Hotel Verdigris

Worth getting out of bed for

Mixing swathes of elegantly faded colonial architecture, a scattering of temples and buzzy urban sprawl, Phuket City is the throbbing and unvarnished heart of the island. And just a short meander from Hotel Verdigris is its historical epicentre of Old Town Phuket, which is more than worth an hour or two of exploration. Its main artery is bustling Thalang Road, with its rows of old Sino-Portuguese shophouses mingling with hip coffee shops, colourful street markets and centuries-old herbalists. Head down on Sunday evenings when the whole stretch is pedestrianised with numerous enterprises spilling out onto the street. Just off Thalang Road, the former red-light district of Soi Romanee Alley merits a visit, too, with some of the city’s finest heritage façades on display.

To escape the bustle, you’re also within easy walking distance of leafy Rang Hill, with its giant golden Buddha, thriving monkey community and panoramic views over the island. Sunsets are particularly spectacular up here. You’ll find the highest concentration of temples in Phuket City, too, and you’re a mere five minutes’ stroll from one of the most spectacular – Wat Mongkhon Nimit. And if you’re interested in delving deeper into the city’s multi-layered past, the Phuket Tai Hua Museum has it covered and is just a few blocks away.

Local restaurants

For Thai food taken to the next level, you won’t find finer than at the original Blue Elephant Restaurant. Housed in a stately mansion, the setting fits the refined Royal Thai cooking style served here and dinner is a dress-up affair. Less formal but no less elevated, nearby Royd restaurant offers a more contemporary take on Southern Thai cooking. Expect creative flavour combinations and pincer-precision presentation in a moodily low-lit dining space.  

Local cafés

It’s clear the baristas at the Shelter Coffee are serious about their art, and au fait with a range of brewing systems, including aeropress and cold-drip options. A chilled-out atmosphere, groovy tunes and tropical garden out back all add to its hip appeal. Campus Coffee Roasters take bean roasting to the next level, and you can taste it in their expert brews. If that wasn’t enough they bake their own pastries and their cheesecake is rave-worthy. 

Local bars

You won’t be stuck for nightspot options as there are more than 20 bars within two blocks of the hotel. One of the most popular is Dibuk House, a cocktail bar a few minutes’ amble away. Expect classic and signature concoctions with Thai-inspired twists in an intimate setting. If foot-tapping to live bands while you imbibe is your thing, then the Bebop Live Music Bar should be on your radar. Locals and visitors are drawn in for drinks with daily jazz, soul and blues gigs in a cosy, low-lit space.