We woke up early feeling rather sad as it's our last day in this wonderful tranquil town. For breakfast, we ordered the same fare through room service and was told that the breakfast will reach us within 30 mins.
After near 1 hr, the breakfast was not here yet and I called the room service to check. They apologised for the late delivery and shortly, the breakfast was delivered.
We received a nice surprise after our breakfast when the hotel called us and told us that they will waive our breakfast bill due to late delivery. Nice gesture from Le Meridien :)
After breakfast, we strolled to the main pool to make it one of our final pit stops. My partner read his book while I did my laps in the pool. It was still around 9am+ so majority of the guests were still in the main restaurant having their breakfast.
As I'd made a booking with the spa at 11am for my final massage, we headed back to our room at around 1030+ and did some brief packing. My partner continued with the packing and reading while I report at the spa counter for my massage.
I like the massage this time round much better. It may be partly due to the fact that the room temperature was more ideal. And remember what I wrote on the feedback form the day before? I think they'd taken my comments into consideration. After the massage, the therapist told me that she will wait for me at the spa reception, instead at the villa door. This give me some time to explore the treatment room. I noticed that there's a small pavilion linked to the treatment room which I believe is for the guests to have their meals if they take a 1/2 or full day treatment package. There's also a sauna room in the villa as well as a bath big enough for 2 or more.
After my massage session, I headed back to my room to do some final packing. We did not manage to get a late check out from the hotel as they insist that they're full with bookings. So we checked out at 1pm (usual time 12pm) as "negotiated" and lounged around at the lobby.
We noticed that many Asian guests (especially Japanese) check in on Sundays. We also noticed that the check in process did not improve and unable to manage the crowds on Sunday. While we were sitting there waiting for our 3pm airport transfer, we saw at least 3-4 couples waiting to be brought to their rooms/villas and the average waiting time for them was at least 45 mins to 1hr. I'm really unsure what exactly is wrong with their check in process as there's many staff at the check in counter looking busy but no one to bring the guests their room keys.
At 3pm, our airport shuttle is ready. To save the hassle, we booked directly with the concierge at the Le Meridien counter. The trip cost us THB1800 nett. Within an hour, we're back to the good old Phuket airport that we'd frequented over the years.
Our final 2 stops are the Dukin Donuts stall (yes...Singaporeans are obsessed with donuts) and the Thai Airways restaurant on the 2nd floor of the airport. I'd saw the restaurant and had always wanted to try it. But due to lack of time, we always skipped this. For this time round, we specially came to the airport slightly earlier so we can enjoy a good meal in the airport. Average price here is around THB250 for a Tom Yum goong (it's VERY good with BIG prawns) and THB150 for starters. The price is fairly reasonable for an airport restaurant. Do give it a try when you're at Phuket airport next time.
After a satisfying Thai meal, we headed to the departure gate for Singapore.
Though we're sad that this holiday is over, we're sure that we'll be back as we just love Phuket and Khao Lak :)
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Monday, 8 December 2008
A trip to Khao Lak - Day 4
We started our 2nd day at Le Meridien with an early morning breakfast.
As I'd "blurly" booked the room w/o breakfast, we decided to order room service for our breakfast instead paying THB690++/pax for the buffet breakfast.
We looked through the menu and decided on the breakfast steak set (THB280++) and added on a basket of bread (THB150++). The serving for the breakfast steak set was enough for 1 and for the bread basket, we'd an assortment of close to 10 different kind of bread. We couldn't finish the bread and "saved" some for our lunch/afternoon tea.
After breakfast, we strolled to the hotel spa to book our spa session. They were running a promotion of THB4200+ for 3 x 60 mins massages. We decided to go for that (I get to enjoy the extra session =p) and made our appointment for the evening. For cheaper alternatives, there's actually beach side massage near the beach food stall we patronised for lunch (turn left at the beach of Le Meridien) going at THB300.
There's 2 table tennis tables (with bats and balls provided) outside the gym near the spa. We played a game or two and decided to change into our swimwear to laze around at the pool.
We choose the spa pool as there's not a single soul at the pool. We practically have the whole pool to ourselves for an hour or so before another couple joined in. Most of the guests had opted the main pool and the loungers on the beach. But the spa pool is really good if you want to have a mini workout to swim laps as it's in a regular rectangular shape.
Near noon time, more people joined us at the spa pool and we decided to head back to the room for a quick shower before our lunch at 1pm+. We headed back to Rim Lay for a quick lunch that cost us less than THB400 for 3 dishes, 2 rice and 2 drinks.
