Maya Beach Club is one of Phuket’s most popular and best-loved beach clubs, and it’s important not to confuse it with Maya Bay, which is also near Phuket.
Maya Bay is a critically endangered beach that is often closed to the public due to the damage that overtourism has wrought on the beach; however, it’s not where Maya Beach Club is situated, and the beach club does not contribute to any of the damage caused to the Bay.
Our team was not upset to learn that they would be spending some time in Thailand putting this beach club through its paces, and they rushed to pack the sunscreen and floppy hats, so that they could write this review for you.
Introduction – Getting To Maya Beach Club Phuket
Thailand is in Southeast Asia, and how long it takes you to get there very much depends on your starting point. It’s not too long a flight from Australia to Thailand, and it’s right next door to Malaysia and Cambodia.
But flights from Europe can take substantially longer, and flights from the United States are longer still.
Assuming that you’re flying into Bangkok, then Phuket is not too far away from the capital, though it’s enough of a drive that most people will take an internal flight or train to get there and spend a night or two recovering from the international leg of their journey in Bangkok before they do.
Once you reach Phuket, the island itself is not all that large, and you can get from place to place by Grab or another ride-share company easily enough. Be warned, there are taxi mafias and tuk-tuk mafias, though, that can make getting a ride share in popular areas a little more difficult than it ought to be.
There is parking available at the beach club, and you should also be aware that this club has a strict “smart casual” dress code, which is enforced by the door team.
Where Is Maya Beach Club Phuket? 323 27, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Online: Maya Beach Club
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. most days, though hours may vary on “Buddha Days”
What’s Available At Maya Beach Club Phuket?
There is a beach club, a kitchen and restaurant, a pool area and a bar. The club provides nightly DJ performances from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and there is a fire show at 9.30 p.m. each night.
Our Detailed Review Of Maya Beach Club Phuket
Every review that we put together on this site will go through the same process. This allows us to be as fair as possible to the beach clubs, their management and the workers in them, as well as to our readers who can rely on reviews that allow for direct comparisons between properties.
The process is as follows:
- Some of our team members are asked to visit and review the beach club. They are not required to go to the beach club together or at the same time, or even on the same date.
- Each team member who visits the beach club is asked to score the beach club from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) in the 20 criteria laid out below and to make notes about their experiences.
- The team members who conduct the review all meet up once they have visited the beach club to compare notes, talk about their experiences and vote on a final score in each category.
- One team member then writes up the review, and it is uploaded onto our website.
Reservation and Booking Process
The website is reasonably user-friendly, and you can pick a date, how many guests will be in attendance and then pick your type of seating.
However, we would note that you can’t choose a specific seat, so to some extent, you’re still relying on the mercy of the staff to give you a good spot when you arrive in the venue.
If you are agreeing to a minimum spend, you are expected to pay this as a deposit for your seat, and if you don’t turn up, you will lose the deposit. We think that’s fair enough, after all, a reserved bed can’t be used by anyone else.
Ambience and Atmosphere
They don’t call Thailand the “Land of Smiles” for nothing, and there’s no doubt that this place has that welcoming Thai vibe as soon as you arrive.
We like the fact that they’ve made good use of the tropical location and integrated it into the venue rather than just imposing something different on the beach.
The servers go out of their way to make people feel both welcome and involved in what’s going on, and there’s no doubt that they help to facilitate a good party when the time comes after sundown.
The early-day chill vibe might lead a few people to believe that they’re settling in for a truly relaxing day, but overall, we liked the mix between the two directions.
Location And Accessibility
If you’re in Phuket, the whole of the island is pretty easy to get to, particularly if you’re using a ride-share service.
Sure, Phuket’s not always that convenient for international travellers who are only spending a few days in Thailand, as it’s better served by local flights than international or intercontinental flights.
This beach club is on Bang Tao Beach, which is on the Western side of the island, and that means it’s well positioned for sunsets. The club does provide direct access to the beach.
Overall, this location is as good as it can be for Phuket, and we didn’t find it difficult to get here.
Aesthetic And Design
Maya is an attractive beach club, but we didn’t feel that the design particularly stood out in any fashion. It’s a pleasant, minimalist look and feel, but there’s nothing that really gives it a unique identity except for some frames on the beach.
