Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket, Vignette Collection by IHG

We recommend Dinso to families who want Patong without its nuisances, and to couples seeking an affordable resort with private-villa option. The villas suit budget-conscious honeymoons, the standard rooms suit beach stays with children. The clientele is mainly European and Asian, aged 30 to 55, few groups.

The resort dates from 2019, contemporary Thai architecture with gently pitched roofs, dark wood and local stone. The buildings rise no more than three storeys, arranged around the two pools and landscaped gardens. Interiors are pared-back: grey terrazzo floors, white walls, touches of saffron and indigo Thai silk. The villas are single-storey pavilions, 55 to 85 m² each, with their own 10 to 15 m² pool.

Restaurant Soi offers a Thai and international menu, buffet breakfast (fresh fruit, egg station, dim sum), à la carte in the evening (pad thai, curries, grills). We tried the tom yum goong (320 bahts), well balanced, and the massaman beef (380 bahts), generous. The pool bar serves classic cocktails (mojito, piña colada, 280 bahts) and smoothies until 22h. Room service runs 7h to 23h, reduced menu but efficient.

Dinso stands on Nanai Road, a parallel artery to Patong beach, 600 metres from the sand. The neighbourhood is residential, quiet after 20h, with a few local restaurants and minimarts two minutes on foot. Bangla Road (bars, clubs) is a fifteen-minute walk, Jungceylon Mall ten minutes. Phuket airport is 35 minutes by car; the resort offers a free shuttle on request. To explore the island (Kata, Karon, Big Buddha), better to rent a scooter or take taxis.