Kata Rocks Phuket ‘Staycation’ and Brunch

There is no better pool brunch party on offer in Phuket at the moment, why not make a weekend of it like we did and throw in a weekend staycation?  

Up a nondescript little lane at the end of Kata Beach is an easy to miss driveway up a hill past Mama’s Seafood and SKA bar. Take this road to the oceanfront resort called Kata Rocks. Once there, your buggy awaits to transport you down to the rocks and into a world of infinite luxury.

Here you will find a resort and residences of 34 villas beyond your wildest dreams in this tranquil corner of Phuket. Unless of course, you’re here for a monthly Brunch Pool Party, or for the Ladies Hangout each Wednesday, when cools sounds, and a party vibe attracts.

Kata Rocks is as stylish and as hip and happening as you can get. How would we fit in? Don’t forget I came for Christmas and stayed on when the Thai Government said cancel all non-essential travel. We followed instructions and never returned to Bangkok!

By this stage, I’m looking like a shaggy Covid puppy that needs to go to the groomers. As to what to wear, well forget that! I tell anyone that will listen, that when we arrived, him-who-plays-golf took up half the baggage allowance with a set of golf clubs!

Let’s just say thank goodness Kata Rocks were either so very keen to get a full house, or they have to be the nicest, most inclusive, most welcoming place to stay that I have ever been too

I know it’s the later, as the Brunch Pool Party turned into a sellout event. Remember at this time Bangkok has gone back into tighter restrictions, schools are closed, offices requested to restart home working where possible, alcohol sales are off, and all bars are closed. My family in the UK and in Australia are in even tighter lockdowns.

There never was a truer feeling of living in a bubble, nor a more appreciative ready to party crowd, than those that turned up at the end of January 2021 to fill those empty tables ready to brunch!

The fact that the Kata Rocks Brunch Pool Party was a sellout event when Phuket is oh so quiet says a lot. Phuket ‘peeps’ know the best brunch on the island when it’s offered! The chance to unwind and enjoy the party by the iconic infinity pool overlooking the Andaman Sea at the Oceanfront Clubhouse well, who’s going to miss out on this invitation? Not I!

Won’t you take a wander with me to see our highlights from succulent cuisine to the best cocktails on the island? My favourite drink was rather aptly named The New Splash (Rum, Creme de Cassis and mixed berries).

There is a stylish, friendly vibe amongst the guests, but it was also nicely chill and I’m not just talking my Italian Rose…  We were soon chatting to the tables around us as if we were lifelong friends. Well, in some ways we were.

Would you believe I used to ride my pony through Nick on the next door table’s farm in England? Or that when Richard the Kata Rocks Founder and CEO stopped by to say hello, I was born in the same town he was from?!  I’m a firm believer that if you talk long enough you will always find a connection. Here in Phuket, the connections came as easily as the free flow wines.

All eyes were on the fashion show and the captivating clothes from Endless Summer.  I especially loved seeing a couple of models my age who looked fabulous. Go ladies you rock!

With an endless summer of free flow alcohol, the party was kicking off. It didn’t take long for the first guests to be needing a quick cooling off dip, beer and wine in hand. The music by Armenia the DJ was spot on. It was just the best decadent fun I’d had…. all year.

Ha! Only kidding! This is brunch my style!

“Brunch is an opportunity to be a little naughty — or a lot extravagant — at the table.”— Kit Wohl

We just had the chance to strip off ourselves for a quick dip. I mean it had to be done didn’t it? A cocktail in the pool? To view these and more photos check out the Kata Rocks Facebook Page

Come the evening we returned after our wellness treat at the Infinite Luxury Spa (amazing do not miss!) to find the party was still going strong and a singalong happening!

Come to Brunch and stay a while

Welcome to our one bed loft pool villa.

It would be remiss of me to tell you of the joys of a weekend staycation at Kata Rocks without giving you a tour of the villa. I am not surprised Kata Rocks has won over 50 international awards and accolades including ‘Best apartment in the world.’

