• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • how to delete duplicate photosHow to manage your photo duplicates
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
        • Dog in poolPet-friendly places at Dempsey
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Free Your Self From Pain | Katie Byron with Russell BrandGreat podcasts we are listening to!
        • bookGreat books: What to read this month
        • FireflyWhat to watch this month
        • feautureWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • tantrumHow to handle toddler tantrums & meltdowns
        • low school fees in SingaporeA primary school with lower school fees
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • KitchenSpruce up your kitchen décor
        • Arete Culture- customised furniture singaporeGetting custom-made furniture – just right for you!
        • Kitchen AidHome News: décor, furniture and more!
        • Island Living -where to buy a good bed in singaporeWhere to buy a really good bed
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • AmanHotel deals & Singapore Staycations
        • GullfossThe most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!
        • westinFun staycations for families and foodies
        • food7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • le petit depot singapore wine deliveryOnline alcohol delivery – wine, champagne, beer & spirits!
        • Bar reviw – boogie stLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • Fat Belly SocialNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • LUXE Botanics Camu Brightening Serum, $160Brightening serums and creams for dark spots!
        • best trainersNeed a new pair of trainers?
        • skin pigmentation treatments5 advanced facials for pigmentation
        • expat womenWhere to find clothes in Singapore that fit!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • best trainersNeed a new pair of trainers?
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • health tip: stretch at your deskHow to be healthier: 5 simple tips
        • JuiceHealth News: What’s up!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Travel » Asia » A family trip in Phuket, Thailand at the Cape Panwa Hotel (complete with a private beach and yacht)

A family trip in Phuket, Thailand at the Cape Panwa Hotel (complete with a private beach and yacht)

19th December 2017 by Expat Living 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/a-family-trip-in-phuket-thailand-at-the-cape-panwa-hotel-complete-with-a-private-beach-and-yacht/

With hundreds of accommodation options and 22 million visitors a year, the Thai island of Phuket has something to offer people of all ages and cultures. If the bright lights of Patong and the sprawling super-resorts of the west coast don’t appeal, there are lots of quiet, out-of-the-way treasures to discover. Boasting a private beach, jetty and boat, Cape Panwa Hotel at the southern tip of the island gets you away from it all and is suitable for families and couples alike. On a trip with her family, Katie Roberts found six reasons to visit.

Private Beach


There’s always something exciting about arriving at a resort in the dark, and, at first light, flinging open the curtains to take a look outside. At Cape Panwa Hotel, the rooms have a very agreeable outlook: swaying palms and, beyond, the calm blue ocean. Hidden below the tree canopy is a stunning 300-metre white-sand beach, a big draw card for the many guests who return year after year.

The steep hills surrounding the resort form a natural cove, so there is no access to the beach except from the hotel or by boat. It’s a great feeling to sunbathe and swim, free from touts trying to flog you trinkets or souvenirs, which can be maddening on Phuket’s public beaches.

Family holidays rule. Mainly

Helpfully, a daily tidal chart is provided to every room, with recommended swimming times. Getting to and from the beach is an adventure: while it’s a cinch to walk down the hill, the trip up requires some huffing and puffing up a few dozen steps. A tram, installed in the 80s in the resort’s early years, trundles up and down the hill for those who don’t want to walk. It’s also an attraction for inquisitive kids looking for a bit of fun. Children (and adults) will also enjoy feeding fish from the private jetty at the end of the beach, and the kitchen will happily supply stale bread.

Activities


Like much of Southeast Asia, Phuket’s monsoon season brings driving rain which can last for an hour or an afternoon, or set in for the whole day. There’s an unstaffed games room, but no kids’ club as such. So, with the beach out of bounds one rainy afternoon, we tried fruit carving.

This tests the patience – it’s not as easy as it sounds to create a flower out of a tomato, or a leaf out of a carrot, using only a small, sharp knife. Still, with guidance from the friendly, nimble-fingered kitchen hand we created some creative, ahem, creations. Somehow, though, I doubt that my forlorn-looking butterfly with cucumber wings made it to the centrepiece of the buffet that evening.

Batik painting is the easiest and most relaxing of the available activities. Once the paintbrush is loaded with ink, it’s a matter of dabbing it onto the cloth; and as the cloth is already patterned with wax lines, it’s easy to define and separate the colours. Our batiks might not be fantastic works of art, but they are memorable holiday souvenirs that now hang on the children’s bedroom wall.

