Phuket Thailand - Alpina Nalina resort Kata, any local info?

Rich_london · #1 29-04-2007, 16:57

Hi, we will be travelling in LOS in May/June and are looking to stay somewhere upmarket for our last few days.

We have found Alpina Phuket Nalina Resort and Spa - Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand which looks just like what we are after. However, it seems like it has just opened in April 07.

Does any one have any info on the place? Is it still being built? any reviews?

Thanks in advance
Rich

donactuary · #2 29-04-2007, 17:33

Have a look at the hotels own website Phuket luxury hotel Nalina Resort & Spa Thailand. It seems there was "soft opening" in March. The photos look nice, though the only drawback seems to be the location. It is a bit far from the beach so they offer a free shuttle service. Not sure how efficient this is.

Rich_london · #3 29-04-2007, 18:17

Don, thanks

We don't mind a walk to the beach and there are always plenty of tuk tuks etc about.

I was wondering if a soft opening meant that it is still an active buidling site (lots of noise) and only half open?

donactuary · #4 29-04-2007, 19:48

I know that "soft opening" is an expression in the restaurant business meaning that they may open without a full menu or with reduced staff (maybe open only for dinners with lunch service coming later). It probably means that they too will operate with less (meaning less rooms or some restaurants not fully functional).

We are also looking for something in the area away from Patong around end of June early July. I have also considered Katathani in Kata (we are a family and it looks conducive to families. It is also directly on the beach). This resort looks nice, but there aren't any reviews available on asiarooms.com or elsewhere!

I would call the hotel directly before booking. You don't want to be dissappointed by having construction interfering with your holiday. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

SiamGecko · #5 30-04-2007, 03:07

I know where that resort is. When they say 700m to the beach, they mean as the crow flies. To walk it you have to walk to the end of the road, then take a left or right to get access to the beach, as Club Med is in the way. I'd guess at 15mins if you do a left, a bit longer if you took a right.

It's in a quiet little area of Kata, just off the main through road, a few local restaurants, massage joints and the odd bar on that road, but nothing major. 10 mins gets you in to the south end of Kata where there are some decent restaurants. Not many tuk-tuks in that area, but I'm sure the hotel would have you sorted.

Personally, I'd rather stay at Katathani - directly on the beach which has zero traffic buzzing it, and a couple of restaurants locally - including Joe's south which is excellent. 5 mins over the hill and you are in close to Momtri's boathouse, and numerous other places.

donactuary · #6 30-04-2007, 03:38

Thanks Gecko, your perspective is very helpful!

Rich_london · #7 30-04-2007, 13:18

Gecko, Donactuary thanks for the advise.

The Alpina hotel responded to my email re how soft is the soft openning and noise:

">Kindly inform that at the moment we are under processing only minor
>construction for some facilities such as kids’ club, beauty salon,
>fitness center, business center, tour desk, and we expected to be
>full operate by end of May. Also around our resort there are no any
>contractions from our neighbor.
>>
>Please note that we are non smoking resort, therefore we allow
>smoking only at the balcony."

First time I have found a non-smoking hotel in Thailand !!

The Katathani is looking like the best option, thx.

R