A Long Sheraton Weekend in Phuket
Jun 25, 2001 | 10:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Programs: AA Plat for Life, Starwood Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 591
A Long Sheraton Weekend in Phuket
Decided to take MariefromMontreal on a birthday treat to Phuket. Booked a couple of tickets on TG406 direct from Singapore, together with a two-nights points award from Starwood (staying at the Sheraton Grande Laguna), and we left early Friday morning.
Nothing much to say about the TG flight it was a full A-330, and the meal was fine, though a little unusual for a breakfast: chicken and mushroom in a cream sauce, with pasta. Coke, OJ, water, tea and coffee were served.
After the 90 minute flight, we moved rather slowly through Thai immigration, and eventually found ourselves looking for the Sheraton sign outside the arrivals area. We gave our names to the gentleman with the sign, and looking down his list I was happy to see myself described as a VIP. We were the only passengers on the Sheraton shuttle bus, and we arrived at the hotel around 10:45 am.
A very pleasant young lady, by the name of Jib, greeted us with a Thai flower wristlet, and escorted us through the hotel lobby, apologizing for some inconspicuous bamboo scaffolding, erected for renovation work. She took us down to a boat dock, where she led us on to a launch on the lagoon. After a freshen-up with some ice-cold, eucalyptus-scented towels, a smart, white-uniformed, driver then motored us to our room, or rather villa, which shared its dock with just one other villa. With Jib taking the lead, we walked up the dock ramp to villa, and entered through the balcony doors.
She gave us a tour of the two-story unit, with a living area downstairs, with TV and CD/radio hi-fi, and the bedroom upstairs, with a king-bed, another balcony overlooking the lagoon, and bathroom. The bathroom was equipped with two showers: one indoor, and one large, outdoor, one, which was completely private, and received the warm suns rays during the day.
There was a welcoming gift of a beautifully carved melon, personally welcoming us, as well other fresh fruits.
Jib explained that the Villas formed a resort within a resort, and as such we had a number of special extras: the exclusive use of the Puccini restaurant for complimentary a la carte breakfast, or a complimentary room service American breakfast, or a complimentary buffet breakfast in the Birds of Paradise restaurant. In addition, there was a private complimentary cocktail party each evening and exclusive use of the Villas pool area, with fresh fruit served to your lounge chair every couple of hours.
By now, we were extremely impressed. I had faxed the hotel duty manager just the day before, letting them know that we were staying on reward points, and that MfromM was celebrating her birthday, and that if they were able to add a personal touch, it would be warmly appreciated. Ive no idea if the fax helped, but I certainly had my expectations exceed by our welcome and the upgraded room.
We walked the grounds of the hotel after Jib left, and decided to get on with the serious business of sunbathing in the exclusive area of the Villas. After an hour or two, we stopped for a drink at the pool bar, and headed up to our room(s). There another surprise awaited: a beautifully decorated birthday cake with chocolate, fresh fruits and candles!!
We then walked the grounds again, and stopped at the Spa to make reservations for MfromMs birthday treat the following day: a full 3-hour spa treatment, including massage, mud bath and various oils and herbs treatments. We snacked at the pool bar (smoked salmon quesadillas), spent an hour and a half at the complimentary cocktail hour, eating some yummy nibbles, and rounded out the evening by listening to the pleasant duo in the lobby bar.
The next morning, we decided to have the complimentary breakfast on the outside patio at the Puccini restaurant. I chose fresh tangerine juice and poached eggs with prawns in a delicious sauce, with a savoury tomato and a little potato cake. MfromM had watermelon juice and Phuket lobster with scrambled eggs and the same tomato and potato. Inside the restaurant was a buffet spread of breads, fruit, cereals and smoked salmon and smoked mackerel. This was an outstanding breakfast at any price and to have it served complimentary was a special treat.
