Sep 21, 2014, 10:19 pm
The Naka Island Resort, Phuket Thailand [Master Thread]
Apr 13, 2015, 3:36 am
#271
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Congrats in advance for the wedding.
You posted a fair summary of Naka Island. The plunge pools are cool, but I also really liked the steam room and the little outdoor bath - all perfect for a romantic time.
The food is a bit mediocre on Naka Island, but you could always pop out to the mainland for an evening and find a local restaurant. The quality of food in Thailand in general is fantastic and so you're probably rarely more than 5min away from a memorable meal. Most Thai food is quite simple and so doesn't always fit well with upmarket hotels catering to foreigners. The Metropolitan in Bangkok hosts Nahm which has a reputation for being the world's best Thai restaurant.
If you are willing to skip the globally branded hotels you can get beautiful properties with private pools for quite little money. One I happen to know is Anankhira on Koh Tao (2hrs ferry from Koh Samui) where you can rent a private villa on a hill overlooking the sea with its own pool for less than $200 a night. You won't get Four Seasons service levels or toiletries, but the hardware is there if you want value. There are countless others on both the mainland and on the islands.
In terms of being a gay couple in Asia, the tourist parts of the region in general tend to be pretty accepting nowadays. If you don't know the region I might skip the Muslim areas of Thailand and remote Indonesia, but I think it's unlikely you'll face many issues.
You posted a fair summary of Naka Island. The plunge pools are cool, but I also really liked the steam room and the little outdoor bath - all perfect for a romantic time.
The food is a bit mediocre on Naka Island, but you could always pop out to the mainland for an evening and find a local restaurant. The quality of food in Thailand in general is fantastic and so you're probably rarely more than 5min away from a memorable meal. Most Thai food is quite simple and so doesn't always fit well with upmarket hotels catering to foreigners. The Metropolitan in Bangkok hosts Nahm which has a reputation for being the world's best Thai restaurant.
If you are willing to skip the globally branded hotels you can get beautiful properties with private pools for quite little money. One I happen to know is Anankhira on Koh Tao (2hrs ferry from Koh Samui) where you can rent a private villa on a hill overlooking the sea with its own pool for less than $200 a night. You won't get Four Seasons service levels or toiletries, but the hardware is there if you want value. There are countless others on both the mainland and on the islands.
In terms of being a gay couple in Asia, the tourist parts of the region in general tend to be pretty accepting nowadays. If you don't know the region I might skip the Muslim areas of Thailand and remote Indonesia, but I think it's unlikely you'll face many issues.
Apr 13, 2015, 8:56 am
#272
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: SPG,HH,IHG
Posts: 786
As I understand it from the thread, major downsides to this property seem to be that there isn't much to do other than relax and that the food isn't very good and is overpriced.
In my case, the lack of activities is not a problem given the type of trip (and we will also have other stops on the trip in cities with much more to do), and willing to splurge a bit so high prices is not a total dealbreaker, but bad food could be.
In my case, the lack of activities is not a problem given the type of trip (and we will also have other stops on the trip in cities with much more to do), and willing to splurge a bit so high prices is not a total dealbreaker, but bad food could be.
IIRC food is same price range in other SPG hotel not more than 20% of other SPG hotel in thailand.
Would be curious for any thoughts on:
1. Has the food gotten any better since the early reviews? Any thoughts on SPG resort properties in Thailand with notably good food? Not-great food seems to be a recurring theme across many of the properties, though at least some others allow easier access to non-resort restaurants than this one does.
1. Has the food gotten any better since the early reviews? Any thoughts on SPG resort properties in Thailand with notably good food? Not-great food seems to be a recurring theme across many of the properties, though at least some others allow easier access to non-resort restaurants than this one does.
2. Private plunge pool is a must, and one of the things that attracted me to this property -- I'm willing to spend a bit extra to get it if going for a resort that only has it in some rooms, like the Westin Siray Bay, though no more than say $500/night. Any other properties I should be considering (including elsewhere in Thailand)? Have also looked at Koh Samui and there are some very nice options but also seem to be more expensive, likely prohibitively so. Also open to using points if the value is there, but doesn't seem to be great uses of points at any of these higher-end properties, so will probably save points for hotels in other destinations on the trip.
-If only need plunge pool pool suites is enough but recommend Grand pool suites.
-Breakfast in Vana belle is much better than naka island.
