20
2016
Kids Are Important @ Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort
We spent a week in Phuket paradise recently. Only 1 hour 15 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia by flight, it is our second time here this year.
We stayed at two places this time around – Surin and Karon, both at Novotel Phuket Resorts. We spent several days at Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort before transferring to Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa.
Today I’ll be writing about our experience staying in Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort where kids are their VIK – Very Important Kids. I’ll be sharing about Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa in a separate post.
Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort is about 40 minutes drive away from Phuket’s new airport terminal. We arranged for airport pick-up via the resort so we do not need to go through the hassle of finding a cab upon arrival.
I was pleasantly surprised when our pick-up came well equipped with a toddler car seat. They did ask for the kids’ age when I did the arrangement but I never expected a car seat. It was our first time having a car seat installed in a public transportation so it is definitely a plus point for us.
The pick-up also comes with complementary bottled water and wet towels to refresh ourselves.
After a 40-minutes journey, we arrived at this beautiful resort.
We were greeted by Mr Win, the super friendly Assistant Front Office Manager. Mr Win also runs us through on all the activities available at the resort for the kids; mostly complementary with only a few requiring additional payment.
OUR SUITE
Upon checking-in, we found another pleasant surprise. Courtesy of the hotel, chocolate monkeys sitting on moist chocolate cake were prepared to surprise the boys upon arrival.
Personalised monkeys with the boys’ name took them by surprise. They got pretty excited and insisted to eat those monkeys immediately. This is the difference between boys and girls. I am sure if my kids are girls, they would have wanted to keep those adorable monkeys instead of eating them immediately!
We stayed in the Poolside Terrace Suite with direct access to the swimming pool.
A pull-out bed is provided for the boys with cute towel elephants to welcome them.
Besides the towel elephants, the boys were also greeted with a note. They read the note and did as it said and found …
two treasure chests in the in-room safe box.
Inside those treasure chests are gold coins (chocolate) waiting for them!
This is our room. Spacious with wooden flooring and super comfy head pillows.
I love the personalized greetings laid on the bed. It made us feel very welcome here.
The washroom.
Toiletries provided includes shower gel, conditioner, shampoo, body lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving set and vanity set with comb, facial cotton and cotton bud.
The fridge is not a mini one but a tall single door fridge. We happily kept the welcome fruits and chocolate cake in there.
Our suite also comes with an electric aroma therapy diffuser that provides a calming comfort throughout our stay.
The suite opens up to a great view with a couple of sun lounges.
This is our favourite spot every morning to warm our body.
We have direct access to the pool from our suite.
Several steps away from our room lies a huge sandpit and cabanas around for us to laze while the boys play sand.
The resort even provides the necessary tools to maximize the kids’ enjoyment at the sandpit.
There is a cabana that is reserved for massage sessions to soothe our aching muscles away.
The pool with lazy river concept is simply beautiful.
What is even more amazing is the couple of huge sliders that hugs the Kids World.
Check out those slides! It is almost impossible to get the boys off them!
Watch this video of these awesome pool slides recorded using my iPhone.
VIDEO
They also conduct complimentary popsicle making activities for kids by the poolside on certain days. You can check the activity schedule at the Kids World.
The boys had fun learning to make instant popsicle using ice, salt and water as the freezing agent. Who says studying in only confined to the classroom? The kids had fun learning how to make popsicle without the use of a freezer. Such a valuable Science lesson for the day.
Perfect on a scorching hot day.
Watch this video to see in detail the process of making instant popsicle by the poolside.
VIDEO
KIDS WORLD
Talking about Kids World, the boys simply love the Kids World and spent a considerable amount of time here.
The Kids World has a refreshing view of the beautiful pool. The boys were sometimes torn between the awesome Kids World and the amazing pool but spent most of their afternoons here in the Kids World when the sun is too hot outside.
Boys will be boys and can never be separated with their games.
I also signed the boys up for some craft activities here at Kids World.
We did Hankerchief painting or also known as Batik painting to us.
The boys also learn to make paper dragons.
Let us bring you on a virtual tour of the Kids World. Watch this video to check out the fun the boys had here.
VIDEO
Now let’s talk about our meals here.
GO! BATTLE MEAL
You know my boys are crazy fans of Pokémon GO! so when they saw the GO! BATTLE menu in our room, they begged us to let them have those for dinner and we did.
Poke Ball Spaghetti and Pikachu Fried Rice with Jiggly Puff and Pikachu drinks for the boys.
Check out this video to see their menu and also Ayden’s impersonation of Jigglypuff when it is angry
VIDEO
CHAMPIONS BAR & GRILL
Besides GO! Battle meals, Champions Bar & Grill also apparently serves the best BBQ Ribs and Pulled Pork in Phuket.
Best BBQ Ribs and Pulled Pork in Phuket? Let’s find out!
We were curious and ordered the BBQ Ribs for dinner.
It began as usual with Ethan (and us) eating the ribs using the knife and fork…
The ribs was indeed very good. They were really tender and coated in an irresistibly sweet and sticky sauce. We ended up ditching the knife and fork and started to eat using our fingers. Gnawing on the bones and chewing the sweet juicy meat still clinging to it is the climax of our dinner that evening.
It’s so good, it is bone licking good!
We did not get to try the Pulled Pork though as there is only so much we can eat.
There is also a snooker table that diners can use for free. Ethan spent a lot of time here trying to pick up chicks
The boys with Chef Jason; thanking him for the adorable GO! BATTLE meals they had earlier.
