Otter in the rain

Otter in the Rain is a restaurant at the Hivee Hotel in Phuket, with a well-kept, spotless, and thoughtfully designed dining area. Inside, you’ll find a stylish room with pleasant background music and comfortable air-conditioning; outside, there are quiet tables by the pool. The atmosphere works equally well for a date or a small celebration — soft lighting, tasteful décor, and plenty of photogenic corners.

The menu leans toward European flavors and offers a solid variety, from soups and starters to steaks and pasta. Presentation is neat and the portions are generous. Popular picks include pumpkin soup and truffle mushroom soup, sea bass steak, pasta (including options with beef or with bacon and chili), duck salad, and nachos. For dessert, guests often go for the cheesecake or the chocolate fondant. Prices feel well balanced for the level of the place.

Service is attentive and well organized: guests are greeted at the entrance, the staff helps with recommendations, and requests are handled quickly. For birthdays, they can arrange a cake or a small complimentary treat from the chef. There’s also convenient parking nearby.

A couple of minor drawbacks: some menu items may occasionally be unavailable, and a few dishes aren’t always perfect (for example, certain seafood dishes or hot baked items). Also, the hotel entrance can feel quite dim in the evening.

One more perk: happy hour from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a buy-one-get-one cocktail offer.