Take a flight to... Phuket's Outrigger

Now, who wouldn’t want to soak up the sun, while overlooking the majestic Andaman sea, and let the entrancing sound of the waves, crashing on the shore, drown out the chaos and racket that overtakes city life.

Set on the west coast of Thailand’s island city of Phuket, with absolute access to dramatic sunsets, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach resort is an ideal setting to de-clutter one’s mind, body and soul. It’s truly a sanctuary of good living, offering incredible access to nature’s extraordinary beauty blended with tropical goodness. At just six hours of flight time from Dubai, Phuket also doubles up as a perfect weekend detox.

Sandwiched between the sparkling waters of the Andaman sea and the serene lagoon, Outrigger offers the best of both worlds. The sound of the waves resonates through every room overlooking the Bangtao beach, while the tranquility of the lagoon keeps it pitch perfect for the rest.

Nestled in an island bursting with colour, spice and culture, Outrigger offers a great balance. There’s grace and charm to its existence.

To Eat

Food is what makes the world go round, and Outrigger isn’t going to overlook that. It cooks up a paradise for foodies, with a choice of over 30 restaurants on the Laguna destination resort.

Each eatery is accessible through the free shuttle buses or ferries, making the journey impressively vivid and satisfying. Outrigger flaunts its own Locavore restaurant, that’s divided into its authentic Thai kitchen, pumped with flavour and spice, or its more comforting continental wing that feeds the not-so-daring tummies.

The club offers similar tastes, but in a more exclusive setting that overlooks the lagoon. Apart from the main meals, the club also opens its doors for high-tea and ‘happy hours’ in the evenings to its elite members.

There’s also the newly launched Metzo Bistro and Bar, which lends charm and class to Mediterranean flavours on the Thai shores. Headed by acclaimed Lebanese chef Mustapha Haj Omar, it serves signature Med dishes with a secret twist. “Every dish on the menu is handed down to me by someone special, either my grandmother or my mother,” declares Mustapha. The familiar aromas will lend a sense of homecoming to those who travel from our desert city, and also learn how Phuket lends its own twists to the dishes. “It’s not easy to transport every ingredient from outside, so I have tweaked a few recipes to include local ingredients.”


To Do

The resort has an amazing variety of water activities to explore and plunge into. Whether it’s riding the waves on jet skis or stand-up paddle boarding on the lagoon, there’s an adventure that fits every heart. From scuba diving to water polo, wind surfing to kayaking, there’s no dearth of choice. The kids can also have a go at water fun, with 55-meter winding slide and special pools.

After the long hours in the sun, the body will deserve a treat at the Banyan Tree and Angsana Day spa, where expert hands will knead away the stress and revitalize the soul. All this, while the nannies takes care of the little ones in the Koh kids club, which is coloured with all things fun.

Canal village shopping arcade, which is perched on one part of the lagoon, houses few quaint boutiques that stock great souvenirs and home treasures, and will indulge the shopaholic in you.

If sports is your thing, then there’s an 18-hole golf course, tennis, squash and badminton courts to choose from.

To See

Beach: The mountainous island is lined with great beaches, each opening to the spectacular Andaman sea. The Kata, Karon and Patong beach are the more popular of the lot, and each flaunt a distinct flavour. They are lined with a row of vibrant eateries that cook up Thai delicacies or even cuisines from across the world. There’s even shops that stock up on souvenirs.

Old Phuket town: Apart from showcasing Sino-Portuguese architecture in all its resplendent charm, the old Phuket town exhibits an assortment of shops, museums and quaint cafes. It’s crowded, but a walk through the tiny bylanes get cultural and historical weightage.

Big Buddha: The majestic Big Buddha sits atop the Nakkerd hills. The towering 45-metre Buddha is made of concrete and Burmese white-jaded marble. The site offers the best 360-degree views of the island.

Chalong temple: According to the legends, Wat Chalong is the most important of the 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket. The Grand Pagoda in the temple treasures a splinter of Lord Buddha's bone and is officially named Phramahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat. Its wall paintings depict Buddha's life story and also features various Buddha images.

Bang Pe waterfall: The 10-meter waterfall at Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is a favourite picnic spot for islanders, and it’s tough to find a spot untouched by them. What’s most interesting is the Gibbon rehabilitation centre that sits at the entrance of the waterfall. The centre rescues Gibbons from its unnatural habitats, and focuses on nurturing and readying them to go back to their real homes.

Elephant trek: Riding an elephant is probably the most popular tourist activity, which indulges the “jungle king” in you. It’s exhilaratingly to join the elephant as it rides through lush green patches and mushy river waters.  While taking selfies balancing atop the elephant might be tricky, the mahouts willingly offer to click your adventure.


Getting there

Emirates flies direct to Phuket daily. At six hours of flight time, it’s a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.

Accommodation

A three-night stay is priced roughly Dh2,000 onwards

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