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Staying at Novotel Phuket was one of the best decisions for our family trip. The resort is clean, peaceful and beautifully set up for parents travelling with children. During our stay, I learned exactly where to eat, what to avoid, and how to save money both inside and outside the hotel.
Before you plan your Phuket trip, don’t miss my full 7-Day Phuket Itinerary. It includes real prices, ethical activities, market finds and family-friendly tips:
This guide includes real prices, member benefits, local food options and money-saving tips that will help any family planning a stay in Phuket.
🏨 Room & Cleanliness
The rooms were spotless, spacious and well-maintained. Housekeeping came daily, towels were always fresh and my toddler felt comfortable from the first day. It’s a great environment for families.
🍽️ Le Club Lounge (Accor Members)
Novotel is part of the ALL – Accor Live Limitless programme. If you’re a member with eligible status or booking, you can access the Le Club Lounge — which is what I meant when I originally said “the club.”
This lounge is a private area offering complimentary refreshments throughout the day, including:
- Light bites such as small burgers, pastries or sandwiches
- Fruit and salads
- Tea, coffee and soft drinks
- A quiet seating area away from the main restaurants
This was perfect for quick lunches or snacks with the kids without needing to spend extra money. Even if you stay at Novotel once a year, it’s worth signing up for free before your trip to see what benefits your booking qualifies for.
🔑 Accor Lounge Access at Novotel Phuket (Important to Know)
It’s important to understand how lounge access works at Novotel, because it’s not automatically included for every guest. The lounges available at Accor hotels fall under the ALL – Accor Live Limitless membership benefits, and access depends on your membership tier and the specific hotel policy.
Here are the key things travellers should know:
- Eligibility: Complimentary lounge access is usually reserved for ALL Platinum members and above (Platinum, Diamond, or higher-tier statuses). Lower tiers do not include lounge access unless you book a room type that specifically includes it.
- What’s Included: Lounge benefits can vary by hotel, but typically include:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Afternoon tea
- Evening drinks and light canapés
- Tea, coffee & soft drinks throughout the day
- Different Novotel Properties = Different Lounge Policies — Phuket has several Novotel hotels (e.g., Novotel Phuket Resort in Kalim Bay, Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, Novotel Phuket Karon Beach). Each may offer different lounge experiences or benefits, so always confirm directly.
- Not All Novotel Hotels Have a Lounge: Some properties offer full club lounges, while others offer “My Glass” or “My Kids” paid packages instead of a traditional lounge.
To confirm EXACT benefits for your chosen hotel, do the following:
- Visit the official Accor website: all.accor.com
- Search for your specific Novotel property in Phuket
- Check the “Amenities” or “Loyalty Benefits” section
- Look for “Executive Lounge,” “Club Lounge,” “Le Club Lounge,” or “Member Benefits”
This ensures you know what’s included in your stay, what’s complimentary for members, and whether you want to upgrade or pay for additional dining packages like My Glass Resorts or My Kids Resorts.
During my stay, I noticed that Novotel Phuket also offers special dining packages such as My Glass Resorts (free-flow cocktails and mocktails from 12–5pm for 1,700 THB per adult) and My Kids Resorts (unlimited kids’ meals, snacks and drinks for 600 THB per child). These packages are available to all guests regardless of membership tier, and can be great value depending on how you plan your day.check before you arrive don’t miss out on the great savings like I did I found this out way after !!
🍟 Hotel Food Prices
Hotel food is convenient, but these were the prices during our stay at Novotel Phuket:
- Chips (hotel menu): 350 THB
- Spring rolls (hotel menu): 350 THB
- Cocktail bucket at pool bar: 310 THB — still cheaper than UK cocktails
The food tastes good, and the setting is beautiful, but if you're budgeting, it’s worth mixing hotel meals with outside food.
🍔 Affordable Food Outside the Hotel
Walk a few steps away from Novotel and you’ll find inexpensive, delicious food stalls and shops. These are real prices we paid:
- Portion of chips (outside): 100 THB
- Fresh spring rolls: 10 THB
- Sandwich with soda bread, egg, tomato, cucumber & lettuce: 110 THB
- KFC-style bucket (5–6 wings + chips): 320 THB
- Coffee: 45–80 THB depending on size and style
- Fresh fruit (mango/watermelon/pineapple): 50–80 THB
The quality was great, and the prices are extremely reasonable, especially compared to UK fast food or restaurant prices.
