Café Del Mar was once exclusive to Ibiza, and it helped to launch the dominance of Ibiza in the beach club scene. However, Ibiza has long since handed that crown to Bali, but the Cafe Del Mar name lives on in many locations around the world.
But does that mean that there’s a guarantee of a good time if the franchisee hangs up a sign with Cafe Del Mar on it? Well, after visiting some of the other branches around the world, our team was curious to find out.
So, they packed their bags for Thailand and headed to the beach in Phuket, and this is what they learned at Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket.
Introduction – Getting To Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket
Getting to Phuket is fairly straightforward if you’re flying from within Southeast Asia, as you can often get a direct flight to the island.
However, if you’re coming from further away, you’re going to need to change planes in Bangkok, and many people opt for a night or two in the capital before continuing on to Phuket. Unlike Pattaya, which is a short drive out of Bangkok, you’re probably going to want to catch an internal flight to Phuket.
Once you reach Phuket, you will find that Cafe Del Mar is centrally located (in terms of beachfront) and is very easy to get to from most of the area.
You can get a taxi or tuk-tuk and reach the club in about 30-60 minutes from pretty much anywhere. If you do opt to drive yourself, then parking is available at Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket.
Where Is Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket? 118, 19, Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand
Online: Cafe Del Mar
Opening Hours: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. hours may vary on Thai public holidays and voting days
What’s Available At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket?
There is a pool area, a collection of “day suites” where you can enjoy cabana-style times for private parties (at a fairly substantial price), and a beach area (which, for now at least, we will have to recommend you avoid – see later in this article to discover why).
They also have a bar and restaurant facilities. There is a beachwear retail presence, the “Esencial Shop”. There’s a fire show every night, which was featured in the TV Show – White Lotus Season 3.
And from Wednesday to Saturday, there is a club room with DJs playing all night long, some of these events are free, though if you want a table, there is a minimum spend; others have an entrance fee, which is charged in addition to anything that you’ve already spent in the beach club that day. You’re advised to book the club in advance as tickets can sell out fast.
Our Detailed Review Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket
We apply a standardised method to assess each beach club, ensuring equitable assessment for owners, management, and staff, and offering reviews in a uniform structure that simplifies venue comparisons.
The assessment procedure is as follows:
- A review team is chosen to evaluate the venue.
- All members are required to visit the beach club, though they may do so separately and on different days.
- At the venue, each reviewer fills out a scorecard, assigning the club a score from 1 (lowest level) to 5 (highest level) across specified categories, while also noting their impressions.
- Once all scorecards are submitted, the team gathers to review their findings and finalise category scores.
- A selected team member then writes the review, reflecting the group’s consensus and scores, before it is shared on our website.
Reservation and Booking Process
Cafe Del Mar’s booking system is pretty good, though there is room for improvement. You can choose the date you want to come, the time you want to arrive and how many people you want to bring with you.
The system is then clear about the minimum spend requirement (roughly 5,000 Baht for 4 people, which is about 155 USD or 200 AUD) and any exclusions to the credit that they provide.
But you can’t select an exact seat, which is kind of annoying, given that this isn’t hard to implement and Cafe Del Mar is such a large chain. They do have a nice diagram of the seats that you can’t select, though, which is actually even more annoying.
Ambience and Atmosphere
Cafe Del Mar has a well-defined chill-out vibe based on their Ibizan days, and the musical tone is set before you even arrive.
You’re either going to love that or hate it, and our team is split on the issue. While we feel this property is definitely better than their Bali presence, it’s still not the most memorable vibe that we’ve encountered.
But, we have to deduct a point here because of the issues around the beach; they may not be the club’s fault, but they are a problem. More on this in the next section.
Location And Accessibility
This is the time to get real. Phuket’s got a pollution problem, and this beach is bearing the brunt of that problem.
While we wouldn’t advise anyone to swim in the sea anywhere in this area, this beach is a total mess. There are canal outflows dumping raw sewage into the water, and the beach actively smells bad.
This makes what is already a challenging job, keeping the sand clear of debris and trash, next to impossible, and the beach is gross.
This isn’t the club’s fault. But that doesn’t change the fact that you can’t recommend a location like this. You just can’t. The sunset is nice here, though if you can endure the stink for that long.
Aesthetic And Design
We think Cafe Del Mar has done very well integrating a Thai identity with the classic brand identity, and there’s no doubt that this is one of the most attractive beach clubs in Thailand.
