TripsThailand.com LE MERIDIEN PHUKET

Phuket, with its lush green hills, coconut groves and spectacular beaches offers an idyllic escape into a tropical island world. In November 1987, Le Meridien Phuket opened the first five-star resort hotel on the island's south-west coast. Great care was taken to ensure that the architecture blended harmoniously with its natural environment, combining the virtues of comfort and elegance with traditional Thai styling and colours.

Green terraced roofs and abundant aquamarines harmonize with the lush emeralds of the tropical surroundings and the sparkling blues of the sea. The hotel, designed by top Thai architect M.L. Tridhosyuth Devakul, comprises two wings connected by a long centre block housing restaurants and small shops. The 448 rooms and 22 suites, pleasantly furnished with teak, rattan and local fabrics, have comfortable king-sized or twin beds, individually controlled air-conditioning, mini-bar, personal safe and colour television with remote control showing in-house movies and satellite television.

Complimentary sporting activities are organized both on and off the beach, all day. The two swimming pools are extraordinary. The smaller one is 1,300 square metres and incorporates two Jacuzzis and a miniature island, complete with palms. Nearby is a freshwater lagoon of 3,500 square metres. There are four tennis courts, free lessons for beginners and two air-conditioned squash courts. The Fitness Centre offers a challenging exercise programme that will lead participants to the health centre afterwards, for a soothing sauna and massage. Water sports, including scuba-diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, water-polo and deep-sea fishing can be arranged. Other sports available include beach volleyball, golf-range practice, petanque, darts and table tennis.

The hotel is also a member of the Phuket Golf and Country Club, which has an 18-hole, par-72 course. Those parents wanting a little peace and quiet or to indulge in these sporting activities can drop small children off at the Children's Centre.
In the evening, the more than ten restaurants and bars are awaiting. Le Phuket's, restaurant offers fresh seafood and Mediterranean-style cuisine. Pakarang restaurant is set next to the large lagoon and offers a panoramic ocean view to go with the grilled seafood.

Try the casual Japanese restaurant, Ariake, featuring sushi bar and teppanyaki table; or Portofino, the Italian restaurant offering a traditional cuisine with home made pizza, fresh pasta and ice cream. With its hand-painted murals in soft pastel shades, exotic cane chairs and views of the hotel lagoon, Le Cafe Heuri serves a large selection of European and Asian dishes. The Thai restaurant, Wang Warin, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the beach, offers Royal Thai cuisine. From November to May, La Terrace provides a series of spectacular theme shows with buffets to match. During the same period, the Beach B.B.Q. offers a la carte buffet barbecue. The Similan lounge is a splendid venue for relaxing drinks while enjoying live entertainment. Alternatively, guests can wander down to the Tonson Bar which specializes in exotic cocktails. Enjoy the tropical English pub atmosphere of the all-new Pink Elephant.

Le Meridien's function facilities offer one large room, Karon Ballroom which can hold up to 1,000 people and four other rooms, each seating up to 100 or suitable for receptions of up to 80, with full audio-visual equipment and convention support systems.
Deeply committed to environmental concern, Le Meridien was the first hotel in Phuket to install a water treatment plant. It now has two treatment plants and a reservoir. Treated water from the reservoir supplies the hotel's needs and is used to irrigate the resort's extensive greenery and surrounding vegetation.

The hotel staff, 900-strong, are fully involved in the "Green Action Plan" which promotes the three Rs of conservation: Recycle, Reduce and Re-use. It includes directives on everything from reducing or eliminating aerosol products to using the on-site diving centre to remove garbage from the sea. This clear commitment has won the hotel awards from the House of Representative Committee on the Environment and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.