Saturday, January 11, 2014

Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand



Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand

Got energized by the warm sun, and the flower power always available in Thailand.  

No, our family will never ever go on an organized trip again. And if we do, no way we would go on one of these everything-organized-let's-do-some-sports-in-the-morning-with-the-other-Finns kinda joints.  Except now we did ;)! And enjoyed quite a bit. SO EASY. Took a last minute 2-week trip to Phuket, Thailand after Christmas from Finnmatkat, member of TUI, and stayed in Merlin Beach Resort the whole 2 weeks. 

Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand


Depending on site, the hotel gets 4-4,5 stars. About 40% of the hotel is TUI guests coming mostly from Scandinavia, Finland, and Germany. The rest from UK and Australia, some from Russia, elsewhere Europe and Japan. At TUI, this is sold as a family resort. Elsewhere, it seemed, more like as a wedding and heavenly hideaway resort. Partly this can be accomplished with 3 large pool areas, out of which 1 is not allowed for children under 12 years of age, but not quite.  The TUI staff was wonderful, they were many, and really wanted to see that our vacation is what we hoped for. The service in the hotel doesn't get 4-4,5 stars, though. It was a bit sad to see actually - Merlin needs to be sort of finding the spirit of Thailand again, going back to the wonderful service and smiles we all travel there for. Some of us again and again. 
Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand


About Phuket then? Patong is getting very busy. But we enjoyed a great deal eating delicious food, long walks on the hilly roads, some shopping at Jung Ceylon and massage/pedicure/manicure on the beach and all that.

Made some good, new friends and missing them already. A much needed, very much appreciated, wonderful holiday overall.

Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand