Kop Khun Kaaaaaa Thailand
In September 2015 one of our most experienced sales leaders, Naomi Quinn, traveled to Thailand for the umpteenth time and still found fresh new things to enjoy.
Thai Airways
I’ve flown Thai Airways many times now and I’ve found them to be consistently good. Great value, lovely staff, good food and movie mix. Every flight we had was 100% full! Seems everyone knows how great they are!
Khao Lak
We had free nights at the Merlin here so thought would try it out before we went to Khao Sok. So different from Phuket! One hour north of Phuket Island and its pretty much rain-forest. Khao Lak got wiped out in the 2004 Tsunami and they have rebuilt it back to perfect condition. Really relaxing, big bays, nice beach, nothing like Patong though you will find a few lady boys running the restaurants. Many of the hotels are near little villages otherwise you need to taxi (about 15AUD) to the other regions as its spread out.
Elephant Hills – two night tour
I hadn’t camped in about 20 years so was little anxious but this place is awesome! We sell 1 to 3 night packages that all include 1 night at their base camp, 1 hour from Khao Lak which is sensational.
This is glamping at its best, rooms are really private, cement bases, power, fans, real bathrooms, hot water and massive balconies. Did you know all the hills around this place look like elephants? True true…and if you look hard enough some are staring back at you!
The staff and guides are so knowledgeable and speak very good English, there is a big Aussie market as well as European and Canadian. The food was amazing and they even have a little barista for which you pay a surcharge.
We did the Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari. This is a great tour for the adventurer, which some may say I am not. The extension tours (Lake and Hiking tours) are great for the right customer, however I get seasick and they had their worst weather in four years, which flooded roads and villages so I was not the happiest chap. On a good day this would be great, swim from your floating tent, kayak, check out rare monkeys and birds and get in touch with your wild side. Its a one hour drive here from Khao Lak then a one hour long tail boat on the lake. It’s really pretty view too! These tents are much newer then their main camp but are weathered.
Burasari Hotel, Patong
I have been selling this place forever and I finally experienced what I always hoped it was!
A little gem, small, boutique, 50 ms up a side street from Patong esplanade. Rooms are chic boutique, super beds, bathrooms, great restaurant and all come with minibar replaced daily.
It’s a six minute walk to Bangla road, there are cheap massages right outside or they have an amazing one here. Don’t forget there are a few swim-up pool rooms, not private at all though, two pools and a little pool bar.
I still love this place, it’s next to Holiday Inn and Patong’s madness but you really wouldn’t know it once you are in the resort.
Radisson Cape Panwa, Phuket
Being a nerd I wanted to check out this growing area and did a site inspection. It is 40 minutes in a tuk-tuk, really peaceful, small and quaint. No wonder this place won top hotel in Phuket for a few years. It’s a Bold, massive resort. There are full ocean views from everywhere, great bars, pools and restaurants and it’s on its own beach! There are hotel rooms to pool villas. Massive rooms, only sell ocean up, so it’s worth it. I would stay here to chill out next time but it’s also great for people who want the comforts and value but out of the hussle. There are a few little shops outside and it’s only five minutes to the pier, where boats head out on the bay.
Kata Beach Resort, Phuket
I always end up here for an arvo and sunset drinks.
I seriously love Kata, it’s a small, nice white beach and there are no beach chairs allowed. There are a few shops and restaurants and this hotel is right smack bang in the middle of the beach. Despite the random facade this hotel is still a goodie. Karon beach has cleaned up a little but still has the little dirty river between the esplanade.
Siam@Siam, Bangkok
This was my first time actually staying here and I loved it.
Did you know they have a rooftop bar and restaurant? hmm I didn’t…do now though!
Siam@Siam is Awesome value with a great location and lovely staff. It’s right on the Skytrain if you need to motor or you can walk to the five main shopping centres around you. Breakfast is great and the spa is sensational. Did you know the first 10 floors of the building are hotels? They are private and have a separate entrance.
Thailand and its people really do hold a special place in my heart. I’ve been to Thailand about 10 times and they still surprise me how they adapt to change and no matter what they are faced will smile and move on.
Naomi Quinn, Infinity Sales Team leader