We do like that it’s very much an open-air layout, and you can really enjoy the warm Thai sun to the fullest.
The restaurant areas provide enough shade so that you can easily escape the heat when you need to and cool off, too.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
We’d heard mixed reports regarding the reception at the Maya Beach Club Phuket, but our experiences were all thoroughly positive.
The staff were both friendly and professional and seemed to be very happy to help us find our seats.
They didn’t seem to know the menu as well as the staff at some other beach clubs, but this was a minor issue, and they did seek help to fill in the gaps in their knowledge rather than just winging it, which is a big deal here in Southeast Asia.
Service Speed and Efficiency
We also thought that the service was reasonably speedy and effective. Sure, it’s Thailand, so we weren’t expecting them to run around at light speed, but overall, we placed our orders and things arrived without making us feel like we were waiting for them.
The kitchen staff are to be commended for their part in this; there was always a steady flow of dishes heading to tables, even at the busiest times of the day.
Food Quality and Variety
The menu at Maya Beach Club Phuket is nicely varied, it does a good job of highlighting some of the local dishes that really stand out and engaging with fresh seafood from the catch of the day.
There are also a decent number of international options to keep the fussier eaters happy while everyone else gets acquainted with the Thai cuisine.
However, we did think that the dishes here were extraordinarily expensive for Thailand, and while we do expect a price premium at beach clubs, the premium here felt a little jarring.
We didn’t feel ripped off, but it was certainly on the very highest end of what we’d feel was acceptable to pay for the kind of food being served.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
The drinks, though similarly pricey, were one of the most creative offerings that we’ve seen in a beach club, and they did an excellent job of offering a wide range of beers, wines and spirits.
The cocktails were lovely, strong enough and beautifully presented and a great mixture of classic beachside favourites and new ideas that made us want to try them.
They also do a superb range of mocktails that are ideal for rehydrating or for those who don’t enjoy alcohol as part of their beach club routine.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
If you’ve spent any time in Thailand, you will know that Thais tend to be fastidiously clean; however, with the exception of the fact that no one will ever clean out a cobweb for some reason.
Fortunately, in this instance, we didn’t run into any hidden cobwebs, and the beach club was pretty spotless throughout.
The pool area was also clean and well-maintained, and we felt that you could swim with confidence at Maya Beach Club Phuket.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
While we found the beachside daybeds to be comfortable, though not exceptionally so when compared to other high-end beach clubs, we were a little disappointed by the wooden furniture in the other areas.
It just wasn’t as comfortable to sit on for long periods of time as we would have liked, and yes, we understand that it’s always challenging to get this right, but we don’t feel that they quite did.
Having said that, it wasn’t so bad that we ended up with enduring aches and pains, and a little bit of movement goes a long way towards making things easier again.
Music and Entertainment
The nighttime DJ culture in this beach club is excellent, and we found the fire show to be very entertaining, though we’re not sure how long the novelty would last if we came back to this beach club regularly.
However, the daytime piped music was a little on the bland side, and we really felt that they could put more effort into this. It wasn’t so bad that it was annoying, but it didn’t offer any kind of energy boost, either.
Seasonality
Thailand is in the tropics, and while there is a Monsoon season when the rains can get pretty heavy for a few weeks at a time, overall, there’s no really bad time to spend in Thailand, and thus, Maya Beach Club Phuket is open all year round with no reduced services.
In keeping with Thai laws, the beach club may offer reduced (or no) alcohol service on certain religious holidays and also on days when locals are expected to vote in elections.
We should note that this legal landscape is changing as we go to press, and it may be that the beach club will be able to keep serving all year round in the near future.
Pricing and Value for Money
Thailand used to be a very low-cost destination, but in recent years, inflation has taken off in the country like a rocket, and nothing is really “cheap” anymore.
Unfortunately, this beach club is more than “not cheap”; it’s downright expensive for Thailand, and while it is very nice, we don’t think that it offers maximum value for money, either.
Sure, it’s cheaper than a day out in Miami or St. Tropez, but even Bali offers better value than this, and Vietnam is much cheaper in Southeast Asia, though it has fewer beach clubs to choose from.
Beach Access and Quality
There is direct beach access at this beach club, and the sand is golden and soft beneath your feet, but it is occasionally prone to rubbish in the early morning before the beach club team has had a chance to clean it up.
