Phuket for Everyone
Angsana Laguna Phuket is the perfect getaway with a wide range of activities for everyone
I must confess that I’m not a resort person. When I have time to take a break, I always prefer to either visit a new place or go trekking in the wild. It is because I’m neither a water sports nor a “lie down, do nothing and fry myself” kind of person. However, the recently opened Angsana Laguna Phuket changed my mind.
Angsana hotels and resorts are managed by the Banyan Tree group which is renowned for its superb spa services. After a three-hour flight from HK and battling my way through the airport, I decided to check-in to the hotel spa upon my arrival. The extensive spa menu provides various beauty services by well-trained beauticians with natural products. There are rooms for couples and even special treatments for mother and daughter or father and son. After being rejuvenated with a traditional Thai massage, I walked down to the resort beach bar Xana for a “Xanajito”, a house made cocktail consists of Ten Cane rum, muddled lime and mint leaves, local mangosteen and maoberry juice … yum. Xana is an all-day beach club operated by the Singapore Attica group.
It has a swimming pool with immersed lounge chairs and four hireable cabanas facing the Andaman Sea, this is the most relaxing way to enjoy the sunset of Phuket. As the day gets dark, resident DJ and Music Director Frank Richards raises the music tempo, he spins an eclectic and uplifting mix of lounge and house all with a touch of funk, soul and disco. For the opening party back in June, they invited DJ Paul Harris of Dirty Vegas to create an electrifying atmosphere. This is perfect for a stag or hen’s weekend, wedding or any big party as Angsana can arrange accommodation for big groups in the hotel blocks that are close to the Xana beach club so that guests could party all night without worrying causing a disturbance.
The next day I woke up in my premium room, I looked out the window and found myself in front of a calming lagoon; it felt like Hong Kong was a world away. I descended to the yoga and pilates studio and attend a one -to-one session. The experienced pilates and yoga instructor guided me through all the postures next to the beautiful lagoon. As a yogi in Hong Kong, it felt amazing when I raised up my arm for the “goddess pose”, because for the first time I could really “reach the sky”, a far cry from “reaching the air-conditioner pipes” inside a skyscraper glass box.
After stretching and bending, it’s time to enjoy a buffet breakfast to replenish. As I was walking to the outdoor area with my plate full of fresh fruits, the baby elephant Lucky was in the garden saying good morning to all residents. Lucky is a local baby elephant and comes to the hotel everyday, once in the morning to have breakfast with hotel guests and once in the afternoon to take a bath at the beach. I became totally mesmerised, had forgotten my hunger and gave him my whole plate of fruits (he especially likes papaya). All adults, including myself were as excited as the children surrounding Lucky.
Since this is a beach resort, it’s no surprise that there is an abundance of water sports and activities for all ages. However, for those who are not into water sports like me, don’t despair, I had tremendous fun from driving an ATV (all terrain vehicle) through the marshes and jungle, cooking with hotel chefs and prying the secret recipes of Tong Yum soup, lastly and but not least, shopping for beautiful printed linen at the Jim Thompson. If all fail to tap to your liking, then visit the hotel restaurants to sample different types of international cuisines, from traditional Thai to Australian steak house, an array of delicious dishes which would not disappoint.
The hotel facilities are very well thought and catered to different needs. There is a children daycare centre where children can play with new friends while parents can have some downtime. Honeymoon couples can stay in a loft with a bath facing the lagoon, which surely creates a romantic ambience. Come here for the pool, spa and some R & R with a couple of girlfriends is a perfect long weekend. A big group of energetic friends certainly have some fun in all kinds of sports and activities from the jungle to the sea.
Angsana is not just about sun, sea and sand after all.
by Lucienne Leung
Angsana Laguna Phuket recently launched a programme called “Romance in Angsana”, featuring a wide range of facilities & experiences focusing on couples looking for a rendezvous escape that combines romance and adventure. More information is available here.
Angsana hotels and resorts are managed by the Banyan Tree group which is renowned for its superb spa services. After a three-hour flight from HK and battling my way through the airport, I decided to check-in to the hotel spa upon my arrival. The extensive spa menu provides various beauty services by well-trained beauticians with natural products. There are rooms for couples and even special treatments for mother and daughter or father and son. After being rejuvenated with a traditional Thai massage, I walked down to the resort beach bar Xana for a “Xanajito”, a house made cocktail consists of Ten Cane rum, muddled lime and mint leaves, local mangosteen and maoberry juice … yum. Xana is an all-day beach club operated by the Singapore Attica group.
It has a swimming pool with immersed lounge chairs and four hireable cabanas facing the Andaman Sea, this is the most relaxing way to enjoy the sunset of Phuket. As the day gets dark, resident DJ and Music Director Frank Richards raises the music tempo, he spins an eclectic and uplifting mix of lounge and house all with a touch of funk, soul and disco. For the opening party back in June, they invited DJ Paul Harris of Dirty Vegas to create an electrifying atmosphere. This is perfect for a stag or hen’s weekend, wedding or any big party as Angsana can arrange accommodation for big groups in the hotel blocks that are close to the Xana beach club so that guests could party all night without worrying causing a disturbance.
The next day I woke up in my premium room, I looked out the window and found myself in front of a calming lagoon; it felt like Hong Kong was a world away. I descended to the yoga and pilates studio and attend a one -to-one session. The experienced pilates and yoga instructor guided me through all the postures next to the beautiful lagoon. As a yogi in Hong Kong, it felt amazing when I raised up my arm for the “goddess pose”, because for the first time I could really “reach the sky”, a far cry from “reaching the air-conditioner pipes” inside a skyscraper glass box.
After stretching and bending, it’s time to enjoy a buffet breakfast to replenish. As I was walking to the outdoor area with my plate full of fresh fruits, the baby elephant Lucky was in the garden saying good morning to all residents. Lucky is a local baby elephant and comes to the hotel everyday, once in the morning to have breakfast with hotel guests and once in the afternoon to take a bath at the beach. I became totally mesmerised, had forgotten my hunger and gave him my whole plate of fruits (he especially likes papaya). All adults, including myself were as excited as the children surrounding Lucky.
Since this is a beach resort, it’s no surprise that there is an abundance of water sports and activities for all ages. However, for those who are not into water sports like me, don’t despair, I had tremendous fun from driving an ATV (all terrain vehicle) through the marshes and jungle, cooking with hotel chefs and prying the secret recipes of Tong Yum soup, lastly and but not least, shopping for beautiful printed linen at the Jim Thompson. If all fail to tap to your liking, then visit the hotel restaurants to sample different types of international cuisines, from traditional Thai to Australian steak house, an array of delicious dishes which would not disappoint.
The hotel facilities are very well thought and catered to different needs. There is a children daycare centre where children can play with new friends while parents can have some downtime. Honeymoon couples can stay in a loft with a bath facing the lagoon, which surely creates a romantic ambience. Come here for the pool, spa and some R & R with a couple of girlfriends is a perfect long weekend. A big group of energetic friends certainly have some fun in all kinds of sports and activities from the jungle to the sea.
Angsana is not just about sun, sea and sand after all.
by Lucienne Leung
Angsana Laguna Phuket recently launched a programme called “Romance in Angsana”, featuring a wide range of facilities & experiences focusing on couples looking for a rendezvous escape that combines romance and adventure. More information is available here.
Posted: 10 September 2012
