PHUKET: Readers may wonder whether TripAdvisor or CNN is more addicted to lists. This week, CNN has certainly taken the lead.
In its earlier global survey of the week, CNN proved its love for Phuket with three mentions among 22 skinny dipping recommendations worldwide.
This time around, looking at the World's 50 Best Beach Bars, Phuket scores just two mentions.
It won't be long, of course, before Phuket has 50 beach bars of its own and will no longer have to worry about competition from the rest of the world.
The two Phuket beach bars to make the latest CNN list came in at No. 43 and No.2.
It's a bit of a puzzle to us, though, how a beach bar can be 60 metres or more above sea level, hovering with the eagles in a ''nest'' on a Phuket headland. This hardly qualifies as a swim-up bar.
But then when it comes to lists, there are few rules, or at least few that CNN and Tripadvisor acknowledge.
We can hardly wait for the next one from Tripadvisor. Here's what CNN had to say about the two Phuket entries.
43. Catch Beach Club (Phuket, Thailand) The Thai resort's most fashionable beach bar is particularly popular on Friday night, when lamb and tuna hit the spit along with oysters and other seafood.
There's more barbecue action on Tuesdays, and drinks are a draw every night of the week, with signature cocktails including a Sly Thai and My Thai.
While reviews of the cuisine are mixed, the beachfront ambiance and live music are universally acclaimed; best get there early to bag one of the day beds close to the water's edge.
2. Baba Nest (Phuket, Thailand) This stylish rooftop venue on the highest pinnacle of the southeastern peninsula enjoys 360-degree views across Phuket, the surrounding islands and Andaman Sea.
A deck scattered with beanbags and low tables is surrounded by an infinity pool that gives bathers the illusion of being afloat between sea and sky.
Tranquil tracks and light Japanese bites punctuate the action, and signature cocktails include a lemongrass and vodka sri-jito and a lychee martini, as well as sake-based concoctions.
Below deck, ocean-front restrooms open to the elements are bound to become a talking point.
Nikki Beach (Miami), soon to open a Phuket branch, just made it at No. 49. The top beach club in the world, according to CNN, is Dune Preserve Beach Bar (Anguilla, West Indies).
On TripAdvisor, CNN's World's Best Beach Bar rates three and a half stars. One recent comment is headlined ''Not What It Used to Be.''
In its earlier global survey of the week, CNN proved its love for Phuket with three mentions among 22 skinny dipping recommendations worldwide.
This time around, looking at the World's 50 Best Beach Bars, Phuket scores just two mentions.
It won't be long, of course, before Phuket has 50 beach bars of its own and will no longer have to worry about competition from the rest of the world.
The two Phuket beach bars to make the latest CNN list came in at No. 43 and No.2.
It's a bit of a puzzle to us, though, how a beach bar can be 60 metres or more above sea level, hovering with the eagles in a ''nest'' on a Phuket headland. This hardly qualifies as a swim-up bar.
But then when it comes to lists, there are few rules, or at least few that CNN and Tripadvisor acknowledge.
We can hardly wait for the next one from Tripadvisor. Here's what CNN had to say about the two Phuket entries.
43. Catch Beach Club (Phuket, Thailand) The Thai resort's most fashionable beach bar is particularly popular on Friday night, when lamb and tuna hit the spit along with oysters and other seafood.
There's more barbecue action on Tuesdays, and drinks are a draw every night of the week, with signature cocktails including a Sly Thai and My Thai.
While reviews of the cuisine are mixed, the beachfront ambiance and live music are universally acclaimed; best get there early to bag one of the day beds close to the water's edge.
2. Baba Nest (Phuket, Thailand) This stylish rooftop venue on the highest pinnacle of the southeastern peninsula enjoys 360-degree views across Phuket, the surrounding islands and Andaman Sea.
A deck scattered with beanbags and low tables is surrounded by an infinity pool that gives bathers the illusion of being afloat between sea and sky.
Tranquil tracks and light Japanese bites punctuate the action, and signature cocktails include a lemongrass and vodka sri-jito and a lychee martini, as well as sake-based concoctions.
Below deck, ocean-front restrooms open to the elements are bound to become a talking point.
Nikki Beach (Miami), soon to open a Phuket branch, just made it at No. 49. The top beach club in the world, according to CNN, is Dune Preserve Beach Bar (Anguilla, West Indies).
On TripAdvisor, CNN's World's Best Beach Bar rates three and a half stars. One recent comment is headlined ''Not What It Used to Be.''
