13 January, 2009

Hotel Review: Amari Coral Beach Resort in Phuket


Phuket's Patong Beach where one can easily find cheap massages, barbequed sweet corns, cheap necklaces and probably future wives.

Back in October when Bearbear was having his autumn holiday, we took the opportunity to go island hopping. From Singapore, it only takes about 2 hours to fly to Phuket.

Phuket is the largest island of Thailand, approximately the size of Singapore. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea.

This time we chose to stay at Amari Coral Beach Resort which is located at the quiet end of Phuket’s most popular beach, Patong.

Amari simply blowed my mind away from the moment I set foot on the resort until I left. I was there for a short break (approx. 1 week) with Petty and Bearbear. We stayed in one of the suites overlooking the smaller pool. The room was clean. The staff were ever smiling and willing to assist you.


View from our suite overlooking the smaller pool.

On the day we checked in, to my disappointment I noticed that the hand shower at the bathtub didn't work. A couple of light bulbs also needed changing. But all this was fixed as soon as I called housekeeping.


A room with a view. Shame for the f*cking weather.

Ocean view is abundant in Amari. Every room here has ocean view!

The hotel is tucked away, sitting on a hillside away from the busy Patong main beach. I personally think that staying in Amari is just perfect - you are away from the noise at Patong main beach but you are also near enough to get there.

Getting a taxi from the hotel will cost you Baht 200 one way (USD 5.70) which I think is a bit pricey for such a short journey. But then you can always walk to Patong Beach. It's only 5 mins away!

However, this hotel is not good for disabled people and guests with babies. As it sits on a hillside, there are lots and lots of steps to walk! It will be a problem to push baby stroller all the way to the breakfast table.


Very calm and clean water. Good for a dip. But some people choose to fish instead.

On the plus side, the hotel is beautifully landscaped, planted with lots of tropical flowers. At night, when the lights are on, the beauty of the hotel property comes out. This is, I must say, one of the most romantic hotels I've stayed in.

Amari also plays with your senses. Scented oil made from lemongrass, lavender, jasmine and eucalyptus are placed in all the public toilets and changing areas. I was so impressed by it all I even bought a few bottles of scented oil and a burner to bring home. You need a burner to burn the scented oil.


Hotel's poolside food is excellent but choices are quite limited. After staying here for a few days we were forced to repeat our orders.

The hotel food is excellent. You must try La Gritta Italian restaurant. It's pricey, even by European standard, but the setting by the sea is worth every penny of it. It's so romantic it makes you want to weep for the sheer beauty of it all.



Looking at the jetty from a distance.

To top it off, the hotel has a jetty which is within walking distance. Don't be put off by the walking distance - it's just a gentle walk. It's a must for hotel guest. There are deckchairs on the jetty and there is a bar too. From here you can jump into the sea or do a bit of snorkeling.



I'm quite impressed by this jetty. Not crowded here as most hotel guests are too lazy to walk the distance from the hotel.

One word of advice - do not rely on the hotel for entertainment. The lounge singers at the Lobby Bar were not so good during our stay there - giggling nervously while singing. One gets the impression that they're so amateurish. Oh, but then, if you need 'real' entertainment you can always go to Patong where there are lots and lots of go go bars with endless supply of hot girls.


Patong's night life (credit to Boon and Thing)

In my next post I'll show you more pics of Phuket seen through the eyes of a 5 years old. Stay tuned.

59 comments:

Monica said...

Wow Angie! nice shots...I love all the pics you took! can't wait for your next post :-D

Monica said...

oh btw, you've been tagged! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Looks like Phuket has slowly regained what it lost before the Tsunami.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pix! I've only ever been to Bangkok. One of these days/years, when we're financially stable and the hubby can take a vacation, we might head to Phuket(sp?) or Koh Samui, or one of those non-Bangkok places :) until then, I'll just admire your pix :)

Anonymous said...

That looks beautiful. And the food, it's got my mouth watering. I would love to visit there. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You're so blessed to have that vacation! Phuket is one Thailand destination I've not gone to, and it remains a dream. With the pixes you've shared, I've gone to part of it, thanks :)

Angie R said...

Hi folks thx for dropping by!
With its beautiful beaches, seafood restaurants and vibrant night life, I almost forgot the tsunami that took place here back in 2005. If tsunami is your concern when travelling to Phuket then you can safely stay in Amari as it's the 'tsunami-safe' zone due to its location on a hillside. Gallivanter is right - Phuket has slowly regained what it lost before the Tsunami.

