Hip Trips
RE KÁ TA Beach Club on Kata Beach Phuket opens

Phuket’s new RE KÁ TA Club on the Beach had its ‘soft-opening’ last week and if this view is anything to go by we definitely want to be there.

RE KÁ TA promises a new beachfront destination for Phuket to eat, drink, swim spa, shop and chill out to great tunes from morning to midnight (and beyond).

Designed by Fredo Taffin who is the renowned Bali based architect and landscape designer who created the concept as part of Boathouse Phuket’s renovation.

Once fully complete for its grand opening early 2012, the facilities will include:

-A shimmering beachfront crescent moon infinity edge pool – with stunning views and sensational sunsets – perfect for all-day cocktails
-A large private sun lounging area facing the sea
-Beachfront cocktail bar (with an awesome drink list)
-Trendy, hip, living cuisine gourmet restaurant
-Holistic Spa with beauty salon
-Spacious changing rooms with shower, lounge and locker facilities
-Outdoor automatic, walk through, four-head rain showers

The RE KÁ TA Boutique & Café means you can enjoy a drink from the long list of
Coffees, teas and beverages whilst taking in the tunes courtesy of the many Guest DJs.

137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai

Offering guests modern luxury and elegance the 30 Suite 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai opens on the 1st January, 2012.

Set in a prime location in a tropical enclave near the Ping River; adjacent to the famous Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple.

Four stunning suite types range from 70 square meters up to 135 square meters, each named after a famous Colonial settler.
Architectural historians and conservationists worked meticulously to retain the integrity of the original 1889 structure at 137 Pillars House. Tiled verandas, cane shades, rattan furniture and free standing Victorian baths are reminders of days gone by, blended with the modern facilities including outdoor garden showers, flat screen televisions and the all-important wi-fi access.  Private Pools (5.5 x 2.5 meters) are featured in the two Louis Leonowens Suites.

With an impressive range of facilities guests will be able to drink and dine in a selection of spaces…

The Library Bar - guests can linger over fresh fruit drinks, Italian and local coffee and teas, wines, brandy, port, sherry, cognacs and aperitifs.

The Parlor - afternoon high tea is served in the classic style as Chiang Mai’s early foreign visitors enjoyed, with bespoke tea blends, coffee concoctions and complimentary Thai sweets.

The Wine Cellar – serving a selection of New and Old World vintages from around the world, including notable Thai wines. 

The Dining Room - for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Dining Room adjacent to Pillars House is a stylish yet comfortable environment to savor the recipes prepared with fresh organic ingredients.

The Kitchen  - a showpiece and gathering place for Thai cooking demonstrations. 

There is also a spa, gym and swimming pool.

Opening rates start from THB 12,333 (USD 400) per night, plus applicable service charge and Government taxes.

CONTACT INFO
Email: info@137pillarshouse.com
Website: www.137pillarshouse.com (coming soon) or www.slh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/137pillarshouse.com 

Infinity Dining at Paresa, Phuket



When you get the opportunity to have dinner overlooking the sea as the sun is setting it would be rude not to take up the offer so it was a very easy decision to make when visiting Paresa Resort in Thailand’s Phuket.

We made our dinner choices over breakfast. There are 5 choices from each of the 3 courses and had made our reservation for 6pm on the advice of our ‘Angel’ - the person assigned to look after us during our stay.  This, she informed us, was the optimum time to take our meal for the views.

When 6pm came we headed to the resort’s large infinity pool. Now the odd bit is that by day the seating is actually sun loungers - and by night for dinner they are still sun loungers accept they have a table across them. Also you have to wade through water (although only just above ankle deep) to get to them.

Our personal waiter for the evening greeted us and brought us cocktails as we waited for the first course to arrive - although not before the melon and parma ham amuse-bouche.

The course choices were heavily seafood orientated. For starters we had the seared tuna and the coconut deep-fried tiger prawns. Our mains included an impressively displayed stir-fired lobster with a pineapple fried rice as well as Seabass. With a Champagne Sorbet in the middle no less.

Not usually a dessert lover but I actually think they stole the show. Most of the time I miss the third course out due to being way too full but in this case we had ordered and they were coming.

The coconut ice-cream - served in a coconut - was probably the most delicious ice cream I have ever tasted, while the Panna cotta, served 3 ways, was as light as the clouds that had passed over the horizon just an hour and a half before.

The Infinity Dinner is a gorgeous way to appreciate the nature around the stunning coastline of the Andaman Sea. While dragon flies buzzed, frogs croaked and other unidentifiable creatures joined in the chorus, the sky turned black and the stars came out it was easy to see just how easy it is to fall in love with a resort that serves up food in such an amazing setting.

Want to know more visit: www.paresaresorts.com
49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay Road | Kamala , Phuket 83150 Thailand
T: +66 76 302000

Hip Trips: Thailand - Paresa Resort

From the hustle and bustle of Phuket Arrivals Terminal, with taxi drivers vying for business, to getting picked up in a pre-ordered car to whisk you away is a nice touch.

