This is part 3 of my Thailand travel diary this time including Bangkok and Koh Samui, where I take you an adventure of beautiful locations, healthy food and magical moments. You can read part 1 here, if you already haven’t.
Are you ready to dive in?
RENAISSANCE PHUKET – สวัสดี
I seriously don’t know where to start when it comes to Phuket. Phuket is a very busy place and after learning that our luggage would stay another night in Moscow, we were happy to finally arrive at the lobby of Renaissance Phuket. The staff was very friendly and within minutes we were served a fruit platter (because we were starving) and later we were brought by car to the next place where we could buy underwear, suncream, and a bathing suit. We were so grateful and thankful!
Early in the morning on day two, I took a Thai Boxing class OUTSIDE. I think I never did something more exhausting than this and the trainer was really fit. A great way to start the day and a legitimization to relax on the beach the rest of the day! Secret tip: go to the small café in the hotel called Doppio and order the green detox smoothie. It is really nice made with green apples, so it isn’t that hardcore to drink than a purely veggie-based juice.
Back in our room we had a dip in our private pool located in front of the villa. At this point, I think I have to say that The Renaissance was my favorite hotel from my trip to Thailand. The grounds are stylish yet unpretentious; everything blends well with the natural surroundings and nothing seems startlingly out of place. The staff was so friendly and helpful, I enjoyed every minute of my stay.
On day 2 we also explored the long sandy beach and we were surprised that is was so empty. Just a few people enjoying the sun. We had a wonderful day that we finished with a 5-course dinner at the beach. I feel like my wedding will be a joke compared to this 😉
WHAT A VIEW? When it comes to views, Thailand is definitely your place to go! This is a picture, I made just before we had breakfast at the Centara Villas Phuket. The are located on a hill and let me tell you, a photo shooting on these rocks is a must. Be careful though!
There are different options at Centara to stay, but I would choose the Sea view villas. It is a little bit more expensive but the private infinity pool and this incredible view is definitely worth the money.
The sunrise and sunsets were amazing. I think my favorite one, was when we enjoyed our dinner outside and I had this amazing Thai Curry with Thai Aubergines. I love these little round veggies that gives the curry this special flavor. Also, congrats to the kitchen team, you nailed the spiciness in this one! The food quality at the hotel, in general, was very high and the staff was always helpful and friendly and they supported us with tips and tricks about Thailand.
I seriously want to start the Bangkok section with the breakfast at So Sofitel. But let’s go a step back and let me tell you something about why I love So Sofitel. I’ve been in a Sofitel hotel twice in my life. In Los Angeles and in Singapore. I was blown away both times. The atmosphere when you enter the hotel is hard to describe. It is seriously like coming home. As soon as you take foot into the entrance and take the lift to the upper floors, you forget the noise and the trouble from always busy Bangkok.
The rooms in So Sofitel are dedicated to the 4 elements metal, wood, earth and water. We chose the blue one, thinking it was water but it was actually earth 🙂 When you walk into the spacious room you can spot a big part of Bangkok’s nightlife through your window. We loved to sit on our bed, eating treats and watching the lights and the sky. Talking about the sky, we experienced the Blue Blood Supermoon at So Sofitel, which was something very special to me and I will never forget it.
Something else I will never forget is the huge breakfast at So Sofitel. Here are some of my personal highlights.
- THE HEALTH CORNER (glutenfree bread, bliss balls, fruit shots, healthy sweet treats)
- THE ASIAN CORNER (vegan Miso soup, rice, dumplings, ramen)
- THE SMOOTHIES ( Watermelon-Mint, Mango- Pineapple and the Green Power Smoothies)
Another plus ist the Coffeplace KOF, located at the ground floor of So Sofitel. Go and get your Soy Matcha Latte or Cappuccino in a chocolate dipped cone!
One of my highlights was the chocolate workshop we took at the Chocolab at So Sofitel. I think I knew a lot about chocolate, yet I got so many interesting insides from the pastry chef that I could not wait to try them at home. In the workshop, you can learn how to make and perfectly temper chocolate and how to make chocolate patterns and heart shapes in truffles and chocolate plates. Also, we decorated a dessert plate, which is not in the picture because let’s say it was not thaaaaat beautiful and we still need to learn that skill that our pastry chef already mastered perfectly.
This spectacularly located property offers probably the best view in Koh Samui! First, it was quite a ride to get up that hill but it was worth every minute.I could have spend every day just sitting on the balcony looking over the sea or swimming in the private pool afte an extensive breakfast.
Despite the fact that Sandalwood property is amazing, you should not miss going to the beach! Access to the local beach is provided with complimentary shuttle service by the hotel. The beach is really cute and there were only some locals there but no tourist at all. it is not what you might have heard from Koh Samui 😉 Every Villa at Sandalwood is unique and offers other little gems. We stayed in the Jasmine pavilion, a beautiful spacious room with a nice balcony with sea view. The room literally has everything you need: a comfy bed, a TV with a great selection of movie channels, a DVD player, kitchen-set (yes you can make your own food ;)), fridge, microwave, coffee-set and of course mosquito spray!
I would personally thank Mr. Robert (Co-owner) and the staff because they always supported us and they drove us to my vegan restaurants of choice. Also, we were driven to the ferry to Koh Tao and that was super nice and made everything so comfortable! Sandalwood also offer free transports to Chaweng and Lamai at regular times of the day, which is pretty cool and you can save money 🙂
I got to experience these amazing places thanks to the great taste and excellent organization from the team at The Asia Collective – head to www.theasiacollective.com t
Thailand is an amazing country, I love to be there.
People are friendly and they have amazing foods.
Everything is pretty much than in the US.
You wrote a good guide by the way and photos are mind-blowing.