Phuket Paradise Found: IndoChine Resort & Villas Awaits
Phuket Paradise Found: IndoChine Resort & Villas – My Honest (and Slightly Sarcastic) Take
Okay, so Phuket. Paradise, right? Well, sometimes paradise needs a REALLY good review, and that's where I come in. I just got back from IndoChine Resort & Villas, and, well, let's get real. It's not perfect, but honestly? It's got some serious charm. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be a wild ride, a rambling, sometimes brutal, definitely honest review.
First Things First: The Vibe – Swanky, but Accessible-ish
IndoChine is gorgeous. Think sleek, modern design mixed with tropical foliage. It's got that "I'm rich and I don't care who knows it" kind of vibe, which I normally roll my eyes at. However, they were actually pretty decent about accessibility, which is a massive plus. They have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a good starting point but I wish I could drill into more specifics. There's an Elevator – thank GOD – and while I didn't personally need it, it's a huge win for inclusivity. Accessibility is listed. They also did a decent job with Exterior corridor design, it really made you feel like you're in a different place.
The Room: My Sanctuary (and Occasional Nightmare)
Okay, let's talk rooms. My room was… well, it started as a dream. Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi (and yes, it WORKED!) Check. A Window that opens? Double-check! (Breathing fresh, salty air? Bliss.) They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and I can vouch for it being a decent speed.
Room amenities include Bathrobes (score!), Complimentary tea (perfect for those jet lag mornings!), Hair dryer (essential for taming my mane after the humidity tried to do its worst), and In-room safe box (paranoid much? Me? Never!). Mini bar? Yup. Refrigerator? Of course. The Additional toilet in the bathroom was a surprise and a welcome one, especially when you've got a spouse with…certain habits.
Then, there were the little imperfections. The Blackout curtains were amazing for sleeping in, but the light seeped in just enough. The Desk was a bit cramped, but hey, I wasn't there to work (mostly). And the Shower… well, it wasn't the most powerful. But… it was clean and spacious. And the Toiletries were actually pretty good, not those sad little hotel-sized things. Also the Smoke detector was present and accounted for, which is always reassuring. And yes, there was a Mirror to admire my glorious self. Oh, and the Wake-up service actually worked…which in hotels is almost miraculous. They also offered Non-smoking rooms, which is, again, a good thing. Soundproofing also worked and kept the noise out.
The Eats: From Buffet Bonanza to Ramen Regret
Food, glorious food! This is where things get… complicated. They have a bunch of options, which is great, but quality can vary.
Breakfast [buffet]: It's a buffet, so you're not going to be blown away, but it's got the essentials. Asian breakfast? Yes! Western breakfast? Definitely. You can also get Breakfast in room…a plus! And, there is Breakfast takeaway service if you're trying to escape early on a trip.
Restaurants: They have a few. The main restaurant has A la carte in restaurant and Buffet in restaurant options. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty good, but the International cuisine in restaurant was a mixed bag. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was always decent, the Desserts in restaurant tempting and available, but the Soup in restaurant was a bit hit or miss. I did hear some people loving the Vegetarian restaurant.
Poolside Bar: Essential for a Phuket vacation. They have one, and it's fantastic. Happy hour? YES. Enough said.
Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver. Seriously, after a long day of sun and sightseeing, having a burger delivered to your room at midnight is pure joy.
Things to Do (or, How I Learned to Love a Spa Day)
Honestly, I wasn't expecting to love the spa, but… I did. They have a Spa, a Sauna, a Steamroom, and all that jazz. I went for a Body scrub and a Massage, and I swear, I floated out of there. Pure bliss. They also offer Foot bath, in case you're into that.
Swimming pool and Swimming pool [outdoor] are a given. The view? Stunning. A Pool with view, that's worth a few extra dollars. And you can get a Bottle of water and Snack bar by the pool.
There is also the Fitness center, which I can say I saw, but didn't use.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling (Mostly) Secure
Okay, in these post-pandemic times, this is HUGE. They are clearly taking hygiene seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check, check, check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was (mostly) observed. Safe dining setup was in place. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Yes.