🥞 Roti, Snacks & Street Breakfast Options
Street food near Novotel is cheap, tasty and fresh. These were our favourite snacks:
- Banana + chocolate + nut roti: 60 THB
- Egg roti with all toppings: 100 THB
- Fresh smoothies: 80–120 THB
- Fruit bowls: 50–80 THB
These were perfect treats for the kids and ideal for the hot weather.
🛒 7-Eleven Prices (Best Saver for Families)
7-Eleven kept our food budget super low and was open 24/7.
- Ham & cheese toasty: 75 THB
- Burgers: 40–60 THB
- Noodles: 20–30 THB
- Water: 12–20 THB
- Kids snacks: 10–30 THB
Perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or quick meals before activities.
🏊 Pool Bar Drinks
The pool bar is stunning, and prices are fair for a resort:
- Cocktail bucket: 310 THB
- Mocktails: 120–180 THB
- Smoothies: 80–120 THB
Still cheaper than most UK bar prices and worth it for the atmosphere alone.
💡 Biggest Money-Saver: “Look for Great Savings” Apps
I booked almost all my activities using Klook app this app, and the discounts were unbelievable — up to 90% cheaper than major travel websites.
- Elephant feeding: £19 (instead of £90–£139)
- Waterpark entry: £9 (instead of £50–£100)
I used Grab taxis to meet drivers at pickup points and saved even more on transport.
🌿 Lovely Extras from Activity Staff
- Free drink for me
- Free drink for my son
- Fresh jungle bananas gifted by staff
These touches made the experience feel personal and memorable. Staff were so friendly they even offer to take pics for you.
🐘 Important: Choosing an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Before booking our elephant experience, I made sure it was an ethical sanctuary where the animals are treated with care and not exploited. In Thailand, not every “sanctuary” is a safe one — some still use harmful practices or keep elephants in inhumane conditions.
The elephants we visited were rescued elephants who had been saved from hard labour, riding camps or unsafe environments. At ethical sanctuaries:
- There is no riding allowed
- Elephants are free to roam in natural spaces
- Feeding and observation is allowed but controlled to avoid stress
- The staff focus on rehabilitation and protection
- You learn about the elephants’ individual rescue stories
Seeing the elephants calmly interacting, eating, bathing and living safely was the most beautiful part of the experience. The staff explained how each elephant was rescued and how visitor fees go towards food, medical care and land upkeep.
If you're planning to visit an elephant sanctuary in Phuket, please make sure it is a genuine rescue-based sanctuary that prioritises the animals’ wellbeing. It makes the experience meaningful and ensures your money supports the right places.
Child-Friendly Play Centre & Childcare Support
One of the most helpful features of our stay was the children’s play centre within the hotel.
As a parent travelling alone with both a baby and a teen, having a safe, structured space designed specifically for children made a noticeable difference to the pace of our days.
The centre offered a variety of activities suitable for different age groups, including:
- Soft play areas
- Books and quiet reading spaces
- Pretend kitchen and role-play toys
- Slides and indoor play equipment
- PlayStation gaming area for older children
What stood out most was the staff involvement and supervision. The team were friendly, attentive, and clearly experienced in working with children. Screen time was actively monitored — when staff noticed children spending too long on games, they gently encouraged breaks and alternative activities, which I appreciated as a parent.
The centre also provided reassurance in terms of safety. Staff were trained, approachable, and equipped to support children responsibly, making it a space where parents could feel confident allowing their children to play and engage.
For families — particularly those travelling without additional adult support — having access to a dedicated children’s centre like this can be invaluable. It offers children stimulation and routine, while giving parents moments of breathing space within the day.
✨ Final Thoughts
Novotel Phuket is an excellent family-friendly hotel, but knowing where to eat makes the biggest difference. With the combination of the hotel lounge, local stalls, 7-Eleven and affordable restaurants, you can enjoy Phuket on any budget.
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with kids, this resort offers comfort, convenience and plenty of ways to save money without sacrificing quality.
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