Hotel The Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa

North of Patong Beach, the most frequented beach in Phuket, Kalim Bay territory. Phuket Town, on the east coast, is 12.5 miles away; the airport is around 22 miles north (around 45 minutes by car).

To make up for the steep slope of the site, three big electric cars of twelve seats each take the guests from one side of the hotel to the other free of charge no matter the time during the day. Plus: a splendid spa, perfectly equipped (Thai massage, sauna, aromatherapy, relexology, face cares, etc.), with a total capacity of 26 seats; there is also a special section reserved to couples...

Imposing complex installed on many acres, the Diamond Cliff Resort, built in 1988 and since then regularly extended, is composed of four vast buildings with no architectural originality; the biggest is on six floors. The slightly cold character of the site is compensated by the very successful fitting of a big common space around the central swimming pool, which benefits especially - a rare equipment in Phuket- from a water slide and a waterfall, very appreciated by children.

The 307 rooms of the hotel (200 deluxe of entry level standard, 94 diamond and 13 suites) are a bit like its architecture, of a sobriety which can sometimes become austere. Nothing to say about the equipment, very complete, the area of the rooms (even if the balconies are a bit narrow) or the location (all with sea view), but some more generosity for the decoration would not be too much.

The catering seems to be one of the strength of the hotel: nothing less than six restaurants (completed by three bars) offer a very wide choice from Japanese cuisine to French menu and Italian, Thai, Chinese or international cuisine, with a good level of quality. The Chinese restaurant includes also a "Korean corner". A particularity: the Italian and Chinese restaurant are installed on an external site of the hotel, in the junction of Patong and Kalim beaches, which you can easily reach thanks to the permanent shuttle service. The trip is worth it: the view from the terrace is splendid.

By Andaman Sea, the public beach of Patong, separated from the hotel by the coastal road, starts some 330 feet from the Diamond Cliff. The first portion of the beach is quite rocky, then the sand takes over. Busy all year and especially in high season -winter months-, Patong Beach is not really a relaxing place. The number of beach chairs to be rented is high here. However, lovers of active holidays will find an important offer of any kind of water sports (a fee is required). The quality of the water and of the sand is satisfactory, and the beach level will pleased swimming lovers.