Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa
11/7 Moo 6, T. Cherngtalay, 
A. Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
Dream Beach Club
Layan Beach Soi 2,
T. Cherngtalay,  A. Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
 Website: www.dreamhotels.com/phuket/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DreamPhuketHotelandSpa/
Follow them on: Twitter: @DreamHKT and Instagram:@DreamHKT

The peeps

Developed by hotelier Vikram Chatwal’s Dream Hotel Group and Singapore-based Castlewood Group. “Castlewood is one of the premier developers in Southeast Asia and we hope Chris Comer’s vision will help us grow the Dream brand in this part of the world,” said Sant Chatwal over email. His fave corner? VU Bar and the Dream Beach Club!

FAVE FIVE SPOTS

BRUNCH AT THE DREAM BEACH CLUB 

Five minutes from Dream 
Phuket Hotel & Spa, this 2,000sqft multi-level project on the pristine Layan Beach facing the Andaman Sea is the place for a wedding or brunch party. “We have the only private beach in Phuket. Brunches to beach weddings, we want the club to be an abode of entertainment, not just boom boom DJ music,” explained Chris Comer, CEO, Castlewood Group, which owns Dream Phuket. 
Psst: Note to future husband — I wouldn’t mind a destination wedding here. #Smitten

ZZZZ IN LUXURY SUITES 

174 rooms, suites and villas overlooking either the pool or the green hills of Phuket. For twos, 133 Deluxe Rooms and 18 Deluxe Swim-up Rooms. For bigger groups, Pool Suites complete with a large terrace and garden. For larger-than-life rooms, the Executive Pool Villas (in picture) and Sky Pool Suites, with a private pool and sunbathing beds. 
I soaked in the bathtub of my open bathroom that overlooked the lush hills. A zillion loofies followed, only not inspired by Kim K. *wink*

BREAKFAST BY THE POOL 

Done up with white sunbeds and cabanas, the poolside should be your first stop of the day. Start off with a dip in the tranquil pool and sip on chilled fresh coconut water. For a more, er, potent start, there’s a Pool Bar complete with flair bartenders who will rustle up a Frozen Margarita or Mai Tai in no time. For a big bite, order a chunky, juicy burger or go healthy with an array of fresh salads. You could also book a table at Trilogy — the restaurant overlooking the swimming pool and surrounded by lilies. I tried out a healthy yet delicious breakfast spread, which was never-ending.

DE-STRESS AT SANCTUARY

After an insane session of clubbing and walking on Bangla Road, my weary legs craved for some pampering, so I walked into Sanctuary, the in-house spa that has five therapy rooms. My 60-minute special therapy with gold foil was based on a technique that would “create harmony between the positive Yang and negative Yin energies within the body”. 
Spa lessons: l Always wipe your body with a hot towel before or after a spa session because it calms the tissues. l Washing the feet before the therapy is advisable since there is no substitute to hygiene. l The most common therapies are aroma and Thai massage.

SUNDOWNER AT THE SKYBAR

Having a thing for rooftop spaces, VU Rooftop Skybar was one of the spots I was looking forward to the most. The open-air space can pack in 60 people and is ideal for a sundowner party with resident DJs playing the best of EDM. Do not miss out on the barbecue station that will serve a Thai barbecue of seafood delicacies. VU Rooftop Skybar is open daily between 11am and 11pm. 

A DAY AT LEISURE...

To check out the nightlife, we booked a car for 400 Thai Baht and headed to Bangla Road that leads to Patong Beach. Chinese lanterns and LEDs flashing everywhere, the busy road had bars and strip clubs lined on both sides. Street hawkers peddled everything from hairbands to pleasure toys. A walk down this road, a drink at a pub and a hearty meal at a roadside restaurant are a great way to spend the evening.

An impromptu decision to visit Illuzion, a nightclub on Patong Beach, was an eye-opener for me! Giant LEDs, dancers jiving next to the console, air guns, confetti, flair bartenders and thumping music — the two-level nightclub was packed and a surprise pre-birthday wish left me with an experience of a lifetime! #LuxuriousClubNights

#NOMNOM

The local Khao Phad Moo Gai Rue Nua is a must-try item. The wholesome dish comes with an option of stir-fried minced pork, beef or chicken tossed with hot basil, fresh chilli, garlic, jasmine rice and topped with fried eggs. 

— Pramita Ghosh
Pictures by Dream Phuket and Pramita Ghosh