Recent Trip Experiences

[billhuck]

Here are a few details from recent trip to the JW Marriott at Phuket

I hope you find some useful Info Here

JW Marriott Resort Phuket

We had a Thai Airways flight booked at 15-45pm to Phuket International airport

Arriving at the new Suvamburin Airport Bangkok we went through check in with no waiting lots of check in desks and well staffed

Unfortunately the flight was delayed for 1 hour so we decided to spend the time looking around the airport which is very impressive from the outside

There was a small shopping area in the Domestic Terminal which was quite expensive even at Thai Prices.

The missus went to buy a key ring which in Don Muang I would have expected to pay around 99 Baht here was priced at a ridiculous 499 Baht

She did not purchase the key ring

We tried the New City Garden food and beverage area which is the only place to purchase food or drink in the Domestic Terminal

Only electronic coupons can be used here costing a minimum of 500 Baht your change is refunded on departure from the lounge

Purchasing a glass of poor quality red wine 250 Baht “Only half filled” and a Bacardi breezer 220 Baht (Heathrow Prices)

“500 Baht minimum purchase was now making sense”.

The Same purchase’s in Don Muang earlier this year 160 Baht & 170 Baht respectively

We went to sit in the smoking area on the outside terrace over looking a lovely garden area with Palm Trees and 3 life size models of boats from the king’s boat yard

Quite an oasis in the airport

Unfortunately this area had no overhead fans so was predictably hot and humid

On the whole we were quite impressed with the standard of the new airport if not for the inflated prices

We departed on the Thai Air flight which was very busy and got handed a box which the cabin crew were stating “Chicken Pie Sir” On opening the box there was a “Cocktail sausage roll sized” Chicken thing inside not a good description but I was not really sure what it was so I declined to eat

Landing at Phuket International airport 17-50pm we went to the Marriott desk at the exit and were quoted 400 baht for around about a 8 kilometre trip to the resort

We had a 10 day stay in a Villa planned

Arriving at the JW Marriott Resort we were greeted with a flame lit drive up to the lobby this has got to be the best entrance to a hotel I have seen

Garlands of Thai Orchids were placed around our necks on arrival we were then whisked through check in all the staff were very courteous and helpful

On entering the Villa which was on the 3rd floor “Strange place for a villa the 3rd floor” we were surprised at the spaciousness there are 2 bedrooms both having en suite bathrooms

A good sized kitchen with a breakfast bar all the utensils and crockery you could think of including a microwave oven, hob, fridge freezer, coffee maker, rice cooker etc.

A dining table to seat 5/6 comfortably with an elephant made from towels and orchids in the centre “unusual to say the least”

The lounge area had a 3 seater sofa, 2 armchairs, coffee table and a 32inch TV with a good selection of channels satellite, European and Thai

There is Internet access in the Villa but at a cost of 1000 Baht a day offering a 1 megabit connection via a network cable

WI FI is available in public areas at a cost of 300 Baht an hour or 1000 Baht for 24 hours again we thought very expensive

A terraced area with table and 4 chairs outside, but there are no loungers on the terrace

The master bedroom has a bath tub the size of a double bed which looked great. The master bed was around 7ft and had a mattress of very good quality also a small 2 seater sofa and a 30in TV

The smaller room had a European sized bath tub and a king size bed again with a good quality mattress also a small 2 seater sofa and a 30in TV

There are 3 air con units, 3 ceiling fans in the villa 1 of each in all 3 rooms

Towels and bathroom consumables Inc Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel Etc were in abundance, also complementary bath robes and slippers were supplied

A Small welcome pack of tea and coffee etc was in place for our arrival. there is also an option to order a breakfast starter pack from the Siam Deli below the lobby for 1450 Baht + 10% Service charge and Tax. Inc Tea, Coffee, Bacon, Eggs Etc but beware there are no coffee filters in the pack they are available from the deli at 110 Baht

The Siam Deli’s starter pack is good but I would estimate maybe 350 Baht in total for all of the goods from a supermarket

