HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS: Sawasdee Village (Phuket, Thailand)

I traveled to Phuket, Thailand in March 2025. Along with my husband and a family friend, we navigated humidity, heat and hordes of tourists.

This was the overwhelmingly crowded beach near our hotel. We stayed all of 10 minutes.

What I enjoyed most about this trip were our excursions and, especially, our hotel, Sawasdee Village Resort & Spa. (Look for separate posts detailing our Phuket itinerary). Here, I want to offer a deeper look at where we stayed and why Sawasdee Village has easily become one of my most favorite hotel experiences. If I ever do venture back to Phuket with its crowds, Sawasdee Village (and The Baray Villa suite in particular) is the main reason I will return. I loved nearly everything about this hotel and truly felt like royalty there.

We arrived at sunset and nighttime literally glitters at Sawasdee Village. The scent of lemongrass and the twinkle of lights greeted us along with the friendly and helpful, English-speaking staff.

Once you exit the busy street, you walk into a secluded, glittering escape.

These pictures do not do even begin to fully capture the ambiance and decor of this truly beautiful hotel.

We opted to splurge and stay in the premium suite, The Baray Villa. With two levels, a hot tub, private plunge pool, and entry into one of the best pools I've ever had the privilege to dip in, the cost of the room was equivalent to what we used to pay for our oceanfront condo rooms on family trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when our children were young.

A dramatic entry welcomes you into The Baray Villa at Sawasdee Village.

Another view of the foyer

The living room on the bottom floor of the two-story Baray Villa at night

Connected to the living room: a whirlpool tub... private deck with plunge pool... a gate that leads to a larger canal pool shared by a limited number of suites.... This villa truly felt like paradise!

King bed suite with a foot wash hidden at the base

Domed bedroom ceiling

Bathroom ensuite fit for a queen or king!

Did you hear me say all of this was about the cost of a east coast beachfront condo rental? See, the biggest expense to getting to Phuket is the actual getting there. If you can figure out a flight deal (more tips to come on this later), you can easily find lodging, food, and activities that won't break the bank. The amenities, all-you-can-eat breakfast, and day spa were at prices you just don't see in the states or many other places. The US dollar stretched in wonderful ways, such as scrumptious room service meals that were as low as the equivalent of around $7 (US) at this hotel at the time of our trip.

For less than a standard combo meal back in the states, yes, I did treat myself to room service nearly every day in Phuket! And the food was great!

Daily breakfast was a (highly recommended) add-on that consisted of a buffet-style spread of both traditional Thai delicacies along with typical American and European breakfast foods. I especially enjoyed the customized omelets and the fresh fruit. (Indeed, the watermelon I had there is the freshest I've ever had anywhere.)

And let me tell you about the day spa! For the cost of what I typically spend on an hour-long massage back home, I was able to get over four hours of treatments at the onsite spa: an hour long body massage plus an hour long facial plus an hour long foot reflexology treatment plus tea and an herbal steam shower. (Now, a quick word/warning about Thai massages.... Your body will be stretched and contorted into angles and positions you did not know possible. Be evermore forewarned that the stretching beyond expectations is especially true if you venture into one of the countless massage parlors seemingly on every street and in every direction where massages may be around $10.) That said, I did enjoy my half-day of pampering and relaxation onsite at the hotel.

The pathway to breakfast and the day spa sparkles at night.

Private alcoves, lush seating, and opulence were at every corner. There was even a space with ice cold drinking water and cookies to escape from the humid heat.

The last thing I will detail is the pool. Hidden away from the rest of the resort, the pool for the Baray Villa suites is shared by a limited number of guests. There was another magnificent-looking pool that all guests could use, but this one for our room was pure heaven. I mainly had the pool to myself while we were there. Surrounded by plumeria trees, perfume-scented flower buds gently fell onto the warm water. Fountains descended and sprayed down on either end. To this day, I still close my eyes and imagine myself back there when I'm having a stressful moment. The highlight of my experience was the pool and I'll be ever grateful to have had these moments to add to my life's memory bank.

Want to see more of the The Baray Villa at Sawasdee Village? Check out my video walkthrough tour of the suite in another post and imagine this as your own escape to paradise!

Tip: If you choose to stay here, book online directly through their website to catch promo codes, great deals and packages. Add on the daily breakfast and thank me later.