I'll do a mini report with tons of pictures
I booked an oceanfront villa for a few nights and on the last night, since I was leaving very early the next morning, booked only a junior suite. The hotel was nice enough to upgrade me on the last night to an oceanfront villa so I did not have to move. ^
The resort area was simply amazing. It was one of the most beautiful resorts I've ever been to. I went in the low season, so it was rather empty, but just the way I liked it! There was virtually no one at the property. I was often the only person walking around ^
Platinum recognition was good. When I checked in, I was escorted to the seating area with cold towels and a cup of cold tropical tea and flowers. Since I was staying in the villas, my butler came out and took me on a golf cart to my villa where check in took place.
Everything was already waiting for me on the table: fruit platter, chocolate presentation, a fresh cold coconut, my platinum folder, welcome letter signed by butler, and welcome letter signed by manager. When I sat down, the butler got me 2 lemongrass scented cold towels along with a glass of champange. He also handed me a couple of drink vouchers good for any drinks at any bars/restaurants ^ He also explained to me my villa benefits. I could either have breakfast at the restaurant or have breakfast delivered to me daily with a morning call (free). I think the choice was obvious
I decided to have breakfast delivered to my room daily along with my morning call. It was pretty amazing. The breakfast was fit for a king: eggs with meat and potatoes, large fruit platter, pot of coffee/tea, fresh juice, bakery basket, etc. All complimentary.
The villa itself was pretty amazing as well...I had my private beach area, pool, day bed, and a garden. The villa had just about everything I needed.
In room internet was complimentary since I was staying at the villa ^ Or was it a Plat benefit? I wasn't sure, but it was free.
There was a nightly presentation of food (left on my table in villa) as well as turn down service. About 8 bottles of water (not kidding) was replenished nightly (complimentary).
I ordered room service after coming back from a day of exploration of Thailand and found the food to be delicious and reasonably priced (Western standards). I went to the dinner buffet once and was rather disappointed especially with the price (could've ordered a feast from room service).
The resort was rather far from everything, but I was able to arrange cars to pick me up to go to various places like Khao Sok national park and even down to Phuket.
I highly recommend taking the hotel limo. For only 1800 baht, you do not have to deal with the taxi mafia, and someone will be waiting for you at the airport, escorting to your car, take your luggages, and hand you a bottle of cold water ^
The staff was pretty amazing too. A few of them knew me when I was walking around the resort (I wasn't sure how they knew me). When I walked around, I'd hear random people shouting "MR BLISSWORLD!! HOW ARE YOU??!! GOOD MORNING!!!" I was pretty amazed
^ The first morning, when I was eating my breakfast in my own private yard on the beach, one of my butlers (whom I hadn't met) came over, introduced herself with her crew, and just tried to chat with me for a bit and offered assistance with anything. I was very impressed. ^
Oh, and the spa was absolutely spectacular. Sure, it's a bit pricier than the local places (questionable, dirty places), but it's simply amazing and way cheap compared to massages in the US. I got the most amazing hot stone massage with a bath for only 90US tips included!!
All in all, I had an amazing time ^
Here are some pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunkind...7605922461173/