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For a holiday in Phuket,
Patong is a very good option but many find the liveliness a little
distracting. For residents of the Phuket Cabana, however, nothing
can be further from the truth. No-one in Patong sleeps closer to
Patong
Beach than Cabana guests . . . which makes it the ideal location
for a romantic holiday
First impressions usually come from the lobby, which is tastefully
decorated with teak furniture, antique sculptures, carvings and
an impressive ceramic floor. The hotel is literally right on the
beach. Most rooms face towards the sea and the rest look out over
beautifully maintained tropical gardens with winding pathways allowing
access between sea, room, lobby, shops, pool and restaurant.
Recently refurbished under the watchful eyes of Khun Wallee Prachantaboot,
General Manager, and Mr. Claude Sauter, Resident Manager, Phuket
Cabana has taken on a new lease of life. The 80 well-appointed
rooms, including one deluxe "Honeymoon Suite" provide
the perfect location for a romantic getaway, anniversary, or holiday
with a difference. All rooms have soft, opaque lighting which compliments
the teak furnishings and marble fixtures. Every effort has been
made to ensure the use of local products, including flamboyant silk/cotton
fabrics and soft furnishings, soothing and easy on the eye, which
gives a genuine Thai feel to the hotel.
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The hotel's patio dining area, adjacent to the Sala Bua restaurant
is close enough to the beach to hear the crabs scuttling across
the sand. Tables are scattered both inside and out and total enough
to seat 120, although it still seems very intimate. Cuisine is "East
meets West" and very imaginative, thanks to charismatic chef
Ronnie, who hails from the Philippines via New Zealand, explaining
his innovative cooking style (no food on the menu is copied, it
is all his own recent recipe). New Zealand Lamb (with eggplant and
cherry tomato mash flavoured with mint) is highly recommended. Mr.
Jo plays the piano and guitar from 7.30 to 11pm nightly.
For a little more life, the hotel also has The Sidewalk Cafe, set
back from the roadside in one of Patong's more vibrant areas. Chef
Ronnie overseas the food here as well, and the menu is a mixture
of local Thai favourites, European dishes and combination cuisine.
Each table is illuminated by candlelight and are either set in seclusion
to the back of the restaurant, or above the busy pavement, where
people-watching is a favourite pastime. Facing the open restaurant
is part of Patong's famous night market, with street stalls and
shops selling everything one could imagine. Requests are accepted
from the resident band The Vibration who play nightly from 7.30
to 11.30 every night except Mondays.
Phuket Cabana is perhaps most romantic due to its location, rooms,
decor and overall ambiance. Resident Manager, Claude Sauter, trained
in Switzerland and has worked extensively in Europe and, most recently,
at Cape
Panwa Resort here in Phuket. He suggests that the hotel's philosophy
of putting guests first accounts for much of the enjoyment to be
had by visiting couples. Many couples return to the hotel year after
year, underlining that point. When asked what is so special about
Phuket Cabana, he replies that the hotel is "incredibly quiet
and beautiful" and that Sala Bua is "a great place to
watch the sunset and listen to the sounds of the waves hitting the
beach". Add to that the tasteful rooms, unobtrusive service
and all of the options available on your doorstep and Phuket Cabana
becomes a really ideal place to spend a romantic vacation
Choices of tours from the hotel are extensive and the Reception
staff very helpful . . . of course, to add to the delight there
is the nightlife of Patong and greater Phuket
only minutes away. It may be, however, that you prefer to stay secluded
in the Patong oasis that is Phuket Cabana . . . you may not want
to leave.
Phuket Cabana is situated on the Beach Road (41 Thaweewong Road)
at the heart of Patong.
Please telephone (66 76) 340 138 or fax (66 76) 340 178
E-mail: cabana@samart.co.th
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