PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Youthapong Charoenpan



Zeavola Resort offers incomparable levels of hospitality, an impressive setting – alongside an idyllic stretch of private beach on the popular resort island of Koh Phi Phi ('Phi Phi Island') – as well as plenty of aesthetic appeal.

The property was developed in line with a clear concept and vision, providing a luxury, boutique resort experience to visitors from around the world. The resort opened in 2005 and remains the only luxury accommodation option along the northern tip of the island. The resort's name was taken from an exotic tree called Scaevola Taccade ('Half flower tree'). In Thai, the tree is known as rak talay, which means 'love the sea'.

The resort's creatively-designed villas are sited within lush, landscaped gardens, while the lobby area actually comprises several small, open-air pavilions surrounded by soft, white sand. It's really the perfect spot to recharge your batteries.

Zeavola has two stylish restaurants – one serving traditional Thai fare, the other a range of international dishes, including succulent seafood and grilled barbecue dishes. Enjoy your cocktail al fresco, or step inside and cool off in the air-conditioning if the weather is just a little too hot.

A morning splash
But the aspect I enjoyed most during my stay in one of Zeavola Resort's pool villas was the private pool. The beautifully designed pool is connected to the villa's rooms by means of some wooden stairs. My daily routine became a dip in the pool in the morning, followed by a stint on the beach in the afternoon in order to work on my tan.

The private beach offers lots of options for people of all ages. There's a cove that's just perfect for swimming and snorkeling, along with plenty of large umbrellas and comfortable sun loungers to relax on.

Like the main pool area, guests can easily order up some food or drinks since service staff will regularly make themselves available. While there are several other more adventurous activities organized by the resort, my companion and I opted to just kick back on the beach, allowing the stresses and strains of our lives in Bangkok to just drift away.

A personal touch
I personally found Zeavola to be the last word in luxury, as well as hospitality, which was personified by the helpful members of staff who managed to be 'there when you need them', and discreet when you don't.

On arriving in our room, a helpful member of the housekeeping team kindly brought me not only a refreshing drink, but also a ya dom (a popular form of Thai inhalant), as a way of soothing my stomach following a rather rough speedboat ride from the mainland to the resort.

On our first night, the same lady surprised us with a beautiful, white-colored cake for my companion's birthday. While we had specifically informed the resort of this event, the receptionist had clearly had her wits about her and spotted it during our check-in.

Even the gardener I spoke to was extremely helpful, offering me insights into a plant when I stopped to admire the shrub's yellow flora.

While we've visited many places, staying at a number of impressive hotels and resorts, Zeavola Resort clearly falls within the upper bracket in our experience due in a large part to such spontaneous acts of kindness. I therefore highly recommend Zeavola Resort since it provided us with a good deal more than the physical forms of comfort you would expect to find at a luxury hotel or resort. The management clearly recruits and manages its staff well, as evidenced by the smiles we encountered during our stay.

In terms of Koh Phi Phi, it is good to see funds from both the private and public sectors being pumped into the island's tourism sector. I certainly hope to be able to return to the island, and the resort, in the not too distant future as it proved to be the perfect spot to relax and re-energize.

For further information or to make a reservation, visit http://www.zeavola.com, or call Tel: +66 (0)7 562 7024, or +66 (0)7 562 7000.


source: Tannetwork.tv