You cannot drive up. Park at the foot of the hotel, buy a 150 baht voucher, and hop on the electric buggy that takes you to the top. The voucher is exchanged for any drink once you arrive. The system keeps casual photo-takers away and protects the hotel’s private grounds.

The View From the Top

The views from the top of Sinae Phuket are wide open. Phuket Town sits on one side, the Andaman on the other, and the green hills of Koh Sirey wrap around the foreground. The terrace is shaded by tall trees, with bamboo decking, low seating, and breeze running through. I was lucky with a clear day on my visit.

Drinks and the Starbucks Twist

What makes this rooftop unusual is the menu. It is shared between the hotel bar and a Starbucks outlet, so the same voucher works for both. Order a cocktail, a beer, or a glass of wine from the bar side, or a frappuccino and pastries from the Starbucks side. Few rooftop bars in Phuket let you choose between sunset cocktails and an iced latte at the same table.

About Sinae Phuket

The hotel below the rooftop is worth a closer look. Sinae Phuket is a 5-star resort built into the hillside of Koh Sirey, a small island just east of Phuket Town and linked to the mainland by a short bridge. The location is unusual for Phuket. Most luxury hotels here line the west coast beaches with their crowds, traffic, and busy nightlife. Sinae faces east instead, looking out over Phang Nga Bay and the islands scattered across it. The setting feels remote, but Phuket Old Town is only about 6 km away.

The hotel has 64 villas, and every single one has its own private infinity pool with an open sea view. The villa categories range from compact Studio Pool Villas to large Sky and Duplex Pool Villas, all designed in earth tones with wooden interiors that nod to the old fishing village character of Koh Sirey. The hillside layout means the villas stack down the slope, so the views are uninterrupted and the privacy is real. You rarely see your neighbour.

For couples after a quiet hideaway with strong design, a private pool, and a sea view that does not involve a beach club crowd, Sinae is one of the more interesting options on the east side of Phuket. Read the full review of Sinae Phuket here.

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