They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], and Check-in/out [private] – which is fantastic if you're feeling anti-social. The Front desk [24-hour] is a relief, you can get help whenever you need it. There's also a Doctor/nurse on call and a First aid kit, which is good peace of mind.
Amenities & Services: The Little Extras (and a few Quirks)
Okay, this is where IndoChine really shines. The obvious stuff: They have Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator. Laundry service is available, as is Ironing service. They have Luggage storage.
More importantly: They were surprisingly good at Contactless check-in/out, which feels so much safer now. Cashless payment service is another big plus.
Quirks? Well, the Gift/souvenir shop felt a little…empty. But hey, you're in Phuket, you can find souvenirs anywhere. There is a Convenience store which is useful.
They also have Babysitting service if you are travelling with children, which are Family/child friendly.
For the Business Traveler (or Aspiring Influencer): Okay, they have Business facilities, including Meetings. The Meeting/banquet facilities are there, too. Audio-visual equipment for special events, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, and Wi-Fi for special events – so if you're planning something, they've got you covered.
Getting Around: The Phuket Shuffle
Airport transfer: Definitely recommend. Stress-free arrival. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] makes driving convenient. Taxi service: Also available. Valet parking: Fancy.
The Verdict: Should You Book? Honestly, 100% yes. Okay, so it's not perfect. But its positives – the amazing location, the mostly-on-point service, the accessible elements, and the sheer beauty of the place – far outweigh the minor hiccups. The IndoChine Resort & Villas is a good find in Phuket.
A Special Offer (Because You Deserve It!):
Tired of the same old vacation? Craving an unforgettable escape to paradise? IndoChine Resort & Villas is offering a special discount for my readers! Book your stay now and get:
- 15% off your room rate!
- Breakfast included throughout your stay!
- Free upgrade to a room with a balcony (subject to availability)!
- A welcome bottle of bottle of water!
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**Don't wait. This offer won't last forever. Book your escape to IndoChine Resort & Villas today
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Bravo Tanauan Hotel, Batangas!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. This is my IndoChine Resort & Villas Phuket, Thailand, survival guide, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. I've got a feeling I'll be needing a serious Mai Thai when I'm done with it.
IndoChine R&V: Where the Hell Do I Start? (and Pray I Don't Get Eaten by Mosquitos)
Day 1: Arrival of the Slightly-Drunk Traveler
- Morning: Landed in Phuket. Okay, so the flight was a nightmare. My seatmate, bless his heart, spent the entire flight trying to befriend me, but I am not a morning person. I just wanted to sleep. Still, the air was thick and humid the second I stepped out of the plane, and it slapped me in the face with the smell of… well, something floral and vaguely fishy? Whatever. The airport chaos was a different experience. The taxi drivers! They were a mix of charm and hustle. We haggled (poorly, probably), and finally, I was on my way to…
- Afternoon: IndoChine! Finally! After the long drive, I arrived at the resort, it was gorgeous. That pool? Divine. The staff? All smiles, which is a godsend after that flight. My villa? Oh. My. GOD. It's bigger than my apartment. I am so not worthy. Unpacked, which basically meant throwing everything haphazardly in drawers. The humidity had already done its thing on my hair. Looking in the mirror I think I'm more sunburnt than I expected.
- Evening: Dinner at the resort restaurant. The food was good… but the cocktails? Spectacular. I may or may not have ordered a few too many. The music? Smooth jazz with a hint of anxiety in the melody. Why anxiety? Because I swore I saw a gecko the size of a small dog in the corner of my villa. My brain is already saying, I can see a lizard or a bug that's the size of my hand. I need help. Maybe sleep will fix it. I did sleep, but that was after I checked every corner of the room with a flashlight.
Day 2: Beach Bum (Attempted) and Market Madness
- Morning: Beach time! Oh, the beach. It was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But… the sand? Hot as hell. The sun? Blazing. The waves? Decent, even if the water was also hot. I tried to look all sun-kissed and relaxed, but mostly I just looked like a lobster in a bikini. Added a bit of sunscreen. Still, I was happy to be there.
- Afternoon: Phuket Town! I tried to be a cultured traveler and went to the markets. And… wow. Talk about sensory overload. Smells of spices, fried food, and something I couldn’t identify (definitely NOT good). The colours were vibrant. The noise was intense. I accidentally bargained for a fake designer bag, which I'm still not completely sure is supposed to be the bag or not. The woman selling it had that look in her eye. Now, what was I thinking?
