One of Thailand’s Iconic Hotel Brands Just Opened a Brand-new Tented Resort — and We Got the First Look

Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

The Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort is Thailand’s newest rugged-meets-luxury escape. Here’s what it’s like to stay.

Never has a question made me sweat more mentally and physically than when the woman behind the small folding table asked me, “How spicy?” 

I panicked. With a line quickly forming behind me and the chaotic scene of the Sunday Walking Market in Phuket Town buzzing all around, I blurted out, “Spicy, spicy.” In an instant, she wrapped together dried shrimp, chopped lime (rind included), toasted shredded coconut, peanuts, and that all-important chili in a betel leaf — a dish known as miang kham — skewered four on a stick and handed it over.

At first bite, everything was fine. Then, on the second, I hit that chili. My mouth was ablaze. And it was glorious. Naturally, I followed this up by finding the closest coconut cart and asked the kind man behind that table to hustle it up and hand over the goods so I could chug it down. And just as quickly as the fiery rage in my mouth set in, it left. And I was ready for seconds.

This ebb and flow of flavors, moving from spicy spicy to sweet and mellow, is the perfect metaphor for visiting Phuket, the most touristed island in Thailand, which also happens to be both Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Destination of the Year and home to the brand-new Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort, which marries the right amount of rugged and luxurious touches that will allow you to have a choose-your-own-adventure-style vacation, too.

“The inspiration stems from cherished memories of my youth, combined with a vision to craft unique, luxurious tropical experiences that celebrate the beauty of nature while respecting the environment,” said Olivier Gibaud, the general manager of Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts, about his new passion project, which resulted in 28 adult-only glamping tents all nestled around a lagoon, steps from Bangtao Beach. 

It’s a glamorous new entrant into Phuket, but not a surprising one coming from Twinpalms, which opened its sister resort, Twimplams Surin, exactly 20 years ago, bringing a new level of luxury then, as it’s doing again now. 

And this new environment, Gibaud said, is ideal for almost every type of traveler.

“The perfect guest is anyone, from anywhere in the world, seeking to immerse themselves in a Thai-inspired luxury experience under canvas, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature,” he said. “I hope our guests leave with unforgettable memories of nature’s splendor, complemented by moments of Thai tradition — whether practicing morning meditation, folding lotus flowers, or savoring mango and sticky rice. It’s all about creating a sense of infinite discovery and delight.”

Ready to book? Here’s my review of the spicy-sweet Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort.

Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort

• The tents are always glamorous, with deep, plush bedding, safari-style decor, and rainfall showers.

• The location makes it easy to spend long days in the sun on Bangtao Beach.

• Staying at the tents also gives you access to the other Twinpalms properties and their amenities, including Twinpalms Surin and Twinpalms MontAzure.

The Rooms

Planned by Martin Palleros, the founder of the award-winning Bangkok-based Tierra Design, the resort features 28 tents, including one- and two-bedroom units. There are 24 tents around the lagoon, set back from the beach, with 16 boasting private plunge pools.

The largest tent is a two-bedroom suite clocking in at just over 1,600 square feet that’s ideal for two friends, two couples, or families with adult children traveling together. There are also five beach tents set up right on the sand. All the rooms include teak furnishings to evoke the feeling of turn of
20th-century adventure travel — only now with air conditioning.

Food and Drink

Here’s the only major caveat about staying at the tented camps: Technically, there is no on-site dining. Due to the tents’ nature, the team would like to avoid food in the rooms, as it can attract some of the other tropical critters that call the island home. However, guests can access the entire Twinpalms portfolio via an easy-to-use shuttle between each hotel.

That means travelers can take the complimentary buggy service down to Catch Beach Club (a three-minute walk away) for its famed Sunday brunch, lunches, and lively dinners or head right next door to the more low-key neighbor, The Lazy Coconut, where the fruity cocktails, beers, wines, and Champagne are constantly flowing.

There’s also Shimmer, located at Twinpalms Montazure, which also provides a quiet, beachside setting for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a bit more of a Thai-inspired menu that you don’t even need to change out of your bathing suit to enjoy. Or, hop on the shuttle to Kalido, a Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Tammasak, one of the country’s most renowned chefs. The open-air restaurant allows you to indulge in the daily catch while watching the longboats bob in the serene waters out front.

