REVIEWS THAILAND, SEYCHELLES CHECKING OUT ...long haul hotels, flights, trains and cruise ships HOTEL CAPE NIDHRA HOTEL – HUA HIN, THAILAND
BY KIRSTY HICKS THE BACKGROUND: The hotel opened last March as the newest property in the luxury Cape Hotel Collection. With 59 suites, each with a pool, the resort is designed around the concept of ‘elegant living’.
THE LOCATION: Set in a prime Hua Hin location, the hotel is around a 2.5-hour transfer from Bangkok’s Suvarnhabumi International Airport. It can arrange a private limousine pickup (for THB 5,500 each way). The local night markets are within a 10-minute’ walk while the floating markets and Bridge over the River Kwai can be visited on full- or half-day excursions, which the hotel can arrange.
THE ROOM: My Sky Pool Suite was the smallest on site, but it was still a spacious 80 sq m. The hotel has 28 of these, 12 Deluxe Sky Pool Suites, 14 Garden Pool Suites, which are ideal for families as they have additional outdoor space; and four Moon Deck Suites.
Our room featured an entrance area, a main living space with an enormous bed, exquisite linen and comfortable seating area, fresh fruits, a business area and floor- to-ceiling glass views out onto the balcony with private pool and comfortable corner seating. The bathroom had a standalone roll-top bath and rainforest shower. I was given a pass for unlimited wi-fi.
KEY FACILITIES: The large swimming pool area and adjacent garden has loungers and beds and, by the pool’s edge, some extra- large tented bed areas. The Cape Spa is quiet and tranquil and offers both traditional and international treatments. There is also a fitness centre and sea canoes.
RESTAURANTS/BARS: Breakfast at The Rocks features Thai and international cuisine. Lunch and dinner included a Vichyssoise – chilled potato and leek soup with lumpfish caviar and sour cream. The On the Rocks Bar has views of the Gulf of Thailand.
The Verdict
A stunning boutique hotel where every guest feels special, not least because everyone has their own private pool! Great location and understated but immaculate service, with top food and drinks.
RATES: average THB 8,500 (£170) for a Sky Pool Suite, and THB 9,800 (£200) for a Deluxe Sky Pool or Garden Pool. CONTACT: Cape Nidhra Hotel, 97/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
Khan 77110, Thailand. T: +66 (0)2 233 3433. UK representative: Debbie Haw on 020 7581 8281; E:
capepanwa@aol.com
HOTEL KEMPINSKI – MAHÉ, SEYCHELLES
BY ALAN ORBELL THE BACKGROUND: The Seychelles’ newest five-star resort opened in January, based in the old Plantation Club. It has a granite cliff backdrop on one side and a long white-sand beach on the other. The main public areas are all new while the rooms, gutted and modernised, are housed in the original two-storey buildings. There are seven categories of rooms/suites and a casino will be added before June.
THE LOCATION: On Baie Lazaire on the southern end of Mahé, around 30 minutes from the airport and another 10 from the ‘smallest capital city in the world’, Victoria.
THE ROOM: In my de luxe sea view room, a large net-curtained bed dominates the main area with a full-size sofa, small corner sofa, and occasional table with, beyond, a balcony overlooking the gardens, beach and sea. To one side is a big storage/dressing area with dressing table, two large mirrors and
wardrobe. The spacious bathroom has a roomy glass-fronted shower, with stone walls/floor, plenty of towels, basin and toilet. Room amenities include a safe, three-pin sockets, wide-screen TV, radio/alarm, nightly free bottled water and mini-bar. Soft drinks are free on the day of arrival.
RESTAURANTS/BARS: There are two attractive restaurants, both overlooking the swimming pool and beach beyond, the all- day dining Café Lazare and a la carte L’IndoChine restaurant. The large Planters lobby bar is a great evening venue and there is too a beachside Windsong bar.
KEY FACILITIES: Off the lobby is the Drift boutique and a recreation room with snooker table. There's also a fitness centre and kids’ club, two floodlit tennis courts, a Recreation and Watersports Centre and Kempinski The Spa. Two computers close to the lobby allow free internet; in-room wi-fi costs from 100 rupees for one hour.
www.sellinglonghaul.com • April 2012 37 The Verdict
On a spectacular white sand beach, that starts just steps from the rooms, the hotel's blend of Germanic efficiency and easy-going Seychellois friendliness adds up to a a relaxing holiday ambience, perfect for couples and families.
RATES: per room/per night rates are from l276 for a Beach View Room, l297 for a Deluxe Beach View Room, l318 for a Sea View Room and l340 for a Deluxe Sea View Room. Junior suites are also available.
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
CONTACT: Kempinski Seychelles, Baie Lazaire, Mahé, Seychelles. T: 00248 43 86 666 E:
info.seychelles@
kempinski.com www.kempinski.com
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