Hospitality
As Thai kickboxing grows in popularity, more and more hotels in Thailand add classes in the martial art. And now, a hotel in Phuket adds a kickboxing ring, the first of many to come.
I was introduced to Muay Thai, a.k.a. Thai kickboxing, at a hotel in Phuket in 2010. Has it really been 5 years? I have been a big fan of the sport ever since.
Upon my return to Hong Kong, I discovered that my gym offered kickboxing classes. I have become a regular in the classes, but there is a significant difference to the kickboxing classes that I took in Thailand.
In Thailand, the classes were in kickboxing as a martial art. At my gym, they are a form of aerobics. We kickbox to music, which is fine because I like to dance.
Purists balk that kickboxing to music isn’t really Muay Thai, but I couldn’t care less. I enjoy both forms of the sport. I can’t really say which one I like best. If there is a class, I will take it.
Hotel Muay Thai Lessons
Whenever I make a trip to Thailand, I always ask if the hotels I stay at offer Muay Thai lessons, and when they do, I try to take some. So far I have taken Muay Thai lessons at Thai hotels 5 times: twice at Indigo Pearl in Phuket, twice at Paresa in Phuket, and once at Hansar Bangkok.
At the last hotel, the class wasn’t held at the hotel itself. I was taken to a fitness centre, which was located a few blocks from the hotel.
So I was excited to learn that the Anantara Phuket Layan Resort and Spa has installed an open-air Muay Thai kickboxing ring! Other Anantara hotels and resorts in the chain plan on adding kickboxing rings this year, as well!
Both beginning and advanced level classes are offered. They can be taken individually, as couples, or in groups. There are also 3 and 5 day packages as well as packages for families.
The hotel has 30 rooms and suites as well as 47 pool villas, 4 food and beverage outlets, a spa, a gym, and meeting facilities.
Where
Anantara Phuket Layan Resort and Spa, 168 Moo 6, Layan Beach Soi 4,Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand. Telephone: : +66 76 317 200. Website: Anantara Phuket Layan Resort and Spa
The hotel is located on Phuket’s Western Coast. It has a private beach. It is a 20 minute drive from Phuket International Airport
The hotel is a 15 minute drive from the Blue Canyan Golf Course, a 20 minute drive from Phuket Fantasea, a 30 minute drive from Phuket Town, a 35 minute drive from Patong Beach, and a 45 minute drive from the Phuket Aquarium.