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HOTEL YOSEMITE VIEW LODGE – CALIFORNIA, USA
BY LAURA GELDER THE BACKGROUND: This 335-room two- storey rustic motor lodge provides large rooms and suites for clients on a budget, with free transfers into the park on the regular YART shuttle bus.
THE LOCATION: Just 2.5 miles away from the western entrance of California's Yosemite National Park, the lodge stands by the Merced River, backed by pine trees and surrounded by mountains.
THE FACILITIES: Five spa tubs, three outdoor pools plus an indoor pool, a patio for enjoying the sunshine and cosy interior fireplaces to warm the cockles in the cool evenings. There is also a gift shop and convenience store for those utilising their kitchenettes, a coin-operated laundry and internet kiosk. The tour desk can arrange in-park itineraries.
THE ROOM: My river view room had a balcony, two queen-size beds, a remote- control fireplace, a kitchenette with a coffee-maker, television, and a bathroom with a large spa tub and shower. Also available are the smaller mountain view
queen rooms; the river view king spa room, sleeping two in a king-size bed with an in-room spa tub; mountain view (standard) or river view (deluxe) family suites sleeping six and eight; the loft room, with a king and a queen bed on two levels; and the majestic suite, sleeping two with a living room and full kitchen.
THE RESTAURANTS: The Yosemite View Lodge Restaurant and Lounge serves hearty dinners and classic American breakfasts. The rustic wood and stone setting is the perfect place to fill up on grits, muffins or eggs and bacon before a brisk trek through the park. There is also a pizza restaurant which serves other snacks and light meals and a cocktail lounge.
THE HIGHLIGHT: Standing on my balcony in the pitch black with the sound of the gushing river below, a blanket of stars above and the fresh scent of pine.
RECOMMEND TO: It's not modern or polished, but families will love this great- value accommodation just a stone's throw from Yosemite National Park. With self- catering facilities, a choice of huge rooms
and loads of outdoor space and pools, kids will be entertained, while the cosy country decor will still delight adults looking for a romantic mountain retreat.
RATES: My river view queen room starts at $214 in high season and $135 in low season (standard mountain view queen room is $174 or $95), whilst the king spa room is $254 in high season and $165 in low season. Family suites start at $234 in high season and $145 in low season.
THE DETAILS:
www.yosemiteresorts.us HOTEL PAVILION SAMUI BOUTIQUE RESORT – KOH SAMUI, THAILAND
BY MATT BONNER THE BACKGROUND: On the tropical island of Koh Samui the Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort hotel offers 70 rooms in a great beach location.
THE LOCATION: Lamai Beach, on the east coast of Koh Samui. The resort is just 20 minutes from Koh Samui airport and a short taxi ride to the popular resort of Chaweng. The hotel is attractively located on the beach within easy walking distance of a good choice of local shops and restaurants.
THE ROOM: We stayed in one of the 20 plunge pool suites which was spacious and newly decorated in modern Thai style. The en-suite room with large bathtub
and shower room had the essential air- conditioning as well as free WiFi Internet access, a large LCD Television, CD and DVD player, coffee- and tea-making facilities, bathrobe and slippers, toiletries, mini-bar, hairdryer, iPod dock and safe. Other room types are the Deluxe Jacuzzi Room, Hydro Pool Villa and the large luxurious Grand Pool Villas located next to the beach.
56 May 2011 •
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BARS AND RESTAURANTS: The hotel has two restaurants and a bar located on the beach next to the pool. The Patio restaurant serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner including Italian and Thai cuisine with stunning views out to sea. The Scenic Corner restaurant offers light meals and snacks during the day.
THE ACTIVITIES: As well as safe, warm bathing, a variety of watersports are on offer from the beautiful sandy beach, such as windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, waterskiing and fishing.
THE FACILITIES: The hotel's other facilities include a computer room, library, swimming pool, gymnasium, spa and sun deck on the beachfront. We took advantage of the spa and enjoyed a relaxing head massage at a very reasonable price.
THE HIGHLIGHT: The ease at which we could relax by the pool, bargain in the local shops or enjoy fresh seafood in one of the many good restaurants.
RECOMMEND TO: Couples looking for a
relaxing beach holiday who also want to enjoy easy access to all the highlights that a bustling Thai beach resort can offer.
THE COST: Room rates vary from THB 12,000.00 (approximately £240) for the most basic Deluxe Jacuzzi Room to THB 30,000.00 (approximately £610) for the Grand Pool Villa.
THE DETAILS: Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, 124/24 Moo 3 Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84310 Thailand
www.pavillionssamui.com
The Verdict
This very well-located hotel offers typically good Thai service along with all the essentials you need for a relaxing beach holiday on one of the country's best- loved islands.
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
The Verdict
With resident racoons and hummingbirds, the lodge feels rustic without clients having to pay a premium to be inside the park itself. Big on size and value it's an all-American bargain.
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
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