Case E Mare, Kata Beach, Phuket

Case E Mare, Kata Beach, Phuket

This week I stayed one night in Phuket for work, to be more precise for a PADI Course Director update and a friend recommended the Casa E Mare in Kata Beach, since it was near the hotel that the seminar was at.

It's an Italian owned and run hotel/restaurant/ice cream parlour and it has a nice and quiet location, just a few minutes walk away from Kata beach, one of the more relaxed and quiet beaches on Phuket.

The Italian cold cuts on display looked fantastic but unfortunately I didn't get the time the try them out.

The rooms are simple, straightforward and affordable but are very nicely laid out and cosy and they have all the minimum requirements a room needs.

If you need to spend time in Phuket and don't need to be near the ocean, and you like a nice and family atmosphere, this is the place to be.

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Booking by Hotels Combined

Downstairs restaurant and pool table

Some great cold cuts at display

My room

Centara Karon Resort, Phuket

Centara Karon Resort, Phuket

At Centara Karon Resort, by the same chain that brings you Centara Kata Resort in Phuket there is so much to offer all guests. You will want to come back again and again.

The resort is a modern, mid-rise establishment with panoramic views of Karon Beach and the lush hinterland of the hills behind. From the fringe of Phuket's emerald green hills, the crystal clear waters of the Andaman sea unfold into the horizon. Karon Beach displays its majestic sweep as one of the finest soft white sandy beaches to be found anywhere on Phuket island, and it is a popular holiday resort offering the visitor everything that is expected from a tropical island destination.

Heading to the beach is a gentle three-minute stroll from the resort where the dazzling white sand of Karon's four-kilometer beach sweeps before you.

Centara Karon Resort is made up by 4 residential zones, The Terraces, The Lagoon, Tropicale and the Cabanas with a total of 316 rooms, complimented by a further 19 villas units scattered around the grounds.

The Terraces offer newly refurbished superior and superior ocean view rooms together with 4 delightfully appointed deluxe honeymoon rooms complete with their own over sized terrace and private out door sunken jacuzzi tub.

Accommodations at The Lagoon offer spacious deluxe rooms many of which have 2 double beds which are ideal for family holidays accommodating up to 2 adults and 2 children with ease. Deluxe family studio rooms offers even greater comfort and space.

Tropicale is especially designed for travelers seeking a more luxurious and inclusive vacation experience. Guests will enjoy Thai contemporary furnishings, nightly turn down service and the exclusive use of the lounge serving daytime snacks and pastries, all day tea and coffee and evening cocktails and snacks all of which are complimentary. Additionally the lounge offers newspapers, reading materials and free internet access.

Finally spacious The Cabanas are set within a garden location offering total privacy together with all the comfort and service expected from a premium room category.

All the air-conditioned rooms, suites, and villas are tastefully decorated in contemporary Thai style. Rooms have a private balcony or terrace and offer amenities designed for comfort. Superior guest rooms are located in The Terraces building offering partial or full ocean views. Deluxe and Premium Deluxe rooms are located in The Lagoon and Tropicale wings. They offer larger accommodation up to 52 sq.m. Villas are clustered and located in The Cabanas zone - around the pool area of The Lagoon wing. All rooms offer air conditioning, color TV with satellite channels and in-house movies, in-house musics, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, IDD telephone, bathroom with bath and shower.

A good value deal in low season and reasonably priced in the busy seasons in a nice and quiet area of Phuket.

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Deluxe Cabana Room

Lagoon Deluxe room

Deluxe Honeymoon spa suites at the Terraces

Pool


Aerial view

Supar Royal Beach Hotel, Khanom (Nakhon Si Thammarat)

Supar Royal Beach Hotel, Khanom, Nai Phao Bay, (Nakhon Si Thammarat)

I've been here twice with my family, each time whilst travelling through. One time was when we made a trip to the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and the hotel is located on a lovely beach on Nai Phao Bay. Khanom is part of the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat although it's located just around Donsak's corner, where the ferries to/from Koh Samui arrive and leave.

Although the name raises questions about correct translations, it's a nice place with a beautiful beachfront and on the beach they have a row of wooden beach huts which are usually filled up over the weekend with Thais on a weekend trip.

The beach restaurant in front of the hotel is really good and can be recommended. Rooms are cheap and nothing fancy in the main building but for our purpose they were perfectly all right.