Just like Singapore, weather in Khao Lak is equally unpredictable. We saw the dark clouds forming when we were having our lunch and decided to end our meal quickly. But alas, we were still caught in the heavy thunderstorm while walking back to the hotel. Lucky for us is that we only need to walk/run in the rain for less than 3 mins and got the chance to enjoy the comfort of our room instead of getting stuck at the beach side stall.
After lounging around in our room for 2 hrs or so, we headed for our spa session! I opted for the 60 mins Swedish massage while my partner choose the Thai massage. We were brought into the lounge area for some drinks while they prepare the rooms for us and were brought to our own spa villa. I was awed by the decoration and spaciousness of the spa villa.
We were given a foot wash therapy. After which, we were given the 60 mins massage.
I'd been to several hotels spas and I must say this is one of the best massage I'd. No wonder this hotel spa had won several awards. The strokes and kneading were defined and firm, yet not too hard on your body. But as it was raining out, I was feeling a bit cold towards the end of the massage.
After the masaage, we were given hot ginger tea (I was so happy to have this hot drink) and feedback form. I noted that they should had given us time to lounge/relax in the treatment villa instead of "stressing" us to leave as they told us that they're waiting for us outside the villa.
The massage must had been too "relaxing" that we don't feel like leaving our room after that (the rain was part of the reason as well). We decided to order room service - crab meat fried rice and finish up the cup noodles we'd bought at the town.
We ended up the night watching a movie on Star Movies (some show on monkey conquering the world) and reading my magazines.
As I was dozing off, I was thinking that this is almost a perfect, relaxing holiday.
As I'd "blurly" booked the room w/o breakfast, we decided to order room service for our breakfast instead paying THB690++/pax for the buffet breakfast.
We looked through the menu and decided on the breakfast steak set (THB280++) and added on a basket of bread (THB150++). The serving for the breakfast steak set was enough for 1 and for the bread basket, we'd an assortment of close to 10 different kind of bread. We couldn't finish the bread and "saved" some for our lunch/afternoon tea.
After breakfast, we strolled to the hotel spa to book our spa session. They were running a promotion of THB4200+ for 3 x 60 mins massages. We decided to go for that (I get to enjoy the extra session =p) and made our appointment for the evening. For cheaper alternatives, there's actually beach side massage near the beach food stall we patronised for lunch (turn left at the beach of Le Meridien) going at THB300.
There's 2 table tennis tables (with bats and balls provided) outside the gym near the spa. We played a game or two and decided to change into our swimwear to laze around at the pool.
We choose the spa pool as there's not a single soul at the pool. We practically have the whole pool to ourselves for an hour or so before another couple joined in. Most of the guests had opted the main pool and the loungers on the beach. But the spa pool is really good if you want to have a mini workout to swim laps as it's in a regular rectangular shape.
Near noon time, more people joined us at the spa pool and we decided to head back to the room for a quick shower before our lunch at 1pm+. We headed back to Rim Lay for a quick lunch that cost us less than THB400 for 3 dishes, 2 rice and 2 drinks.
Just like Singapore, weather in Khao Lak is equally unpredictable. We saw the dark clouds forming when we were having our lunch and decided to end our meal quickly. But alas, we were still caught in the heavy thunderstorm while walking back to the hotel. Lucky for us is that we only need to walk/run in the rain for less than 3 mins and got the chance to enjoy the comfort of our room instead of getting stuck at the beach side stall.
After lounging around in our room for 2 hrs or so, we headed for our spa session! I opted for the 60 mins Swedish massage while my partner choose the Thai massage. We were brought into the lounge area for some drinks while they prepare the rooms for us and were brought to our own spa villa. I was awed by the decoration and spaciousness of the spa villa.
We were given a foot wash therapy. After which, we were given the 60 mins massage.
I'd been to several hotels spas and I must say this is one of the best massage I'd. No wonder this hotel spa had won several awards. The strokes and kneading were defined and firm, yet not too hard on your body. But as it was raining out, I was feeling a bit cold towards the end of the massage.
After the masaage, we were given hot ginger tea (I was so happy to have this hot drink) and feedback form. I noted that they should had given us time to lounge/relax in the treatment villa instead of "stressing" us to leave as they told us that they're waiting for us outside the villa.
The massage must had been too "relaxing" that we don't feel like leaving our room after that (the rain was part of the reason as well). We decided to order room service - crab meat fried rice and finish up the cup noodles we'd bought at the town.
We ended up the night watching a movie on Star Movies (some show on monkey conquering the world) and reading my magazines.
As I was dozing off, I was thinking that this is almost a perfect, relaxing holiday.
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