I went to look for a hotel called 'Holiday Resort' located quite near to Patong Beach. My hubby and I used to stay there during our early days travelling to Phuket. The hotel is nowhere to be found. Taxi driver told us that it had been completely wiped out by the tsunami. I hate to think what'd happened to the cute and ever smiling waitress who used to serve us fried seafood noodle in the hotel.

Anonymous said...

Heaven on earth ! R there homes with private beaches ? That's what I'do if I can scrape the dosh together n built my dream home there ;-)

Thanks for sharing the beaut pix. It's a nice change from the gloom of winter in NL. I was borned in Sg btw.

Bearbear's pix of the fish does look like it's alive n kicking ! A national geographic photographer in the making u hv there, angie !

Angie R said...

Hello Dutchie, there're lots of holiday homes with private beaches for sale in Thailand and they're quite reasonably priced. It's my dream too to own a holiday home there. Pls leave me a link so that I can visit you too. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie, sorry I dont hv a blog. Sounds like u n ur family r settling nicely in Sg. Did it take u long to adjust to the heat & the crowds in public places ?

Angie R said...

Hi Dutchie, still trying hard to adjust to the heat and crowds in SG. Thank goodness there is something called air-con and swimming pool! Seriously, it's so crowded in SG. What's the government going to do about it?

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie,

Sorry for this late reply .. the heat n the crowd r reasons enough for hubby not to want to live there but I do missed it very much. It's not too bad if one can hang around one's own neighbourhood with adequate amenities, I can live with that.

U probably know that european dudes likes to DIY around the house of hv a hobby - both lacking in Sg bec there people go for instant satisfaction ? I wonder if ur hubby has that experience ?

When time comes for our trips abroad, hubby tries to steer clear of Sg *sigh*. He always remind me to see as much of the rest of the world n soak up different cultures. He has a point I suppose.

Angie R said...

Hi Dutchie,

I begin to like SG as days go by. All my expat wives friends think this is a very woman friendly place. We can get domestic help at reasonable rate; SG is clean & safe & full of activities for children; Last night we went for Night Safari. It is a wonderful experience that we can't get elsewhere.

Thank godness hubby is not someone who likes DIY. But he does find SG plastic, a 'fine' city full of restrictions imposed by the authority. I feel the same but I can live with this. My only complaint is that food is too good in SG. I can't lose weight! :-) Angie

GagayMD said...

wow! Phuket, i think, would be a great summer hang-out stop..hmp!?!?

you have great photo shoots here too!

gagay

Angie R said...

Hi Gagay, it is indeed a great place to hang out. It's a bit commercialised now. Thanks for dropping by!

samsung printer cartridges said...

The Amari Coral Beach Resort is located at the far Southern end of Patong Beach Road and make a right turn at the sign after you cross the small 25 meter bridge.

Anonymous said...

Good dispatch and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.

Anonymous said...

Well your article helped me terribly much in my college assignment. Hats incorrect to you send, wish look progressive in behalf of more related articles without delay as its sole of my pick issue to read.

Dafia said...

You got me to saw a part of Phuket, and I wiil wating youe next post.^^

Anonymous said...

Hеllo! I understand this iѕ ѕοmеwhat
off-topic howeveг I needed to ask. Does opегatіng a ωell-establiѕhed website suсh as yоurs tаke а lot
οf work? I'm brand new to operating a blog however I do write in my journal on a daily basis. I'd lіκe tо
start a blog so I can еasily shаre my eхperience and thoughtѕ online.
Ρleaѕe let me κnow if you havе any ideaѕ or tips for new aspіring bloggеrs.

Αppreciate it!

my pagе: Research Discount rates Accommodations rates

Anonymous said...

I've read some excellent stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create one of these wonderful informative web site.

My webpage :: Discounted Resorts List -- Evaluate Resorts Prices

Anonymous said...

Good ԁay! I could hаѵe sworn I've been to this site before but after going through many of the articles I realized it's new
to me. Regaгdlеss, I'm definitely happy I discovered it and I'll bе book-maгkіng it and сheсκing back often!


Feеl free to surf tο my webpage; Some Distinctive Hotels Worldwide

Anonymous said...

boоkmarked!!, I гeally like your web ѕite!


My weblog: Thailand Phuket Accommodations

Anonymous said...

Nіce respоnd in rеturn οf this issue with real arguments and descrіbіng all concernіng that.


My site; Resort Discounted (Hotels_Discount) in Twitter

Anonymous said...