Starting at the front door don’t do what I did and report your key not working when you’ve pressed the high tech key fob on the wrong panel! It’s a taster of what is ahead. But forgive me for not exactly being on the ball. When we arrived, I was so wowed by the whole stunningly gorgeous apartment that maybe I was a tad distracted…

Our villa was on two levels from everywhere is that view. The one that makes you feel a million dollars. Not to mention the Rock Star service.  Whilst you are at Kata Rocks you have the personal service of the team, cutely called Rock Stars. Oh, the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Who wants some of this?

Your own private indoor/outdoor area greets you. How tempting is it, I just want to jump straight into that infinity pool. The shaded outdoor terrace and padded loungers are perfect to appreciate the beauty of a Rocks sunset.  Be warned it’s hard to leave.

The villa has everything and more. If you just wanted to bunker down and escape from the world, this would be the place to do it. You can come for a night and stay for a month. You could so do WFH here (Working from hotel there is a big work desk if needed) Anyone interested?

The clean, fresh, light, airy space adds to an incredible ambience. I feel so happy here and love the design and artwork.

There is a high-tech experience as I mentioned. The interactive entertainment system for me was the fun of putting the blinds down at night! There is even a TV set into the roof above your bed. That view from the bed is wonderful!

The bathroom is just my sort of place. I’m a bit of a bathroom snob, and I love a bath wow! This was a stunning bathroom with its open ended design to encompass the views.

At breakfast the next day the wow factor continued. We loved our breakfast by the Clubhouse pool and as we did, we savoured the moment reflecting that Kata Rocks really does offer it all.

You have all the seclusion of your own one private villa, and at the Clubhouse, you’ll find a conviviality where you can mix with others if you want.

A couple of things to be mentioned. Kata Rocks dining overlooks the pool, this is what some of us, ok Mr Wren called a posing pool. You’re not exactly going to be best buds with your neighbours if you demonstrate your athletic butterfly strokes here. Equally well, if you don’t want everyone looking at you whilst having their lunch, swim in your villa pool!

Kata Rocks is built on a hillside. You can order a buggy service to take you up to reception or back to your room wherever you are situated. It’s a good fitness workout for the hardy who chose the demanding walk from the clubhouse to the hotel entrance and it’s guaranteed to get your heart rate up. And finally, there is no beach on site. My favourite beach in Phuket, Kata beach is at the bottom of the hill a two minute buggy ride away.

The story of my stay at Kata Rocks has to finish as it started out on the rocks with the very essence, the soul and the heartbeat of this 5 star luxury resort. When you are not partying, I want to share with you the peace, the connection to this world, and to drown in both the wonder of sunrise and the glory of a sunset at Kata Rocks.

Just you, me and a few fishermen who gather on this small cape between Kata and Kata Noi for their catch of the day. Thanks to Magda the wonderful yoga instructor for my Sunset Purification Meditation.

Look closely at these photos, close your eyes and imagine the warm sun on your face, and the energy from this planet, listen to the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks with the ebb and flow of the tides. Picture the glimmering Andaman Sea in Phuket, the paddle boarders gliding past, a yacht moored off the jetty.

Take in that healing light of the Thai sunshine and imagine you are here with me on the rocks or by the pool watching the sunset.

Or better still pick up the phone and make a booking.

The thing about Kata Rocks is the very foundation of the place has energy, that even in today’s quiet and tourist bare Phuket warms the soul. You come for the day, the night, the week, or more, you will find there is infinitely more on offer than you thought, and your memories of the epic times will last forever.  

The pool brunch will return on  27 March 2021

Further details at www.katarocks.com

Disclaimer: Little Wandering Wren stayed as a guest at Kata Rocks.

Little Wandering Wren is a Bangkok Blogger happily stranded in Thailand for the duration. In the past 12 months this Staycation Queen has completed over 100 nights in hotels across Thailand. She knows a good place to rest her weary head when she finds it. More can be found at www.littlewanderingwren.com