Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach, an IHG Hotel

Palm Spa was the real highlight for me. The treatments felt professional, the setting was calm, and it offered the kind of relaxation I wanted from a five-star stay. The rest of Twinpalms Phuket in Surin felt less like an island resort and more like a polished serviced apartment. Its minimalist look and central pool are attractive, but the atmosphere can seem a little clinical rather than open and tropical. The lap pool is a good size for swimming, though it adds to that apartment-complex feel. Breakfast was just average: the basics were there, but I expected more choice, local character, and quality artisanal options at this rating. Being near Surin Beach sounds ideal, but there are tradeoffs. The low-rise landscaping keeps the ocean out of view, so there’s no blue horizon or sound of waves from the room. Twinpalms has no private beach either. You cross a public road and a large car park to reach the public beach. The water was somewhat clear, but the beach didn’t have the manicured, exclusive feel of places such as The Surin Resort. If you want a stylish, quiet base and don’t mind heading over to the sand, Twinpalms may suit you. I was looking for more of that classic tropical resort feeling, and the place came across a bit sterile.

We spent one night at Twinpalms Surin beach Phuket for our anniversary. The staff greeted us warmly with yasmin flower bracelets and showed us to a room overlooking the pool. Guests can enjoy fruit hour daily from 3 to 4pm, and yoga sessions are available to book. The gym was high-end and had everything, including a sauna. It was great that the pool stayed open until midnight, especially since it looked so lovely at night.

We had a superb stay and would definitely come back. Surin beach is only about a three-minute walk across the road, with shops, massage places, bars, and restaurants close by on foot. The hotel also runs an hourly shuttle from 11 am to midnight to its two beachside restaurants, Catch & Lazy Coconut. Staff were friendly, and our lagoon was just a step from the balcony, which was so convenient. The main pool is 40 mtrs long, and the fitness centre was excellent. Breakfast was lovely too. Twin Palms Surin was a fabulous find and one of the nicest hotels in the area for a romantic trip, or time with friends or family. Our only letdown was Wagyu Steakhouse. The staff were unfriendly and seemed focused on selling the most expensive steak, which we didn't think was worth the price. The experience felt gastronomically racist.

It was lovely to find the hotel still keeping such a high standard, years after I first stayed not long after it opened. The place is very tranquil, and the staff are consistently warm and welcoming. My Palm Premium room had loads of space and a view across the pagoda and pool. The pool stayed open until 11 pm, so a late swim on a warm evening was perfect. There’s also a free shuttle between the hotel and the beach club, which has its own restaurants, bar, pools, and loungers. 10/10.