Chaofa West Residence

Think serviced apartment rather than full-service hotel. Chaofa West Residence gives you air-conditioned rooms, kitchen facilities, a garden, a terrace and an outdoor pool, with the useful freedom to make the place work around your diving day rather than the other way round.

English-speaking guests are part of the intended audience, and the property suits independent travellers who want Chalong as a base. The apartments and villas are family-owned, with options for individuals, couples and families; the practical mood is more “come back, shower, eat and sleep” than “dress for dinner”.

Smoking is not permitted inside the rooms. There is no lift, so keep that in mind when choosing a floor after a long day carrying dive kit.

The address is in Chalong, on Soi Yodsane 1, near the Big Buddha and the hills of southern Phuket. Chalong town centre is about 5.6 miles away, while the sea is around 5.6 miles away too, so this is not a hotel for stepping straight from your room onto the beach.

The setting does put you close to Chalong Bay, Wat Chalong and Chalong Beach for exploring. The area is also a useful launch point for boat trips towards Coral Island and the Raya islands, with Chalong Pier playing a central role in local snorkelling and diving departures.

Phuket International Airport is about 25 miles away, with the drive taking roughly 45 minutes to an hour. In other words, the transfer is part of the arrival plan, not a quick hop from the terminal.

The choice is between a standard room, an apartment and a two-bedroom apartment. The apartment format is the useful distinction here: a kitchenette and kitchen facilities give you somewhere to deal with breakfast, drinks or a late meal without turning every evening into a restaurant expedition.

For a couple who wants a little more independence, an apartment makes sense. The two-bedroom option is the one to look at when travelling with family or friends and when separate sleeping space matters more than a conventional hotel layout. Each category has a private bathroom, so the post-dive queue stays short.

Air conditioning matters in Phuket, particularly when the day has involved warm water, salt and a boat deck. Rooms also have a television, while bottled water and free internet are available. The property is non-smoking, and the surrounding garden, terrace and courtyard give the accommodation a more residential feel than a standard corridor hotel.

There is no fixed meal plan to build the stay around, so the kitchen and kitchenette facilities are more relevant than a formal hotel dining timetable. That suits divers who start early, return late or prefer to eat when the body finally remembers it is hungry.

Around Chaofa West, the choice is broad. Kan Eang @ Pier serves seafood beside Chalong Pier, with alfresco and air-conditioned seating. Kan Eang 2 keeps the waterfront setting but takes a more casual, family-friendly Thai approach. Bamboo Hut offers local food under a simple tin-and-thatch roof, while Shanti Lodge serves international dishes in an open-air garden.

There are also Italian pasta and pizza at Bellini Italian Restaurant, German currywurst a short walk from the apartments and villas, American-style barbecued meats at Hogfather’s, and vegetarian food at Vegetarian House. Lunch and dinner are covered across these nearby options; a bar is not part of the listed offering.

The rooftop infinity pool is the place for a slow surface interval, with views across Chalong Bay and the surrounding hills, including the Big Buddha mountain. A private pool is also available within the Chaofa West collection, giving some accommodation categories their own more secluded option.

Yoga and hiking provide alternatives when sitting still starts to feel like an activity in itself. Snorkelling and boat excursions are also available in the surrounding area, with Coral Island and the Raya islands among the destinations connected to Chalong’s marine activity.

For quieter hours, the garden, terrace and courtyard offer outdoor space without requiring a programme. There is no spa to schedule around, which leaves the afternoon pleasingly simple: pool, food, a walk, or an air-conditioned room and a television.

Check-in is from 10:00 and check-out is by 12:00. Airport transfers are available as a paid service, and parking is free if you arrive with your own transport. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and laundry facilities are available.

The rooms include air conditioning, kitchen or kitchenette facilities and bottled water. Electricity is 220 volts at 50 Hz, with Type A, B and C sockets. A security deposit is collected during the stay, so keep that part of the arrival process in mind.

Thailand’s immigration procedure requires foreign nationals arriving by air, land or sea to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online three days before arrival. If you are bringing a drone, registration with the Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is required. The property is non-smoking, and the no-lift layout is worth considering when deciding which accommodation suits you.