PHUKET: Radiant smiles? Check. Spacious rooms? Check. Pleasant surroundings? Check. By our reckoning, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach should be ready to open today.
Bravely, the staff will be doing without the usual soft opening period that has become fashionable in recent years. But then as many of the staff appear to have come from quality resorts elsewhere on and around Phuket, that's not really a gamble.
While the resort is new, the Holiday Inn brand has a long tradition of delivering excellent service at its Patong resort, so there will be similar expectations here.
It has to be said though that Mai Khao is very different to Patong. This is a superbly beautiful beach, although better for walking than for swimming at some times of the year.
Many guests, seeking a break from urban life, will probably view its relative remoteness from the bright lights of Patong and Phuket City as an attribute. This is perfect chill out territory, with the sound of traffic rapidly becoming just a distant memory.
Certainly, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach is making a pitch for meetings and events, with five function rooms. But families have not been forgotten either.
In the Kids' Club we found the biggest colored ball pool we've ever seen. If some adults don't take the plunge along with the children, we'll be very surprised.
The same zest for living is reflected throughout, but perhaps best expressed in the family suite, one of six room types. Here, children have their own colorful area with en suite at arm's length from Mum and Dad.
J's Cafe and Restaurant, a beachfront Pesto and a Resort Centre Deli will cater to rumbling tummies. The rooms are tastefully decorated in contemporary style, with free wi-fi and iPod docks.
The units look great, with quality fixtures and fittings, and some practical fun touches - we'd never seen pillows so clearly labelled ''soft'' or ''firm'' before.
One quizzical eyebrow shot up, though, around the swimming pool, where Pesto and the pool bar are bound to be busy.
Still, close to the central Tea Tree Spa and fitness centre there's a broad stretch of grassy space that could easily make way for another pool in time for high season 2012-13.
Mai Khao has the great green advantage of being an equal distance from the shopping and the nightlife of southern Phuket, and the delightful natural attractions of Phang Nga, Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.
Close to the airport. Check.
Bravely, the staff will be doing without the usual soft opening period that has become fashionable in recent years. But then as many of the staff appear to have come from quality resorts elsewhere on and around Phuket, that's not really a gamble.
While the resort is new, the Holiday Inn brand has a long tradition of delivering excellent service at its Patong resort, so there will be similar expectations here.
It has to be said though that Mai Khao is very different to Patong. This is a superbly beautiful beach, although better for walking than for swimming at some times of the year.
Many guests, seeking a break from urban life, will probably view its relative remoteness from the bright lights of Patong and Phuket City as an attribute. This is perfect chill out territory, with the sound of traffic rapidly becoming just a distant memory.
Certainly, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach is making a pitch for meetings and events, with five function rooms. But families have not been forgotten either.
In the Kids' Club we found the biggest colored ball pool we've ever seen. If some adults don't take the plunge along with the children, we'll be very surprised.
The same zest for living is reflected throughout, but perhaps best expressed in the family suite, one of six room types. Here, children have their own colorful area with en suite at arm's length from Mum and Dad.
J's Cafe and Restaurant, a beachfront Pesto and a Resort Centre Deli will cater to rumbling tummies. The rooms are tastefully decorated in contemporary style, with free wi-fi and iPod docks.
The units look great, with quality fixtures and fittings, and some practical fun touches - we'd never seen pillows so clearly labelled ''soft'' or ''firm'' before.
One quizzical eyebrow shot up, though, around the swimming pool, where Pesto and the pool bar are bound to be busy.
Still, close to the central Tea Tree Spa and fitness centre there's a broad stretch of grassy space that could easily make way for another pool in time for high season 2012-13.
Mai Khao has the great green advantage of being an equal distance from the shopping and the nightlife of southern Phuket, and the delightful natural attractions of Phang Nga, Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.
Close to the airport. Check.
How much they pay you?
Posted by Mario on September 9, 2011 12:46
Editor Comment:
As much as you pay, Mario, to make cracks like that without a single part of your brain working.