Browsing category : Review
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Revisiting My First Thailand Experience
Posted onThe Regent Cha Am is a four-star beach resort about 180 km southwest of Bangkok, Thailand. It has 442 guest rooms, a spa, several swimming pools, direct beach access, two restaurants and plenty of conference rooms, among other facilities. It’s also the first hotel I ever stayed at in Thailand, way back in December 1998. Over 22 years later, I returned for a long-weekend break by the beach.
By Ben Reeves
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Ta Khai Restaurant
Posted onFinding a Thai restaurant in Phuket is very easy. Finding a good Thai restaurant in Phuket is less so. I don’t mean that there are a lot of bad places, but there are relatively few which really stand out; that are really remarkable. Ta Khai Restaurant is one place which does.
By Ben Reeves
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Casa Marocc Hotel by Andacura
Posted onIn recent weeks, I’ve been up and down Thailand from end to end twice. My first trip up to Chiang Mai was to see Loy Krathong, which I wrote about in my last piece. The second time, I was going to attend my friend’s wedding. On the first trip, I stayed in a little hostel in the Old City part of Chiang Mai, which was comfortable enough, but predominantly unremarkable. For the second trip, I arranged a stay at Casa Marocc Boutique Hotel by Andacura Hotels & Resorts.
By Ben Reeves
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Pimalai Resort & Spa
Posted onOver the last weekend – a long one, thanks to a national holiday on Monday – I had a little getaway with my girlfriend; an unrivalled opportunity to relax and unwind. It was an opportunity to explore a tropical island destination in Thailand which is slowly growing in popularity, and enjoy the hospitality of what is, at the moment, the only five-star hotel there: Pimalai Resort & Spa on Koh Lanta. Such are the perks of working in the travel industry!
By Ben Reeves
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Café de Paris Patong Beach
Posted onBefore last Thursday evening, I had never realised that wine is such a complex subject. I knew there was a lot to it, in the same sense that I realise that rocket science is not particularly simple, but the sheer depth and intricacy involved was made much clearer to me during the wine dinner at Café de Paris Patong Beach.
By Ben Reeves
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Lanna Dusita Boutique Resort
Posted onI took a quick two-night trip up to Chiang Mai last week – and yes, the ability to say that is pretty awesome, and one of the better perks of an expat life. It was for a photography workshop, which was a lot of fun and I will probably write about some time soon. One of the two nights was spent in the Lanna Dusita Boutique Resort (by Andacura Hotels & Resorts), which is what I’m going to be writing about now. So, without further ado…
By Ben Reeves
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Nook-Dee Boutique Resort
Posted onThere is a wonderful stretch of road along Phuket’s east coast, rising from the junction where Kata Beach meets Kata Noi Beach. The road climbs up the hill and skirts along the side of the hills behind the latter beach before continuing towards Ya Nui Beach and on to Promthep Cape – the southernmost point in Phuket. It is probably the most beautiful road on the island because the view is outstanding. Naturally, a number of bars and small restaurants have taken advantage of this. So, too, has Nook-Dee Boutique Resort. The view of Kata Noi Beach is spectacular, particularly from the reception, pool, restaurant and the rooftop terrace.
By Ben Reeves
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Kaab Gluay Thai Restaurant
Posted onNaturally, the most important part of a restaurant experience is the cuisine. Being in Patong – the main tourist resort in Phuket – and having most of the signage written in English, there is a chance that the restaurant is slightly tourist-oriented and that the genuine Thai flavours have been adapted for tastebuds not used to the intense flavours the locals like. However, the clientele are mostly locals, so obviously the tastes haven’t been adapted that much. The prices are a little higher than, for example, street food vendors and the sauces are noticeably richer, making this slightly higher-end Thai food.
By Ben Reeves
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Manathai Koh Samui
Posted onIn the process of planning an inspection tour of Koh Samui, I needed to select three hotels – one each in Lamai, Bophut and Chaweng. I had a budget no other specifications. All I needed was for my accommodation to be in a location convenient for checking out the nearby town. So, I selected Manathai Koh Samui as the first one purely for its location and cost. That is exactly the story I told the staff there when they asked.
By Ben Reeves
