Introducing… the most gorgeous, LGBT friendly hotel in Phuket – The SIS Kata.
The following article was written in exchange for two nights stay at the SIS Kata Hotel to promote them as an LGBT friendly hotel in Phuket. All opinions are honest, authentic and my own.
I’ve written before in previous blogs how there are unique challenges and barriers to LGBT travel. And I always emphasise how important safety is to LGBT travellers. Particularly when choosing accommodation.
That’s why I was delighted when the SIS Kata responded immediately to my offer to promote them as a gay friendly hotel in Phuket.
We spent two days at the SIS Kata Phuket and it was gorgeous.
I always have a bit of uncertainty when collaborating with hotels for my blog. Because it’s important to keep any reviews authentic. However, within five minutes of arriving I knew this would be an easy blog to write.
The hotel is so beautiful.
Here’s everything you need to know about the LGBT friendly hotel in Phuket, the SIS Kata. And why (whether as a LGBT traveller, or ally) you should absolutely have this as number one on your list of best hotels in Kata Beach, Phuket.
SIS Kata – LGBT Friendly Hotel in Phuket
The Location
The hotel is based at the south end of Kata. It’s only a 10 minute walk to the beach, or a three minute ride on their free shuttle bus which departs regularly from hotel reception.
Kata beach is in the west of Phuket. It is further from the main backpacking and party beach of Patong. Although still a very popular beach for tourists with plenty to do.
There are tons of shops and restaurants on the doorstep too. It truly is a perfectly located hotel in Kata.
The Design
SIS stands for Stay in Style and it couldn’t be more accurate. Every inch of the hotel is designed to perfection. The design of the SIS Kata is based on appeasing all five senses. From the sleek rooftop restaurant and beanbag area, to the gorgeous open plan reception area and staircases.
Your senses are certainly in for a treat. There’s music playing throughout the hotel, gorgeous visual design, spectacular tastes in their multiple restaurants, aromas throughout the building and in the rooms and the feel of comfort and luxury.
SIS explain how they incorporate the 5 senses into all aspects of their designs:
- ‘Designed in Style’ with the distinctive chevron design being featured around the resort, sculptured walk thru gardens, infinity swimming pool overlooking Kata beach and the rooftop restaurant and hard to match views!
- ‘Dining in Style’ at the signature designed restaurant ‘Twilight’ developing a combination of local cuisine with an international twist.
- ‘Aroma in Style’ From our imported coffees and teas to international beauty ELLE brand in our guest bathrooms toiletries and the relaxing aromas at ‘Lets Relax’ international spa.
- ‘Music in Style’ – Bluetooth speakers in all our guest rooms for guests to enjoy their own sounds and chilled bossanova sounds within the resorts gardens.
- ‘Touch in Style’ Premium bedding on luxurious mattresses with complimenting linens; soft furnishings combined of silks and chevron patterns pleasant to ones eye.
The Pool
Okay, so perhaps the pool should be covered above in the design, but it deserves its own section entirely. I have never stayed in a hotel with such an impressive infinity pool. If you’re looking for an infinity pool in Phuket, the SIS Kata is the obvious choice.
There were ample available cabanas and pool chairs both in the shade, the sun and even in the water. The pool has a swim-up bar and spectacular sunset views. And with table service controlled directly from the hotels special in-app digital concierge, there is never a reason to go anywhere else.
Although the beach is on the doorstep, with plenty of water sports and activities for all ages, we chose to spend our two days away from the sand and admiring the sea from the loungers by the pool.
As the hotel is designed to stimulate all five senses, naturally there is great music playing by the poolside from their live DJ. In the daytime, the music was chill and in the evening the disco lights really turned it into a party. Definitely perfect for young couples and families alike.
The Entertainment
The SIS Kata offers entertainment every day of the week, in the form of fitness classes, children’s activities and cooking classes.
The highlight of the week is the Saturday night pool party, which is also open to non-residents of the hotel for 650THB.
It’s something we sadly missed, but I would love to check it out if I return here again.
The Staff
Not only is the hotel beautiful, but it was incredibly welcoming. The staff at the SIS Kata Phuket can never do enough to help. We were always greeted with a friendly smile and the service was impeccable.
On our second morning the hotel manager even checked in on us whilst we had breakfast to be sure there was nothing else they could do to make our stay more comfortable.
The Food
The SIS Kata has six different bars and restaurants, meaning you can dine differently throughout your stay, without ever leaving the hotel.
Breakfast was a delightful spread of oriental and western food options. My personal favourite were the pancakes and fresh fruit. During the day, we enjoyed various rice and western dishes from the Crescent Pool Bar menu.