After breakfast we took the free shuttle boat across the lagoon to the Canal shops, and immediately found a branch of Jim Thompson (famous for silk goods). We made our purchases, and wandered around the rest of the shops, and got a boat back after an hour or so. 2 0clock quickly rolled around an MfromM went to the spa for her three hour session, while I sat and read poolside. After another pleasant cocktail hour, we walked to the lobby and picked up a taxi to take us to Patong Beach, and the Baan Rim Pa restaurant. We were shown to a lovely surf-side table, and ordered some Thai food, including steamed snapper with lemon and garlic, stir-fried squid and fried noodle with egg and chicken, all washed down with a decent Australian Shiraz. Excellent!! After dinner, we took a taxi (the Phuket version - basically a pickup truck, with a roof, and two benches inside along the sides) and headed for Bang La Road at the heart of Patong Beach, where we ambled happily past bar after bar after bar, and found the infamous Rock Hard, described previously by Quiet Lion.
After a drink or three watching the show we headed out and picked up a taxi for the exciting, breezy ride around the zigzag bends to the Sheraton.
The next day dawned bright and sunny, and we had breakfast again at Puccini, but switched our choices. I added lots of smoked salmon to my scrambled eggs, and finished with some fresh lychees. We lazed around in the sun today, and, finally, it was time to check out, and head for our 6:50pm TG flight back to Singapore. We were seated in the business class cabin, which was actually economy overflow. The meal on the plane was chicken, tomato sauce and spaghetti (again, I thought, an odd choice) and we shared a bottle of red, since nobody else apparently was drinking anything other than coke or OJ. As usual we zipped through Changi immigration, and were quickly in a taxi on our way home.
All in all, a great weekend thanks to Starwood for a first-class experience!!!
Nothing much to say about the TG flight it was a full A-330, and the meal was fine, though a little unusual for a breakfast: chicken and mushroom in a cream sauce, with pasta. Coke, OJ, water, tea and coffee were served.
After the 90 minute flight, we moved rather slowly through Thai immigration, and eventually found ourselves looking for the Sheraton sign outside the arrivals area. We gave our names to the gentleman with the sign, and looking down his list I was happy to see myself described as a VIP. We were the only passengers on the Sheraton shuttle bus, and we arrived at the hotel around 10:45 am.
A very pleasant young lady, by the name of Jib, greeted us with a Thai flower wristlet, and escorted us through the hotel lobby, apologizing for some inconspicuous bamboo scaffolding, erected for renovation work. She took us down to a boat dock, where she led us on to a launch on the lagoon. After a freshen-up with some ice-cold, eucalyptus-scented towels, a smart, white-uniformed, driver then motored us to our room, or rather villa, which shared its dock with just one other villa. With Jib taking the lead, we walked up the dock ramp to villa, and entered through the balcony doors.
She gave us a tour of the two-story unit, with a living area downstairs, with TV and CD/radio hi-fi, and the bedroom upstairs, with a king-bed, another balcony overlooking the lagoon, and bathroom. The bathroom was equipped with two showers: one indoor, and one large, outdoor, one, which was completely private, and received the warm suns rays during the day.
There was a welcoming gift of a beautifully carved melon, personally welcoming us, as well other fresh fruits.
Jib explained that the Villas formed a resort within a resort, and as such we had a number of special extras: the exclusive use of the Puccini restaurant for complimentary a la carte breakfast, or a complimentary room service American breakfast, or a complimentary buffet breakfast in the Birds of Paradise restaurant. In addition, there was a private complimentary cocktail party each evening and exclusive use of the Villas pool area, with fresh fruit served to your lounge chair every couple of hours.
By now, we were extremely impressed. I had faxed the hotel duty manager just the day before, letting them know that we were staying on reward points, and that MfromM was celebrating her birthday, and that if they were able to add a personal touch, it would be warmly appreciated. Ive no idea if the fax helped, but I certainly had my expectations exceed by our welcome and the upgraded room.