On fine days, if the water sports – sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, and free scuba-diving lessons in the pool by the beach – aren’t enough to keep you occupied, then a qualified yoga teacher can give you a personal session. To round off the day, when the weather is fine and the tide permits, the staff set up a cinema on the beach. Lots of citronella spray is recommended while you lie back in a beanbag on the sand with a cool drink, taking in a classic movie.

Spa


Only a year or so old, the stunning spa is a tranquil haven of relaxation. On offer is a selection of therapies administered by skilful Thai therapists, with the competence and calm for which they are renowned, including facials, sublime massages, body scrubs, body wraps and hairstyling. For those who are travelling with kids, it’s a welcome retreat from ceaseless chatter. There’s a couple’s room too, which could be a pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon together.

Of the six facials available, the skin-refining treatment seems most suitable for my skin, which is battling the dual effects of Singapore’s humidity and the office air-conditioning. All facials begin with a soothing aromatherapy foot bath, just to get you in the mood. Then it’s time to lie back and indulge in the facial experience. I’ll admit to losing track of the number of lotions and potions applied; all were jam-packed with natural ingredients such as marine plankton which decongests the skin. It’s a shame to fall asleep midway through a facial, but surely it’s a sign of relaxation!

Absolute Suite


There’s an accommodation option to suit everyone at Cape Panwa Hotel, evolving as it has over 25 years. We stayed in two enormous inter-connecting family rooms with big bathrooms, very comfortable beds and outdoor hot tubs. There are also hotel-style rooms in a newly built wing, two-bedroom pool villas, and perched on top of the hill is the Absolute Suite.

This new, sprawling two-bedroom penthouse with 360-degree views of the Andaman Sea boasts 530 square metres of luxury living space including a private spa room, a huge kitchen, and a living and dining space poolside. Top that off with a huge 90-square-metre pool, and it’s possible you won’t want to leave the place. But if you do, a Mercedes Benz and your own private boat, the Panwa Princess, are at your beck and call.

Food


Who doesn’t like Thai food? For most people, a visit to Thailand is as much about the local cuisine as the culture and scenery. Cape Panwa Hotel has 11 restaurants and bars, but the standout food is at Panwa House. This 80-year-old Sino-Portuguese mansion is located on the beach, and every night the chefs dish up amazing à la carte Thai food and a well-priced set menu. It’s hard to choose, but our picks were the marinated chicken wrapped in pandan leaf and the roast duck in red curry; and who can pass up an authentic mango sticky rice?

I highly recommended a lunchtime Thai cooking class. Our family donned aprons and toques and cooked alfresco under the shady palms by the beach. Under the watchful gaze of chef Kan, we whipped up a surprisingly simple tom yum goong soup, a pad thai and a spicy beef salad. And with the washing up taken care of, we sat back and enjoyed the view and our lunch with a nice glass of sauvignon blanc for the adults and a lemonade for the kids.

Private Boat


Powering through the water on the charter boat Panwa Princess with a crew entirely at your service makes you feel a bit like royalty. Indeed, it belongs to the resort’s Thai owner, who often hosts members of the Thai royal family onboard. It’s not ostentatious, though – just a sturdy, practical and comfortable boat with a bevy of friendly staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.

On a day trip, numerous uninhabited islands or the stunning limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay are within reach. Our day was simple and sublime: snorkelling, swimming, relaxing in beanbags on deck, and a glass of bubbly accompanied by a gorgeous barbecued seafood buffet lunch. The hardest decision was whether to have a snooze, jump back in the water or read a book. Shared between a few people, it’s a reasonably affordable day out – and one not easily forgotten.

Make it happen


Our SilkAir flights departed Singapore at 6.35pm on a Thursday and returned from Phuket at 5.50pm on Sunday, making a great long weekend. It’s about one hour from Phuket airport to Cape Panwa Hotel. We didn’t leave the hotel, but there are regular shuttle buses from the hotel to Phuket Town and Patong.

Like this? Read more at our travel section.

Categories: Asia Travel Tags: Family Holidays Thailand Travel Beach Holiday-1 Travel Phuket

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

Gullfoss

The most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!

