THE SLATE – PHUKET, THAILAND
Checking in to check out!
Nestled in walled tropical gardens adjacent to unspoiled Nai Yang Beach, The Slate is a dreamy oasis that artistically fuses mining paraphernalia with a steampunk aesthetic to reflect Phuket’s tin mining history.
I recently spent a few days staying in this surreal, fantastical resort, trying out the various facilities and taking lots of photos…
Mary Eden | Red Elephant Reps Marketing Director
Design & Style…
The work of hotel design guru, Bill Bensley, the tin mining theme is apparent throughout the resort – from the quirky sculptures and art installations all the way through to the cutlery – with spanners, sockets and bolts all making an appearance. The industrial feel is softened by the tropical gardens full of trees, flowers, ponds, waterways and wildlife.
Coqoon Spa
The award-winning Coqoon Spa is hidden within the dense foliage and features 6 luxurious treatment rooms along with ‘The Nest’ – an impressive wicker structure that hangs from a giant, ancient banyan tree. I highly recommend elevating your spa treatment by upgrading to the treatment room in The Nest.
The Rooms
I stayed in a Pearl Bed Suite complete with handcrafted rugs, espresso machine, polished wood floors and an oversized bath on the balcony overlooking the lush gardens. The spacious bathroom features a large walk-in shower and quirky industrial elements. Other room types are available, including pool suites, and more info can be found on the website.
Restaurants & Bars
Tin Mine is the all-day dining restaurant where an al fresco lavish buffet breakfast is served. Black Ginger, set in black teakwood houses, is the fine-dining Thai restaurant accessed via a wooden raft pulled by a ferryman. Rivet is a dimly-lit atmospheric eatery specialising in degustation menus, while the upstairs ReBar serves up inventive cocktails over the sounds of jazz.
Swimming Pools
There are 3 pools in the resort:
Lagoon Pool – family-friendly pool next to the Underground Cafe (closed for renovation during my stay hence no photos)
Pulley Pool – Adult only pool with a swim-up bar
Snakeskin Pool – infinity edge pool surrounded by silver palm trees – and my favourite!
The surroundings
The hotel is located just across a narrow, quiet road from Nai Yang Beach – with a handful of local restaurants, food stalls and massage shops. A few restaurants are located right on the beach and are perfect for watching the stunning sunsets. The long beach continues right round to the airport where you can watch low-flying planes coming in and taking off.
Sirinat National Park
The hotel sits right on the edge of the coastal Sirinat National Park. The long sandy beach is backed by mainly pine trees and mangroves. Around 130 species of birds have been recorded in the park with majestic sea eagles being a common sight, hovering and circling over the beach. It is a lovely area to stroll through, especially when the early morning market is in full swing.
