Radisson Plaza Photo Album Above
SHAKING off the low, slow season and its soft opening, the Radisson Plaza is making October a pace-setting month for the high season to come.
Phuketwan toured the pleasant new five-star at Cape Panwa recently, on a relatively sunny day, and thought that all it really lacked was a few guests around the pools or traipsing through the foyer.
That deficiency should be corrected, beginning this week with the visit by 25 contestants in the Miss Poland competiton.
We've seen the bedrooms that contestants will occupy and hung out by the pools they will doubtless be gracing in their bikinis, and we reckon they will enjoy themselves.
Far more important for expat locals is the food factor, and the Radisson is also shaping up nicely by the pool in that regard.
The signature Azur restaurant opened this month and, with an enticing 50 percent discount on meals, it should quickly establish a following.
The Radisson is deceptively modest from the outside. But the exterior shell quickly gives way to a spacious interior that leads to an eye-catching vista across a small beach to the sea.
The photo album gives a better guide than words can to the attractiveness of the Radisson. There are villa options, private pools, an elegant spa and four restaurants in all to keep boredom at bay.
Cape Panwa, it must be said, is staking a claim to its own particular character. And there are some advantages that this location has that the hideaway boutique resorts now going up in Kalim, near Patong, and the grander new brands at Mai Khao do not have.
Cape Panwa, Radisson country, is just 15 minutes from Phuket City, where the mid-scale dining is generally rated to be the best on the island, and more delightful urban-style bars are constantly emerging.
Five minutes in the other direction brings discerning diners to Sri Panwa and the Baba restaurant, where a Bangkok hi-so nightlife is being promised this high season.
Heading south, one of the island's most scenic roadways opens up Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn. Far from being in an isolated part of the island, the cape offers access to some of the island's alternative and less well-travelled delights.
Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Paanwa Beach +66 (0) 76 602500.
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nice advertorial masquerading as news
Editor: For those readers who have no idea what you are talking about, 'Advertorial' is when a media organisation accepts cash or favors to write something pleasant about a product. Phuketwan has no such arrangement with Radisson, unfortunately. And if we did have, we would be obliged under our ethics policy to declare it. Most so-called restaurant 'reviews' on the island, for example, are undeclared adveritorial. That is, the 'reviewer' eats a free meal and writes only nice things. Phuketwan's policy is to declare when someone else pays. We happen to think the opening of every new resort qualifies as 'news' and will continue to tell readers what to expect when resorts open.
Posted by sammy on October 7, 2009 10:33