Fun staycations for families and foodies

7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
**Friday Giveaway** 
Create your own signature fragrance with Maison 21G! (@maison21g ) 

We're collaborating with the bespoke French haute perfumery to give away 10 bottles of Eau de parfum, customised to your own liking – you get to choose your ingredients from 35 different essences and create your own unique scent matching your personality and preferences. Packaged in an elegant transparent 30ml bottle, your bespoke perfume contains 21% natural concentrate. You can even customise the bottle with your own design or choose from a range of designs. It's made by you, for you! 🥰

Each of the 10 prizes consists of a promo code valued at $95, redeemable for one bottle of customised perfume at maison21g.com. 
☝️Codes are valid until 31 December 2021 (6pm), and can't be used for redeeming other products from the Maison 21G website. 

To be in with a chance to win this fab prize, all you need to do is: 
* Follow @maison21g 
* Follow @expatlivingsg (if you aren't already!)
* Tag two friends who love fragrances
* Register your name through the link on the story/competition highlight so we can contact you

Good Luck! 

#giveaway
 #giveawaysg 
#entertowin 
#winwinwin 
#sggiveaway 
#sggiveaways
 #expatlivingsg
 #fragranceforyoubyyou 
#maison21g
Open
Most of us know UFIT, a very popular fitness and wellness brand in Singapore with over 100 coaches and clinicians who have worked hard to keep us fit and healthy over the years. 

UFIT's journey started off in 2009 with a small group attending bootcamps, leading to them launching their flagship studio in 2011. Now they have another baby, as they recently opened a beautiful new studio centrally based at the Fairmont Hotel 
 
Check out their website via their Insta page (tagged here). 

There will be a 10% discount off Personal Training and Private Group Training for new clients at the Fairmont studio only. 
To redeem, simply register via their website under Fairmont Studio and mention ‘Expat Living’ in the submission form. 
Sign ups must be before 30th April and it’s applicable to the first package only 

T&Cs
Must purchase by 30th April
applicable to the first package only
Fairmont Studio only. 

#Expatlivingsg #UFITsg #livinginsingapore #health #fitness #wellness #grouptraining #personaltraining
Open
The hype around kombucha is fairly recent, but did you know that this fizzy, fermented tea-based drink has ancient origins? 

First brewed in northeast China over 2,000 years ago, kombucha is said to impart a range of health benefits, from strengthening immunity to improving gut health.

Sasha’s Farms is a non-profit social enterprise that supports and promotes small and independent businesses like Kore Culture Labs, a fermenting café in Bali producing healthy kombuchas and sodas. 

Head to our website where you can read about four reasons why you should give them a try

#expatlivingsg #sashasfinefoods #ethicallysourced #sustainableliving #ethicalgrocer #sustainablesg #healthyliving #superfoods #kombucha #kombuchasg #sff #sashasfinefoods
Open
As a new(ish) kid on the block, Razum International School offers something a little different as far as international primary schools in Singapore go. 

Two expat mums, Elena and Marina, joined forces to create a primary school experience that focuses on a shorter day, strong academic curriculum and more affordable school fees in Singapore.

The shorter learning hours – from 8.45am to 1pm – means your child can spend the afternoon doing extra-curricular activities (ECAs). Kids can opt for activities they enjoy provided by external providers, or use the time to focus on their competitive sports or music classes or simply spend quality time with the family.

Find out more about this and other interesting aspects of Razum by clicking on our website via the link in our bio. You can even book a school tour!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #internationalschoolsingapore #bestboutiqueschoolsingapore #monthlypayment #educationsg #primaryschool #siblingdiscount
Open
** GIVEAWAY ALERT**

This month, we’ve teamed up with @andazsingapore for a special giveaway! 
One winner will receive four vouchers for Alley on 25’s Lazy Breakfast, including free-flow alcohol🍷🍾🍸. Held on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12pm to 2.30pm, the brunch lets you choose a main from a selection of hearty dishes like avocado toast and a veggie friendly margherita panini. Also included are unlimited plates of cold seafood, cold cuts, cheeses, salads and cooked-to-order eggs, served straight to your table.

To win all you have to do is 

1️⃣ Follow @andazsingapore on Instagram

2️⃣ Tag 3 friends who you want to bring along 

3️⃣ Register your details on the link in our IG Stories/ Competition Highlight

Good Luck!! 

