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I am fortunate enough to have been living on Phuket Island for approximately two years. I love it and I can't imagine life getting any better than it is right now. As I write this I am lounging beside a most inviting swimming pool. I have just put down a good book, sipped my Long Island ice tea and watched the man I love glide toward me beaming a smile that returns my affections. I feel as if we have stepped into an extravagant scene from Cleopatra or some old film where luxury knows no bounds and romance governs everything. We have travelled the short forty minute drive from Phuket into the small district of Kok Kloy in neighbouring Phang-Nga province and our oasis for the past 24 hours has been The Hot Spring Beach Resort & Spa. Our journey was shrouded in romantic mystique before we even arrived. As we neared the northbound Sarasin Bridge, our local driver related a tragic story of two star-crossed lovers who, after being disallowed to marry, took their own lives by binding their hands and ankles together with sacred twine and plunging off the bridge, to their deaths. It is said that their romantic spirits linger under the bridge well wishing all lovers passing over. In fact, legend has it, that if you hold your breath and make a wish while crossing, they will send your message directly to the heavens. We all held our breath and made silent wishes, including the driver, thankfully the bridge is not too long!
We were welcomed into the resort reception with a warm-hearted wai. The receptionist sang, ‘Sawasdee ka, and she wasn't just saying a rudimentary hello. She conveyed a heart-felt message of Thai hospitality, wishing us not only a pleasurable stay but good health and prosperity for our lives. While checking in we studied the various display cases containing antique benjarong porcelain and some large hand-chiselled bronze water vessels. The reception is beautifully decorated and hinted at the care that has obviously been taken in furnishing not only the rooms, but also the garden walkways, pool and hot spring areas and, especially, the spa pavillions. My partner and I are avid gardeners hence, the first stroll through the garden to our Grand Bungalow was visually fantastic. A vivid green carpet weaves between bursts of colour from hot pink bougainvillea, tangerine haliconias and pure white spider lilies. The delightful fragrance of frangipani dances on a gentle breeze that rustles enormous, waxy green leaves. The Grand Bungalows are built as two adjoining rooms that are kept private by a blossoming lotus pond situated between them. The two rooms share a terrace but each has its own Thai sala surrounded by lush foliage. The interior decoration is simple and elegant and the bathroom, which is fitted with an outdoor jacuzzi surrounded by more plants, boasts an extremely intimate atmosphere.
We oohed and ahhhed about the room for a while then quickly changed into swimming gear. It was a hot, sunny day and the initial chill from the pool was bliss. A leisurely lap around the stretched, kidney-shaped lagoon revealed a poolside bar. With only a quick glance at each other, my partner and I placed “sunset cocktail” firmly on the agenda. The hot springs, separate for ladies and gents, are fed with a constant flow of natural geothermal mineral water that maintains a temperature of approximately 49 degrees Celsius all year. This same water is piped into the rooms and the spa pavilions. The benefits of bathing in natural hot springs are well known and the sensation, even in Thailand,s tropical climate, is wonderful. The hot pools are positioned on either side of the swimming pool and are not enclosed, but well shaded by large rotundas. High-pressure jets massage joints and muscles and provide added fun for children. I,m sure there is a reason for the single sex pool rule, but I must come clean and admit that we chose to ignore it. No-one seemed to care. We had a reservation at the spa for two o,clock and after an excellent light Thai meal we headed to the pavilion. We were once again warmly welcomed by our therapists, A and Ying and lead into the room. The luxuriously decorated chamber is found in the middle of a lotus pond over which lay a path of stepping stones. Inside, a string quartet sang quietly from a small CD player while our feet were bathed in rose petals. Ten minutes in an herbal steam room made for two had our skin clean and ready for a soothing oil massage. Twin tables supported us during the next hour of joy. A and Ying are outstandingly competent and caring. One hour was not long enough for us. We highly recommend them both. After the massage we were escorted to a raised area, cushioned by traditional Thai pillows where the girls served us jasmine tea and sweet, juicy fruit. ‘There is no rush,, they said, ‘Just relax., And we did.
A leisurely afternoon was then spent lazing by the pool, passing between various levels of consciousness through idle dozing, dips in the hot springs and the brisk splash of the pool. At sunset we sidled up to the bar for that drink; an ice-cold beer. In the spirit of sensuous delight, I ordered a pina colada, followed by a mai tai. Why not? We considered dining poolside, in the water, in our swimming costumes but, as romance was our objective, we opted to dress for dinner and seat ourselves at a candle-lit outdoor table high and dry in the restaurant. As with all the service to this point the presentation of our meals was extremely decorative and appealing. My partner,s sirloin steak was tender, juicy and dressed in a delicious sauce and my fillet mignon was equally tasty and attractive. The breeze, coloured by the soft chimes of northern Thai music, continued playing with the trees and brushed our faces as we talked and ate and talked some more. The evening was young and a delightful bottle of cabernet sauvignon drew us back to the sala outside our room. The grounds looked even more like the Secret Garden under the carefully placed lighting and the sala was sufficiently lit for the occasion.
The wine accompanied us for the next few hours as our conversation touched on all manner of subjects. It was almost 12 o,clock, time for a midnight swim. Unlike many resorts, at the Hot Spring, the swimming pool and hot spring pools do not close. The jacuzzi jets are turned off at 10pm but the stream of hot mineral water continues and the lighting around the pool is adequate for navigation yet dim enough for star-gazing. There we sat until the early hours of the morning, in a peaceful, almost meditative state induced by the heady wine and the awesome cosmos sprawled above us. As dawn broke and the birdsong began, we were still fast asleep in the comfort of our room. We roused slightly before 9am and, after a quick dip, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast complimentary with the room. A brisk walk after breakfast took us to the beach, just five minutes walk from the resort. We also explored the gym and snooker rooms that may be used free of charge by all guests. Following the neat pathway we were lead back to the pool for one last swim. This brings me back to the present where the sun is climbing the sky and our departure time draws closer. Our getaway has been made perfect by the friendly staff at the resort, the intimate surroundings and our own expectations. A significantly impressive aspect of the resort,s presentation and character is in the overall attention to detail. Not once were we served anything that was not visually aesthetic and these small touches add so much to the glamour of a romantic hideaway destination.
Day trips to the resort offer a nice change of scene to residents of Phuket or to visitors who wish to feel the therapeutic benefits of the mineral hot springs. The standard rate for a day pass is only THB 300, which entitles guests to full use of all the facilities and a free drink. Packages including spa treatments, accommodation and meals are also available. We highly recommend The Hot Spring as a weekend getaway spot for improved health, relaxation and especially, for romance. The Hot Spring Beach Resort & Spa |
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Benjarong Magazine - June 2003, Volume 6 Issue 6 |
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