I would recommend a trip to Tesco Lotus or the Big C in Phuket Town to stock up on food and other sundries’ Cost for a Trip was 1000 Baht, A 3hr car and driver hire

The driver will wait and bring you back to the resort being pleasant and helpful

Fill up on drinks and other items as the cost at the JW Marriott is at least double what you would pay in any other hotel

The trip was approx 30 minutes each way giving plenty of time to do some shopping

Breakfast in the hotel was quoted as 19 Dollars per person around 650 Baht. Breakfast was available at the Deli for around 450 Baht also

The Resort Complex is large having 3 good sized swimming pools all facing on to the beach area

An abundance of loungers with towels were readily available in all areas the staff again were all extremely pleasant and helpful providing regular jugs of iced drinking water and cold towels, occasional snacks of fruit were also provided

The beach area was vast but a little uncomfortable under foot due to the fact of a sloping angle to the sea

We decided to explore the beach on the second day and headed left down the coast after approx 1 kilometre we came upon a Thai beach side restaurant and decided to stop for lunch

Some beach side tables and small huts were available we asked for the menu and to our surprise it was in both Thai and English, There were no prices listed in the menu My wife is Thai so we had no problem with pricings

Ordering Beer, Whole Fish, Squid, Rice etc approximately 600 Baht for two people Good Value we thought

The food arrived and the Flies Descended Oh my god we were covered in what I would say was a UK house type fly hoards of them, we tried to move tables but to no avail

We quickly paid the bill and left, if it were not for the flies I would definitely recommend this place

Unfortunately due to rush of leaving I left my UK mobile on the Table and only realised when we returned to the resort, A quick word with one of the staff and we were whisked back down in a golf buggy, Needless to say the phone had gone

The restaurant staff where very apologetic saying a customer had left just after us without finishing his food or drink also

I will be able to buy the phone in a mobile shop in Phuket town in 2 days I would imagine; alas the loss of the contact info held on it was worth 100 times the cost of the Mobile

We tried the beach side massage which at 400 Baht for 1 hour, was also good value and great fun with the masseurs laughing at my attempts at speaking Thai

The JW Marriott 5 star rating is well deserved here all services are excellent but very expensive, Not the place to come on a tight budget

If its night life or a party you are after, also give this place a miss as the travel to Phuket 500 Baht return or to Patong Beach 700 Baht return is a chore, but the timetable did not suit us Patong return was at 11:00pm a bit late for me

But for a nice relaxing stay at a luxury resort you would go a long way to beat the JW Marriott

Regards to all

Bill

[thaigerd]

Nice report, thank you!

May I ask how much they charge for 1 day?

Gerd

[billhuck]

Nice report, thank you!

May I ask how much they charge for 1 day?

Gerd

I take it you mean the taxi drivers

Well figure this out i was quoted 1000 baht for 3 hrs or 350 Baht for an hour inclusive of fuel

Only in thailand

I would like to add just visited another restaurant further down the beach today had a great meal and drinks for less than 500 Baht

We ate in the Andaman steak and sea food restaurant yesterday evening here

3 steaks and 6 beers with some side orders 9450 Baht

But the quality of food and service here is second to none

Luckily we visited the timeshare sales here and got a 4000 Baht reward for 1 hour presentation

This was for two week time share in villa quoted us £16500 for 75 years usage and £600 year maintanance

we were pretty interested seeing the qualtiy of residence but it is just too far from any where

i have posted some Photos on MSN groups If any would like to see

http://groups.msn.com/BillPhuket2006

Regards

Bill

[Aussietraveller]

Billhuck,

What was the cost of the accomodation at JW Phuket?

[billhuck]

Billhuck,

What was the cost of the accomodation at JW Phuket?

The Villa we are staying in was bought of Ebay for £300 per week

A real bargain as the normal cost of a villa is £1400 a week for high season

Try www.ratestogo.com for Marriott hotel rooms

Regards

Bill