A luxuriant garden
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Karon Beach, on Phuket’s west coast, is the resort’s
home. Less crazy than Patong Beach, but with no shortage of shops,
restaurants, and (of course) sand, it’s an ideal setting for
a family-friendly resort. Only a road stands between the hotel and
the sea – guests staying in the Apartment Residences can move
from bed to beach in seconds – and only a five-minute walk
separates the hotel from the vibrant village centre. With green
lagoons, majestic trees, and a tangle of verdant plant life, the
resort grounds are like a tamed jungle. Footpaths wind through the
gardens to the mishmash-styled buildings that house the resort’s
364 rooms. It takes a couple of laps to figure out how to get from
one place to another, but thankfully, a map is always nearby with
those three comforting words: You are here.
Non-stop action
The Play Zone - 8/12 years area
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A busy child is a happy child, and the resort has plenty of entertainment
options. The Play Zone – staffed by smiling women every kid
quickly warms to – has three separate age-specific areas. The
12-and-over set can relax in the DVD lounge, email friends back
home, shoot a game of pool, or pick up some reading material from
the massive magazine and book collection. For children between the
ages of four and 12, there are six different organized activities
every day of the week. The list runs from tennis lessons to Thai
dancing to aquarium candle making, ensuring a good balance of things
that drain energy and feed the brain. Reservations can be made by
the hour, half-day, or full day.
The swimming pools offer four more havens of fun. The main pool
has a separated kid’s mini-pool, waterslide, and games for
children, as well as a swim-up bar for parents. Coconut Grove Pool
is quieter and conveniently located next to many Garden Villa rooms.
Saeng Chan Pool might be small, but it’s also home to the resident
dive centre that gives free scuba refresher courses as well as a
full range of PADI courses and day or multi-day dive trips. A spa
with salon, two tennis courts and a wide range of classes and activities
round out the considerable options available.
Big is beautiful
Twin beds room in the Family Villa
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The Two-Bedroom Family Suites and the new Residences – also
with two bedrooms – are nearly the same price; the deciding
factor being how much space you need. The Family Suites, with 165
square meters (about 1,775 square feet) of indoor space, are big
enough for four adults with two children in tow. The living room
has a bedroom on either side – one with a king size bed, the
other with two twin beds – and has daybeds that can be made
up for the little ones to sleep on. Mom and dad get generous touches
such as large tubs and outdoor rain showers, and the kids get a
video game system. The Family Suites come in two flavours: go for
garden views, large terraces, and bonus bunk-beds in the freestanding
villas (recommended) or choose sea views with balconies in the main
building.
The Residences are perched above the beach road; all offer enviable
sea views, though some are better than others. Like the Family Suites,
they have a king size bed and two twin beds. But they also boast
luxurious touches like plasma televisions, kitchenettes, butler
service, and roll-away walls that merge the living room with the
outdoor patio. The boxy-but-cool design is straight out of a modern
architecture magazine, and with controlled entry through a private
gate and its own infinity-edge swimming pool, the complex is essentially
a resort within a resort.
The intimate choice
Pool Villa
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Of course, not everyone is travelling with a small army, and there
are plenty of choice rooms for couples. The Plunge Pool Villas and
their upstairs neighbours, the Penthouse Plunge Pool Villas, are
spacious and outfitted with ease-inducing furnishings. Large showers,
separate oversized bathtubs, and luxurious trimmings make the bathroom
easy to love. And don’t forget the plunge pools. Are they big?
No. Refreshing and romantic? Yes, and extremely so. The Penthouse
Villas have rooftop pools in shaded lounge areas – the views
and privacy make it a worthwhile upgrade.
All rooms come equipped with ultra-soft bedding, high-quality furnishings,
and make liberal use of teak. In-room broadband internet access
is available for purchase, with wireless access in common areas
included in the cost. Security safes, bathrobes and slippers, cable
television, and complimentary tea and coffee are standard. Accommodations
in outlying buildings have fully stocked mini-bars, while guests
in the main building are encouraged to fill their (empty) mini-fridge
with items from the lobby kiosk.
Delectable dining
Wildfire Restaurant |
The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket is home
to a great selection of restaurants. Pacifica is the main dining
area, and the morning buffet is the perfect start to the day. The
indoor dining area feels like a dressed up version of home –
it’s that comfortable – and outdoor patio seating is also
available. Breakfast has everything you want, whether you’re
craving Asian or Western fare, and it’s all tasty. Wildfire
lives up to its name with flaming decorations. Enjoy live music
and grilled Brazilian and Thai food in the evenings and perfect
pizzas from lunch until late. Sandwiches, pastries, and gourmet
coffee sharing the resort’s name are available at the funky
Café Studio.
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