Having had slight reservations about Phuket as our destination, mainly due to its often tacky, party ‘its lost its authenticity’ comments from just about everyone we mention it to, we were confident on seeing our resort’s website; it promised tranquil surroundings and amazing views - it didn’t exaggerate. 

After passing a monk dressed in signature Orange robes riding a bike the 45 or so minute journey to Kamala - the small and sleepy area of our stay - was along tricky winding hills and roads.

Upon arrival to Paresa Resort the “wows” were hard to stifle. Walking in to the spacious lobby we were greeted by our ‘Angel’ (the person assigned to our stay). Our bags were swiftly whisked away and we were taken down the stairs to hit a huge gong to sound our arrival to the resort. Apparently a task bestowed to all visitors.

Opening the door out on to a gold mosaic platform in front of us was a lush green square of grass with the aquamarine blue Andaman Sea and horizon stretched out before us - a breathtaking WOW of a statement and introduction to the resort.

Built on a hillside there are indeed steep inclines and steps to navigate but this just adds to the fun of the resort. Entering our Aqua Pool Suite; comprising pale walls, wood finishing, white linen covered super-king sized bed, the room is almost as impressive as its surroundings.

The flat screen Sony Bravia TV swings around for day bed and night bed viewing. Open the curtains and beyond your patio furniture of table and chairs, loungers and sunscreens is the Sea as far as you can see. The TV seems like a waste of time with a view like this.

Enter the next room and your open wardrobe, double sink, indoor shower, large bathtub, open toilet and outdoor shower all look upon your own private infinity pool and that sea-scape for a bathing, washing, toilet-taking view to behold.

This entire place is built as a tranquil, private, breathtaking resort concept aimed at maximum comfort. From the dining experience in the combined Italian or Thai restaurants (offering superb quality food and choice) to the high quality service all your needs and requirements are taken care of so you can take full advantage of the relaxing stay.

Our one disappointment? Not getting to see any of the monkeys that are known to visit the resort on occasion. However we know the staff could do little to help with that but anything else you needed and they were on hand and ready to deliver.

Apparently for the past week the rain had poured 24-hours a day - on our arrival the sun was shining and the heat was just-bearable. As Paresa translates; ‘Heaven of All Heavens’ was truly upon us for our too short stay.

We loved

Having our own infinity pool - as the sun beats down and is too much to bear a splash in your own pool overlooking the sea is the best way to cool down.

The Food - want to know how to cook like a Thai Chef? Fancy dinner overlooking the sea as the sun sets? Want to capture the dragon flies at dusk? You can do it all with beautiful Thai or Italian cuisine.

Showering outdoors - OK so it is a novelty to us but taking a shower butt-naked outdoors with only you and the Andaman Sea to share the experience is pretty cool.

The chilling out - the the ultimate in relaxation (even the music in the resort, the ipods in the rooms, the cars that take you wherever you want to go, the shared infinity pool area and the restaurants was chill out) every need is catered for and to help you relax further their is a spa to take away the aches and pains.

The FACTS

Want to know more visit: www.paresaresorts.com
49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay Road | Kamala , Phuket 83150 Thailand
T: +66 76 302000

Bangkok: Chinatown Photo Diary

Bangkok: Patpong Photo Diary

The bright lights of Bangkok’s infamous Patpong area is not just about the sex industry - although it does seem that way as people continually try to lure you in to see the delights of what some of the ladies can do with a ping pong.

The bright neon and signs are just as much an attraction as the scantily clad girls and vest-topped boys that showcase their wares. Well that is our story and we’re sticking to it.

We headed to Patpong earlyish (around 8pm) before the loud music started pumping but the hassle from the club/bar touts is just as much at this time as later on. You can just hear what they are saying clearer - which isn’t always a good thing.

It doesn’t matter if you are on your own, in a couple or a group (although groups of men do seem to get more hassle) either way if it isn’t someone trying to sell you a fake Rolex or a Tuk Tuk ride then it is sex shows and girly bars.

The prices are much higher here for drinks (120bht for a regular-sized bottle of beer as opposed to 70bht for a large bottle from Khoasan Road) and the market traders seem less likely to haggle down as much as some of the others for goods.

If you like the idea of seeing the lights and the girls but without the hassle then Soi Cowboy is a friendlier, smaller and cheaper bet and without the market through the middle.

Hip Trips: Bangkok - photo diary

A room in boutique hotel Hansar Bangkok with its own indoor garden wall.

Bar signs on Khaosan Road.

Khaosan Road market.

Birds by a shrine waiting to be set free.

Prayer time with singing/dancing beautiful ladies.

Bangkok traffic.

Lunch at Tum Tum. Don’t have the Yellow Curry with Shrimp - it’s really boring! But the graphics on the wall were nice to look at.

Street food stalls near Siam Square.

Outside Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre.

 Sawasdee Ka from Ronald.

Hip Trips: Hua Hin Photo Diary

Thailand’s gnomes are cuter than ours.

Hot Hot Hot - chillies at the Fresh Food market.

Hua Hin’s very pretty train station.

One of the many decorated and colourfully adorned shrines.

Hau Hin’s bars at night.

Hip Trip: Photo Diary - Patong Beach, Phuket

Patong Beach, Phuket.

View from Amara Coral Beach