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By Sofia Rays
A group of young elephants greeted me at the entrance. Frozen half-way
through the stone, water running from their tusks, these creatures
had a promising smile on their faces. Before I could think of a
reason, the car sloped its way up the steep driveway.
Next thing I know I’m standing at the Novotel
Phuket Resort gazing at Kalim Beach, surrounded by bougainvillea
and well groomed gardens. The sea lies in front of me, so close
that I can almost touch it. My first thought: how I wish we had
a room with this view!
As I enter the spacious lobby of the Hotel with its magnificently
high beams and ceiling, I can see the sea yet again. This time,
it is Patong bay. Waiting to check in, my partner and I look around
with interest, small details catching our eyes. A traditional Thai
wooden bird cage is used in place of a post box. I notice a large
room with a warm wooden interior in front of the reception, the
Hourglass bar. There is also down an outside seating area with comfortable
chairs, the lobby bar.
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The receptionist offers us a drink and the key to our room wrapped
in a ‘welcome passport’. Another member of the reception
staff shows us to our room. To my utter surprise -not to mention
joy, I realize that my unspoken wish has materialized. For when
she opens the curtain, the view that pours into the room is that
of Kalim Bay, of endless ocean! I try to conceal my excitement,
and ask the lady for some directions around the hotel. She opens
my welcome passport and shows me: ‘Pools are here’. ‘Pools?’,
I ask, confused about the plural. ‘Yes’, she explains,
‘there are 3 pools, one cascading into the other. ‘I’d
love to see that’, I say looking at my partner. ‘The restaurant
is here, the coffee shop here, the thai
massage place here’, she points at the little map and we
nod. We would love a little exploration, but later on!
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After a short rest, we take the stairs down past reception and
find the first pool. Dark blue tiles, compete with the colour of
the sky and the sea beyond. We descend down to the second level,
past the Mirage Bar and see some guests sitting there. We found
a spot on this level -the third looks like it is for children and
water sports- to lie under an umbrella with our backs towards Patong
Beach. We take in the palms and the distinctly sweet smell of
frangipani, the sound of cascading water, which relaxes our ears
and the fine decoration which pleases the eye. Looking around I
notice that most of the people at the pool are couples, couples
talking softly to each other while swimming, or playing with each
other in the water.
I decide to take a dip and after a few leisurely strokes I see
a lady with a tray and the swimming pool guests all eagerly coming
to the edge of the water. Since I do not know her name, I will call
her the fruit lady, for her tray is laden with slices of fruit:
pineapple, papaya, watermelon deliciously waiting to be devoured.
I couldn’t have asked for anything better after my dip!
Lying back in my chair, I contemplate today’s schedule and
conclude that it’s going to be a busy day. The following are
on my list: laze around the pool, read my book, relax. Isn’t
this what people are coming to Novotel Coralia for? That is certainly
what the General Manager, Mr. Trutwein said, and it is what I intend
to do. I am certain that the hotel staff will be more than happy
to assist me!
Back in our room, we slip out onto the balcony and await the glorious
sunset. The sea has changed attire three times today: in the morning
it was wearing a pale turquoise, in the early afternoon silver sequels
on blue, now it is wearing dark blue with a fading stripe of gold.
The sun plunges slowly into the water in front of us and the clouds
take on that pink hue that makes sunset so irresistible.
The hotel itself assumes on a different atmosphere at night. We
stroll down towards the Old Fisherman’s restaurant, Novotel’s
seafood restaurant. On our way there, the pools’ lights, combined
with the sound of traditional Thai instruments, heightens the romantic
atmosphere. We enjoy a delicious feast of new experiences at the
restaurant, while looking over Patong Bay with its night lights.
After dinner we decide to take a walk to the beach. Only a few steps
away from the hotel, this is a perfect spot for swimming during
the day and for romantic, quiet strolls in the evening. We contemplate
for a moment walking further down towards Patong, to join the hustle
and bustle of night life there, but decide to end the evening in
the quiet of our private balcony.
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Next morning, after consulting the map on our welcome passport
we find the coffee house restaurant, where breakfast is served.
Both of us rejoice in the fact that there is an outdoor area to
dine, which is not only cosy but also overlooks the dark blue pool.
We feast on the large selection of western and eastern breakfast
delicacies and enjoy the ambience and the service.
It is this service and its commitment to the guests’ privacy
that has earned Novotel Coralia Phuket
its reputation. The fact that the hotel has a high occupancy rate
and many returning guests is testament to the quality one will experience
here. In addition to that, Novotel Coralia Phuket indisputably boasts
some of the most sought after sea views in Phuket. Is all this not
enough to make it an excellent spot for honeymooners and couples?
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