Phuket’s beach club scene is both lively and thriving, and we often find ourselves in this corner of Thailand exploring what it has to offer.
Recently, we had the opportunity to visit FUGA Beach Club on Patong Beach. and our team enthusiastically packed their writing gear and reusable water bottles as they’d heard good things about this beach club, and they wanted to see if it measured up in real life.
After several hard days of lounging around in the sun, devouring the menu and consuming enough alcohol to power a farm for a month, this is what they learned at FUGA in Phuket.
Introduction – Getting To FUGA Beach Club, Phuket
To get to FUGA, you will need to get to Phuket, and that means a flight either direct to Phuket or to Bangkok. There are times of the year when direct flights can be a bit scant from European and American destinations.
If you do have to bounce in Bangkok, it’s not the end of the world; it takes less than an hour for the connecting flight.
When you arrive in Phuket, after you’ve found your accommodation, you’ll be less than an hour’s drive from FUGA, even in peak-time traffic.
Patong Beach is one of the most popular destinations in this area, so you may find it’s best to take a Grab or a Tuk-Tuk to this beach club, as finding parking nearby is going to be tricky.
Where Is FUGA Beach Club, Phuket? Patong beach, 20 Kammala – Patong Rd, Patong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand
Online: FUGA
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. every day, though there may be exceptions for public holidays and government elections.
What’s Available At FUGA Beach Club, Phuket?
FUGA Beach Club has a pool area overlooking the beach, regular saxophony performances, which they say is “a poetic expression of the sea’s timeless allure”, which sounds like marketing speak to us, DJs from around the world, a nightly fire show (in common with most beach clubs in Phuket), as well as daybeds, restaurant and bar facilities.
Our Detailed Review Of FUGA Beach Club, Phuket
We employ a uniform process to evaluate every beach club, ensuring impartial treatment of owners, management, and staff, and presenting reviews in a standardised format that enables seamless venue comparisons.
The evaluation process is described as follows:
- A team is designated to assess the venue.
- Each member must visit the beach club, with the option to visit independently and on different days.
- During their visit, every reviewer completes a scorecard, rating the club from 1 (least effective) to 5 (most effective) in specified categories, while also recording their observations.
- After all team members have submitted their scorecards, they gather to discuss their experiences and determine final scores for each category.
- A selected team member then drafts the review, capturing the team’s discussions and final scores, before it is published on our website.
Reservation and Booking Process
We’re not sure why FUGA hides the “Reservation” button on the main beach club page, but a tiny brown button stuffed in the middle of a large, brightly coloured image is not as helpful as it could be.
You are then confronted with a page exhorting you to choose an event or a date and then to click on the table that you want to reserve.
When we went to book, there were no upcoming events and the page actually wanted us to select a category of where we wanted to sit, which helpfully shades in the rest of the map so that you can see where it is.
But then we found we could only book tables at the bars, with the daybeds remaining resolutely unbookable. It turns out that you have to rock up to the venue to get those, and there’s no guarantee that you will.
So, while we were sort of impressed with the look of the booking screen, the actual process is pretty poor and not customer-friendly at all.
Ambience and Atmosphere
FUGA is a relatively small and compact beach club with a few distinct seating areas, which are screened off from each other.
We can understand how this might create intimate spaces for conversation, but it also has an isolating effect, where you don’t really feel part of a larger beach club.
It also means that if there aren’t many bookings in the area that you booked, well, you’re on your own and cut off from anybody else in the venue.
That’s not ideal for what should be a highly social day out, and while some of the days when our reviewers were at FUGA were very busy, others were not.
Location And Accessibility
Patong Beach is one of the big-name beaches in Phuket, and there’s no doubt that this is a popular place to be.
It’s easy to get to from any of the accommodations in the area. However, there’s no parking at the beach club, and there’s very little parking nearby – we strongly recommend taking a cab or a ride-share to avoid spending hours looking for a space.
In terms of wheelchair access, there are parts of the club that are accessible, but the beachfront daybeds are down a flight of stairs that we don’t think anyone could tackle in a chair.
Aesthetic And Design
One of the nice things about the cordoned-off design of this place is that each seating area does have its own unique identity. If you were to return a few times, you’d be able to grab some new Instagram snaps each time.
We also think that they’ve done a good job of injecting their own branded personality into the design without making it feel like a corporate beach club.