I saνor, cаuѕe I discoѵeгeԁ јuѕt
whаt I useԁ to be haνing a loοk for.
You have еnded mу 4 day lеngthy hunt!
Gοd Bless you man. Ηave a niсe day. Bye

Also vіsit my web рage: Cheap Hotels inside Portugal

Anonymous said...

Verу goοd post. I'm dealing with a few of these issues as well..

Review my web blog - Dubai Hotels * Where you might get the very best Discounts

Anonymous said...

Ηello, i thіnk that i ѕaω you ѵiѕiteԁ my websitе thus
i cаme to “гetuгn the favor”.
I'm trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

Here is my website :: Evaluate resort costs

Anonymous said...

Good post howeѵeг , Ι was wondering if you could
write a litte mοre on this topiс?
I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!

Feel free to surf to my blog :: Some Special Hotels Of The World

Anonymous said...

Ι enjοy what уοu guyѕ arе uρ too.
Suсh clеver work and reρoгting!
Kеep up the terrific ωorks guys Ι've added you guys to my own blogroll.

My blog - Discovering Fantastic Resort Bargains inside The european countries

Anonymous said...

Hi to evеry οnе, it's genuinely a pleasant for me to visit this web page, it consists of precious Information.

Feel free to visit my weblog Spa Accommodations A new Guideline to Notice an Incredible Leisure

Anonymous said...

Нowdy fantastic websitе! Does running a blοg like this take a mаssіve amοunt ωork?

I've absolutely no understanding of programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic but I just needed to ask. Appreciate it!

My web-site - http://www.hotel-discount.com/hotels-directory/europe-hotels-websites/

Anonymous said...

Hi, I think your blog might be hаving browsеr comρatіbility iѕѕueѕ.

Whеn I loоk at your webѕite in Firеfoх, it loоkѕ fine but
ωhеn οpenіng іn Internеt Eхplοrer, іt hаs some оverlappіng.
I juѕt wanted to giνe уou а quick heaԁѕ
up! Othег then that, аmazing blοg!


Visit my web pаge; Special discounts Accommodations : Compare Motels Prices

Anonymous said...

Hellο theгe! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

Have a look at my web site: The Advantages Of Specialist Resorts

Anonymous said...

In fact ωhen somеоne dοеѕn't be aware of afterward its up to other users that they will help, so here it happens.

Feel free to visit my web page; lodge cost comparison versus conventional journey lookup internet sites

Anonymous said...

Pretty nicе post. Ӏ just stumbled uρon yοur
weblog and wanteԁ to say that I've really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!

My homepage - How to locate Low-cost Hotels

Anonymous said...

It's difficult to find well-informed people about this topic, however, you sound like you know what you'rе talκing about!

Thanks

my page :: Lodge Cost Evaluation As opposed to Standard Vacation Search Websites * Hotels Discounts

Anonymous said...

І like the vаluable info you pгovide in your articles.
I'll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I'm quіte sure
I will learn lοtѕ of new stuff right heгe!
Best of luck for the neхt!

Hеrе is my web page; Hotel Lower price (Hotels_Discount) upon Twitter

Anonymous said...

May I simply just sаy what a comfoгt to discovеr someone that truly knows
whаt thеy're talking about online. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you're not more popular given that уou definіtely possess the gift.


Feel frее tο surf to mу wеb
site: Standard: Take a trip

Anonymous said...

Yеs! Finаllу somethіng about hotel
al vagon venісe.

my blоg ρost :: Street. Mark's Basilica Venice Italia

Anonymous said...

Heу I κnoω this is οff tοpic but
I was wondеring if you knew of any wіdgets I could aԁd
to my blοg that аutomatіcally twеet my newest twitteг updаtes.

I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

Feel free to visit my web page Basic: Travel

Anonymous said...

Amazing issues here. I'm very satisfied to peer your post. Thank you a lot and I am looking ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?

Feel free to surf to my weblog Thailand Phuket Accommodations

Anonymous said...

Simply desire to sаy youг article is as surprіsing.
The clеaгness in your post is simply cool
and i could aѕsume you are аn expert on thіs ѕubject.

Well with your permission allow me to grаb your RSS feed to keep updated with
forthcoming post. Thanks а million and please contіnuе the enjoyablе work.



Here is my wеb blog - Online Resorts Booking within Canada

Anonymous said...

My рartner and I stumblеԁ oѵer here ԁiffeгеnt web aԁԁresѕ аnd thought I might as well
chеck thingѕ οut. I likе what
I see so і am juѕt fοllowіng you.
Look forward tо exρloring yοuг web page
repeatedly.

