Residents & Families
What families and residents say
The people who know fahnipiles best are those who have spent time here — either as residents or as the families of residents. These are some of their reflections.
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Years in Thalang
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Reviews
In their own words
Accounts from residents and family members — shared with permission and written in the spirit they were given.
Margaret Holt
Melbourne, Australia
"My mother spent two years in the Private Suite at fahnipiles, and honestly the thing that struck us most was how settled she seemed within the first few weeks. She's not someone who adapts easily to new surroundings, but the terrace, the meals, and — I think most of all — the consistency of the staff made a real difference. We visited three times and each time the house felt exactly as it had before."
January 2025
Robert Blackwood
Edinburgh, Scotland
"My father has been in the Premium package for about fourteen months. He's in his late eighties and was somewhat resistant to the idea initially — he'd lived independently for a long time. What won him over, I think, was that fahnipiles doesn't treat him like a patient. He still has his mornings the way he wants them. The personal assistant is helpful without being intrusive. The food is genuinely good — he mentions it every time we call."
February 2025
Christine Ward
Vancouver, Canada
"We were looking for something in Thailand because my aunt had spent thirty years on the island and wanted to stay — but she needed a degree of support she couldn't manage alone. fahnipiles was exactly the right scale. She's in the Sky Suite and says the balcony view in the morning is the best part of the day. We came from Vancouver for a week's visit and felt completely reassured by everything we saw."
December 2024
James Neville
Resident, formerly London
"I moved in about eight months ago after spending forty years in London and not quite knowing what I wanted next. I'm in the Sky Suite and I spend most of my mornings on the balcony. The light here is something I didn't expect to value as much as I do. The staff are easy company — they're around when you need them and don't hover. The outings to the temple grounds and the museum have been genuinely interesting, not organised tourism."
January 2025
Lena Thorvaldsen
Oslo, Norway
"My mother chose the Garden Room because she didn't want to feel isolated in a private room — she's sociable and wanted a companion. That worked out very well. The room is modest but genuinely comfortable, and the garden access means she spends a lot of the day outside. Communication with the staff has always been good — English is no issue at all, and they call us if there's anything we should know without waiting for us to ask."
February 2025
David MacIntyre
Sydney, Australia
"We spent a considerable time researching retirement options in Phuket before settling on fahnipiles for my grandmother. The difference was the visit. We arrived without much of an appointment and the house was exactly as it appeared in the photographs — clean, calm, and well-staffed. Khun Pornpan took the time to walk us around properly and answered our questions directly. Twenty months later, my grandmother describes it as home."
January 2025
Case Studies
Three residents, three different journeys
A long-term Phuket resident needing support
Private Sky View Suite · Resident since March 2024
The situation
A British national who had lived in Phuket for over twenty years. He wanted to remain on the island but needed day-to-day support that living alone no longer allowed. He was resistant to anything that felt clinical or institutional.
At fahnipiles
He moved into the Sky View Suite, where his balcony faces the palm garden. He joined the activities programme at his own pace — initially observing the morning sessions before participating. Within two months he was accompanying Somchai on the museum outings regularly.
After 10 months
His daughter, who had initially been uncertain about the arrangement, described her last visit as "the most relaxed I've felt since this whole conversation started." He remains on the island he chose, supported without feeling managed.
A family searching from overseas
Premium Phuket Residence · Resident since November 2023
The situation
A Norwegian family were looking for care in Thailand for their mother, who had retired to Phuket years earlier. They had tried to assess options entirely online and found it difficult. They eventually visited in person for three days.
At fahnipiles
The family's visit settled the question within half a day. Their mother moved into the Premium package the following month. She receives personal daily assistance from a named staff member who has remained consistent throughout her time at the house.
Over 15 months
The family now visits twice a year and calls roughly fortnightly. "The thing that took the most time to get used to," said one daughter, "was realising we didn't need to worry between visits."
Starting with a trial stay
Garden Terrace Room · Resident since September 2024
The situation
An Australian woman in her mid-seventies who was entirely capable of making her own decisions, wanted to try living at fahnipiles before committing to anything. She spent two weeks as a trial resident, sharing the Garden Room.
The trial
She found the company of the shared room unexpectedly welcome. The meals suited her. She liked the market visit arrangement and the freedom to structure her day without the burden of organising it herself. She extended the trial by a week and then moved in properly.
Six months on
She describes the Garden Room as "exactly right" for her needs. "I didn't want to rattle around in a big private suite — I wanted somewhere with a bit of life in it. The garden in the morning is where I start every day now."
Get in touch
We're glad to answer your questions
Whether you've read through the testimonials and want to ask something specific, or you'd like to arrange a visit — please reach out directly. We respond to all enquiries personally.
Telephone
+66 76 384 5917Address
91/3 Thepkasattri Road, Thalang
Phuket 83110, Thailand
Office Hours
Mon–Fri: 8:00–17:00 · Sat: 9:00–13:00
Form your own impression
The accounts above are genuine — but the most useful step is a visit. Come and see the garden, the rooms, and the people, and make up your own mind.
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