IN REVIEW CHECKING OUT
HOTEL > Mai Samui Beach Resort and Spa Koh Samui
BY MATT BONNER The Background: Mai Samui is a contemporary five-star resort with style. It is set in a secluded spot on a typically tropical Koh Samui beach.
Where Is It? Located on the north-west coast of the island, the resort is a 40-minute taxi ride or complimentary hotel transfer from the airport. It is a beach-front property just along from the stunning Leam Yai Beach.
The Room: We enjoyed a very spacious and luxurious first-floor deluxe room with a large en-suite that included a plunge pool bath, two sinks, shower room and toilet. The room included a balcony overlooking the pool with a table and chairs and large white chaise longue. All rooms at Mai Samui are also air-conditioned with refrigerator, cable and satellite television, tea, coffee, mini bar and free wifi. The room- style was contemporary Thai and furnished to a very high standard.
The Restaurant: The hotel has three restaurants plus beach and poolside bars and its own cooking school. The cuisine on offer is a mix of authentic Thai,
western dishes and Indian food. Breakfast is served in the cool, calm contemporary surroundings of the Mai pub and restaurant which serves an a la carte menu with many different choices.
Facilities and Activities: The hotel has a contemporary, luxurious spa where guests can enjoy many body and facial treatments just a few steps from the beach. Daytime activities centre around the attractive swimming pool, which loops around and through the hotel and includes a section of infinity pool facing the beach. For those who want to get active the staff are very helpful in encouraging the use of the hotel mountain bikes, squash courts, kayaks or fitness room.
Stay Highlights: Sipping cocktails on the deserted beach watching the sun slowly set on the sea over Ko Phalui.
The Cost: The hotel has five different room types and rates vary from a low-season deluxe room for 10,400 baht (£212) to 24,700 baht for a deluxe beachfront villa in the high seasons which run from January 8 – March 31 and July 15 – August 31.
HOTEL > Grand Rotana Sharm El Sheikh
BY MARTIN STEADY The Background: The Grand Rotana Sharm El Sheikh is an impressive five-star resort and spa with a range of amenities that reflect the upscale standards of comfort and efficiency on which Rotana has built its reputation.
Where Is It? Set on a sea-front plot in the stunning Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt’s leading holiday region, the resort is 8km from Sharm International Airport and 7km from Na’ama Bay. Sharm is in the National Park region of Ras Mohamed in the Southern Sinai.
The hotel: This is a big hotel with 526 rooms, impressively designed and laid to out make great use of the space while also creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The resort offers the extensive range of facilities expected of a five-star.
The room: Our room was of a good size and stylish without being opulent. There was a great bed and a spacious bathroom. Facilities included full air-conditioning, high- speed internet (also in the resort's public areas), safe, mini bar, tea- and coffee-
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making facilities and satellite TV. The balcony overlooked the beautiful Red Sea.
The Restaurant: The hotel has three restaurants and four bars. Restaurants include an Italian, a superb Indian/Thai outlet, and a creperie, close to the beach and with outstanding views. There are daily themed menus in the main dining room. All restaurants have superb staff, consistently friendly, humorous and helpful.
Stay Highlights: This hotel certainly has one of the best swimming pools ever - huge and interesting, with an adrenaline- inducing water slide! There are countless, very relaxed areas for sunbathing from seats around the pool to those all along the very extensive sea front.
The Facilities: Watersports are among the favourite activities here including world-class scuba diving and snorkelling. There is also a zen spa for a little pampering and a fitness centre for those who want to work out. Children are catered for at the kids' club and the resort also offers a children’s café and dedicated children’s pool.
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Recommend To: Honeymooners or romantic couples who want to enjoy some peace and quiet. If they do leave the hotel, the nearby towns of Mae Nam and Bo Phut offer a good selection of seafood restaurants, bars and shopping including an array of local tailors. The famous Chaweng is around a 50-minute taxi ride.
The Details: Address: 2/6 Moo 5, Laem Yai Beach, Angthong, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140 Thailand. T: 0066 (0)77 914600; F: 0066 (0)77 914611
www.maisamui.com
The Verdict
A beautiful and peaceful setting to enjoy a relaxed luxurious beach holiday with excellent food and very attentive, friendly service.
Exceptional Pass
Loved it! Farce
The Cost: Thomas Cook Signature is offering six nights B&B from £539pp, a saving of £86 between May 1-July 31.
Recommend to: Great for couples and great for families. Autumn and spring are fantastic – cloudless skies all day every day at a pretty constant 28-30 centigrade.
The Details: Shark’s Bay, Sharm El Sheik, South Sinai. T: 0020 (0) 69 3602700 F: 0020 (0) 69 360 2711
www.Rotana.Com
The Verdict
Hard to beat for a truly relaxing yet fun holiday. The hotel is a great place to chill out and the nearby town is full of glitzy and good quality shops and restaurants and is also well worth a visit.
Exceptional Pass
Loved it! Farce
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