WHAT'S the most interesting boutique resort in Phuket right now?
The Millennium Resort, Patong. At 421 rooms, you'd think it is perhaps a bit large to carry a boutique label.
However, most of those rooms are yet to be open, so for now, it's a small hotel but one that grows larger almost every week.
The Millennium, which has aspirations one day to be a grand place with many people coming and going, is in its exciting ''soft opening'' phase.
On some days, as few as 12 rooms might be occupied by paying guests. Other days, the number might rise to 40. And it is bound to keep going up and up from now on.
The pioneering guests are paying discounted prices. Nobody expects to pay the top rate when construction and outfitting is proceeding around them.
At the same time, the hotel management is bringing facilities and services online day by day.
Management is also getting a unique chance to see how the staff measure up in less than ideal circumstances.
For example, the temporary brochure suggests that guests ''call the spa on xxxx.'' Perhaps there will be an extension number tomorrow.
But a lot of normal services have already begun. Guided tours to island attractions and other options are already available.
The Millennium is the five-star resort that has the prestigious Jungceylon lifestyle mall around it. And eventually, the management aim is for Millennium to be the classiest resort in Patong.
One wing, the Lakeside wing, is proceeding nicely, and most of its 197 rooms are available, with the remainder gradually being outfitted.
The second wing, the Beachside wing, is to follow with the completed resort to be fully operative by March 2008.
Duty Manager Phuvanit ''Ken'' Kongcharoen is at the centre of all the activity. He spares what time he can to tell us that the completed Millennium will be a city hotel with a resort environment.
A business centre and translator service, with all kinds of secretarial assistance available, will make it ideal for business people, as well as those seeking a ''sun a shop'' holiday.
The large main swimming pool, with glorious mountain views, is due to be completed on December 18.
Coincidentally, 18 cabana rooms have instant access to the water. These were considered ideal for honeymooners.
Guest relations officers would be a big part of the service to all clients, Khun Ken says.
Both business guests and traditional holidaymakers would probably enjoy the massage services in their suites.
The Lounge 98, one of several eateries in the Lakeside Wing, is open and serving drinks accompanied by chill-out music.
Still to come is the bistro in the Lakeside Wing and the entire Beachside Wing, with its own special character and outlets.
''It's very enjoyable to be here in a new resort with so much still happening,'' Khun Ken says.
''It's not complete and perfect yet but the guests understand that and enjoy being here and seeing it all take shape around them.''
With Jungceylon offering plenty to do and see and the swimming pool due to be completed any day now, no wonder the guests and the staff are all having fun in the new Millennium.
The Millennium Resort, Patong. At 421 rooms, you'd think it is perhaps a bit large to carry a boutique label.
However, most of those rooms are yet to be open, so for now, it's a small hotel but one that grows larger almost every week.
The Millennium, which has aspirations one day to be a grand place with many people coming and going, is in its exciting ''soft opening'' phase.
On some days, as few as 12 rooms might be occupied by paying guests. Other days, the number might rise to 40. And it is bound to keep going up and up from now on.
The pioneering guests are paying discounted prices. Nobody expects to pay the top rate when construction and outfitting is proceeding around them.
At the same time, the hotel management is bringing facilities and services online day by day.
Management is also getting a unique chance to see how the staff measure up in less than ideal circumstances.
For example, the temporary brochure suggests that guests ''call the spa on xxxx.'' Perhaps there will be an extension number tomorrow.
But a lot of normal services have already begun. Guided tours to island attractions and other options are already available.
The Millennium is the five-star resort that has the prestigious Jungceylon lifestyle mall around it. And eventually, the management aim is for Millennium to be the classiest resort in Patong.
One wing, the Lakeside wing, is proceeding nicely, and most of its 197 rooms are available, with the remainder gradually being outfitted.
The second wing, the Beachside wing, is to follow with the completed resort to be fully operative by March 2008.
Duty Manager Phuvanit ''Ken'' Kongcharoen is at the centre of all the activity. He spares what time he can to tell us that the completed Millennium will be a city hotel with a resort environment.
A business centre and translator service, with all kinds of secretarial assistance available, will make it ideal for business people, as well as those seeking a ''sun a shop'' holiday.
The large main swimming pool, with glorious mountain views, is due to be completed on December 18.
Coincidentally, 18 cabana rooms have instant access to the water. These were considered ideal for honeymooners.
Guest relations officers would be a big part of the service to all clients, Khun Ken says.
Both business guests and traditional holidaymakers would probably enjoy the massage services in their suites.
The Lounge 98, one of several eateries in the Lakeside Wing, is open and serving drinks accompanied by chill-out music.
Still to come is the bistro in the Lakeside Wing and the entire Beachside Wing, with its own special character and outlets.
''It's very enjoyable to be here in a new resort with so much still happening,'' Khun Ken says.
''It's not complete and perfect yet but the guests understand that and enjoy being here and seeing it all take shape around them.''
With Jungceylon offering plenty to do and see and the swimming pool due to be completed any day now, no wonder the guests and the staff are all having fun in the new Millennium.