We saw Chef Jason numerous times making his rounds checking on the buffet spread at Asia Alive and finally got to speak to him on our final evening here. It is always nice to get to speak to the person who prepares our food.
I think the boys hit a sweet spot on Chef Jason because when we returned to our room later that night, we found these for them:
Cookies in jars and ..
Two bottles of fresh milk in the refrigerator with a personal note of “Good night” and “Sweet dreams”
Aww… so sweet!
ASIA ALIVE
We have buffet breakfast at the resort everyday at Asia Alive. Asia Alive also serves different themed buffet dinners on certain nights. Besides buffet, they also have ala carte dishes and Kids Meal on the menu.
If you are traveling with kids, it is highly recommended to take the all inclusive 299THB package for kids where they can eat all they want all day.
The resort really goes out of their way to cater for kids by providing tableware specially for them.
Here’s our video of the buffet and the Kids Meal at Asia Alive.
VIDEO
TAi Sushi Bar
There is also a new F&B addition here with the setting up of TAi Sushi Bar. It was only recently launched and it caught our attention when they went around the pool giving out free samples.
Ayden was always mistaken for a Japanese here in Phuket. Everywhere we go, people thought he is Japanese and will greet him, “ohayō gozaimasu” or “kon’nichiwa”.
We never know we were craving for sushi until we tasted the samples and it triggered the Japanese out of us so we promptly went over to TAi Sushi Bar for lunch as they were having a Buy 1 Free 1 promo going on then.
Cravings satisfied
SIGHT SEEING IN PHUKET
The resort provides complimentary shuttle services to Patong thrice a day. Space are taken up rather quickly so it is wise to book a day in advance.
BANGLA STREET, PATONG
We took the shuttle service to explore Patong. The famous Bangla Road at Patong is 13.4km or 23 minutes drive away from the resort. I wanted so much to explore the place at night but because we travel with kids, we had to ditch that idea.
The resort also provides travel services at a competitive rate. We booked an MPV with a personal driver and customize our own itinerary for 2500-3000THB per day. You can also hire a driver by the hour at about 700THB/hour.
Our ride comes with complementary drinking water and wet towels too.
The first stop of our tour is The Big Buddha, Phuket.
The Big Buddha is 37.8km away from Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort or equaivalent to 56 minutes drive.
BIG BUDDHA, PHUKET
It is currently still under construction on certain parts of the temple. There is no entrance fee required, however, we can always donate to the temple. The temple also serves free vegetarian meals.
The view from up here is simply breathtaking.
The boys with our driver cum tour guide. He has good command of English and was very happy to share his knowledge about Phuket and the places of attractions here.
Our next stop is Karon View Point. Entry is complimentary.
The distance is 14.5km from Big Buddha to Karon. From up here we get to see the three west coast beaches – Karon beach, Kata beach and Kata Noi beach.
From Karon view point, we proceeded to Promthep Cape to catch the sunset.
It is just 7.2km away from Karon view point to get this gorgeous scene.
I love Promthep Cape, Phuket. It is such a dreamy place with such spectacular view. Entrance is free too.
Panoramic view of Promthep Cape.
Sunset at Promthep Cape
Another attraction highly recommended to go for when you are in Phuket is the Phuket FantaSea.
It is only 7 mins drive away from the resort and you can book your tickets from the resort.
THE BEACH
Surin beach is just five minutes walk across the road from the resort. It has nice white sandy beach with beautiful and strong waves good for surfing.
I managed to catch several surfers enjoying the waves on video. Watch it here:
VIDEO
We had a great time here. True to the many reviews on TripAdvisor claiming Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort is a kids friendly resort, they truly live up to expectation.
Many sweet memories were made with the boys here at this wonderful Phuket family resort. We definitely love to return one day.
Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort
106/27 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Talang,
Surin Beach, 83100 Phuket
Thailand
Tel: +66 76 303 300
Fax: +66 76 300 303
Email: [email protected]
Click for more info on Phuket Family Resort promotion
A kids paradise. So much to see and enjoy. Lucky boys you have here.
Merry Christmas!!
Omigosh!!! Those “cheeks”!!! Muahahahahahaha!!!!
Definitely a paradise for the kids! If not mistaken I stayed at Karon Beach area during my visit to Phuket N years ago~
Wah, all the photos are so nice! Wonderful family vacation, not only for the children but I believe also for you and your husband.
I love this post very much and looked over the lovely photos for 3 times as Phuket has a very special place in my heart. I spent my growing up years in Thailand but only visited Phuket twice in recent years with my wife. I enjoyed myself renting a motorbike and happily carried her around the island in the rain. Now you have lured me to plan a trip to Phuket in 2017 and stay near Karon Beach which seems to be the best! Thanks for sharing this post.
If you are curious why Phuket is special to me, I have posted about My Parent’s Phuket Wedding in my blog’s side bar.
Just like Bali, we saw many tourists on motorbikes too but it looked dangerous with the narrow roads and heavy traffic. I love Karon beach and also the town. We will definitely plan another trip there as there are still so much to explore in Phuket.
Yes, I’ve read your parent’s Phuket Wedding. A very beautiful read indeed. Thank you for sharing <3
I agree that the roads in Phuket are narrow with crazy samseng bike riders. My wife was surprised that I also rode like a samseng because I came from Penang where the hell’s road users live. LOLOL
I am excited again talking! I must GO, GO, Go Phuket in 2017.
Thanks for your detail review and info regarding Surin beach hotel. We r goin there with our 3 girls age 16, 8, 8 in early Dec. Feeling more excited now after seeing all the nice picture you posted. Thanks for sharing.