#giveaway #giveawaysg #entertowin #winwinwin #sggiveaway #sggiveaways #expatlivinggiveaway #b#bubblybrunch #freeflow #andazsingapore
Open
New to Expat Living? Sign up today for a free subscription to our monthly magazine! 💕 
Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/free/subs/ig/

*Applicable to first-time subscribers only

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg #sgdining #sghome #sgsales #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor #expatlifesg #singaporehomes
Open
Wondering where to go for a drink this Friday night? 

From clever cocktail bars to fancy speakeasies in town, we have the hottest, newest or most notable watering holes to get your alcohol (and social) fix – whether you’re craving a martini, a gin and tonic, or just a glass of wine. 

Check out the link on our stories (it’s in our highlights tab and also on our website, and we’ll update this regularly, so remember to bookmark it! 🍹 🍸

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #cocktails #cocktailssg #happyhoursg #cocktailsofinstagram #fridaydrinks
Open
** Friday Giveaway** 

We have 5x PHS HAIRSCIENCE Signature Daily Regime set to giveaway! 
Who wants in? 🙋‍♀️

Specially formulated to effectively treat scalp and hair concerns, PHS HAIRSCIENCE® Daily Regime combines scientifically proven methods, high concentrations of botanical essences and stem cell technology into a 3 step scalp and hair care routine. 
They do these 3 simple steps 

1. Double Cleanse, Moisturise and Treat every day for a healthy scalp and gorgeous tresses
2. Improves overall scalp health and strengthens hair roots
3. Repairs and nourishes scalp 

How to enter? 
1. Comment Me! and tag a friend 
2. Follow @phshairscience 
3. Register your details on the link- check out at our IG stories and Competition highlight. 

Good luck! 

#beautifulhair 
#fridaygiveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#PHS
Open
The range of outdoor furniture in Singapore is pretty amazing. 

Check out these good furniture stores via the link on the horn page of our website that carry practical, stylish pieces, including some of the best outdoor furniture brands. 

From sofas, chairs and tables to rugs, lanterns and even pizza ovens, you’ll be all set for living a great outdoor life in style and comfort. There are also gorgeous accessories if you just need to make your outdoor area look a bit more ‘pulled together’!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #outdoorfurniture #patiofurniture #interiordesigners
Open
**Win a Social Media Marketing Strategy** 

Calling all business owners! 

@theemms.sg is awarding one lucky entrepreneur or small business with a professional social media marketing strategy, worth $850. 

Designed to meet your specific goals and challenges, this the prize includes:

1️⃣A strategic review of your company’s Instagram or Facebook page
2️⃣A one-on-one session to learn how you can improve your platforms
3️⃣A detailed social media strategy to help you implement with style for 3 months.
Keen to win it? 🤔 
All you need to do is:
1. Comment Me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ or tag your friend who has a business. 
2. Follow @theemms.sg 
3. Register your name and email on the link in our story or see our story highlights for more! 
Good Luck! 

#expatlivinggiveaway 
#singapore 
#theemms
#marketing 
#socialmediastrategy 
#marielle
#intitowinit
Open
We love hearing where our readers live so each month we ask residents to talk about their homes and neighbourhoods to help others who are living in Singapore make a better decision. 

Moving is always pretty stressful, so it’s good to get some recommendations first. 

This month Marina Matthews talks about living at Laguna Park condo off Marine Parade on the East Coast.

Check out the full article with Marina’s recommendations on our website (link in bio) 

#Expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #marineparadesg #lagunaparksg #singaporeneighbourhoods #singapore
Open
To tan or not to tan, that is the question! 

We all know that extended hours under the sun is no good for the skin, and there can be damage from both good old-fashioned sunbathing and indoor tanning. 

Check out our website where we look at why people want that bronzy glow plus the risks of tanning and how top aesthetic treatments from Amaris B Clinic can help rewind some of the damage like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and even cellulite

#Expatlivingsg #amarisbclinic #amarisb #livinginsingapore #tanning #sunbathing #aesthetictreatments #sunspots #hyperpigmentation
Open
Read our latest issue on any device for free! 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/ig

In this issue, step inside an interior designer’s home in Clementi, find out where our readers get their customised furniture and get great furnishing ideas for your bathroom and kitchen.

