Last Updated on: March 7, 2023 at 9:26 am
Our Cityscapes series presents you with exciting alternative locations for your company gatherings and business meetings. Bring your team together in a refreshing way and inspire collaboration.
Are you considering your next destination for an up and coming company event? Phuket is an excellent choice for all types of MICE events. The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is a government agency that works closely with the national carrier, Thai Airways International to attract business travellers and also offers incentives.
Thailand is known for its stunning beaches, rich history and unique culture and coupled with the warm hospitality and great standard of service you will experience, no wonder Phuket is popular with many international companies.
You may like this article too: Gather your team in Bangkok at these elegant lodgings
In this article, we'll take a look at:
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and lies to the south of the country in the Andaman Sea. It is mainly mountainous and has a strong Chinese influence as there is a community of Chinese people living there. There are fantastic beaches, especially in the south of the island at Ra Wai, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai and Kata Noi and there is plenty of excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities plus windsurfing and sailing. The Old Town has a rich history, colourful street arts, night market and Sunday Market. There are temples such as Wat Chalong and the Jui Tui Shrine to explore and as the sun sets, Promthep View Point on the southern tip of the island is the place to be.
Phuket is being used to ‘jump start’ Thailand’s vital tourism industry and on 1 July 2021, it was re-opened to fully vaccinated travellers from low and medium risk countries.
On 1 November the Test & Go Scheme was introduced and this allows travellers from low-risk countries to enter Thailand quarantine-free – providing they have stayed in an approved country for the 21 days prior to travelling to Thailand. This article covers everything you need to know but below are summary points:
● Travellers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before travelling to
Thailand and the vaccine used must be a WHO-approved vaccine.
● Proof of vaccination will be required.
● A negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test must have been taken within 72 hours of departure
for Thailand.
● Medical insurance with minimum $50,000 coverage for Covid-related expenses is
obligatory.
● A certificate of Entry (COE) is required.
● On arrival at Phuket International Airport a RT-PCR Covid-19 test must be completed.
● Payment confirmation is required of a one night’s accommodation at an approved
quarantine hotel to await the PCR test results.
Thailand has also introduced the ‘Sandbox Programme’ for those wanting to travel to Thailand from a country that is not listed on the Test & Go Scheme. This programme allows these travellers and also unvaccinated travellers to enter Thailand and stay in one of the 17 ‘Blue Zone Destinations’ in the country for seven days and after that, they can then travel to other parts of Thailand.
Those travellers not travelling to a blue zone destination or who are not vaccinated will be required to complete ten days of quarantine at an ‘approved quarantine’ hotel.
Nicely located just 1 hour away from the airport and 30 minutes from the city centre, Villa Sri Suri is a treat for travellers in small groups. 5 bedrooms and a living room area open up to the pool. The 6th bedroom in this villa has its own private entrance.
Each room is uniquely designed with attached bathrooms. If you are planning on cooking or hiring a local chef, the open kitchen has two cooking areas. Villa Sri Suri is located just opposite a local supermarket and 10 minutes away from a seafood market. There is also ample space throughout the villa for team discussions or individual work.
Price: Starts $295 per room per night
This beautiful and peaceful five-star Resort is situated on a hillside amidst a rainforest with sweeping views of Chalong Beach and just 200 metres from Wat Chalong Temple. There are 30 individual villas of varying sizes that are individually decorated in the Art Deco style and have a private pool. There is a large infinity pool on the grounds and a full-service spa. The library has plenty of CDs, DVDs and books for relaxing moments. The Corner Café Restaurant has Thai and seafood on the menu and live music to enjoy in the evening. There is a free shuttle bus to Nai Ham Beach and the shops.
There is complimentary wireless internet access throughout and there is a business suite and meeting room.
Price: Starts at $150 per room per night
This attractive and spacious beachfront villa in Larnai is ideal for a team meet up as the whole villa is yours! There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area plus a patio. The villa has air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
There is a large pool and fitness centre and spa and wellness packages are available, plus a personal trainer. There are bicycles to use and snorkelling and canoeing opportunities close by. The villa is close to Grandfather and grandmother rocks and just 12 kilometres from Samui International Airport.
Price: $964 per night for the entire villa
Situated on its own private beach, just 200 metres from Patong Beach and a few minutes drive from Patong, Kalim Beach House has wonderful views of the Andaman Sea as far as the eye can see. Kalim Beach House is just 45 minutes from Phuket International Airport (HKT) and 25 minutes from Phuket Old Town.
There are seven spacious bedrooms sleeping 14 people plus two bathrooms. There is a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen and patios overlooking the swimming pool. There is also a barbecue, entertainment room, games room and indoor pool. There are a service maid and private chef on site.
Price: Starts at $1,100 per night
Situated in the heart of the Old Town, this iconic heritage hotel was the first hotel in Phuket, built in 1927 and just 30 minutes from the airport. The hotel has 35 rooms and these are all traditionally decorated and furnished with antiques and period wall hangings to capture the magic of a bygone era. The Lady CoCo Restaurant is open all day through. The hotel became well-known after it was featured in the film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 1980.
The hotel is perfect for exploring the Old Town as it is next to a shopping centre, close to the Night Market and the Central Festival Phuket Shopping Mall is just five kilometres away. There are many different restaurants all within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The Memory at On On Hotel has always been well known for its excellent prices.
Price: Starts at $56 per night.
These luxury four-star one and two bedroomed bungalows nestle in a rain forest, just a few footsteps from the shores of Koh Yao Yai Island and a gorgeous 400-metre long sandy beach which has spectacular views of Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Islands. The setting is spectacular as the island is a 30-minute speedboat ride to Phuket. The bungalows are spacious and comfortable and each has been decorated with hand-crafted artwork, an outdoor rain shower and a private furnished terrace.
There is a large infinity pool and a library with internet access. The open-air Khayee Restaurant serves excellent local and international cuisine, while the Krachang Bar and Grill serves great seafood dishes.
Price: Starts from $75 per night
Twin Villas Natai is located on Natai Beach in Greater Phuket just 30 minutes away from the airport. Since both 5 bedroom villas are located side by side, booking both converts it to a large 10-bedroom villa.
You get direct access to the pool and beach. If you are looking for activities to do as a group, get in touch with the team and ask about their surfing, kayaking and fishing activities.
Price: Starts around $4,600 for a minimum stay of 3 nights. Visit here for more information.
While Phuket is known for its pristine beaches, Villa Thousand Hills offers a more unique setting surrounded by hillsides and ocean views. This luxury 9-bedroom villa is spacious and comfortable with dining, sitting and game areas. There are also 3 swimming pools and 2 saunas on-premise.
Only 30 minutes away from the city centre with complimentary van transport, you can explore the exciting nightlife, markets, food and sights in Phuket with your team.
Price varies according to the number of rooms booked, stay duration and period. Find out more here.
There are huge bonuses to reap from quality time spent with work colleagues, especially after so many months of having to work remotely. The travel restrictions and requirements in this ‘new normal’ can be complicated. Book a demo or sign up for a free trial to see how TruTrip makes business travel easy and seamless for you.
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