The view on Chalong Bay |
Owner Khun Methee does indeed offer an excellent alternative by
combining five star hotel luxuries with home comforts at 7 three
bedroom villas with private pools and 5 one bedroom villas with
shared pool. Situated in a privately owned residential area 70m
up a hill with spectacular sea views from all rooms across Wat Chalong,
Chalong Bay and beyond. The location lends a nice feeling of being
away from any other tourists and hotel crowds.
When we arrived check-in was swift Assistant Managing Director,
Wipa Tanmanatradul, showed us to our villa. Upon entering, your
senses are revived and refreshed by the housekeeper with cool drinks
and cold jasmine scented towels and you’re immediately made
to feel at home. The villas feel spacious from the moment you walk
in without feeling too large, most interior walls are 'cut away'
cleverly.
Interior
Villa Tawan - master bedroom |
The master bedroom on the 3rd floor was tastefully decorated in
keeping with the rest of the villa, featuring both bathtub and separate
shower cubicle. The bathtub (master bedroom only) is easily large
enough to accommodate two people. Two of the bedrooms have queen
size beds and there are twin beds in the other. Televisions have
been deliberately kept out of the bedrooms in favour of music systems
that you can also plug your MP3 player into.
Throughout the bedrooms there's everything you'd expect from a
5 star hotel, high quality robes, a safety deposit box, beach bag,
excellent toiletries; at hotels before never have I had enough coat
hangers but there were plenty here. I was delighted to find an excellent
cot in the master bedroom and high chair at the dining table as
I had my baby daughter with me, even better was the shine the housekeeper
took to her.
Living room |
The two other bedrooms are on the second floor with a large lounge
area between them containing two comfy sofas, a 32” widescreen
TV, DVD player with dolby 5.1 surround sound system. Also featured
is satellite TV including the full channel package which was good
news so my father-in-law could watch his team Charlton beat West
Ham 4-0 in the English Premier League, he was in an excellent mood
after that.
Inside the villa the feeling of quality shines, the teak flooring
throughout the upper floors is one example of this. Ceiling fans
in addition to air conditioning is another. On the ground floor
the kitchen will appeal to many, in conjunction with the housekeeper
to clean up after you (you are supposed to be on holiday remember).
The fully fitted kitchen features Smeg hobs and oven, microwave,
large fridge-freezer, espresso machine, toaster, dishwasher and
full set of cutlery, pots and pans etc. Methee commented 'the full
kitchen is important as some people, including me, like to cook
- it relaxes me and usually I don't get time unless I'm on holiday'.
The housekeeper is also on hand to prepare tea, coffee, soft drinks
and fresh fruit.
Dining
Kitchen |
Breakfast is served in the dining area as requested at the time
you specify. The options are plentiful with everything you'd expect
on the menu, including American, continental and Asian options.
Breakfast is included in the price as are many other things but
I'll come back to them all.
Dinner is also available to be served in the villa in much the
same way. The menu is Thai with dishes very reasonably priced, 'we
don't have dishes on the menu unless we're happy we can make them
well' said Khun Methee. I recommend the chicken and cashew nuts
and tom ka, very tasty indeed. When you have dinner the housekeeper
can stay as late as 21:00 if necessary. Discounts for guests have
even been negotiated with some of Phuket's top restaurants. A hotel
that isn't trying to keep you in, whatever next?
Facilities
Nai Yang Beach |
Outside, the infinity edge pool with Jacuzzi is positioned right
in front of the ground floor balcony, its wonderfully relaxing to
cool off in the pool (complete with outside shower) whilst taking
in the view. Needless to say sun loungers are in abundance throughout
the villa on each of the private balconies accompanying the bedrooms
and also poolside. Should you wish, you can arrange for a therapeutic
Thai massage delivered to you on your poolside lounger.
The Rising Sun Residences aren't right next to a beach, however
two of the best beaches on Phuket, Nai Harn and Kata are 15 minutes
drive away. To more than make up for this the villas each come with
a car/minibus and driver for up to 9 hours each day to not only
take you to the beach but also anywhere else you wish to go. Supermarkets,
restaurants, sightseeing – all with the driver to assist and
guide you along the way. I asked Methee who his guests usually are,
“mainly families, often where members live in different countries
from one another, come here for relaxation and a family reunion,
additionally to celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries. We're
also popular with honeymooners”. He added “sometimes
a family or group of friends will each take one of our 1 bedroom
villas”.
Package
Water Lily pond at the reception
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What makes the Rising Sun Residence work so well is the whole package.
Included in the price is private car/minivan for up to 9 hours each
day, breakfast served in your dining room, 45 minutes Thai massage
per person per day in the villa, a selection of fresh tropical fruits
daily, a selection of CDs and DVDs, tea and coffee and as much drinking
water as you like (not just the usual 2 bottles).
Most of these things would be charged by most hotels if available,
all of this contributes to the intimate feeling of 'home from home'.
Summary
One of the 3 bedrooms villa at
dusk |
This is more than an alternative to a large resort, in many ways
it's so much better. Khun Methee's years in the hotel business shows
throughout the villa, so many things are just right. Often he personally
meets with guests after breakfast as in his vast experience guests
only meet the hotel manager when there's a problem, he doesn't want
that to be the case, he wants to enhance his guest's stays with
his knowledge of Phuket wherever possible.
In summary the Rising Sun Residences are a wonderful relaxing private
retreat with all the services of a 5 star hotel and without the
crowds.
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