Booking by Hotels Combined

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Standard room

Sun coming up in the morning seen from the 5th floor

The Lobby

The beach front

The swimming pool

Sawasdee Sea View Hotel, Pattaya

Sawasdee Sea View Hotel, Pattaya

The Sawasdee Sea View Hotel in Pattaya, is very centrally located at the entrance of Soi 10 near Beach Road in the heart of Central Pattaya Beach, only 10 steps away from beach, shopping centers, and entertainment spots. Mike's shopping mall is almost across the road of Soi 10 and the brand new Central Festival is within walking distance.

It's a budget hotel and the rooms include all the amenities of a modern hotel to ensure that the guests have a pleasant stay. All rooms are air-conditioned, have an ensuite bathroom, cable Tv, hot water, a refrigerator, and a queen size or twin beds. Facilities at the hotel include, restaurant & bar, laundry service, tour desk, and a safe deposit box.

The place is old though and lived out but excellent value for a budget traveller with good location. During the October 2009 wreck dive trip to Pattaya, two of the divers stayed here and they were happy with the price and what they got for it.

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Standard Room

Double room

Suite room

Regency Park Hotel, Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

Regency Park Hotel, Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

Located almost on the top corner of Soi 22 of Sukhumvit, very near Washington Square and in walking distance to the Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain station.

This is an excellent location indeed! It's one of the first hotels in Bangkok I stayed in once I started living on Samui and I have been coming back over time, due to it's great location.

The Emporium Shopping Mall and the Benjasiri park are also within walking distance and especially the park is very nice and a relief in the fast paced city life of Bangkok. It's also near the Queen Sirikit convention center.

Although the rooms don't have windows, the hotel offers a nice indoors garden as an alternative and all rooms have all the necessary amenities. One tip before booking, make sure that breakfast is included since that's not included in their standard prices!

The Regency Park Hotel offers a quality reasonably-priced three-star boutique hotel with 117 rooms and suites in one of Bangkok’s most famous entertainment, shopping, and business districts.

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Hotel exterior

Lobby

Deluxe room

Superior room

In house garden

Imperial Hua Hin Beach Resort, Hua Hin

Imperial Hua Hin Beach Resort, Hua Hin

Located slightly outside of Hua Hin so it's slightly isolated if you have to rely on the two hourly shuttle which the hotel runs to downtown Hua Hin. The hotel is part of the Imperial chain and you can expect the usual Imperial hospitality and comfort.

The resort provides 124 elegantly designed rooms, and has a beachfront location on Klaikangwon Beach.

The three-star resort provides a complimentary shuttle serve to Hua Hin, so guests can enjoy all the bustling markets, restaurants and entertainment venues that the city has to offer. It is also 7 km away from the domestic airport. There are a few onsite restaurants for guests to dine at, including the Montalay Beachfront Restaurant, which serves a variety of both Thai and Western cuisine, and the coffee shop entertains guests with live piano music.

Excellent medium range value for a nice and relaxed environment.

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Booking by R24

Guest room

Deluxe Twin

Junior Suite

2 and 3 bedroom suite

Exterior and swimming pool

Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort, Koh Tao

Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort, Koh Tao at Jansom Bay

During my many stays on Koh Tao for diving or work on Koh Tao during PADI IE's I get to know the island relatively well.

One very nice discovery is the Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort south of Mae Haad on Koh Tao.

The hotel is set in Jansom Bay, one of Koh Tao’s most beautiful areas, with views of the beach and the crystal-clear waters. Set in a secluded spot, this resort is the ideal place to get away from the stresses of modern life. There are two restaurants on site serving a variety of Thai and international dishes, as well as a range of cocktails. This is a great place to visit during your trip to Thailand.

The beach is exclusive to the resort which makes it even more desirable to stay there. On the down side, elevators are a big no no on Koh Tao so be prepared for some stairs walking in order to get to the room or anything else on the premises.

To get away from it all for a reasonable price, this is one of the places in Thailand to be and direct access to all the great dive sites Koh Tao has to offer.

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Deluxe Room

Panorama terrace

View from a sunset room

Sunset over Koh Tao

View of the exclusive beach and the bay

Bandara Suites Hotel, Silom, Bangkok

Bandara Suites Hotel, Silom, Bangkok

A friend of mine just stayed here and although he turned out to not be a big Bangkok fan, he enjoyed staying at this hotel.

Bandara Suites is the calm within the storm. Located in the heart of Silom; one of Bangkok's most important financial, shopping, restaurant, and night life districts. The Bandara Suites superb location on Soi Sala Daeng 1 , is only a 5 minute walk down a quiet Soi to the MRTA Subway and BTS Sky train and the three main thoroughfares of Silom, Sathorn, and Rama IV roads. Bangkok's traffic free connecter to all of down town. Bandara Suites Hotel is comprised of 2 high rise buildings. Bandara Hotel & Resort is a 17 storey structure with 48 units of exclusively serviced residence designed to match the Pure Bandara Suites concept. There are also a 4 bedroom penthouse and a 3 bedroom penthouse that offer the maximum in amenities, service, and extravagance. Bandara Hotel & Resort has been designed for the long term resident who needs to be in Bangkok's prime business location.

