Patong Paragon Hotel Review
Review
by Sam Wilkinson - Photos by Stephan Audiger
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With its large – some would say towering – lobby,
Patong Paragon has created the perfect place to sit and watch
the world go by as guests go through the check-in process.
Patong Paragon is located one kilometre north of Patong center
and just metres away from the end of Patong Beach. Outside,
a three-way junction leads to Patong, Phuket Town and Kalim
and all roads feature restaurants and shops.
A silk-clad receptionist leads us through the spacious, marigold-and-white
painted corridors to our room.
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Patong
Beach - Location
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Roomy and elegant
Deluxe Room
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And what a room! We’ve chosen a ‘Deluxe Pool View’:
53 square metres of well-appointed opulence. It’s large, with
an alcove by the window that doubles as a) a Thai-style relaxing
space with a mattress and cushions and b) an extra guest/child’s
space. There’s a large writing desk by the balcony door and
to its left is what can only be described as a humungous TV, with
a minibar under it. The cupboard, while not quite being walk-in
size, is also roomy and houses a safety box.
There are sliding wooden partitions that act as bathroom windows
and the bathroom door is also a sliding wooden affair and this,
along with the polished wooden floors, lends a rustic flavour to
what is already a multi-featured room. Above the plush king-size
bed is a white aqua relief motif and there’s enough silk for
a Derby winners convention liberally draped here and there. By the
door there are coffee/tea making facilities.
Suite
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Patong Paragon also offers Deluxe Sea View rooms identical to the
room described above, only facing sensational views of the Andaman
Sea and of Patong itself.
As for the suites, there are seven of them, presenting three choices:
Patong Paragon offers a 106 sqm Junior Suite with private check
in and an in-bed breakfast option! Also at 106 sqms the Executive
and Presidential suites with ocean views (accessible from the generous
balcony) are some of the largest to be found in Patong. These feature
such goodies as separate living and dining areas, unlimited free
WiFi access, a 360 degree turnaround 32 inch LCD display TV, free
access to the minibar and a Jacuzzi amongst a lot more.
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Everyone’s happy at the pool
Kids' pool
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The view from our east-facing balcony is inviting to anyone who
is attracted to things aquatic. The pool below is what’s known
in the trade as ‘Free Form’, meaning it’s built for
fun rather than for serious training or laps. In fact it’d
be sort of hard to do laps unless you’re willing to dodge the
three islands, pool bar and kiddies’ pool.
The pool is large enough for sunbathers to relax in peace and quiet
at the eastern (pool bar) end while youngsters splish splash around
at the opposite, kids’ pool end – and everyone gets to
have fun with the option of sun or no sun. All day long, the sound
of running water from several fountains provides a constant and
soothing background – not only that but it successfully eliminates
traffic noise from outside.
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Shower and a rubdown
Huge bathroom
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Of course, after a wallow in the pool everyone needs a good shower
and a rubdown. Our bathroom at Patong Paragon was an entity to itself
rather than something that had been added onto a room.
There’s space enough here (a bath and a large shower cubicle)
for the most pernickety of us with a generous range of complimentary
bathroom products. There’s even a bench and mirror set at which
to make up (if you’re a girl) or preen (for the boys).
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Cocktails, Internet or working out?
Lobby lounge
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Meanwhile, back at reception, there’s the option of getting
on the Internet, playing computer games or more conventional board
games while snacking from the coffee/tea bar.
And why not strike an elegant pose in the lobby lounge – where
a mid-afternoon cocktail looks more than tempting? It’s equally
tempting to try the pool bar but, like the voice of conscience,
not far away lies the hotel’s fitness center with its full
set of weights, two running machines, three exercise bikes, one
computerized bike machine that appears to do the thinking for you
as long as you provide the muscle and a whole lot more besides.
Khun Nikorn is there to advise you on such matters from 00:08 to
19:00.
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Catching up with dining
Catch & Grill restaurant
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The hotel’s seafood outlet, Catch & Grill is located street-side
and faces Patong Beach. It’s a trendy affair with underbar
lighting, eye-catching lamp designs and a definite post-modern almost
Japanese feel to it. Three very talented musicians play French,
Spanish, Italian, English and Thai classics and if you are lucky
enough to catch (but hopefully not grill) them performing, ask the
chap playing the bongos to do a magic turn for you. He’s hot.
Complimentary buffet breakfast is served at the Coffee Shop, adjacent
to the pool. The restaurant is L-shaped and air-conditioned although
some guests prefer to eat outside and enjoy the early morning sun
over their coffee and croissants, or whatever catches their eye
at the well-equipped buffet.
To sum up Patong Paragon: The most outstanding feature of this
four-star hotel is its undeniable and welcome sense of freshness.
A constant marigold colour theme (set off by white and dark brown)
works – even staff members are dressed in light and dark-brown
silk. Rooms are spacious and allow complete relaxation. The ambience
is quiet, staff gracious (an extra bed cover arrived within two
minutes of requesting it) and the location allows for a good range
of activities – whether by day or by night.
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Hotel Information and Room Rates
Click here if you wish to know more about Patong
Paragon Hotel
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Photo Gallery of the Hotel
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