If you’re looking for a hotel in Phuket that has a natural, outdoorsy atmosphere but with easy access to shops and nightlife, then you may have heard of Dinso Resort & Villas. In this Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket Review, I’ll tell you about my experience at the resort, from the rooms, to the food, to the location, to the facilities to let you know if it’s a good fit for your next trip to Phuket.
Location & Accessibility
Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket is located in a quiet part of the hills that is still close to Patong’s tourist areas and nightlife. It is approximately 15 minutes drive to Patong Beach and only 8-minute walk to Jungceylon Shopping Mall.
However, the roads are a bit tricky to walk around on and aren’t the most family-friendly if you are traveling with young kids. Phuket traffic is chaotic at times so use the hotel’s free shuttle bus if possible. They offer two return trips a day from the hotel to Jungceylon.
If you want to stay outside the main shopping areas but still close to stores, restaurants and the beach, then this is a good middle-ground spot.
Address: 117 Nanai Rd, Pa Tong, Phuket, 83150, Thailand
Room & Accommodation
We stayed at Dinso Resort & Villas in the two-bedroom suite with breakfast included. The cost will depend a lot on the season you are traveling. It was close to double during high season than low season. Prices were around 4,000+ THB per night during our stay.
The first thing that you will notice is the design. Dinso Resort features a warm wooden furniture and soft lighting. Everything looks cohesive with an indoor/outdoor feel. It has a sense of natural seclusion, like a jungle lodge or treehouse. You really do feel like you are in a Green Escape away from the busy streets of Patong.
Notes:
- The suite only had one shared bathroom and toilet, and the toilet area had no door to close the bathroom completely off. So if someone is using the shower, then you can’t use the toilet at the same time, and vice versa. This makes it a little impractical for larger groups or families staying at the resort.
- The view of our room wasn’t great and overlooked other buildings rather than the resort’s greenery or pool areas. However, at least it was a quiet spot.
- On a few occasions we walked outside of our room and into the corridors of the suite, and it occasionally had a slightly musty odor.
- It you want to book a room with a view, then look for the pool-facing rooms on the map during booking. Keep in mind that these rooms are also the loudest and less private.
One of the little details I noticed, and which I appreciated during our stay at Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket, was the free jar of Khanom Phing they left in our room. Khanom Phing is a type of Thai cookie that’s been around since the Ayutthaya period. It’s made of rice flour, sugar and coconut milk. They are light, almost melting in your mouth, and very mildly sweet. Goes really well with an afternoon tea or coffee. It’s just a simple local gesture like this, sharing a part of Thai culture with guests, that’s so thoughtful.
Villas & Jungle Houses
Dinso Resort features villas on the hillside with private pools, and to get there is where you ride a fun little elevator down the hill.
In concept this is a nice idea and it looks really cool in the resort brochure. However, my perception of these villas and jungle huts wasn’t as magical as they could have been.
Why? The view from the villa and even pool area was not as amazing as I expected it to be. Plus there was some construction work that was happening while we were there, which was an eyesore for the premium price.
Dining & Food Experience
Dinso Resort & Villas has two restaurants and a bar, all with a tropical jungle theme and fashionable decor. Food was good and there is a nice vibe to the restaurants.
Breakfast Buffet: Meh. It wasn’t bad but it was very basic and nothing compared to the other resorts we stayed at in Phuket.
Lunch & Dinner: Thai and Western food is both good. I was really surprised by the fried rice, as it was a simple dish but packed a punch of flavor.
Afternoon Tea: The afternoon tea set is good deal at around 800 THB for two, and worth checking out if you like the idea of having a nice afternoon snack.
There are a wide variety of restaurants outside of the resort, and you will probably want to check out the local dining spots after a few days if you are staying longer. There are plenty of cheap and good choices in the area.
Facilities & Amenities
Even though this is a boutique resort, Dinso Resort & Villas does have a surprising number of facilities:
- Swimming Pool: The resort has two swimming pools, both well designed and relaxing.
- Kids Club: While it exists, it wasn’t very good. Few toys and not really designed for children to spend a long time there. If you are traveling with young children and looking for places to entertain your kids, the kids club is not going to be your saving grace.
- Gym: Small but well-equipped and can be used for a light workout.
- Lobby: Spacious and designed well with a rustic natural theme that I quite liked. Lots of raw wood and brown/earthy color tones.
What the resort is missing in some of the family-friendly elements. For example, they don’t have kids’ cutlery and bowls available so you may have to bring these with you if you are traveling with toddlers.
Atmosphere & Design
In my opinion, the strongest aspect of Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket was the atmosphere. The whole resort was designed around a jungle theme and featured plants, wooden furniture and warm lighting.
Strolling around the resort feels like you are in a tropical paradise, even though you are in the middle of Phuket’s busiest tourist district.
The balance between feeling isolated in a jungle hut but still be close to all of the main action at Patong is hard to come by, and it is the main reason I would consider staying here again.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Unique tropical design and style, with a cool jungle atmosphere
- Good location and close to Patong but still relatively quiet and secluded
- Suites are spacious for families or groups of friends
- Free shuttle service to Jungceylon is useful
- Affordable afternoon tea option for dining
Cons:
- Limited kids’ amenities, so not fully family-friendly
- Shared bathroom setup in suite rooms is awkward
- Breakfast buffet is average
- Room views are generally mediocre
- Construction around villas is an eyesore
Who It’s Best For
Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket is best for:
- Couples looking for a stylish yet cozy getaway near Patong without being in the center of the crowds.
- Groups of friends who want a boutique-style stay with a warm, natural ambience.
- Travelers who value resort design and atmosphere over family-oriented resorts and facilities.
- It is not the best fit for families with young children who need many kid-friendly amenities and activities.
Final Verdict
Dinso Resort & Villas has a great tropical-inspired design and ambience that makes it feel like a jungle hideaway in the middle of Phuket’s busiest district. The themed restaurants, warm lighting and stylish decor all make it an interesting boutique-style resort.
However, there are some limitations. The rooms and facilities are not 100% family-friendly with some practical issues like shared bathrooms and average breakfast. The resort may also be missing that wow factor if you are looking for a 5-star luxury resort in Phuket.
Overall Rating: 8/10
If you are looking for a boutique resort with a good location in Patong, a cozy atmosphere and strong tropical design and theme, then Dinso Resort & Villas could be a great choice.
Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket Review: Jungle Hideaway Near Patong