- Evening: Back at the resort, trying to recover from market PTSD. Ordered room service. It arrived with ants. ANTS! After the initial panic, I had a giggle. This place is just full of surprises.
Day 3: The Cooking Class Conundrum and Deep in the Jungle
- Morning: Cooking class. I pride myself on being a somewhat competent cook. This was going to be fine, right? WRONG. I burned the rice, nearly set the kitchen (okay, my little section of the kitchen) on fire, and managed to create something resembling… well, I'm not sure what it was. But I ate it anyway, and it wasn't horrible. I learned a lot, including the fact that I should probably stick to pasta.
- Afternoon: Jungle trek. Ugh. I love a good adventure, I do. But this… was a bit more adventurous than I anticipated. Spiders, bugs, things crawling everywhere, and then a monkey stole my water bottle! A MONKEY! I was more angry than scared at first. But it did prove I'm in need of a bit more training.
- Evening: Spa time! After enduring the jungle and the near-death experience of cooking, I seriously needed a break. The spa was heavenly! The massage was incredible. I swear, they kneaded all the tension out of me. And then there was the coconut oil… pure bliss. Best part of the trip so far, hands down.
Day 4: Day Trip from Hell and The Great Gecko Debate
- Morning: I opted for a day trip to Phi Phi Islands. The ferry was crowded. The waves were rough. I may have gotten slightly seasick. The beaches were beautiful…but I'm pretty sure every other tourist in Phuket was there too. The snorkeling was okay. I saw some fish. Which I couldn't identify.
- Afternoon: Back to IndoChine, and the gecko situation. It was not a drill. I swear the gecko was mocking me with its cold, reptilian stare. I spent a solid hour trying to decide whether to sleep on the couch, which was a bad idea now, or to stay in the bed, which was worse. I considered the front desk, a tent. Not ideal.
- Evening: I ran into another guest. She said she had seen the same gecko. So I wasn't crazy. At least I have a witness. Celebrated my new ally with more cocktails.
Day 5: Goodbye, Gecko! (Maybe) and Departure
- Morning: I woke up. The gecko was gone. Or hiding. I'm not sure. I'm not staying to find out. The villa, however, was not a disaster. I had a proper breakfast on the balcony, soaking up the last of the sun. What a great day!
- Afternoon: Packing. The packing was a disaster. I've forgotten how to pack in general. I did manage to find the fake designer bag. I didn't buy the bag for myself. I think it was a gift.
- Evening: Goodbye IndoChine! Goodbye Phuket! The airport was a breeze. The flight was fine. And the entire experience was just what I needed.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
So, did I have a perfect vacation? Hell no. Did I have a good time? Absolutely! Phuket, IndoChine, it was intense (sometimes). But that's life, right? It's messy, it's imperfect, and it's definitely not always what you expect. But that's what makes it interesting. And hey, at least I have some epic stories (and a minor fear of geckos) to tell. Until next time, Thailand! (Maybe)
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Nur Hotel Kas, Turkey
So, IndoChine. Is it actually... Paradise? Or just another Instagram trap?
Okay, real talk. Paradise is a loaded word, right? Like, "perfect" implies… well, it implies *perfection* which is something I highly doubt exists, especially when dealing with humidity and questionable Wi-Fi. IndoChine? It *leans* into paradise. Think: gorgeous views, infinity pools that practically beg you to jump in, and villas that feel like they were plucked straight from a James Bond movie (minus the evil lair, hopefully). I'd say it's Paradise-Adjacent. It *could* be a trap, depending on your perspective. If you're solely focused on the ‘gram, yeah, it’s gonna be a goldmine. But if you breathe, look around, and actually *experience* the place? It becomes something more. Though I will admit—I spent a solid 20 minutes trying to get the perfect shot of my pineapple cocktail. Judge me all you want.
The Infinity Pools – Worth the Hype? (Asking for a friend… who is me.)
