This trip was a slow-paced getaway after working hard for almost three months. My wife started complaining that she wanted to go to the beach but didn't want to swim in the sea. She just wanted to relax. I pretended not to be interested, but I secretly looked for hotel and flight deals. I don't know what inspired me, but I opened an email from Marriott, where I had signed up for their newsletter. They had a promotion for stays of two nights or more, including a rental car from Avis for three days, for around 3,000 baht per night. So I booked two nights, which cost a total of around 8,000 baht. In addition, Bangkok Airways had a 70% discount on flights using FlyerBonus points. I only had to pay around 1,400 baht in taxes per person, if I remember correctly. Since my friend was pregnant, we took the opportunity to visit her. As a result, we didn't go out much on this trip. We stayed at the hotel during the day and went out to eat in the city in the evening. Every time we visit Phuket, we focus more on relaxation than on activities or diving. If we want to go diving, we usually stay at my friend's house or hotel.

This trip, as I mentioned earlier, was flown with Bangkok Airways. If you don't get a promotional price or exchange points, the price will be very high. However, if the round-trip price is not more than three thousand baht, I will choose Bangkok Airways or Thai Smile. Personally, I am more impressed with Thai Smile. If there is a lounge, I would not choose any other airline.

Getting to the Renaissance Hotel is easy. After picking up your car, head towards the Sarasin Bridge. The journey is short, taking approximately 20 minutes.

The check-in process was quick. I arrived around 11:00 AM and a room was available, so I was able to check in immediately. However, the standard check-in time is 2:00 PM.

Ginger ale with Sprite is delicious. It tastes better than The Naka.

While waiting for the car to pick me up to take me to my room, I took a quick photo. It was very hot outside, so I only managed to take one photo.

Let's take a look at the rooms. The rooms are not particularly beautiful or have any special features, but they are clean. Most importantly, my wife, who is very sensitive to dust, did not experience any allergic reactions, which is a huge plus. She is easily affected by dust, and when we stayed at The Naka, she had to take medication every day, probably due to the style of the room's decor. In comparison, the room at Renaissance was quite ordinary.

The area of the desk and TV.

The bed was very comfortable and clean, with no stains.

There is a large sofa bed, which is mostly my bed. The bed is occupied.

Regarding the bathroom amenities, I was impressed that the hotel replenishes them regularly, regardless of whether they are used up or not. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to request or call for them.

Luxury hotels, typically those with four or five stars, often use Than-branded toiletries, including shampoo, soap, and fragrant shower gel. These products are known for their distinctive and luxurious scents.

While the rooms may lack stunning views or exceptional decor, they are compensated by excellent service, cleanliness, and responsiveness to guest needs. Amenities are comprehensive.

After a tiring morning journey, I spent the time resting until late afternoon. When I woke up, I went for a walk around the hotel. Initially, I planned to walk to the Phuket Pavilion, but the sun was still hot, so I abandoned that mission. However, I had stayed there once during my honeymoon after getting married.

The beach has a restaurant and a shared swimming pool. In my opinion, the pool is a bit small and the black tiles make it look dark and scary. I don't know how others feel, but I'm afraid of it.

The weather is still hot. Let's go inside and explore what's there. This side is the Deluxe room section, while the pool villas are located right on the beachfront.

This is the breakfast area, located next to the pool. There are many large fish in the pool.

A table inside the breakfast room.

A short walk around the corner will lead you to the spa area. In my opinion, the spa is a landmark of the Renaissance. Anyone who sees it will immediately recognize it as the Renaissance. As for the spa services, I have never used them. They are very expensive. One course is almost as expensive as a room.

This pool, with its protruding platform, is a popular spot for pre-wedding photoshoots. The view is truly stunning.

This is the front desk where staff will greet you.

After the massage, you can sit on the sofa to rest, or you can come in from the heat to escape the hot weather. I am also one of those who come in to escape the heat.

After cooling down, I walked to the pool again. The sun was still hot, so I went back to my room to prepare for dinner.

After a long rest, my stomach started to growl. I hadn't eaten anything since morning. I called my friend to get ready so I could pick him up for lunch. When I got in the car, I didn't know where to go. I had been to most of the restaurants before, and the food was mostly the same. There were no new restaurants, and the old ones had gotten worse. So we decided to look for a restaurant that had snacks and empty food. We ended up at Factory café.

The shop is located in the city near the Royal Phuket Hotel. If I remember correctly, the shop is decorated in a loft style with exposed concrete, dark tones, and an open and airy feel. There are not many tables, so it is not very crowded. They have both desserts and beer, making it a one-stop shop. After dinner, you can have dessert and relax with a beer. It's very chill.