You’ll find that the swimming pool area is gorgeous and that the restaurant seating is very pleasant too.
You may be less impressed with the seating on the beach, but not because of design failures, but the failure of the local sewerage.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
There’s plenty of the good old Land of Smiles hospitality to be found at Cafe Del Mar in Phuket, and we don’t think anyone will have too many complaints about the service.
The staff are friendly and very professional, even if slightly laconic, which is the style of pretty much everything in Thailand.
They certainly know the club, the local area and most importantly, the menu well enough to guide you through it.
We’ve had better service in beach clubs, but not that much better, and the staff are a credit to the brand.
Service Speed and Efficiency
It’s Thailand, and we don’t really expect speed and efficiency; it’s just not a natural state of affairs here, and so we weren’t disappointed when things took a little longer to arrive than we might have hoped for.
There were no delays so severe that they made us want to give up and go home, but every now and again, we were left wishing our drinks would get a move on.
Overall, the speed and efficiency of service at Cafe Del Mar, Phuket, are OK.
Food Quality and Variety
The food menu at this beach club is incredibly varied and it’s clearly drawing on multiple kitchens to offer an interesting array of Thai, Japanese and international fare.
We also thought that by beach club standards, the food was reasonably priced and that the portions were generous enough.
Most importantly, we thought that it tasted great and looked as good as it tasted. You’ll be happy to post pictures of it online after you’ve finished gulping it down.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
The cocktail selection is pretty good, and we thought the presentation was excellent. It all looks great on your Instagram feed.
We did, however, take issue with the “shots”, which aren’t completely made up of alcohol but rather a large part is mixers, but which cost as much as a shot should. That’s creative, but not in the right direction for us.
Wine is pricey, but that’s not the fault of Cafe Del Mar; wine is always expensive in Thailand, thanks to the import taxes levied on it.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
We are not going to deduct points for the disaster on the beach in this section. We feel that’s beyond the beach club’s control.
Within their remit, the pool area is clean and well-maintained, and the toilets, showers, and changing rooms are pretty much gleaming, which is how it should be.
We didn’t take a tour of the kitchens, but we feel confident that they are as hygienic as the rest of the beach club.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
The seating arrangements are often super comfy, but we’d appreciate a bit more cushion on the daybeds.
We don’t know if this was intentional to try and get people to move on and around the club to maximise the use of the pool area, but they’re not ideal for a full day of lounging.
Otherwise, things are pretty good, and the VIP suites are awesome, if you can stomach the very high minimum spend to use one.
Music and Entertainment
This is a club that made its name not just as a beach club in Ibiza, but also as a record label. So, it won’t come as a surprise that they do decent music.
They also have regular events (four nights a week) where you can enjoy live DJ presences and there’s a nightly fire show which is world famous thanks to its appearance in a popular TV show.
It’s not the best entertainment of any beach club we’ve visited, but there’s no doubt that Cafe Del Mar, Phuket, shines in this area.
Seasonality
They don’t shut the beach clubs in Phuket at any point in the year, but we think that maybe they should.
The monsoon rains here can be really severe and go weeks without a let-up in the sky. Who wants to spend their time at a beach club under a non-stop downpour? Not us.
Other than that, there’s officially no seasonality, though the beach clubs may close for public holidays or work reduced hours and for certain government action days like elections.
And on some days in Thailand
Pricing and Value for Money
This isn’t the best value for money that we’ve encountered in Thailand, and we think the minimum spend is very high given that the food and drinks prices are reasonable.
Overall, it’s not a rip-off, but it’s not amazing value either. You can do better, and we do feel that if you want to change seats, being told you need to cough up a second minimum spend is a tad outrageous.
Beach Access and Quality
This is a once lovely beach now covered in toxic effluent and trash. It’s not the beach club’s fault, but the issue has been going on for a very long time, and nobody’s taken the action necessary to fix things.
The stench of raw sewage can be overpowering down by the shore at times, and we simply can’t recommend this beach at the moment.
We will check back in a year’s time to see if things have improved.
Sustainability Practices
Cafe Del Mar in Phuket has made no public commitment to sustainability and offers no sustainability reporting.
In 2025, that’s just not good enough. Many travellers care about the planet and want to spend their time in places that feel the same way.
Given the environmental destruction on the beaches and in the oceans around this area, you’d think hospitality businesses would be leading the charge to improve things.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
You get free use of a towel and a daybed if you cover the minimum spend. That’s pretty much a beach club standard around Southeast Asia.