Oh. My. God. The infinity pools. Okay, so, I am *not* a pool person. Seriously, I consider the chlorine a personal enemy. But these? I’m a convert. They’re like liquid mirrors reflecting the sky, blurring the line between you and the Andaman Sea. There's this one villa pool, the one with the *stunning* panoramic view... I swear, I spent half a day just staring out at the water, occasionally sipping a frozen margarita (because, balance, right?). The other half I was perfecting my starfish float. My only complaint? They weren't *bigger*. Like, enormous, infinity-pool-that-could-swallow-a-small-island big. But hey, first-world problems.
The Villas – Do they actually *feel* luxurious, or just look the part?
Alright, so, the villas. Picture this: I arrive, and I'm immediately overwhelmed. Marble floors, massive beds, a bathroom that's bigger than my entire apartment back home... I’m pretty sure I spent the first hour just wandering around, touching things, and muttering, "I don't deserve this." Then the air conditioning kicked in, and I made it my immediate goal to never leave. It was like stepping into a movie set. Not the *cheesy* kind, the super-luxe James Bond movie kind. Like legitimately, I almost expected Daniel Craig to stroll in carrying a martini. (He didn't, sadly. But the butler *did* bring me a welcome fruit platter. So… win?) They *feel* luxurious. Like, you spend a whole day in a bathrobe and no one bats an eye luxurious. The only downside? When it's time to check out and return to the real world. That's a hard pill to swallow, let me tell you.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the dining situation like? Worth the price?
Okay, food is vital, especially when you're horizontal on a sun lounger. The on-site restaurants are good, bordering on very very good. I'm a sucker for Thai food, and the Pad Thai? Divine. Actually, everything was divine. My stomach still sings of mango sticky rice. The prices are… well, they’re resort prices, which means you're going to pay a bit more than you would at a local eatery. But the quality? The presentation? The ability to stroll back to your villa after a delicious meal? Absolutely worth it, in my slightly biased opinion. I may or may not have ordered room service every single day. Don’t judge me, I was on vacation!
Spa Time! Is the spa experience as relaxing as it sounds?
The spa… right. Let me tell you a story. I went in needing to be de-stressed, and left… basically a puddle of bliss. The masseuse was a magician! Seriously, she worked knots out of muscles I didn't even know I *had*. The ambiance was perfect: calm, quiet, with that subtle scent of lemongrass that instantly melts away all your worries. Now, here's the truth: I'm not the best at *staying* relaxed. My brain tends to chatter. But I *almost* managed to silence my racing thoughts while I was there. Almost. I might have snuck a peak at my phone once. Don't tell anyone!
Getting Around – How's the location? Easy to escape the resort?
The location of IndoChine is great, you are close to the party streets of Patong, but far enough away to enjoy some peace and quiet. Taxi's and tuk-tuks are available, so getting around to explore the neighboring islands is always a option. Now, you *could* spend your entire time at the resort, and honestly? I wouldn't blame you. But if you *do* feel the urge to explore Phuket, the resort staff can arrange transportation, and there are plenty of tours and things to do nearby. The only real problem is resisting the urge to simply stay put, and live on the luxury of the resort for the rest of your days!
Staff – Are they friendly and helpful? (Or just pretending?)
Okay, this is where IndoChine *really* shines. The staff? They are *amazing*. Seriously. Like, genuinely friendly, helpful, and eager to please. They're not just going through the motions; they really seem to care about making your stay special. I'm talking smiles, genuine helpfulness, and they actually *remembered* my name (a feat, considering how many guests they probably deal with). I’ve had some questionable service experiences in the past (like the time a hotel in Rome lost my luggage…), but IndoChine’s staff were the complete opposite. They went above and beyond to make my stay a positive experience. And that, my friends, is what truly makes a place feel like paradise.
Any downsides? Let's be honest.
Alright, okay, let's keep it real. No place is *perfect*. Things I found less than stellar: The Wi-Fi could be a bit temperamental in the villa (but hey, it's an excuse to disconnect!), and there were a couple of times during the peak hours of the day there was the odd bit of noise from the construction site across the way (which is probably a one-off thing). The prices of the food and drinks are quite expensive. These are basically very minor issues though. Seriously, I'm grasping at straws here. I'll even admit I was a little sad when I left. (Okay, I cried a little. Don't judge.)
Would you go back?Budget Hotel Guru
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