Representatives from The Slate beach resort in Phuket were in Australia last week to provide an update on the award-winning property. Australia is a top five source market for the 20 year-old five-star retreat, vying for top market share with French, German, Swiss and US travellers.
Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong is the Co-Founder and Owner of The Slate, a property that tells the story of the island of Phuket and her family’s history.
Located in the north of Phuket in a small village called Nai Yang, The Slate is spread across 25 acres of green, tropical landscapes. The size of the estate means the 125 keys that make up the property are very spread out. There are no high-rises, Krystal explains. “They are all low-rise, rooms and villas.”
Nai Yang itself is laid back and “very peaceful”, Krystal says, with a few other hotels and restaurants in the area. Locals are keen to interact with guests, which differs vastly from Phuket in the south, where it is busy
The roots of Phuket lie in the tin mining industry, which was the main occupation of the island hundreds of years ago. In 1912, Krystal’s great grandfather arrived in China as a tin miner, took a boat to Phuket where he built his career working for a British company. During World War II, when the Japanese occupied Phuket, Brits returned home, however secret documents were passed on to Krystal’s great grandfather, who hid those files underwater.
He was captured by the Japanese and tortured to reveal the secrets documents, but stood strong. When the war was resolved he was released. The British Government recognised his honesty and loyalty and passed onto him a large segment of land in Phuket. Part of that parcel of land is where The Slate is located.
Previously operating at Indigo Pearl, the property was rebranded as The Slate. Krystal recruited Bill Bensley to not only design the landscape and architecture, but also the interior design, to curate the music, and all of the accessories of the hotel.Last year, The Slate welcomed its latest addition – Coolies Club. A restaurant and bar, which tells the story of tin mining. The food and beverage concept is based on charcoal and smoked. The bar has a menu of tailored cocktails that tell the history of the past. Drinks include the Miner’s Whisper, a smoked Negroni, and Fire in Chinatown, a spicy margarita.
The Slate is a member of Design Hotels, and is a partner of Signature Travel Network’s extensive hotel portfolio.
The average length of stay for guests at The Slate is five nights, however that depends on the clientele, with Europeans staying for two- to three-weeks at a time, compared to Chinese travellers who may only visit for two- to three-nights.
The property caters for couples, families, and according to Krystal, is seeing an increase in solo travellers, as well as multi-generational clients.
For more information on The Slate, see theslatephuket.com/Lead image: Pictured at Song Bird, celebrity Chef Neil Perry’s latest addition in Double Bay, Sydney, from left are: Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong; Co-Founder and Owner of The Slate; Chef Neil Perry; Gaynor Reid, Catalyst Communications and Marcos Alves, The Slate/Coolies Club.
