BBPlaya13

Thank you. Unsolicited, the hotel staff checked/refreshed a number of times and still saw the Corporate market attached to my account.
I've emailed you my account info.

EJonLam

Staying here now and it's pretty amazing! One thing to note is that I thought as SPG Gold, I would receive an upgrade to an enhanced room/villa. Since I booked a Tropical Villa, shouldn't I be upgraded to a Seaside view?

When I asked about it, I was told I was given a better tropical villa since this one had a good view?

Not sure what that means but I was given the option to use points to upgrade to a Seaside Villa so they must still be available.

Is this pretty typical?

remymartin

Enhanced villa means just that - enhanced, not a category upgrade. Even a Platinum should not expect a seaview villa due to limited capacity.

I agree, though - it's an amazing place!

EJonLam

Thanks! Makes 100% sense!

alanslegal

Just having a look at this property and think of staying - but do people really need a space of 5,000 square foot?

Epicura

Re Platinum upgrades: I was upgraded from a tropical pool villa to a seaview. But was in July 2015 and occupancy was quite low (around 50% I would say).

During our last visit (early May) I booked a seaview and there was no upgrade available to a beach front villa as there are only a few of them and the resort was fully booked.

As already pointed out: enhanced for a seaview means that you will get a villa with the better location and there was a difference compared to the seaview villa we had last year (villa's located to the right of the Z bar have the best views).

Platinum treatment is very good at this resort. Full BF, late check out (but will depend on occupancy obviously) and Platinum Happy Hour at Z bar. Happy Hour changed to 4-6 PM IIRC. Perhaps they had too many wasted Plats at dinner time

Overall I can highly recommend this property. They have a very good hard product, the villa's are very nice to spend a few relaxing days. Service is not as polished as you would get at Aman, but this is also reflected in the rate (Aman about 3 times more expensive). Food is good but not an absolute highlight. Make sure to try the tapa's at Z bar (as already suggested in this thread), perfect for a light dinner!

Amex For Children Of Africa

Thanks for the recent report! Heading here for part of our honeymoon for 5 nights as a Plat, and was curious about the plat benefits. Booked a great BRG rate, but just a tropical villa, and was wondering if the 8k points a night were a good idea for the seaview upgrade(November, not sure of occupancy).

Also, any other recommendations for 2 more nights in the area? Was looking for some sort a seaview villa/suite on Phuket.

Epicura

I haven't stayed at a non-sea view villa but I would always prefer one with sea view at this resort. Afaik the villa lay-out is the same for both categories but tropical villa's seem to have less outside space and to offer a bit less privacy (closer to each other). November is high season so I wouldn't count on an upgrade. If the upgrade on points represents a good value? I think it would be a good idea to compare the extra cost for seaview (you might want to do another BRG or find a sea view for the rate you are booked on now) versus 40k points value. IIRC the extra cost is not that much so I would rather pay it in cash instead of 40k points but that's a personal choice.

There are a few other SPG properties in Phuket but have not stayed so can't recommend.

In the Luxury Hotels forum there are a few suggestions for Phuket, mainly Aman Puri. There is also a LHW that looks nice, have a look at Nai Harn. I think it's a sister property to Vietnam's Nam Hai and that one I can higly recommend.

remymartin

They do not guarantee late checkout during high occupancy.

Aker

Anyone have any issues with the mosquitoes?? Dying to go but read a few reviews on the mosquito problems.

UASPG

One of the rare SPG properties we did not stay at in Thailand, just because of those same mosquito reports.

remymartin

Yes, there were mosquitoes as it's a very special island. The staff take great care in equipping the villas with appropriate measures. I didn't get bitten.

Oxon Flyer

+1. No mozzie problems on my visit either (which was in February).

Aker

is it phuket in general that has lots of mosquitos? planning on going in july.

silvergirl

I liked the resort overall, especially the service was very good for SE Asia, but yeah, mosquitoes were a huge problem. I put on so much repellent and still got bitten over and over again, incl inside the villa.