For an even more upscale meal, guests can take the shuttle to Twinpalms Surin for a meat-filled masterpiece at Wagyu Steakhouse. Select your globally sourced Wagyu, prime, and limited-edition cuts, pick your knife, and have it cooked how you like it.

Activities and Experiences

Guests can participate in on-site experiences, including sunrise meditation and yoga, lotus petal folding art, mango tasting, chime hanging, and campfire gatherings.

Visitors to all the Twinpalms properties can also book a yachting adventure with Andaman Cruises, the company’s partner. The company will happily take you on a day trip to Ko Racha Yai and Koh Phi Phi to snorkel, scuba dive, and kayak around the stunning cliffs.

Beyond the boat, I suggest exploring the surrounding area — specifically the Friday night Boat Avenue Night Market. The street comes alive from 4–9 p.m. with vendors selling local foods, souvenirs, and jewelry. It’s a fantastic scene and a far smaller market than the one in Phuket Town, but it gives the right level of intimacy to make you feel like you’re getting to know your destination. And it’s just a quick 10-minute cab ride away (download Bolt, a ride-sharing app for easy access). Of course, if you’re in town on a Sunday, visiting the Sunday Walking Street Market is an absolute must. It, too, kicks off around 4 p.m. and is stacked with vendors. It took me two hours to walk the entire length, checking out each stall and snacking along the way — and I could have easily spent another two hours doing it all over again. It’s a bit of a trek, taking about 45 minutes each way, but it’s an easy and scenic ride, so sit back and enjoy.

Lastly, my other not-to-miss nearby activity is visiting the Laem Hin Pier, about a 25-minute ride from the hotel. Here, you can hop on a free longboat for a five-minute ride across the azure waters and go straight to a few floating restaurants. While in Phuket, I visited the Kruvit Raft, a downhome spot run by owner Yee and his mom, which is so good it made its way into the Michelin guide. I devoured the spicy tiger prawns and a seaweed salad and paired it with a freshly hacked coconut. It was perhaps the best meal I’ve ever had (shoutout to my cab driver, Mr. Boy, for sitting and dining with me), made all the more memorable by the boat ride there and back.

The Spa

The Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort has an on-site massage tent with two simple beds for massage treatments — including those delicious Thai massages that will leave you limber. However, you can always take the shuttle to the sister resorts if you want more treatments like body scrubs and other offerings.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The tented resort will have accessible rooms for those with limited mobility, thanks to a few strategically placed ramps, double doors, and walk-in showers. However, it may not be suitable for those who live in wheelchairs, so contact the hotel for specific needs before booking to ensure a comfortable stay. Its larger sister properties may be a better fit.

And like its other properties, the tented resort aims to provide as many eco-friendly alternatives as possible, including non-plastic straws and packing, refillable water bottles, and refillable toiletries (which also happen to be some rather stylish ceramic containers). Additionally, the resort proudly boasts LED lights and auto air conditioning mechanisms to minimize waste.

Location

The resort’s beach tents sit on the sand at Bangtao Beach, while the lagoon tents are a quick walk away. It’s a quick drive from Boat Avenue, and guests can easily walk down either the beach or the road outside for local Thai food and an easy breezy beer (Have I mentioned how great the coconuts are enough yet?). The resort is also about a 45-minute drive from Phuket Town and a 45-minute drive (depending on traffic) from the Phuket International Airport. If you want to get out and explore, a car may be a good idea, though taxis are easy, plentiful, and affordable.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Like most hotels, the best way to save is by booking in the low-season, which, for Thailand, runs between July and September. One-bedroom lagoon tents provide the lowest rate, starting at $219, while one-bedroom with pool tents begin at $281, one-bed beach tents at 312, one-bedroom beach tents with plunge pool at $375, and two-bedroom lagoon pool tents at $562.

Those who book directly with the hotel can also enjoy a complimentary day cruise onboard its 76-foot luxury yacht (a private cruise must be booked separately) and a 50 percent discount on all sun-lounging facilities at Catch Beach Club and The Lazy Coconut. The hotel group also frequently offers deals and discounts on its website.