We walked the grounds of the hotel after Jib left, and decided to get on with the serious business of sunbathing in the exclusive area of the Villas. After an hour or two, we stopped for a drink at the pool bar, and headed up to our room(s). There another surprise awaited: a beautifully decorated birthday cake with chocolate, fresh fruits and candles!!
We then walked the grounds again, and stopped at the Spa to make reservations for MfromMs birthday treat the following day: a full 3-hour spa treatment, including massage, mud bath and various oils and herbs treatments. We snacked at the pool bar (smoked salmon quesadillas), spent an hour and a half at the complimentary cocktail hour, eating some yummy nibbles, and rounded out the evening by listening to the pleasant duo in the lobby bar.
The next morning, we decided to have the complimentary breakfast on the outside patio at the Puccini restaurant. I chose fresh tangerine juice and poached eggs with prawns in a delicious sauce, with a savoury tomato and a little potato cake. MfromM had watermelon juice and Phuket lobster with scrambled eggs and the same tomato and potato. Inside the restaurant was a buffet spread of breads, fruit, cereals and smoked salmon and smoked mackerel. This was an outstanding breakfast at any price and to have it served complimentary was a special treat.
After breakfast we took the free shuttle boat across the lagoon to the Canal shops, and immediately found a branch of Jim Thompson (famous for silk goods). We made our purchases, and wandered around the rest of the shops, and got a boat back after an hour or so. 2 0clock quickly rolled around an MfromM went to the spa for her three hour session, while I sat and read poolside. After another pleasant cocktail hour, we walked to the lobby and picked up a taxi to take us to Patong Beach, and the Baan Rim Pa restaurant. We were shown to a lovely surf-side table, and ordered some Thai food, including steamed snapper with lemon and garlic, stir-fried squid and fried noodle with egg and chicken, all washed down with a decent Australian Shiraz. Excellent!! After dinner, we took a taxi (the Phuket version - basically a pickup truck, with a roof, and two benches inside along the sides) and headed for Bang La Road at the heart of Patong Beach, where we ambled happily past bar after bar after bar, and found the infamous Rock Hard, described previously by Quiet Lion.
After a drink or three watching the show we headed out and picked up a taxi for the exciting, breezy ride around the zigzag bends to the Sheraton.
The next day dawned bright and sunny, and we had breakfast again at Puccini, but switched our choices. I added lots of smoked salmon to my scrambled eggs, and finished with some fresh lychees. We lazed around in the sun today, and, finally, it was time to check out, and head for our 6:50pm TG flight back to Singapore. We were seated in the business class cabin, which was actually economy overflow. The meal on the plane was chicken, tomato sauce and spaghetti (again, I thought, an odd choice) and we shared a bottle of red, since nobody else apparently was drinking anything other than coke or OJ. As usual we zipped through Changi immigration, and were quickly in a taxi on our way home.
All in all, a great weekend thanks to Starwood for a first-class experience!!!
Jun 26, 2001 | 7:13 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Don't know....
Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM
Posts: 4,037
Hi VanMan, I must have just missed you! I was there last week (June 17-21) for a few days.
We were also upgraded to the Villa due to my SPG Plat status. I had originally booked an ocean front room and had a look at that room before taking the Lagoon Villa that they offered. The ocean front room didn't have much of a view and wasn't really close to the ocean front. The room was small and the view was partly blocked by some trees. So I was very happy to take the upgrade to the Lagoon Villa.
As VanMan said the amentities were great. The Lagoon villas are due for a renovation this year. In general I felt that the hotel was getting a little old. I am not sure if they are going to renovate the whole hotel or just the rooms. The games they had were really dirty. I played snooker (similar to pool) and table soccer and after that my hands with really dirty. The games are in an open air area so it probably gets dirty pretty quickly. I hope with the renovation of the hotel, they would replace those games.
Another friend of mine was staying in a Grand Deluxe room which was recently renovated. The Grand Deluxe room was much bigger than the ocean front room even though it was cheaper. The renovations made the interior of the room look really nice. Much better than the interior of the present old Lagoon Villas. After the renovations, the Lagoon Villa should look much nicer. If you had to choose, I would definitely book the cheaper Grand Deluxe room over the Ocean Front room.