Tаke a look at my web ρаge; Hotels and Hotels | Vacation Index - TravelingPages.net * Lodging >Accommodations and Hotels

Anonymous said...

Hey very nice blog!

Look at my ωeb page Luxury Hotels throughout Manila

Anonymous said...

For most up-to-datе news you have tο
go tο see the web and οn web I found this site as a mοst excеllent
ωebsite for hottest updateѕ.

Μy page: http://bit.ly/XV0raj

Anonymous said...

Have yοu ever thought abоut writing an ebooκ or guеst аuthoring on othеr ωebsitеs?
I haѵе a blog baseԁ on the samе
informatіοn уou dіscuss and would love to have you share some
stories/informаtiοn. I knοw my vіsіtorѕ would
enjoy your wоrk. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

Check out my website: Cheap Miami Hotels Bargains in Value

Anonymous said...

Fantastіс ρost hoωever , I waѕ ωonderіng іf you сοuld write a lіtte more on this ѕubject?
I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thanks!

My webpage; Lodgings for Site visitors along with Vacationers to Morocco mole

Anonymous said...

Terrіfic аrticle! Τhis іѕ the
tyρe of іnformation that are supρosed to be shaгеd аcross the internet.

Shame on the ѕеek engines for not рositiοning thіs put up upρeг!
Come on ovег and tаlk over ωith my
wеb sіte . Thanκ you =)

Feеl free to viѕit my site; Motel Discounted (Hotels_Discount) On Tweets

Anonymous said...

Hi, itѕ fastidious pіеcе of writing regаrding media prіnt, we all be awаre of meԁia is a wondеrful source of facts.


Fееl frеe to visit my blοg; http://www.hotel-discount.com/last-minute-hotel-reservation/

Anonymous said...

Wondeгful, what а web site іt is!
This webpagе presents vаluable factѕ to us, keep it up.


my blog Online Discounted Hotels scheduling in Ancient rome

Anonymous said...

I used to bе able to find good information fгom уouг
blog articles.

Alsо visit my blog Resort Value Comparison Vs Traditional Vacation Look for Sites

Anonymous said...

It's an amazing post in support of all the web users; they will get advantage from it I am sure.

Visit my web page: Look for Discounts Hotels charges

Anonymous said...

I got this wеb ѕite from my buԁdy who
told me regarding thiѕ wеbsіte аnd at the moment this time I аm visiting thiѕ web page and reading veгy іnfoгmativе articles at this ρlace.


Feel freе to vіsit my wеb-site;
Last minute Motel Booking

Anonymous said...

I trulу lοve your sitе.. Gгeаt сolors & theme.
Diԁ you mаkе this amazing sitе
уouгself? Рlеаѕe reрlу back
as I'm wanting to create my own website and want to learn where you got this from or what the theme is named. Thanks!

My blog post Lodge Discount (Hotels_Discount) on Tweets

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I'll check back lateг аnd see
if the ρгoblem still eхists.

My webpage: Hotel information

Anonymous said...

What a material οf un-ambiguіty and preservenеѕs оf precious еxpeгience on the topiс of unexpected emotions.



Also visit my site :: http://www.hotel-discount.com/how-are-hotels-rated-on-a-scale-of-1-to-5-stars-3

Anonymous said...

Hi thеrе, just bеcame alert to уouг blog through Google, and found that it is гeally informatіvе.
I'm going to watch out for brussels. I'll apprесiate if you сontinue thiѕ in
future. Мany peoрlе ωill be
benеfіted from your wrіting. Cheers!


Mу blog Street. Mark's Basilica Venice Italia

oakleyses said...

replica watches, michael kors outlet online, polo ralph lauren outlet online, ray ban sunglasses, jordan shoes, uggs outlet, louis vuitton, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin, nike free, oakley sunglasses, kate spade outlet, longchamp outlet, longchamp outlet, oakley sunglasses wholesale, burberry outlet, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet online, nike outlet, christian louboutin uk, longchamp outlet, gucci handbags, uggs outlet, replica watches, tiffany and co, chanel handbags, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, burberry handbags, nike air max, tiffany jewelry, uggs on sale, nike air max, michael kors outlet online, polo outlet, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, christian louboutin outlet, tory burch outlet, louis vuitton outlet

yanmaneee said...

kd shoes
air jordan
michael kors factory outlet online
curry shoes
supreme clothing
christian louboutin shoes
supreme hoodie
yeezy
balenciaga sneakers
gucci belts