Layan Beach is a pristine beach located on the shallow north end of Bangtao Beach. Considered as one of Phuket’s well-kept secrets, it features a tranquil shore lined with tall palm trees and a picturesque view of the vast sea. The water in this area is considerably calm thanks to the strategic location of Koh Kala Island which shelters the beach from water coming from the Andaman Sea.
Layan Beach is a popular spot for those who want to get away from the busy environment of Phuket’s larger beach destinations. Due to its shallow waters, it is also well-suited for kids, making it a popular go-to spot for families.
Despite it being a lesser-known destination compared to the likes of Kamala, Surin, Patong, and Bangtao, Layan Beach is still greatly accessible from major thoroughfares and other attractions. For one, it is located just 13 kilometers away from the Phuket International Airport, which only takes about 25 minutes by car. It is also near popular accommodations, restaurants, entertainment areas, shopping hubs, and beaches on the Western coast of Phuket.
Where to Stay
Layan Beach might not be one of Phuket’s major beaches, but it is still home to some of the island’s top accommodations. If you are looking for the utmost privacy, some of the finest private villas in Phuket can be found within the Layan area.
Located on the cliff overlooking Layan Beach is La Colline Villa 8. This villa is an expansive luxury home with top-of-the-line amenities including multiple swimming pools, an 18-m infinity edge pool being its main one. Located within a sprawling 1600-square meter property, the villa also features fabulous indoor and outdoor living and dining spaces, an entertainment room, and 7 well-appointed bedrooms.
La Colline Villa 14 is another one of Layan’s exclusive properties that can be rented for a luxurious island getaway. It offers a breathtaking view of the ocean and has 7 bedrooms, 5 of which have en-suite bathrooms, as well as a fully-equipped American kitchen, spacious living spaces, and an 18-meter swimming pool.
There’s also Villa E98, a luxurious vacation home that features four suites with living areas, walk-in closets, and spacious private balconies. Its common living room has an elegant high ceiling and huge glass doors, overlooking the villa’s huge pool terrace and the bay beyond. Villa E98 also comes with a tennis court, pool table, and more.
Aside from their fantastic and exclusive amenities, these luxury villas also offer tailor-made concierge services for one-of-a-kind vacation experiences.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for resort-type accommodations, Anantara is worth considering. The posh hospitality brand has five properties in Phuket, two of which are in Layan.
Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is one of Phuket’s best resort accommodations. Located on a lush hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea, this upscale respite has 30 rooms and suites, 47 pool villas, and 15 pool residences. The resort also has several restaurants, a Muay Thai Stadium, Thai cooking class facilities, a Cliffside wedding chapel, and the Anantara Spa.
Layan Residences by Anantara on the other hand offers some of the most upscale living spaces on this side of Phuket. This 15-story residence offers VIP airport arrival and live-in butler services, in-residence dining, spa, yoga amenities, as well as its own helipad. Residents from this posh home also have access to the amenities of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort located adjacent to the residences.
What to Do
Swimming, kayaking, strolling, and hanging out by the beach are some of the activities that visitors enjoy in Layan Beach due to its tranquil vibe and shallow waters. It’s also worth taking a trip to Koh Kala, a nearby small island located just off the coast of the mainland.
Layan Beach is also located near Phuket’s major beaches such as Bangtao and Naithon where various leisure, entertainment, dining, and shopping spots are located. Being able to explore nearby beaches and destinations is something to look forward to when in Layan.
Where to Eat
Layan Beach is home to various restaurants that highlight the vibrant flavors of Asian and Thai cuisine. Anantara Layan Phuket Resort offers an array of dining options from fine dining to casual beach grubs. One of its newest outlets is The Mojito Factory, Phuket’s newest pop-up beachside bar that offers various takes – 25 recipes to be exact – on the classic cocktail favorite. Guests can sample timeless mojito concoctions, or take it up a notch with unique mixes such as Tom Yum Mojito or Larb Mojito. For those who prefer to lounge by the pool, Breeze offers a fun, relaxing time for guests who want to hang out by the pool while indulging in refreshing beverages and filling snacks.
Perhaps one of Layan’s most well-known dining options is Age, a specialty restaurant that offers the most exquisite selection of grilled meats, fresh seafood, and premium wines. Open for breakfast and dinner, Age offers guests an exciting journey of flavors as well as a chill yet high-end ambiance care of its sleek interiors.
Aside from Anantara’s restaurants, Bangtao Beach also offers a wide array of restaurants that are just a stone’s throw away from Layan. Some of the popular food joints in Bangtao are the Palm Seaside Restaurant and Lounge which offers spectacular views of the sea; Worra Cafe which is known to offer premium Halal food in Bangtao; The Bistro at Bangtao Beach which serves a wide array of local and international favorites; and the Andaman Thai Seafood Restaurant and Bar, a beachfront restaurant that offers the freshest seafood selections.
Where to Relax
Thanks to its pristine natural beauty, Layan Beach provides the perfect backdrop for an ultimately relaxing time. This vibe is what makes a trip to a spa totally worth it.
Banyan Tree Spa is one of the pioneer tropical garden spas in Phuket. It serves as a sanctuary for physical, mental, and emotional renewal through its non-clinical and holistic approach which is based on traditional Asian healing practices. Following its successful run in Phuket, Banyan Tree Spa has gone on to open branches in some of the world’s top destinations such as the Maldives, Indonesia, Seychelles, China, and Japan.
Meanwhile, Anantara Spa is a luxury spa that offers treatments based on ancient Thai healing traditions, all enjoyed within a lavish sanctuary located inside the premises of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.
Other Nearby Attractions
Aside from nearby beaches, spas, and restaurants, Layan Beach is also located near some of Phuket’s famous tourist attractions. Located roughly 5 kilometers away is Laguna Phuket Resort, a 1,000- acre paradise that houses an award-winning 18-hole golf course, relaxing spa facilities, boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. This resort also offers private charter services as well as join-in luxury tours.
For those who want to shop ‘til they drop, there’s the Boat Avenue Villa Market, Thailand’s first-ever container mall that comes with a lifestyle and retail area surrounding it. It draws visitors from nearby destinations such as Bangtao, Surin, and Kamala, and is widely known for its Friday Night Market that highlights a wide range of shops selling fresh produce, local delicacies, souvenirs, clothing items, and other shopping favorites.
Layan Beach is also located near parks that are perfect for nature and wildlife lovers. The Elephant Retirement Park Phuket provides a haven for Thailand’s beloved national animals, the Elephants. Visitors get to learn more about these gentle giants as they roam and frolic around in their natural habitat. Lastly, there’s the Sirinat National Park which serves as a home to various animal species such as the hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles. It also features offshore coral reefs and a mangrove forest that serves as a habitat for local birds.
With its pristine beauty, calm ambiance, and proximity to Phuket’s top attractions, a trip to Layan Beach will definitely give visitors the best of both worlds.