My favorite part of the lagoon is the outdoor sunken tub. I used it a few times and it was great! A nice size for a bath and a great feeling bathing outdoors.
Sheraton is part of the Laguna complex along with four other hotels (Banyan Tree being one of them). It allows you to use other hotels' facilities and restuarants and inter-sign bills.
In terms of the spa, I tried both the spa at the Sheraton (run by Banyan Tree) and the spa at the Banyan Tree hotel. I have to say that the Banyan Tree Spa wins hands down. We had a 7 hour package at the Banyan Tree and loved the setting it was in. We had the most of our treatments in our own individual spa villa that is open air with a nice rooftop. The service and treatment we got was unbelievable. The spa at the Sheraton was good but the setting was no where near the Banyan Tree. The treatments at the Sheraton were in regular rooms. I have a picture of the Banyan Tree spa if anyone is interested.
I did try the thai restuarant at the Banyan Tree and the food was better than at the Sheraton even though the price was the same.
Overall, the Sheraton was a good value for money. I was planning to switch over to the Banyan Tree and stay in a pool villa but since it was raining most of the time it didn't make it worthwhile. The cost for the pool villa was 3 times what I got at the Sheraton. However, if I wasn't upgraded to a Lagoon Villa at the Sheraton, I will probably have moved to the Banyan Tree.
We were also upgraded to the Villa due to my SPG Plat status. I had originally booked an ocean front room and had a look at that room before taking the Lagoon Villa that they offered. The ocean front room didn't have much of a view and wasn't really close to the ocean front. The room was small and the view was partly blocked by some trees. So I was very happy to take the upgrade to the Lagoon Villa.
As VanMan said the amentities were great. The Lagoon villas are due for a renovation this year. In general I felt that the hotel was getting a little old. I am not sure if they are going to renovate the whole hotel or just the rooms. The games they had were really dirty. I played snooker (similar to pool) and table soccer and after that my hands with really dirty. The games are in an open air area so it probably gets dirty pretty quickly. I hope with the renovation of the hotel, they would replace those games.
Another friend of mine was staying in a Grand Deluxe room which was recently renovated. The Grand Deluxe room was much bigger than the ocean front room even though it was cheaper. The renovations made the interior of the room look really nice. Much better than the interior of the present old Lagoon Villas. After the renovations, the Lagoon Villa should look much nicer. If you had to choose, I would definitely book the cheaper Grand Deluxe room over the Ocean Front room.
My favorite part of the lagoon is the outdoor sunken tub. I used it a few times and it was great! A nice size for a bath and a great feeling bathing outdoors.
Sheraton is part of the Laguna complex along with four other hotels (Banyan Tree being one of them). It allows you to use other hotels' facilities and restuarants and inter-sign bills.
In terms of the spa, I tried both the spa at the Sheraton (run by Banyan Tree) and the spa at the Banyan Tree hotel. I have to say that the Banyan Tree Spa wins hands down. We had a 7 hour package at the Banyan Tree and loved the setting it was in. We had the most of our treatments in our own individual spa villa that is open air with a nice rooftop. The service and treatment we got was unbelievable. The spa at the Sheraton was good but the setting was no where near the Banyan Tree. The treatments at the Sheraton were in regular rooms. I have a picture of the Banyan Tree spa if anyone is interested.
I did try the thai restuarant at the Banyan Tree and the food was better than at the Sheraton even though the price was the same.
Overall, the Sheraton was a good value for money. I was planning to switch over to the Banyan Tree and stay in a pool villa but since it was raining most of the time it didn't make it worthwhile. The cost for the pool villa was 3 times what I got at the Sheraton. However, if I wasn't upgraded to a Lagoon Villa at the Sheraton, I will probably have moved to the Banyan Tree.