There’s nothing more, though, and despite our love of VIP treatment, even if we have to pay for it, you simply can’t get a better set of perks.
Safety and Security
This is a security-conscious beach club chain, and you will be bag checked at the door, which we think is a positive.
You will also find that they have enough security on hand to deal with any issues that might arise from overconsumption of alcohol during the day.
Event Hosting Capabilities
They have a dedicated events hosting team at Cafe Del Mar, and they seem pretty confident that they can handle any event, big or small.
You might need to book a long time in advance for bigger events, though, as it’s clear their calendar is pretty full most of the time.
Consistency of Experience
The experience at this beach club is very consistent, but unfortunately, that includes the problems with the beach, and once again, that’s bringing their scores down.
We also don’t feel that Cafe Del Mar is particularly innovative when it comes to improving their brand experience; they’re very much resting on their laurels.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
The facilities at this beach club cover all the basics and if you need anything else, you can find it within a short drive in the rest of Phuket.
Score: 3/5
Summary
While there’s no doubt that this is a good example of Cafe Del Mar’s work in action, it’s all marred (excuse the pun) by that awful beach covered in trash and sewage.
This has now been going on for over a decade, so it seems unlikely that there will be a concerted effort to put things right anytime soon.
It’s not the beach club’s fault, and if you fancy a day at the pool with your mates, this is still a decent option for a day out, but we wouldn’t take a family here at all.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket?
Yes, there’s an attractive pool at Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket, where you can enjoy a swim. However, you do need to book a seat near the pool to get access to the pool, which entails committing to a minimum spend.
The pool is closed every day promptly at 7 p.m., so don’t plan on swimming into the night.
You can also swim in the sea at this beach club, and you are steps away from Kamala Bay and the attractive beach there.
The beach is sometimes overwhelmed by plastic waste, though, and while there are regular clean-up patrols all along the sand, they quite often fail to make a dent in the waste, particularly at the worst parts of the year when the tides keep depositing trash on the beach.
Unfortunately, the sea here is famously polluted, and it regularly turns black from the outflow of the inland canals dumping untreated waste in the sea. Not only is the black goo unsightly, but quite frankly, it stinks, too.
The local media describes it as a “sour odour”; we’d say it smells exactly like the sewage that it is.
We wouldn’t recommend swimming in the sea here at all, and you ought to think long and hard about allowing children anywhere near the water.
We’d also advise you to book a seat away from the beach at Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket. While this situation is entirely outside of the club’s control, you shouldn’t have to suffer through stinking effluent on your day out, either.
What Is There To Do At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket?
You can eat, drink, chill and swim at Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket. Sadly, we’d be cautious about using the beach, and we’d absolutely stay out of the seawater due to local pollution problems.
The sunset at this beach club is pleasant enough, though, and you might want to watch that if you can bear the smell of the water.
Is Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket, A Child-Friendly Venue?
Yes, sort of, Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket, considers itself to be a family-friendly venue, and children are welcome throughout the club during the day except in the pool area, which is adults-only.
There may be some restrictions on young children using certain facilities, and all children may be asked to leave the club in the evenings when things tend to heat up a bit.
In keeping with the general vibe of Southeast Asia, parents are expected to keep an eye on their children to ensure their safety and to prevent them from annoying other guests.
We strongly suggest children stay away from the beach due to the pollution issues on the sand and in the sea. Given that children can’t use the pool, we’d choose another beach club at the moment if we were looking for a family day out.
Who Is The Owner Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket?
Cafe Del Mar Phuket is, like other clubs outside of Ibiza bearing this brand name, a franchise and this is owned by Khun Elle Supaluck Umpujh. A Thai businessperson with several interests in the hospitality industry in the area.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Phuket
We know it’s not their fault, but the current issues with pollution really put us off visiting the Cafe Del Mar Beach Club and many of the other beach clubs in Phuket, too.
Nobody wants to spend their time chilling by a stinking sandpit covered in black slime from sewage outlets. It’s really that simple.
And it’s a real shame, as Cafe Del Mar, as with many other beach clubs in this area, is perfectly pleasant and without the pollution, spending a day here would be a good choice.
But this issue has been going on for over 10 years now, and we’d recommend that you book a holiday to Bali instead. Which may have its own issues with pollution, but they pale into insignificance compared to this.