It’s not the most jaw-dropping beach club that we’ve visited, but there’s no doubt that it’s a pleasant enough place to look at, all the same.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
It’s the land of smiles, and we expect a certain level of friendliness as a given, and they don’t disappoint at FUGA, where the staff are very approachable, indeed.
We also felt that they were very professional, and we were impressed with their approach to knowing the menu and the local area and being able to make recommendations.
Was it the best service standard that we’ve ever encountered? Not quite. But there’s no doubt that the staff here are a credit to FUGA.
Service Speed and Efficiency
For the majority of our time at FUGA, we found the service to be very efficient. Orders were taken swiftly and then produced at a reasonably rapid pace, too.
Given the size of FUGA, we’d have expected nothing less to be fair. This isn’t a five-thousand-seat club with logistical challenges, after all.
However, there were a couple of times that our reviewers were left hanging around for longer than they should have been, and this was particularly when they were trying to pay the final bill and move on for the day.
Food Quality and Variety
The menu isn’t the largest we’ve seen at a beach club, but there’s more than enough choice on there to keep most people happy over the course of a day.
And that’s really the key to beach clubs, their repeat customer rate is by necessity relatively low, so a large menu in a small beach club makes no sense, you don’t need a different dish for every individual in the room.
We also felt that most of the dishes were very good, but we were a little concerned about the fresh oysters, which didn’t feel as fresh as they might have been.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
One of the annoying things about Thailand is that a couple of breweries have the local alcohol market sewn up, and all imported booze is taxed to the hilt to add a protectionist layer to it.
This wouldn’t matter too much except for the fact that there are no vineyards in Thailand (any “Thai wine” is just grape juice with added alcohol) and thus, no local wine.
So, the wine list here is expensive and not all that great. The cocktail list is decent enough, though, and cocktails are well presented.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
One area that we were very happy with at FUGA was the level of hygiene. The pool area was kept very clean, and the water was very healthy-looking with no visible trace of contamination or soiling.
The bathrooms and changing areas were likewise very clean. This is a good thing, and it helps you to have confidence in the cleanliness of areas you can’t see, like the kitchens and behind the bars.
None of our reviewers had any hygiene concerns at all at this beach club.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
The daybeds look very comfortable, and we thought that they were as comfy as they looked. You could easily spend a day on these daybeds without feeling pushed to move elsewhere.
However, the other seating, particularly around the bar, wasn’t quite as good and given that they levy a minimum spend on the bar seating. They ought to do a bit better in this respect.
Music and Entertainment
For most of the day at FUGA, you’re looking at piped music, which is just fine, but it can become a bit predictable, too. It’s a decent backdrop for time with your mates, but we doubt anyone’s going to make a new playlist based on it when they get home, either.
They do have DJs some evenings (we’d advise ringing up to check if this is important to you), and they add a bit of energy to the proceedings when they are on.
The fire shows are something of a Phuket cliche now, and while they are impressive the first time you see one, they quickly grow stale. It would be nice to see a beach club try and do something a bit different.
Seasonality
While Phuket, in theory, has no seasonality to speak of as it’s in the tropics, the rainy season can be brutal. While it won’t be cold, it can rain for – quite literally – days on end.
There’s nothing worse than a day at a beach club, particularly if you have to commit to a minimum spend as you do at FUGA, in a torrential downpour.
We’d strongly recommend heading to Bali rather than Phuket in the rainy season; it does rain in Bali, too, but never for more than an hour or two a day.
Pricing and Value for Money
We’ve seen prices creeping up all over Thailand, and FUGA Beach Club is no exception. While it’s not the most expensive beach club in Phuket, it’s not cheap either.
Most people choose Thailand for its affordable prices, and there’s no doubt that this is slowly vanishing.
There’s a reason that the country is hemorrhaging visitors to Bali, Vietnam, etc., and it’s a lot to do with skyrocketing prices that aren’t being matched with a similar rise in quality.
Beach Access and Quality
You can access the beach from FUGA, but it’s down a flight of stairs, and there is only a very limited number of daybeds available on the sand.
The beach club has a semi-private beach and thus, it’s kept very clean, which is handy if you want your kids to be able to play in the sand.
As with all beaches in this part of Thailand, it’s not recommended that you swim in the sea due to both the pollution in the water and the presence of strong riptides that can drag even very experienced swimmers out to sea.