-Beach quality is better than naka island.
Dec/Jan is high season not recommend for use points
3. Anywhere else in the region worth considering? We are a gay couple so my sense is that Thailand is probably the best bet in that region -- that said not really looking for nightlife or anything like that, more just want somewhere that minimizes the chances of having any awkward encounters.
Bangkok ?
-Le meridien bangkok (silom)
Pattaya ?
-Sheraton pattaya is isolate from city/nightlife area
IMO i didn't see any awkward encounters for gay in thailand.
Apr 13, 2015, 4:05 pm
#273
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
Thanks both for your thoughts. Agree the Vana Belle definitely looks beautiful but probably also a bit outside the target budget. Will have to think about whether it is worth stretching a bit. And something like the Anankhira could be interesting, definitely saves a lot of $ vs. the big-name route.
Jun 15, 2015, 8:04 pm
#275
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: SPG,HH,IHG
Posts: 786
However at outside in morning ,evening they have many mosquito.
Hotel also provide anti mosquito spray(complimentary) for spray on your body in room.
Out side bedroom are no AC available so if your kid don't require cool air to sleep it possible to put crib at outside bed room.
I never see they crib so it hardly to make any recommend maybe you need to email to ask hotel.
Jun 16, 2015, 12:08 am
#276
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Naklua, Pattaya, Thailand
Programs: SPG, Etihad Guest, EK Skyawards, Thai ROP, MR Silver
Posts: 94
Please be aware of a recent issue that appears to be developing on Naka.
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/luxury-...dispute-22653/
These jetskis have caused many a problem in Patong where unscrupulous operators rip tourists off with vastly inflated bills for ''damage''
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/luxury-...dispute-22653/
These jetskis have caused many a problem in Patong where unscrupulous operators rip tourists off with vastly inflated bills for ''damage''
Jul 8, 2015, 3:11 pm
#277
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: No more shiny cards -- former LH SEN, SPG Platinum, Flying Blue Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 704
I've reserved a Tropical Pool Villa for November, from what I see on the website it has a rather nice looking pool
Any recent feedback on the "pool situation" ?
Jul 8, 2015, 6:46 pm
#278
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, CX DM, HHonors DM, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 64
I stayed there back in 2013 - I think for the beachfront villas there is only one villa without a pool (towards the very end of the road for beachfront villas). I've stayed at the beachfront pool villa next to the "pool-less" villa but I personally prefer to head out to the beach (which is literally steps away). The beach is always very private (esp. towards the farther end where I stayed) and I didn't use the pool much (thought it was a bit small). Hope this helps!
Jul 9, 2015, 5:47 pm
#279
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,019
There are just two of these. I was assigned one and moved the next day. I wanted the pool.
Jul 12, 2015, 8:47 am
#280
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: No more shiny cards -- former LH SEN, SPG Platinum, Flying Blue Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 704
Sep 16, 2015, 2:11 am
#282
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
I booked a Tropical Vila with NO POOL.
How likely am I to be upgraded to a room WITH a pool as a Platinum?
The hotel wrote to me:
With regard to room type, first of all please allow us to reconfirm that your current room type does not come with private swimming pool. However, this room is surrounded by tropical gardens and it takes only few minutes walk/bicycle to the resort pool and main facilities. If you prefer villa with swimming pool, we are pleased to offer an upgrade to Tropical Pool Villa with supplementary at THB 1,500 , per room per night subject to 18.7% taxes additional to your current rate.
So they're asking for about $45 for an upgrade to a pool villa.
Is this a money-grabbing exercise or worthwhile paying for?
How likely am I to be upgraded to a room WITH a pool as a Platinum?
The hotel wrote to me:
With regard to room type, first of all please allow us to reconfirm that your current room type does not come with private swimming pool. However, this room is surrounded by tropical gardens and it takes only few minutes walk/bicycle to the resort pool and main facilities. If you prefer villa with swimming pool, we are pleased to offer an upgrade to Tropical Pool Villa with supplementary at THB 1,500 , per room per night subject to 18.7% taxes additional to your current rate.
So they're asking for about $45 for an upgrade to a pool villa.
Is this a money-grabbing exercise or worthwhile paying for?
Sep 16, 2015, 2:20 am
#283
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
Nov 25, 2015, 7:46 pm
#285
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 508
Thanks for any help!