GET THE INSIDE STORY... ...on long haul hotels, flights, trains and cruise ships around the world with our regular reviews featured here and in our online archive at
sellinglonghaul.com/reviews
REVIEWS CHECKING OUT
HOTEL CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT – PHUKET, THAILAND
GILL WARREN THE BACKGROUND: A new five-star property, all 262 rooms and villas face the sea and feature a private balcony (or pool as in the case of the luxury pool suites) with stunning views of the Andaman Sea. The resort takes its architectural inspiration from the classical Sino- Portuguese style that was brought to Phuket in the nineteenth century.
WHERE IS IT? Located on the quieter end of Karon Beach, it is the only hotel with direct access to the beach and is around one hour by car from Phuket International Airport. The nearby town of Karon is a 15-minute walk away. For those wanting something livelier, Patong is about a 15- minutes drive by taxi or tuk tuk
THE ROOM: My Deluxe Ocean Facing Spa room was a generous size (53 sq m) with a deliciously comfortable king-size bed and was decorated in a mixture of wood and marble. The furnished balcony came complete with our own spa and sea views. The bathroom had a wow factor ‘tubular’ shower with heavenly rain shower and Spa Cenvaree bathroom amenities.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The Cove, with both inside and outside seating, has an open kitchen. Mare is the resort’s signature Italian restaurant and was our favourite. With its own bar plus a private dining room the food is simply stunning. Its Luna Bar is the perfect spot for watching the spectacular sunsets. Other bars are Splash, at the main family pool, and Ripples at the adult-only pool.
KEY FACILITIES: Extensive leisure facilities include a water park, lazy river and water slides featuring a main pool, Jacuzzi pool, children’s pool and a separate adult-only swimming pool. There's a fitness centre, Spa Cenvaree, tennis court, gift shop, Camp Safari for kids three to nine and an E-Zone for those 10 years and up. Each of the beach sunbeds has its own ‘service’ button. The resort's recreation staff organise and run a programme which includes circuits in the fitness centre, or one-to-one roof-top yoga sessions
THE HIGHLIGHT: Watching Thai dancers perform their nightly, candle lighting sunset ceremony while sipping (us!) a cocktail on the balcony of the Luna Bar
THE COST: Travel 2 has eight nights at the Centara Grand Beach Resort, in a deluxe ocean-facing spa room on B&B basis, from £1099pp, based on flights from London to Phuket with Etihad Airways. Book by December 31 2011 for travel between May1-31 2012. To book visit
www.travel2. com or call 0800 0224 182.
THE DETAILS: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, 683 Patak Road, Tambon Karon, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83011; T: +66 (0) 7620 1234;
www.centarahotelsresorts.com Travel industry rates are available.
The Verdict
Hard to beat for a fun, relaxing and stylish holiday. The water park and lazy river make this an ideal choice for families, but couples will also enjoy the high standards throughout the resort
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
HOTEL HYATT GRAND CHAMPIONS RESORT – INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, USA
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE THE BACKGROUND: Shut for the summer this luxurious but comfortably-casual resort reopens this month (October) after major renovations to its lobby and reception area. Set in 45 acres of lush gardens dotted with fountains, it is surrounded by two palm-populated golf courses and has the San Bernadino Mountains as its backdrop. Accommodation – 530 guest rooms – is a mix of standard hotel rooms, 26 penthouse suites and 43 villas that come with their own butlers.
WHERE IS IT? Indian Wells is one of a cluster of eight Palm Springs-area desert resorts that also includes Rancho Mirage and La Quinta. For those arriving from Los Angeles International Airport it’s a 140-mile drive. We came from San Diego (90 miles/two hours).
THE ROOM: I stayed in a Regency Club penthouse suite on the fifth floor. It was huge, with spacious separate dining and bedroom areas, an en-suite bathroom and a terrace with two daybeds. The contemporary style and colour accents reflect the background palm and desert views.
KEY FACILITIES: There’s no fewer than seven pools, including an adults-only pool, all set in landscaped gardens. Guests can book a cabana, which in mid-summer provides some respite from the searing heat. They have wi-fi access, a TV, ceiling fan and private bar service. There are two championship golf courses and golfers who can handle the mid-summer temperatures are rewarded with a round for around $40, some of the best-value golf in California. The Agua Serena Spa offers a variety of treatments inspired by native American treatments and desert ingredients and includes a medical and skin spa. There are tennis courts and jogging trails. The Camp Hyatt programme is aimed at children (three-12).
RESTAURANTS AND BARS: Lantana serves up classic California cuisine, while the place to go for sundowners – and early evening live music – is the lively Agave Sunset Lounge. There’s also a pool bar and a combined deli and coffee shop. The clubhouse at the golf club also has big- portion lunches and dinners.
THE HIGHLIGHT: The desert sunsets that slid down the side of the San Bernadino
Mountains, as enjoyed from our suite.
RATES: Rates for much of the year start at around $320 a night for a regular room and $500 a night for a suite, but this drops to around $100 and $250 respectively in June, July and August – a great bargain. UK operators featuring the resort include Virgin Holidays and America As You Like It.
THE DETAILS: Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, 44-600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, California; Tel: 001 760 341 100;
www.hyattgrandchampions.com
The Verdict
I stayed for two days as part of a 10-day Southern California road- trip. If my itinerary had not been set I would gladly have stayed until it was time to drive to Los Angeles to catch my flight home
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
www.sellinglonghaul.com • October 2011 59
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68