Selina Phuket, Thailand [An Honest Review of Serenity Rawai Resort]

8/9/2023

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to stay at the first property of Selina's in Southeast Asia for 4 nights. Located on the amazing island of Phuket, Selina continues to value and promote the idea of staying, traveling, and working abroad at the Serenity Rawai Resort. With incredible lounge and work areas located onsite, not to mention the speediest wifi we had in all of Southeast Asia, this is one resort you won't want to miss. If you've never stayed at or heard of Selina before, then you'll want to put them on your radar when traveling, especially if you work online or travel often. We first stayed at their location in Chelsea, New York, and we've been hooked ever since!

Other posts you might be interested in :

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Book your own stay at Selina Thailand right here!

Where is Selina Thailand?

The Selina Thailand resort is located on the island of Phuket, which is conveniently the largest island in Thailand and surrounded by the Andaman Sea. Phuket is famous for its' incredible white sand beaches and clear blue water, proximity to the many nearby islands, as well as its' busy nightlife and markets. If you're headed to Thailand, chances are you're planning a stop in Phuket.

Lucky for you, the Serenity Rawai Resort of Selina is located in the perfect, beachfront location if you're looking to kick back, relax, and spend a few days (or weeks) exploring this amazing island. Not only is Rawai the perfect spot to base if you're looking for a quieter side of Phuket (away from many of the other tourists on the island), but it's also only a 30 minute drive from both Patong and Phuket where many of the main island sights like The Big Buddha, Monkey Hill Viewpoint, and Phuket Central Market are located. It's also the perfect spot if you're looking to do some day trips to the famous Thailand islands (think the Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island to name a few).

Is Selina Thailand Worth It?

Before we give you our complete, honest review of our time there, you might be wondering what makes the Serenity Rawai Resort of Selina Thailand so special. Well, there's actually a large number of things that stood out to us that (spoiler) makes this a property we would 100% recommend. With onsite amenities like an expansive coworking space, multiple pools, shared kitchen and lounge areas, a movie room, as well as an onsite restaurant - they've really got everything you need to have a completely productive yet relaxing time in Phuket.

Not to mention, if you're a solo traveler or just looking to meet some new friends, then Selina has a wide variety of social events and other classes onsite you can choose to participate in! Oh, and one more thing, the oceanfront views are amazing with other islands and boats in the distance. If you're looking to head into town or to the other side of the island, they've even got motorbike rentals right on the property! We also highly encourage you to check out the Selina App on mobiles before and during your stay - from here you can book onsite activities, other tours, see who else is staying at Selina, and even check the daily weather and the restaurant's menu as well as chat directly with the staff onsite!

Our Honest Review

If you've read to this point here, then you probably already know our answer to whether we would recommend a stay at the Selina Serenity Rawai Resort in Phuket. If you've skimmed...then YES. Yes we would. Not only is this resort the most perfect stay if you're looking to relax, it's also perfect for those of you looking to get some work done in an incredible location. Starting at the beginning - check in was simple and smooth, and I was allowed to check in early when I arrived before the check in time. The staff was kind and helpful, and answered all questions I had about classes and activities, and even showed me around the huge property and to my room, as well as pointed me in the direction of where I could find my complimentary welcome drink.

We had booked a standard room, which was perfect for two people - and came complete with strong wifi, a very clean room, and many simple amenities that many other hotels in Thailand don't have (like conditioner). One thing that is worth noting is how many people at this resort stay here long term, and there is plenty of parking space if you have a motorbike or car of your own. With all the amenities I listed above including multiple pools and a coworking space, I always felt like I could find the perfect spot to chill out, enjoy my day, and unwind without too many people nearby.

Through the app I was able to book included activities onsite like Yoga & an Indian Cooking Class, as well as an outsourced tour to the Phi Phi Islands and my transportation to the airport. They also have many other options onsite like paddle boarding, kite surfing, and guided night market tours to Phuket!

The restaurant onsite was delicious, with plenty of healthy options (although I was a bit disappointed to learn that the juicing machine was down for the week) including some vegan options. My absolute favorite was the "Californian Burger," a salmon burger with lots of veggies! The only aspect that wasn't quite up to par was how there always seemed to be things left around the property, from used towels to drink bottles - however I personally felt this was more in part to some of the guests onsite that week. So, overall, would we recommend a stay at Selina Phuket? OF COURSE WE WOULD. ;) Let us know if you have any questions below!

Watch our Phuket Adventures here!