Otherwise, it’s lovely and you can swim safely in the sea here or make sandcastles with friends if you want to.
This beach club is also in the perfect position for a nice tropical sunset view of the sun diving below the horizon over the ocean each night.
Sustainability Practices
Maya Beach Club Phuket takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, and the club has reached “carbon neutral status”.
It also works with local charities such as Oceans For All to improve the marine environment.
The furniture in this club often uses reclaimed materials, and the club asks guests to donate to local environmental charities too.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
There are perks available to guests depending on their minimum spend, including free use of a towel and live music events.
However, overall, there’s not much in the way of additional perks and certainly no VIP tier.
Safety and Security
Thailand is a very safe place, but this club doesn’t leave things to chance, and there is a basic security check at the entrance.
This is something that we approve of; we feel that security checks help to keep all guests safe, and they minimise the chances of serious incidents in the future.
Event Hosting Capabilities
This beach club hosts its own music events occasionally, but is not currently offering private event packages to guests or corporations.
Consistency of Experience
From the team’s relatively limited experience and according to other customers and reviews, this beach club is remarkably consistent at delivering a decent experience each and every time that you visit.
However, as with many beach clubs, we didn’t see any evidence of the beach club trying to evolve an even stronger customer experience for the future.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
Maya Beach Club has most of the facilities and amenities we’d expect to find at a beach club, and its position in Phuket means it’s within walking distance of pharmacies, shops, restaurants, bars, etc., as you need them.
However, the absence of any kind of events strategy means that this isn’t the beach club to host big parties or celebrations unless you just want to go with the flow.
Summary
Maya Beach Club Phuket is a very good beach club, and we can see why it’s so popular with holidaymakers. It might get a little stale if you’re a regular visitor, but for people passing through, it has everything you need for a nice day by the ocean.
Would we travel to Phuket just for this beach club? No, though there are very few beach clubs that would inspire us to go on holiday by themselves.
However, if we were in town, we would almost certainly spend a day here at some point during our holiday.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At Maya Beach Club, Phuket?
Yes, you can swim in the swimming pool at Maya Beach Club Phuket, and you will be provided with a towel and changing facilities. It is worth noting that this club charges its guests to use the beach beds, which come with towels – this fee is 1,500 Baht, which is approximately $50 USD for each beach bed.
It is possible to avoid paying that fee if you book your bed in advance online, but you will have to agree to a substantial minimum spend for this. We would still recommend that you book in advance.
In addition to the charge to use a beach bed, there is a minimum spend associated with all other forms of seating in Maya Beach Club Phuket.
What Is There To Do At Maya Beach Club Phuket?
During the day, you can eat, drink and relax by the pool. There is no DJ until 5 p.m at night. Once the DJ arrives and the sun goes down, this beach club quickly becomes a party-friendly night venue with dancing until 2 a.m.
There is also a fire show, which is a non-traditional but still entertaining event that is held every night at 21.30 hours. There is no additional charge to attend the fire show, which occurs throughout the venue.
Is Maya Beach Club Phuket A Child-Friendly Venue?
Yes, Maya Beach Club Phuket admits children under the supervision of their parents. However, it’s important to note that the venue becomes adults only at 9 p.m. and guests who wish to stay may be required to show ID demonstrating that they are over the age of 20.
It’s also worth noting that this club has no special facilities for children, and they will need to keep themselves occupied using their imaginations for the main part of the day.
Parents, as with most beach clubs in Southeast Asia, are expected to take control of their children’s health and safety and should also keep an eye on their kids and ensure they don’t annoy any of the other guests.
Who Is The Owner Of Maya Beach Club Phuket?
This beach club is part of the Marchacar Group in Thailand, which owns various hospitality businesses in Phuket and elsewhere in the country. The exact ownership structure of this group is not in the public domain.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of Maya Beach Club Phuket
Maya Beach Club is one of Thailand’s most popular beach clubs in the resort town of Phuket. While it does have some minor flaws, they won’t detract from your ability to have a good time at this beach club (assuming you don’t mind the expense).
The daybeds are comfortable, the food is good, the pool is pleasant, and there’s no doubt that the parties in the evening are a lot of fun.
It’s not worth travelling to Phuket just for this beach club, but if you’re there on holiday, making Maya Beach Club part of that holiday is a good idea.