And in the evening, rooftop restaurant, aptly named ‘Twilight Sky’, was the perfect romantic setting for a gorgeous meal accompanied by views of Kata Beach below and the night sky above. We even saw some floating lanterns setting off from the beach and travelling overhead!
The Facilities
Beyond the pool and restaurants, the SIS Kata boasts an impressive range of activities and facilities.
Taken from their website – I didn’t get a chance to try these all out!)
- The Let’s Relax Spa offers a relaxing ambiance with glam and spacious private treatment rooms that make you feel like being pampered in the Oasis.
- Quiet library & internet room.
- 24 Hour Fitness Room
- Games room with consoles and Foosball table.
- Digital Concierge app for room service and poolside bar orders.
LGBT Friendly Hotel In Phuket
Thailand is reknowned for being a gay friendly destination. But the SIS Hotel goes beyond being just friendly, it is an actively LGBT welcoming hotel in Phuket.
From the moment I arrived, I knew that they meant it and didn’t just want a good advertising opportunity by working with us. The awards table displayed in the reception boasts multiple accolades from IGLTA, and Hotels.com’s LGBT welcoming award.
Travelling as a gay couple, it’s natural to have fears over how we may be perceived by hotel staff, and if we might face discrimination. But that was not the case here.
The friendly welcome that we received, meant that we felt completely comfortable just being ourselves, enjoying each other’s company and stealing the occasional kiss by the pool or in the restaurant without fear of who was watching.
We also spent a long time in and on the poolside having a full on photo shoot with the pride flag we travelled with. Never once did I fear we would be judged or receive dirty looks. (Well at least not for the pride flag, although I can’t blame anyone who judges how long we took to capture underwater flag photos!)
If you’ve never had to filter your behaviour in public before, I can’t stress enough how impactful it is to stay in a hotel that was 100% LGBT friendly and judgement free.
What To Do In Kata
If you ever manage to pull yourself away from the gorgeous hotel, here are a few things to do in Kata, Phuket.
Visit Treetops Elephant Reserve
I cannot express enough how incredible this place is. Whilst many elephant experiences in Thailand can be harmful to animals and incredibly problematic, the Treetops Reserve isn’t such a place. Check out this full article I wrote about how to find ethical elephant experiences and our time in treetops:
Rip Curl Surf House
A five minute walk, or 10 minute ride in the hotel shuttle brings you to the Rip Curl surfing house. This fun bar/surf centre has a super chill vibe day and night.
Whether you want to try your hand on the surf machine, take a lesson or just sit with a cocktail and spectate, this place is worth a visit for a few hours.
Try Real Surfing
If the surf simulator won’t do it for you, try the real thing by renting a surfboard or booking a surf lesson with one of the many vendors on the beach. The main surf spots are a little further from Kata. However, many board rental places will drive you to the best spots based on the conditions of the waves for the day and your experience level.
Beach Water Sports
Kata beach is the place to be for families or if you’re looking for a little water adventure. From inflatable banana boats and rings, to paddle boards and kayaks there is something for every age and ability.
Whilst amenities like this also mean the beach was busier than we experienced on other islands, it means you’ll never be short of something to do.
Scuba Diving / Snorkelling Trips
We didn’t take any scuba-diving or snorkelling trips from Phuket, only because we had done so many in our previous destination before arriving. But if scuba-diving snorkelling is up your alley, you couldn’t have picked a better place to do it.
Sunbathe
Does this one really need explaining? Phuket’s weather in January was glorious! Thailand has an incredible climate all year round if you’re seeking winter sun, or really any sun at all. If sunbathing is your jam, you’ve come to the right place!
Of course you’re welcome to sunbathe on the beach, there is no better feeling than sand between your toes... but if it was up to me, I’d recommend sunbathing at the hotel instead. Grab a gorgeously clean cabana or pool side lounger. You’ll get a nicer atmosphere, more space between you and your neighbours and a bar service the hotel app! Plus, (unlike the beach chair rentals) it’s free!
Shopping
Perhaps not what springs to mind when you think of Thailand and tropical islands. But did you really go somewhere if you didn’t come back with a keyring, T-shirt or a postcard? Take a break from the harsh sun and support local businesses with a little retail therapy.
Eating
Where do I even begin? The food in Thailand was as good as I expected and like nothing I’ve ever had before. There is a wide range of vegetarian restaurants in Kata, or at least restaurants with vegetarian options. We split our meals between the SIS Kata and local eateries.
My favourite vegetarian option in Kata was the AT KATA Restaurant, where we had sublime pad Thai with pineapple.
And that’s it! I can’t recommend enough a visit to Thailand, and specifically to Pukett and to the incredibly LGBT friendly SIS Kata hotel.
Thank you SIS Kata for a relaxing, luxury stay in such a welcoming place. We will be back!
