SPG.com
Peter Turco is a writer, editor, and lately an aspiring drummer when he's not working on the marketing team at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. This month, he writes about his first trip to Asia, where he recently traveled to Singapore, Phuket and Bangkok.
Sawadeekaap! If Singapore is for beginners, then Phuket is Asia for the Pampered and Spoiled. Butlers and porters and drink shufflers and coffee fairies take care of every little thing, just like they did in Singapore, but Singapore was still a business trip and it was still a city. And while there were some exciting moments -- like having fish nibble dead skin off my feet -- it wasn't a vacation.
So we took off for Phuket. The hotel sent a car to pick us up and speed us to the silty sands of Laguna Beach where we checked in at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket. We were greeted with a wristband of fresh flowers, a delicious welcome fruit drink, and, thankfully, two small towels to wipe the sweat soaking our collars mere seconds out of the air-conditioned back seat (sissies). If I haven't mentioned the oppressive humidity, I'll note it now... it's seriously humid.
We were escorted past the pool that winds through much of the resort (the longest pool in Asia, if you're keeping track of this sort of thing), and past the spa with the really affordable massages, and out to the bungalows -- built on pilings in the lagoon. The room itself was spectacular, mostly for the Jacuzzi... which was outdoors. Think of a private and secluded balcony, with plumbing, off the bathroom. Then install a deep Jacuzzi, a rain shower, and stock it with all kinds of bath goodies. Then, make the dividers thin so you can jive with the honeymooners next door, and voila, you're there.
There is Phuket, by the way, outside of the resort, but I don't know a thing about it. We didn't leave the hotel for 48 hours. The food was incredible, the massages were outstanding, and frankly it was too hot to consider going anywhere. So I can't tell you much about this place except that it's called the St. Tropez of the East, but better, since the breakfast buffet had fritters and soy sauce and all kinds of curry. The French don't offer that much variety. The French also don't have baby elephants.
More
Post a Response