Bandara Suites is a 26 storey building which brags some of the best views in all of Bangkok. Enjoy the splendid sunrise and observe as Thailand's capital city comes to life; and then later in the day watch the sunset and the skyline of Bangkok shine with high rise illumination

All rooms at Bandara Suites are equipped with high-speed internet and full kitchens for a comfortable stay of one night or as a permanent residence. The 4-star hotel’s facilities include: 2 pools, a spa, a gym, a squash court, a sauna, a whirlpool, a business center, and a restaurant. The city is waiting to be explored as soon as you step out of Bandara Suites in Silom.

Currently, Agoda has some fantastic offers for this hotel available.

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Booking by Agoda

Deluxe two bedroom suite living room

One bedroom suite dining area

Deluxe room

Jacuzzi pool

Lounge area

Twin Towers Hotel, Bangkok

Twin Towers Hotel, Bangkok

The location of the Twin Towers hotel on Rama VI road in Bangkok is one of it's best assets, about a kilometer away from Chinatown with all it's fascinating little streets, food and exotic things to see and discover and on the edge of Chinatown is also a small street laced with outstanding Indian restaurants and (literal) hole in the wall places.

Many business area's are nearby, an entertainment zone (Patpong) is also around the corner and shopping malls are just a BTS station away with MBK and Siam Paragorn just to name a few.

Both my sister and an old friend of mine with their respective families stayed here early August 2009 for a few days, just before they visited me and my family on Koh Samui and both were happy with the price/quality on offer. They also booked various other activities through agencies in the hotel lobby, very well organised both inside the hotel and the actual trips that they booked.

There are a total of 660 rooms at the hotel, each designed with your comfort in mind. A variety of delectable dishes are served at the on-site eateries, while the cocktail bar serves an array of exotic drinks.

A good choice if you're travelling with a family or in general want a good deal for an affordable rate in Bangkok.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

Deluxe Twin room

Standard King Size room

Pool at the hotel

The exterior

An unusual shot of the hotels exterior

Rajamangala Pavilion Beach Resort, Songkhla

Rajamangala Pavilion Beach Resort, Songkhla

It's been a while since I stayed in Songkla, probably for over 6 years or so upon writing, back in the days that I still needed to make Visa and border runs. Usually I stayed in Hat Yai but Songkla is very nearby and makes for a perfect break without the big city hustle of Hat Yai.

My impressions of Songkla were that the city is very laid back and relaxed and had a beautiful beach which seemed to stretch for ever.

Although I didn't stay in the Rajamangala Resort, it's located on Chalatat or Samila Beach with a lovely view over the bay and is a short distance from Songkla 'downtown'.

All rooms have fantastic views of the Samila beach and the Gulf of Thailand from the private balconies.

The hotel boosts Chalatat Restaurant located at the 1st Floor and they serve Thai, Chinese & European Cuisine. Operated between 06.00 – 24.00 with 125 seats.

If you want some more action, for keen bargain hunters, take a 20-minute drive to the bustling Santisook market in Hat Yai, where inexpensive duty free goods, from cigarettes, cosmetics, to food stuff, brought in mostly from neighboring Malaysia are abundant. Various other shopping malls and restaurants are also located in the center of Had Yai.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

Guest room

Guest room

Superior room

Lobby

Swimming Pool

LK Metropole Hotel, Pattaya

LK Metropole Hotel, Pattaya

Each room of this modern hotel has its own balcony with city, pool and ocean views, all 133 of them.

With the beach and the array of entertainments that make Pattaya famous all within walking distance this hotel is ideal for those who like to be close to the action.

The Metropole offers a wide array of facilities including a fitness center, a spa, a swimming pool and a massage service. All the rooms are tastefully laid out and come with hi speed internet access, a mini bar and television. At the LK Metropole Hotel you can experience a little luxury and peace between forays into the razzmatazz that characterizes Pattaya.

The location is really good; smack down in the middle of Pattaya on the corner of Soi Buakhao and Soi Diana and is one of the few hotels in Pattaya with a car park.

The pool is rather small though and breakfast is not spectacular but good enough to get a day started, be aware that the 'free' wifi internet access is only available for one hour per day.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

Standard room

Studio room

Restaurant


Restaurant and pool

Exterior