A la Colthard / Boathouse and Shangri-la Hotels
The Boathouse at Kata Beach Phuket does not just serve the best non-Thai food on the island but is also a classy boutique hotel. After India where the cow is of course sacred and the spicy fish-based cuisine of Thailand it was wonderful to eat a juicy rib eye steak. The Boathouse is acclaimed for its steaks and wine list. It also has superb views over the semi-circular beach at Kata, the loveliest in the island. Like Bob, I was mystified that couples were more intent on their mobiles than watch the sunset. I went for French fare: foie gras, ribeye steak and crepes Suzette. My only gripe was the cost of the wine. It was £10 per glass for South African Pinotage. I doubt if that whole bottle cost more than £3. In Thailand though cocktails are cheap. At happy hour half price £2 for a Mai Tai so they offer better value. With exotic fruits in abundance this makes for a flavoursome brew .
As ever I was greeted warmly with a welcome drink and shown to my room. This had a balcony overlooking the bay with access to a terrace with loungers. I had 3 minor gripes. The pillows were of the scatter variety. I only discovered the proper sleeping pillows later in the morning in the clothes cupboard. There was no bath. As in all boutique hotels who eschew the overhead light for lamps the lighting was inadequate. In the darkness of the morning it is all too easy to leave behind an object like my Prada shades as the tables were all dark brown. Walking around the tacky resort I thought that if it was situated on the Cote D’Azur it would have elegant cafe and restaurants, little boutiques, a cool night club – not down at heel massage parlours , currency exchange booths and open air bars promoting cheap beer. The massage start from £7 without “extras” so I can’t imagine they are much of an earner!!! Tourism seems to be compound based with complexes of hotel, villas and apartments but if you are looking just for a hotel with fine dining and beach holiday then the Boathouse is the place for you but don’t let your male partner stray on some errand!!!
This was my second time in Singapore and first at the famous Shangri-La Hotel. I had expected a colonial mansion but it’s a collection of high rise towers. It does have 15 acres of tropical gardens. One wing is under construction so we were billeted in the Valley Wing. I have been in some stupendous hotel rooms in my time but this one takes some beating. Firstly the size: there is a large room with bed and sofa, writing desk and vanity/make-up area, a dressing room space and huge bathroom with an enormous bath, shower, separate WC and bidet. Unlike some hotels on this trip, the lighting could not be easier to operate with master switches and individual lights. There is even a chandelier. No issues of darkness here. The hotel has 4 restaurants and a big swimming pool. In the Village wing they offer complimentary high tea, drinks and canapés. So I had some tea and scones and later a Singapore Sling served with the most delectable amuse bouches and gin and tonic. The service as you might expect was impeccable. I could find no fault at all though the younger guest might find it a bit formal. Conversely there is a risk that a more old fashioned hotel is not up to speed with broadband and iPad docking and the like. Not so. After a rather infuriating time of random connectivity in Thailand the Internet here works like a dream. Nonetheless it is a traditional hotel with a returning, elderly clientele who were greeted warmly by staff. They unlike a younger set can cope with patterned carpets, muzak of Xmas carols, the Gideon Bible and Corby trouser press, none of which you will hear or see in a modern boutique interior designed hotel. You can though read comfortably in good light, operate light switches easily and lie in an huge marble bath with divine fragrances head resting on a cushion watching tv. I know which one this old gal would prefer!!!!
