Century Park Hotel / Merlin Beach Resort / Tri Trang Beach Reviews

Bangkok: Hotel should have been certified 5 star, not 4 star as stated in brochure. Staff couldn't do enough for us, made our stay wonderful. Air conditioned throughout, which is what you need (extremely hot out there). Swimming pool on 5th floor, 4 restaurants to chose from (and all were wonderful), 'Signature' bar is good, especially if your little legs can't do any more walking, so it is relaxing just to put your feet up and sip a cocktail!!! The city itself, my husband loved, I found it too clostraphobic and extremely hot. We would recommend the tour of the 'Golden Palace'. You can definately shop till you drop here in this city too (recommend Siam Square). Recommend that you get an all day ticket for the Skyrail, hop on and off where you like. The Victory Monument is closest to hotel when getting the Skyrail. There is a weekend market, but if you are an animal lover, will get upset by the pet trade there. People have no regard for the welfare of animals in my opinion, and this little excursion was spoilt by this.

Phuket: Beautiful island. We stayed at the Merlin Beach Resort, Tri Trang beach, about 10 mins from Patong. The hotel is self contained ie a few shops, 4 restaurants (Traditional Thai cuisine, Seafood, Italian and a coffee bar), the lobby bar, bar leading to the pool area downstairs, and the Sabai lounge bar which includes darts, pool and loads of board games (just in case there's a monsoon), 3 pools (I'm not a pool person normally, but you couldn't keep me out of them, especially when you can swim up to the bar and sit in the pool while having a drink or two!!).

Linen changed every day and the rooms were spotless, the room views were mainly of the pools, and a few of the beach, so you won't be disappointed with the view. This hotel was hit badly by the Tsunami, and only completed reconstruction beginning of April, there are no tell tale signs of this disaster. People are so friendly it is unbelievable. We had a couple of nights in Patong, which does offer a good nightlife (especially Scruffy Murphys, yes an Irish bar!) and good restaurants. (Some of the bars cater mainly for men if you know what we mean!!! but even these places are extremely friendly to everyone, offering the same level of service you will encounter anywhere else in Phuket) Thai boxing is on a couple of times a week, if anyone wants a nosey. Patong still bears evidence to the Tsunami but rebuilding is ongoing and this doesn't affect your enjoyment of the town.

We would definitely recommend the Phuket Fantasea show, a spectacular of special fx, lasers, trapeze, clowns, elephants, and dancers telling a traditional Thai story in a way that we suppose only the Thai's can! It was a wonderful night with an all you can eat buffet thrown in. Excellent value and great fun for all ages.

Khao Sok National Park: We did the 2 day stay. It took about 3 hours travelling to the Park, then was greeted by the mahouts and their wonderful elephants. We went on elephant back for about 1 and half hours in to the forest. We were then took to our luxury tent!! And true to their word it was luxury, a kingsize bed, dressing table etc, the shower and toilet was outside, but shielded with a stone wall and a mosquito net! Later in the afternoon we were then took to the river, for a canoe ride, it is pot luck what species you get to see, although you can hear gibbons high up in the trees.

Later on in the night we sat down to a banquet, and were joined by two makaque monkeys (one friendly, one not so friendly) and there is a bar with every drink you can think of!! If you want to go back to your tent early, recommend you take something to read or cards etc, there is no tv here!! The next morning, we were greeted with a big cooked breakfast, cereals etc etc. Then we went on a walking trek in to the forest with our guide, who looked after us from start to finish during this trip. Whilst on the trek, we were then greeted with more food!!! It was all made fresh in front of us in a sheltered hut, and it was delicious! You will definately not go hungry on this trip!!! After that we proceeded back to our tent, for a quick shower then the drive back to our resort. Would RECOMMEND this trip to anyone, kids, teenagers, adults, etc.

My husband and I would definately go back to Thailand - there is so much to explore it is unbelievable.

The West coast of Phuket, the neighbouring islands and further north to mainland Thailand has been hit hard by the Tsunami but the people are unrelenting in their insistance to provide you with the holiday of your dreams. A beautiful place with the kindest and most hospitable people you will ever meet. Our hotel was only 10% full during our stay and we were the only Brits. The resorts are suffering from mass cancellations and stayaways, thereby affecting the livelihoods of these wonderful people who rely on tourism for their income. (We found ourselves tipping well over the odds for good service but don't worry, it hardly dents the wallet because eating and drinking is so cheap.)
We would imagine that there will soon be some very good deals to entice people back to Thailand. Do yourself a big favour and book a holiday of a lifetime - you won't regret it.