Phuket’s beach clubs are no strangers to spectacle yet Carpe Diem Beach Club trades bombast for a more nuanced seduction
By Sri Jungipol
A Softer Kind of Glamour
Tucked along a serene corner of the Bang Tao shore, Carpe Diem unfurls in low-slung timber with driftwood accents and candles in hurricane glass. By mid-afternoon the light turns liquid, palms scribble shadows across the sand, and everything slows to the tempo of clinking ice and unhurried conversation.
Design That Breathes
Carpe Diem’s aesthetic reads as modern Mediterranean with a Thai soul. Think chalk-white daybeds with deep cushions, ra a parasols that cast dappled shade, and a seafront that almost tips you into the surf. There’s a considered sense of flow: shaded lounges for languid lunches and elegant tables perfectly positioned for uninterrupted sea views. A boutique tucks in resortwear and artisanal jewellery, while the free-form infinity pool melts into the horizon, ringed by beach beds where guests linger between refreshing swims, chilled cocktails and golden rays. Service feels effortless – Wi-Fi is strong, sockets are tucked where you need them, and staff seem to appear at your elbow precisely when your glass thinks about being empty.
A Menu Made for Sunlit Hours
The kitchen leans Mediterranean, under the guidance of Executive Chef Kiattisak “Aek” Yeechun, every dish reflects his commitment to culinary excellence, balancing creativity with authenticity. To start, and designed for sharing, let your fingers hover over a mezze selection: crisp Panzerottini sighing steam, their pockets oozing molten mozzarella and tomato; smoky-silken Baba Ghanouj swirled with tahini, lemon, and pomegranate jewels and the Alici Ripiene, stu.ed white anchovies combined harmoniously with sauteed sea prawns and a garlic mayonnaise.
Pasta sings at Carpe Diem, with a wide choice available, highlighted by the Linguine Al Nero Di Seppia, tangled with hand-picked Phuket rock lobster in a rich bisque sauce.
Carnivores aren’t left out – the Côte de Boeuf, more than enough for 2, is a chargrilled bone-in ribeye of Angus beef, yielding perfectly to the knife after receiving the flame-and-rest treatment, served with roast potatoes and a wicked peppercorn jus. Freshly hooked Andaman Sea Bass is a standout fish dish, pan-roasted fillets, coated with a concerto of olives, capers and tomatoes, served with a fresh salad.
New Horizons
Launching in October 2025, La Dolce Vita Sundays channel the glamour of the Riviera. Guests can enjoy a lavish buffet of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, alongside a free-flow Bloody Mary bar. House and live music create a vibrant yet sophisticated soundtrack, perfectly complementing the relaxed, sunlit atmosphere. It’s designed for gourmands, residents and discerning travellers who crave civilised sunshine, elevated service and feel-good music over frenzy—an indulgent ritual with an unhurried soul.
Sunset Sips
Each pour is lifted by an endless sunset horizon. As dusk falls, a Mediterranean mood takes hold: choose a ruby Spanish red or a sparkling white Sangria. The Green Peach marries Italian basil with tequila, its exotic sweetness brightened by yuzu and a soft blush of peach–egg white foam. Standouts? A dead heat between the Tiramisu Espresso Martini — velvety with Stolichnaya vodka, Borghetti coffee liqueur, Crème de Cacao, fresh espresso and cream — and the Red Sambucus Nigra Sour, a glass-born symphony of elderflower, red wine, lemon and warming bourbon.
The Takeaway
Carpe Diem Beach Club offers the island’s most elegant argument for slowing down: food that tastes of sea and sun, drinks that dance with local spice, and a setting that flatters conversation and the view in equal measure. For those who prefer polish over pyrotechnics, it’s Phuket’s golden-hour refuge – an address you whisper to friends who value the same.
VISIT
99, 1 Bangtao Beach Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open daily 12 noon to midnight (kitchen closes at 11pm)
+66 (0)65 058 5388