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ASIAN ESCAPES
LUXURIOUS OUTRIGGER
DAVID BOWDEN REDISCOVERED THE ATTRACTION OF PHUKET WHILE ENJOYING THE MANY FEATURES OF THE OUTRIGGER LAGUNA PHUKET BEACH RESORT.
LAGUNA PHUKET
I
t was a long walk, but one well worth taking. On the way to my room at The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort I was contemplating GPS satellite tracking, a road map and a cut lunch for the return journey to the lobby, but as soon as the guest relations officer opened the room door, I realised that it was a rewarding walk as before me was one of Phuket’s best sights – golden sands, swaying palms and the beginnings of a spectacular sunset.
CLOSE TO NATURE From my verandah, I was mesmerised by the turquoise expanse of the Andaman Sea and inching towards the horizon was the big ball of orange sun. I’d forgotten just how good Phuket was and how close to nature it gets. This was further brought home later in the evening as I drifted off to the distance sounds of crashing waves along Bang Tao Beach just metres from where I dozed. Despite now looking all very natural, the Outrigger property of 255 rooms and suites is part of the larger Laguna complex that includes several properties that have risen in a location that was once left fallow following the extraction of tin from the sand dunes and swale some distance back from the beachfront. Now it looks like a real success story with a cluster of
resorts that harmonise with their natural surroundings.
RESTFUL ROOM Outrigger’s rooms are perfectly in tune with the surroundings with sand coloured walls plus mirrors to make them appear bigger than they already are. There is a real sense of space here including a functional, covered verandah with a table and two chairs plus, a window alcove the size of a double bed and big enough for two children to sleep there and I assumed that’s what holidaying families would do. The timber is also a honey coloured teak to add to the spaciousness. Tiles provide a functional seaside
flooring surface with a carpeted section underneath the bed. A table and two chairs provide a good work area and don’t make the room crowded or cluttered. There are many standout features in the room with the bathroom another carefully considered and laid out space. What appears like a sunken shower area has a contoured floor for it to double up as a bathtub for lounging in with back support. Wi-fi in the room is complimentary and fast and the television channel choice is adequate, but not brilliant with somewhat fuzzy reception. There is a combined iPod docking sound system and alarm.
SEASIDE DINING I could have opted for a terrace butler to arrange a personalised barbecue on my verandah, but rather I chose to dine in Metzo’s Mediterranean Restaurant and was glad that I did. Let it be said that one shouldn’t choose a restaurant for the wine alone, but a good wine list is very conducive to a great night. Metzo’s wine list is not a long one, but a carefully considered one for its country range, the variety of grapes and the style of wines. The meticulously curated list includes several iconic wines such as Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier (Australia), Grange (Australia), Picardy Pinot Noir (Australia), Chris Ringland Shiraz (Australia), GranMonte Shiraz (Thailand), Warner Vineyard Giaconda Shiraz (Australia) and Renieri Brunello di Montalcino (Italy) to name but a few.
SUNDAY BRUNCH Guests staying over the weekend can indulge at the Mediterranean Sunday Brunch from 11:30am until 3:30pm and enjoy a carefully selected menu of mezze, tapas and dishes from the charcoal grill. Prices are reasonable and offered as food alone or extra with a free flow of wines, beers and cocktails. Outrigger Laguna is worth visiting for the breakfast alone as the selection of premium produce is extensive. Locavore Restaurant is
the venue and a place to spend a leisurely and long breakfast contemplating everything from kimchi to croissants and bloody marys to almost bloody everything else.
WINE O’CLOCK Another food and beverage option that looks enticing is the wine o’clock offering each night from 9:00pm on the terrace where wine is served by the glass at B240, free-flow for one hour at B650 and B1,200 for two hours. These wines are served beneath the stars for yet another magical Outrigger Laguna moment. It could be argued that there are many resort options awaiting holidaymakers in Phuket. So why the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort? Perhaps it’s the twists and turns that are taken here to make the resort memorable to all who visit. I could imagine guests coming back to this resort on a regular basis as it offers a completely relaxing experience.
FOR KIDS & ADULTS Other points of difference include – a contemporary Thai dance sunset ceremony and fire show at sunset on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, a renewal of vows plus in-room touches such as plunger coffee, serious wine glasses, premium mini-bar delights, excellent lighting and very comfortable beds. I also liked open courtyards with cascading falls and tranquil ponds between the different accommodation blocks in the hotel. Most will come here for the beach which is long, clean and sufficiently shallow so as not to cause any grief for parents on child minding duty. Alternatively, parents can drop their kids off at Koh Kid’s Club for day time activities or in the evening if they want to have a romantic dinner without the kids. v
Pocket Guide Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort 323 Moo 2 Srisoonthorn Road Cherngtalay, Thalang Bangtao Beach Phuket, Thailand T: +66 76 360-600 W: www.outrigger.com
www.asianjourneys.com.sg | April/May 2017 AsianJourneys