Review of the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort and Spa, Thailand

Spent the Chinese New Year at the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort and Spa.

Despite some invectives being left on various review sites by irate travellers, the Sofitel Krabi was mostly operational by the time we arrived. In fact, just the day before our arrival, the property was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, third in line to the Chakri throne.

Like most Asian resort properties, the lobby opens out to the pool and the beach, and leverages on the premium view whilst conserving energy. Its natural wood flooring and understated lobby furniture and fittings exude an easy elegance that is in sync with its surprisingly congruent fusion of neo-colonial and Thai architectural design.





The room was well-appointed, as one might expect from a five-star property. Again, the theme of natural elegance continues. Room service was attentive; in addition to daily housekeeping, there was a nightly turndown service.





The pool deserves special mention. It is in one word, immense. Hotel brochures put it at 7,000 square meters, and one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Swimming breast stroke at a reasonable space, I'd say it might take a steady swimmer some 15-minutes to go from one end to the other. Size apart, it boasts a nice pool bar, and is lined by luxe cushioned lounge chairs. Sofitel's munificence on the pool, however, is to compensate for a poor beach too rocky to deserve mention.









We dined at Maya, its all-day dining restaurant (where buffet breakfast is also served), White Lotus, which serves Thai food, and Venezia (standard Italian fare). The chefs were generally able, delivering quality cuisine, although with the prices they charge, one might have expected more creative flair. Some of the wait staff seemed to be fresh from training, and were not as attentive as one might expect. One evening while dinning at White Lotus, there was a power outage, which lasted for some 20 minutes. The savvy F&B manager had the wait staff serve bubbly, presumably to chill tempers, compliments of the hotel.





The gym was very basic, and something of a disappointment, especially when compared to the usually well-equipped Hyatt equivalents. It consists of one elliptical machine, one treadmill, two cycles, and a multi-station. All are standard Life Fitness machines.





Finally, some assorted pictures of the property.