PHUKET 18 September 2026: I first visited the Phuket Four Points by Sheraton in 2021, when I inspected the property as a possible venue for a future conference. 

I remember being impressed then, so I was delighted to be invited back recently to update myself on the hotel and its facilities.

The timing of that first visit is worth remembering. Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort officially opened on 1 October 2020 (the first Four Points in Thailand) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so when I first inspected the property in 2021, it was still a very new resort. Opening a 600-room beachfront hotel during one of the most difficult periods the global travel industry has ever faced was no small undertaking, making its subsequent development and success all the more noteworthy.

Having recently attended a conference in Phuket’s Laguna area, I took the opportunity to extend my stay on the island and spend four days and three nights at Four Points.

What struck me immediately was how little this 600-room resort feels like a 600-room hotel.

The property is predominantly low-rise, with water and tropical landscaping playing an important role in its design. There is an almost lagoon-like quality as you walk through the resort, with pools, narrow waterways and water features appearing throughout the grounds.

For me, one of the most enjoyable areas is The Deck Beach Club. Its infinity-style pool and beachfront setting create a lively atmosphere, helped along by music and a DJ, while attentive staff circulate with menus and drinks. Plenty of sunbeds and shaded areas meant I never felt overwhelmed, despite its popularity.

Families are also particularly well catered for. The Little Sea Gypsies Kids’ Club was supervised every time I passed it on the way to my room and, judging by the number of young guests using it, clearly fulfils its purpose very successfully.

The accommodation itself deserves mentioning. There are eight room types, and I found the contemporary design comfortable and practical rather than unnecessarily elaborate. High ceilings and large floor-to-ceiling windows give the rooms a sense of space, while some categories have balconies, ocean views, or terraces providing direct access to the pool.

I was particularly interested to discover the Superior Triple Rooms, an increasingly useful option for families and groups of friends travelling together.

 They overlook the resort pool and accommodate up to three guests with a sofa bed, with configurations including either a king bed or two double beds.

It is a simple idea, but in my opinion an important one. Too often three people travelling together are forced either to book two rooms or compromise on comfort. Here, the third guest can be accommodated properly while everyone remains together.

There are also pool-access rooms for those who want to step directly from their private terrace into the water, while families wanting considerably more space can choose a two-bedroom Family Suite, complete with a separate children’s room and specially designed facilities for younger guests.

For those interested in meetings and conferences, however, this resort has another side altogether.

The conference facilities were one of the principal reasons for my original visit in 2021, and they are even more impressive today. The Akara Grand Ballroom now features an enormous 9m by 5m LED wall, opening up considerable possibilities for conference organisers and event planners. The ballroom accommodates up to 500 guests and is complemented by a junior ballroom and numerous meeting and breakout rooms.

With two levels of meeting facilities, escalator access, generous reception and pre-function areas and extensive indoor and outdoor event space, I found myself once again thinking that this is a serious conference hotel disguised rather cleverly as a beach resort.

Food and beverage was another highlight of my stay.

I particularly enjoyed Sears & Co. Bar and Grill, where guests can dine indoors in air-conditioned comfort or outside overlooking Patong Beach. The resort runs numerous dining promotions, including grilled meats, seafood and seasonal buffet offerings, adding welcome variety for guests staying several nights.

Breakfast at Chao Leh Kitchen deserves a special mention. In my opinion, it is one of the most extensive hotel breakfast buffets I have encountered in recent years.

Rather than one seemingly endless buffet line, the food is divided among different kitchen areas, offering Asian, Indian and Western favourites alongside traditional breakfast dishes. The selection seems endless, and during my stay it was extremely well patronised. Despite that, service remained efficient, friendly and remarkably well organised.

Location is another major advantage.

The hotel sits directly opposite Patong Beach. Cross the road, and you are on one of Phuket’s best-known stretches of golden sand, extending for approximately three kilometres.

I took an early morning exercise walk along the beachfront and found it one of the most fascinating walks I have enjoyed recently. (I walk a lot). Patong is already coming alive at 0630. Vendors prepare for the day, people exercise, restaurants and stalls open, and massage areas and beach businesses gradually spring into action.

Later, of course, the beach becomes considerably livelier. There is parasailing, jet skiing, and other water sports, along with volleyball, food vendors, restaurants, and the almost continuous energy Patong is famous for.

And that, for me, is part of the attraction. You can enjoy the facilities and relative calm of a large resort. Yet the moment you step outside, you are very much in Phuket, with Patong Beach and its extraordinary mixture of people, food, entertainment, and activity immediately in front of you.

For anyone considering a stay, it is also worth checking the hotel’s website before booking, as seasonal packages and special offers are regularly available. Marriott Bonvoy members should also check the benefits and rates available to them, which can add further value to a Phuket stay.

Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort manages an interesting balancing act. It is large without feeling enormous, lively without being overwhelming, and equally capable of accommodating a couple, three friends sharing a room, a family holiday, a beachfront escape, a wedding, or a substantial international conference.

Five years after my first inspection, I found a resort that has matured considerably.

Sometimes returning to a hotel tells you much more than visiting it for the first time. In this case, I came away more impressed than I had been in 2021.

About the Author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. He chairs the JFCCT Tourism Committee for 2026–2028 and has held senior leadership roles with Skål International in Thailand and Asia.