Sustainability Practices
We think that sustainability is becoming a bigger issue in the beach club scene now that discerning consumers are demanding better practices, and we’re pleased to report that FUGA has made more of an effort than most beach clubs in Phuket in this respect.
They use a farm-to-table approach with local sourcing and organic produce as the focus of their purchasing. There’s also a complete ban on single-use plastics at this club.
The club works with local organisations to meet its obligations to the local community within which it operates.
However, they have no formal environment reporting, and it’s hard to tell good efforts from greenwashing without this.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
You get a seat at FUGA by agreeing to a minimum spend; this is true of all areas in this beach club, even the bar stools.
However, they do provide towels and the use of the pool in return for this commitment. That’s the standard for most beach clubs in Southeast Asia, though they’ve certainly not gone over and above in this respect.
We do wish that beach clubs would start offering premium services and perks for those willing to pay a bit more, too.
Safety and Security
We believe that beach clubs should take their customers’ safety seriously, and we’re pleased to report that FUGA conducts basic bag checks at the door.
There are also enough Thai security staff around the place that you can feel confident that if trouble should break out in the beach club, it won’t be allowed to impact you.
Event Hosting Capabilities
They do offer event hosting at this beach club, but due to the internal layout, it’s really only for small private events. You couldn’t host a large wedding reception or corporate event here; it’s just not cut out for it.
Consistency of Experience
Based on the experiences of our review team, as well as the customer feedback that we reviewed online and the customers we spoke to in the venue, we felt that this beach club offers a very consistent experience.
However, there’s little sign of the constant reinvention that might propel FUGA on to greater heights.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
FUGA has all the basic amenities that you’d expect from a beach club of its type, and because it’s on Patong Beach, you won’t be far away (either on foot or in a car) from anything else that you might need.
Summary
Overall, FUGA is a good beach club that we’d be happy to spend a few hours in if we pass through this part of Phuket again in the near future.
It’s too small to really stand out in a crowded beach club scene in this part of Thailand, but mostly, what they do, they do well.
However, it’s quite expensive for what it is, and we do feel that Thailand is slowly pricing itself out of the affordable holiday market in Southeast Asia.
You get more bang for your buck in Bali at the moment, and given that Bali is Australia’s playground, you’d expect it to be more expensive than it is.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At FUGA Beach Club, Phuket?
Yes, there’s a small pool in the centre of the beach club that you can access. There’s very little seating directly around the pool, though, and you’ll need to be quick to get a poolside spot, particularly as you can’t book their daybeds online.
And if the club is busy, the pool may end up with too many bodies in it to be particularly useful for swimming, so get there early in the day if getting in some lengths is a vital part of your holiday.
You could also, in theory, swim in the ocean, but this is never recommended in Phuket, where the water is severely polluted and there are random riptides that can drag even experienced swimmers out to sea.
What Is There To Do At FUGA Beach Club, Phuket?
You can eat, drink, swim and depending on the time of day, you can also enjoy a fire show or dance to the tunes laid down by the DJs.
It’s a relatively small beach club, so you’ll find that everything is easily available and accessible from your seat.
Is FUGA Beach Club, Phuket, A Child-Friendly Venue?
Yes, officially, FUGA Beach Club is a child-friendly venue in that during the day, kids are allowed inside while accompanied by their parents.
However, they may be asked to leave later in the day when a more party vibe sets in at FUGA.
We should note that there are absolutely no special facilities for kids at this beach club, and while there is a lifeguard in the pool area, you must watch your children and ensure their safety and that they don’t annoy any other guests.
It’s also important to stress that your children should never swim in the sea in this part of Thailand; it’s downright dangerous.
Who Is The Owner Of FUGA Beach Club, Phuket?
The owner of FUGA Beach Club is not listed in any publicly available documentation. It seems likely that it’s a joint venture between a local and international set of businesspeople, but this is pure speculation on our part.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of FUGA Beach Club, Phuket
FUGA is a very decent beach club, and we’d have no problem recommending it to a friend or reassuring them that they would have a good time if they’d already booked.
It’s by no means the best beach club out there, but it’s a pleasant, smaller venue with a lot going on, and while it’s not brilliant value for money, it does make for a good day out.
The Patong Beach area has plenty of entertainment options, but we’d be tempted to spend at least a few hours at FUGA Beach Club if we were holidaying in the area.