Plus, check out 3 popular bubbly brunches 🥂 and a newly revamped bar in town for you to try; there’s plenty more, too, including classic wrap dresses, activewear and our recommendations on comfy trainers!
Open
If you are craving some vitamin-sea, then set sail on Royal Carribean’s Quantum of the Seas, offering two, three, and four-night Ocean Getaways from Singapore until October 2021 all with 50% discount and free kids places. 

Every moment onboard this fabulous ship has sunshine, good times and wow-worthy experiences. 

Rest assured your well-being is their top priority and the staff do an amazing job of making your holiday safer, so you can focus on memory making.

We are on board now, do let us know if you have any questions to ask 🛳 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #royalcarribeansg #quantumoftheseas #cruisetonowhere #cruising2021 #seacations #instasg #cruisingsg
Open
** Giveaway**

@_aquariva_ is giving away one of their gorgeous dresses or jumpsuits to the value of $250.
Yeay!! 💃🏼

@_aquariva_ is known for its clean lines and soft curves, lavished with their favourite seasonal prints. Effortlessly charming, elegant and just the right relaxed proportions. Perfect for the woman on the go! 
They use traditional screen printing for all of their fabrics and dresses 👗are lovingly done by hand, even the drying method is done naturally by sunlight ☀️How cool and environmentally friendly 👌🏻✌🏻. A lot of love goes into the Aquariva piece that you wear!

How to win: 
1. Like this post 
2. Follow @_aquariva_ 
3. Comment what size you are and tag a friend 

It's that easy! 
Good luck! 

#beautifuldresses 
#singapore 
#tropical 
#dress 
#handmade
#screenprintingfabrics
#giveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#elegantdresses 
#tagafriend
Open
East Coast restaurants – specifically in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been known for their good food. More recently though, the area has seen a rise in great cafes, specialty grocers, Italian cuisine and bakeries (with fresh sourdough!). 

From East Coast brunch cafes and alfresco restaurants, to bars and gourmet supermarkets, we have a list of the top East Coast food options to try on the home page of our website (link in bio). 

And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore. You can walk along the coast or look at funky shophouses before or after and make it an outing!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #igfood #foodsg #instafood #joochiat #joochiatroad #tanjongkatong #siglap
Open
The school holidays are still in full swing so if you are looking to entertain kids or just looking to take a break over the long Easter weekend, have a look at the travel page on our website where you will find lots of info on various staycation packages around the island 🏝 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #staycations #staycationssg #ighotels #easterinsg #easter2021
Open
There are many maternity insurance plans on the market, but do you know what’s written in the fine print? 

If you’re thinking of getting pregnant with the help of fertility treatments, you’d want to know what’s included in your policy and if the procedures you need are covered. 

We have a great article on our website (link in bio) where the team at Expat Insurance brief us on what’s covered for fertility treatments

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #expatinsurancesg #insuranceinsingapore #fertilitytreatmentsg #ivfsg
Open
The new addition to the 
W Atelier stable is the high-end Italian designer furniture brand Cassina. The Cassina Perspective is the name given to the space – and it’s a bit of a “wow”! In fact, the whole showroom at Henderson Road will likely wow you: three floors (300 square metres) of eye candy for home décor lovers and interior designers. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re renovating or doing up your home, or you love furniture design and want an iconic statement piece. 

If you’re like us, you’ll be touching everything and trying out all the sofas and chairs! 

Check out our website for some more info on their stunning products (link in bio) 

#expatlivingsg #wateliersg #furnituresg #furnituredesignsg #interiordesignsg #homeaccessoriessg #livinginsingapore
Open
Want a free copy of our latest Home & Property Guide? Sign up to our newsletter by 31 March to get a copy delivered to you! 👉 expatliving.sg/hpg/ig

❣️ Over 100 pages of fabulous furnishing ideas, decoration and design tips from the experts, and a peek inside some of our readers’ stunning homes – from condo apartments to black-and-white bungalows.

You’re sure to find something to fall in love with from our catalogue of amazing products for every room of the house. There’s also advice on services, utilities, leasing and serviced apartment accommodation 🏠

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sghomes #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor 
#sgexpat #expatsg #expatlifesg #igsg #sghome #singaporehomes
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.