Let's order some drinks first. The strawberry soda and the New Zealand mussels are huge, but the dipping sauce is not spicy enough. Let's order some food now, I'm hungry.

I ordered four or five dishes, but none of them were particularly noteworthy. The flavors were unremarkable, though not unpleasant.

Dessert Time

Let's move on to the dessert section. This is where things get really exciting! The coconut crepe cake is absolutely delicious, and the toast is also very good.

I arrived at the restaurant at six o'clock, and now it's past eight. Time to head back to the hotel.

Go to sleep first, it's getting late. Come in and read a lot, my travel log.

The journey from Patong to Mai Khao takes approximately 45 minutes by car, assuming there is no traffic. Upon arrival, I took some photos in the lobby. I was unable to take photos during the day, so I opted to take them at night. While the cooler temperature was a benefit, the downside was the increased activity and the need for a tripod.

It's very late, time to go to bed. Tomorrow we will have breakfast in the dining room.

The breakfast here is the best I've ever had. The taste, quality of ingredients, and variety are all top-notch. This is one of the reasons I chose to stay at this hotel. I had previously asked the "Mr. Relax" page on Facebook which hotel had the best breakfast that was worth the price. They told me Renaissance. I'm not someone who easily believes others, so I had to prove it for myself. But the truth is, I completely trust them. They told me which ones were good and which ones weren't, and it turned out to be true. I'm really glad I trusted them.

I tried many dishes, but forgot to take pictures. The taste was really delicious. Breakfast helped to make up for the room. I would give it a full 10 out of 10, and I would even like to give it more.

Our family prefers sweet dishes over savory ones.

Some fruit, please. To cleanse the palate.

After breakfast, I went back to my room to sleep. Oh, I forgot to mention that the dining room closes around 11 am. I recommend coming around 9 am when it's less crowded. On the second day, I went around 7 am, and it was packed. I went back to my room to sleep and recharge. In the evening, I had a meeting with friends. We cooked dinner at home and ate together. Let's just skip to the food.

The total cost of the food pictured was 400 baht per person, and we ate until we were stuffed. The blue crabs were 200 baht per kilogram. My friend took me to buy them at a market near the beach, similar to a fish market. The seafood was fresh and very cheap.

Oysters, purchased from a shop in Surat Thani, cost 50 baht each. They were very large and extremely fresh.

A bag of squid, bought for 60 baht. I'm not sure how much it weighs, but I got about 7 or 8 pieces. They're very fresh and chewy.

Cockles and clams, purchased together for 100 baht. My friend told me that medium-sized cockles are tastier than large ones, as the latter tend to be tough.

The sea bass was the most expensive dish of the meal, costing 350 baht. The fish was firm and flavorful. Considering the price, the meal was truly excellent value for money. We spent time traveling to the market, preparing the meal ourselves, and then chatting and eating together. It was a wonderful experience. It was definitely worth the trip from Bangkok to have dinner with friends and enjoy the slow pace of life here. The hotel was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the company was delightful.

After a satisfying dinner, we helped each other clean up and wash the dishes. It was already past 10 pm, so we decided to head back to the hotel. Today was our last day of our stay. We woke up late, had breakfast, and took a stroll along the beach. It wouldn't be right to visit the sea without taking a picture of it.

Stop by the pool for a quick photo.

While walking along the beach, I came across a children's pool and kids' club. The pool is shallow, making it ideal for families.

I have arrived at the beach. This is the only photo I took because I have been to Mai Khao Beach many times before. I have stayed at Sala Phuket, Holiday Inn, JW Marriott, and other hotels. The sea here is not very suitable for swimming because the water is deep and the waves are strong. If you really want to swim in the sea, I recommend diving at Similan, Tachai, or Mu Ko Surin National Parks.

This image perfectly captures my unforgettable experience at this hotel. The service was impeccable, and the staff's professionalism was truly impressive. The breakfast was the best I've ever had at any hotel, and the atmosphere was peaceful and serene. The spa was stunning, and I would love to return for another visit. The Factory Café boasts a delightful ambiance and serves delicious desserts. It's a one-stop shop offering savory dishes, sweet treats, and alcoholic beverages. While the savory options were average, the presentation was enticing. I highly recommend the coconut crepe cake; it's truly exceptional. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the market, cooking a meal, and enjoying a conversation with friends. It was a heartwarming experience and a precious moment. In my next post, I'll be taking my daughter diving. I promised her a trip to the sea if she achieved first place in her exams, and I'm eager to fulfill that promise. We will keep our word, and it won't be long before we embark on this adventure.