PHUKET: People do say ''home is where the art is,'' and that's probably what will give Phuket's B-Lay Tong Phuket a whole new audience as it becomes one of the M Gallery collection.
At the northern end of Patong's beach road, the five-star B-Lay is emerging under a gentle makeover as a newly-acquired part of the big Accor brand's broad brush of resorts. The B-Lay is already distinctive by Phuket standards, a resort that sets out to make its own style rather than conform.
While you wouldn't call it Dali-esque, it does choose to be different. The 123-unit is chic in a beach resort setting, offering its own radio station - something that seems to be becoming more prevalent - and art works at every corner. Cowhide chairs in the library-cum-meeting room are a sign that celebrates the B-Lay difference.
Set in a four-storey u-shape around a garden and pool area, the resort has a couple of eye-catchers that are not hanging on the walls. The free wi-fi is accompanied by a free mini-bar. Yes, every day B-Lay recharges your fridge with two juices, six cans of soft drink, two mineral waters and two cans of Singha beer.
The rooms also cater for performance artists. There are floor to ceiling see-through walls between bathroom and bedroom, and interestingly, the venetian blinds are controlled from the bedroom side. Little wonder, then, that Korean honeymooners and young couples are the resort's prime market.
The rooms are feng shui earth-wind-fire-water themes, and there's even a novelty kaleidoscope spotlight that enables you to adjust your color to your mood. Oh, and of course, you can plug in your iPod, for your own mood music, too, if the resort radio DJ isn't quite to your taste.
The touches of chic extend to the cool pool, with a swim-up bar and a view overlooking the Phuket panorama that tops them all: Patong beach. There's an enclosed bar, too, that gives an unimpeded view from a good height across beach road to the beach and the classic Phuket sunsets beyond.
With its target market and its location a long stroll to one side of Soi Bangla and Phuket's nightlife centre, the resort is setting up its own disco, and aiming to attract guests from north-end resorts who want to feel safe when they party. All in all, the B-Lay Tong is decidedly different and if the M Gallery is adding it to the collection, so will quite a few guests.
At the northern end of Patong's beach road, the five-star B-Lay is emerging under a gentle makeover as a newly-acquired part of the big Accor brand's broad brush of resorts. The B-Lay is already distinctive by Phuket standards, a resort that sets out to make its own style rather than conform.
While you wouldn't call it Dali-esque, it does choose to be different. The 123-unit is chic in a beach resort setting, offering its own radio station - something that seems to be becoming more prevalent - and art works at every corner. Cowhide chairs in the library-cum-meeting room are a sign that celebrates the B-Lay difference.
Set in a four-storey u-shape around a garden and pool area, the resort has a couple of eye-catchers that are not hanging on the walls. The free wi-fi is accompanied by a free mini-bar. Yes, every day B-Lay recharges your fridge with two juices, six cans of soft drink, two mineral waters and two cans of Singha beer.
The rooms also cater for performance artists. There are floor to ceiling see-through walls between bathroom and bedroom, and interestingly, the venetian blinds are controlled from the bedroom side. Little wonder, then, that Korean honeymooners and young couples are the resort's prime market.
The rooms are feng shui earth-wind-fire-water themes, and there's even a novelty kaleidoscope spotlight that enables you to adjust your color to your mood. Oh, and of course, you can plug in your iPod, for your own mood music, too, if the resort radio DJ isn't quite to your taste.
The touches of chic extend to the cool pool, with a swim-up bar and a view overlooking the Phuket panorama that tops them all: Patong beach. There's an enclosed bar, too, that gives an unimpeded view from a good height across beach road to the beach and the classic Phuket sunsets beyond.
With its target market and its location a long stroll to one side of Soi Bangla and Phuket's nightlife centre, the resort is setting up its own disco, and aiming to attract guests from north-end resorts who want to feel safe when they party. All in all, the B-Lay Tong is decidedly different and if the M Gallery is adding it to the collection, so will quite a few guests.
