Pure luxury! (Evason Resort and Spa (Phuket, Thailand))

Member Name: frankie1984

Product:	Evason Resort and Spa (Phuket, Thailand)
Date:	23/10/08 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Luxurious and perfect for a honeymoon or wedding setting

Disadvantages: Costly but, you get what you pay for

I stayed at the Evason Phuket resort and spa hotel as part of my work trip to Thailand. I remember before arriving being really excited I was going to this hotel because it is classed as one of the luxury hotels in Phuket and is very well known. I was hoping it would live up to my expectations and so I will share my views on this hotel to give you an idea of what to expect if thinking of staying here.


Location:
The Evason is located away from the main tourist trap of Karon Beach and Patong and so the location is ideal for those honeymoon couples who want to really get away from it all. The hotel is actually located on Rawai beach and is on the south Eastern side of the island of Phuket. It would take about 20 minutes to get from this hotel to Patong. The hotel is located just across from an island named Bon Island which the hotel own.



The hotel:
The hotel is very minimalistic in terms of how it is designed. Only two levels and decorated in a very modern style, the whole hotel is luxury within itself. The lobby is unique as is the fact that guests can even go over or even stay on Bon Island and staff are there for guests every beck and call. The hotel boasts a six senses spa along with a multitude of facilities to ensure that guests could if they wanted to, not even feel the need to leave the hotel or its grounds! Being a 5 star, the hotel has everything you could probably need and more.


First impressions:
When we pulled up outside the hotel the first thing you notice, if arriving at dusk like we did is the lobby. There is a pathway in between two small ponds that are all lit up that leads to a small desk. As soon as you pull up the staff at getting your luggage for you and leading you through to the lobby. The main entrance is a round tunnel that is lit up and is very striking. As you come out the other side you are met by another pond that is flagged by large plant pots that have candles inside! The check in areas are located around this with different seating areas. You can't help but feel impressed by it all and that's before you've even got to your room! The staff are very quick at sorting out room keys and the only thing I can't comment on is whether or not a credit card would be needed at check in as some of the higher rated hotels normally do ask for one. Because I was travelling with work everything is pre arranged so unfortunately I cannot say if this would normally be the case. The rooms are all located off from reception in different areas depending on what room type you have booked and because of the layout of them the first site you see of the hotel at the lobby means you truly cannot see how large the resort is which I think makes it even more appealing as it comes across as a more intimate style of hotel rather than the large resort it actually is!


The rooms:
I stayed in an Evason Deluxe room which is the second room category from the bottom. The room was really, really nice and the layout was also a big factor for me in how it made it seem more elegant. As you walked into the room there was a corridor towards the main area of the room and to the left was a door to the bathroom. Once you get to the main area of the room there is a sofa bed in the corner of the room next to the balcony doors with the TV in the other corner and in the centre of the room is the bed which is set just in front of a large chest of drawers. Behind this is the second door the bathroom which is a large double sliding door.
The bathroom I found to be impressive because as you walk in through the double doors there is a large bathtub immediately opposite which then has a partition with the shower on one side and a partition with the toilet on the other - on either side of the doors there is a sink. The room is very simple in colour with cream walls and then a splash of bright red here and there.
The balcony was the one thing about my room that I thought was a bit of a letdown as everything else in the room was super modern and swish looking and then balcony had a plastic table and chairs which didn't seem to fit with the rest of it!! Petty I know but, my initial reaction to the room was 'wow' but then when I walked onto the balcony I kind of felt a little disappointed.
The hotel have a variety of other rooms too which include duplex suites and also pool villas which I did see and they are absolutely gorgeous with outdoor showers and their own private pool .



Facilities:
The hotel has so many things that it would take me forever to go through them all. However they do have all the main things you'd expect to find in a 5 star hotel which include things like internet access and activities like tennis and volleyball along with a gym and kids club. There are also three different swimming pools one of which is an infinity pool. The things I have to mention which are exceptionally good is the spa which has a very extensive range of treatments and is beautifully laid out with all natural products used. I am not really a fan of spas and am not a girly type woman who likes to relax by going to a spa but, for those who do I am 100% sure you would love the spa here as even I thought how tranquil and high class it seemed on our inspection. The restaurants I must mentions too as altogether there is 4 of which I only ate in one of which was the 'Into Thai' restaurant but, it was excellent with a location on the second floor overlooking the sea. It was all laid out with low lighting and was really romantic - the service was exceptional and the food delicious - for such a high standard I expected prices to be higher than they were, especially considering it was a hotel restaurant but, generally not that bad with a main course at around £12 per person. The hotel has a variety of other activities such as a dive school and other watersports but I think the main one I have to mention is Bon Island. This hotel is very unique in the fact that it has its own island and even more so that because it owns the island it is able to offer guests a frequent service back and forth to the island during the day, a restaurant, bar and shop on it and also even private sala's that can be hired for the day. However the most appealing aspect is that there is one room on the island which is named the Evason honeymoon villa where guests can stay in a totally secluded environment. At 5pm every evening the last guests are taken back to the mainland where the guests who are staying in the honeymoon villa have the whole island to themselves!! Should they need anything they can call the main desk or even order room service. I asked if anybody has ever called to come back and was told they have had a few people ring and ask to come back to a room at the hotel because they were too scared!!
The other service the hotel offers is weddings and Bon Island is popular for this as they can have the bride arrive by boat to a candle lit beach and they even get to plant a tree on the island when they get married with a small plague with the couple's name - how romantic!!


Prices:
The hotel does not come cheap!! An Evason Studio which is the standard room starts at around £100 per night on a room only basis. To give you an idea of cost foe the honeymoon villa on Bon Island it will set you back around £350 per night on a room only basis


Overall opinion:
I think the hotel is a perfect choice for those on honeymoon or celebrating a special occasion as it certainly is romantic. From the way it is decorated, to the layout and the range of facilities make this hotel stand out from the crowd. There are a few things that I thought brought the standard down such as the fact that guest have to pay to use the shuttle service bus between the hotel and Patong which in my opinion should be included when you think how expensive this hotel can be but, generally it is a good choice you're looking for the ultimate luxury holiday. I have to admit that even though the hotel does have a children's club it doesn't really seem like the kind of hotel you would want to stay at with children and I don't remember even seeing one child whilst I was there either!

If you ever get the chance to stay here I cannot recommend it enough and I am sure you will be wowed by it!

Summary: A good choice for a luxury or special occasion holiday