Xen Pool Access

Xen Pool Access Resort is a four-star resort in Rawai for travellers who want a straightforward place to sleep, eat and keep the day moving. The setting gives you a quieter base than central Phuket while leaving the town within reach, with a pool and garden for the hours when you have had enough of sightseeing or simply want to stop doing things altogether.

The tone is practical rather than theatrical. There is a bar for an evening drink, a restaurant serving the three main meals, free Wi-Fi throughout the resort and parking for guests travelling by car. The website is available in English and Thai, which makes planning before arrival easier.

You are in Rawai, in Phuket province, at 105/9 Village No. 4, Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand. The resort sits 5 km from the town centre, so this is a base for exploring rather than a hotel planted in the middle of the action.

Chalong Bay, Chalong Beach and Chalong Pier are among the nearby places to explore. The property is near the beach. That combination suits a day built around getting out and about, then returning to a pool and a proper meal rather than hunting for either.

The room choice runs from standard and family categories to deluxe rooms, suites, apartments and bungalows. For a couple, the double-room categories keep things simple; for a longer stay or anyone who prefers a little more independence, the deluxe rooms and one-bedroom bungalows add the useful bits of kit that make a difference once the day is over.

Those better-equipped rooms include air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kitchen, a kettle, tea and bottled water. A balcony is available in some categories, while blackout blinds and soundproofing help when you are ready to shut the day out. There is also a private bathroom, television, Wi-Fi, safe, towels and toiletries in the relevant room types.

Family rooms, family suites and triple categories give larger parties more room to work with, while double bungalows are available with either a double bed or twin beds. Check the individual room card carefully: the equipment is not identical across every category, and the hotel offers a broad spread of room names rather than one uniform standard.

One restaurant handles breakfast, lunch and dinner, opening from 07:00 to 22:00. That covers the useful part of the day: breakfast before heading out, a meal when you return, and dinner without needing to turn the evening into another expedition.

There is also a bar, plus tea and coffee for guests. Bottled water is available, and the room facilities include a kettle and, in some categories, a microwave and kitchen. Room service is also available when the sensible plan is to eat privately and get horizontal.

The swimming pool is the obvious place to reset between outings. Pool and beach towels are available, and the resort also has a garden, terrace and outdoor furniture, giving you somewhere to sit when a sun lounger and a cold drink are more appealing than another activity.

For a little movement without committing to a full excursion, there is a gym with fitness equipment, as well as water-sports equipment. The resort also has a spa listed among its hotel facilities, although no treatments or treatment menu are described. In other words, the useful choices are clear: swim, train briefly, sit outside, or let the afternoon disappear properly.

Check-in runs from 13:00 to 15:00, and check-out is at 13:00. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort, with parking for guests arriving by car. A concierge, luggage storage, wake-up service, dry cleaning and ironing are also available, which is handy when dive kit and travel clothes have both had a long day.

The property has a currency exchange desk and an ATM, and accepts Visa, Mastercard and cash. The hotel also has a reception desk, security staff, a first-aid kit and a conference room. Smoking areas are provided, while the accommodation itself is non-smoking.

The resort is listed at 220 volts with type A, B and C sockets. An extra-bed option is available depending on the room category, and a security deposit is required per room and stay. The meal arrangement depends on the room booking, so check what is included before you confirm rather than assuming breakfast comes bundled in.