Author Topic: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)  (Read 38397 times)

Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #100 on: August 12, 2016, 10:33:32 AM »
That's great.

I gather that the Conrad still takes their breakfast from the main place?


Yes.
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Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #101 on: August 12, 2016, 11:43:49 AM »
Check-In, Our room and the rest of the evening..

We were greeted by the staff as soon as we got out of the car and were asked to take a seat in the check-in area. With guava juice, cold towels and a beautiful view it was more then bearable.

Check-In Area


Fresh Juice and Cold Towels with a View


Can't think of many more check-in areas with this kinda view


Entrance


We were offered a choice of amenity kits which consisted of different types of creams and gels. In the end they surprised us by giving us all three. [Side note: Two of them really did not smell too good]

After a few minutes the chef came out to greet us. What a wonderful man. He not only took all of our food immediately and had it be stored in the kitchen but also provided us with his personal card and instructions to call him directly if there was any food related question or need that we would have. He furthermore illustrated his in-depth knowledge of the Kosher cuisine and enlightened us that just six months prior there was an orthodox wedding that took place at the Conrad with 120 guests that was fully kosher. They had Chabad Staff over daily to turn on ovens and oversee everything and he is well aware of how things work around the kitchen.

Now THAT'S a wedding I want to be invited to!  :D


We then were told by the GM that we had gotten the best room on our floor being at the top of that level and were ready to "board" our buggy in which we would be taken to our room. We had also received several bonus certificates for dining, massages etc if we reached certain spend thresholds in addition to four free drink vouchers that we would use during out stay.

Buggy Service
Side note: You will need buggy service for nearly anywhere you want to go within the Conrad Resort.


Room 119


Circled In Room 119. It is the highest point on the First level providing the best view on that level. The Royal Villa - which there is only one of thus making this resort "non-inviting" for Diamond Upgrades - is located all the way on the far end of the First level. I had inquired about it but at the time of Check-In there was a guest staying in it.


Here is the 3D bird-view of the way that all "basic" villas look


Here some pictures from the room itself

Nice touch with the bed. Also, very comfortable.


The bathtub. Just wow.


Not on the pool: Long enough to swim laps back and forth. Not long enough to practice for the Olympics.


No time wasted. In the room, changed and off to testing out the waters.


We then headed over to the main pool area for the daily happy hour which is from 4pm-6pm and is Buy one, get one free. It is on select beers and mixed drinks. There sure was enough for me to choose from.






After having splashed around the pool and having had some tasty drinks we called a buggy and went back to our room for dinner. It had been a very long day for us and we were hungry and tired. We called the chef's staff and let them know what we wanted for dinner and all the food was brought to us warmed up within 25 minutes.

Yummy dinner consisting of white rice, some Asian chicken/vegetable dish and noodles. They also surprised us with a fruit platter. Nice touch guys!



We fell asleep quite early but not before we sat outside to witness the beautiful sunset









Next up: Our only full day at the Conrad which was action packed!
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Offline Yehoshua

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #102 on: August 12, 2016, 12:26:33 PM »
It still looks like a beautiful hotel. Nice!

Offline CS91

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #103 on: August 12, 2016, 12:33:16 PM »
Looks better and better every time I see more pictures of the Conrad. So there's only one villa that is bigger than the standard villas?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #104 on: August 12, 2016, 12:33:53 PM »
It still looks like a beautiful hotel. Nice!

Yes indeed. But why "still"?
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Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #105 on: August 12, 2016, 12:35:19 PM »
Looks better and better every time I see more pictures of the Conrad. So there's only one villa that is bigger than the standard villas?

It is beautiful indeed. Yes, for villas only the royal villa in room 127 is bigger. I have pictures of it as well as I did visit it and had a discussion with them about it (more on that later) if anyone wants to see those.

Otherwise there are the residences which I also checked out. Those are all 2 floor, 2BR with there being one that is a 3BR.
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Offline Chapshnell

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #106 on: August 12, 2016, 01:16:16 PM »
WOW WOW WOW! We are going to need to have a talk Benjie. lol
Cant wait for my honeymoon to go!!!!!!!
You got me extra excited lol

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #107 on: August 12, 2016, 01:56:03 PM »
WOW WOW WOW! We are going to need to have a talk Benjie. lol
Cant wait for my honeymoon to go!!!!!!!
You got me extra excited lol
+1

Same here.

Schedule a DO?

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #108 on: August 12, 2016, 02:13:00 PM »
+1

Same here.

Schedule a DO?

youre going too? Im in..

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #109 on: August 12, 2016, 02:48:03 PM »
youre going too? Im in..
I'd like to go.

Offline AJK

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #110 on: August 12, 2016, 04:54:49 PM »
WOW WOW WOW! We are going to need to have a talk Benjie. lol
Cant wait for my honeymoon to go!!!!!!!
You got me extra excited lol
Almost like you guys have never read a TR on CKS...
+1

Same here.

Schedule a DO?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #111 on: August 12, 2016, 04:59:04 PM »
Almost like you guys have never read a TR on CKS...
No worries, don't be jealous....

I've read yours too and really enjoyed it.

This TR is a fresh one out of the oven.

I wouldn't mind having a DO with you too, ok.

Offline AJK

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #112 on: August 12, 2016, 05:00:26 PM »
Glad we cleared that up
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #114 on: August 15, 2016, 11:48:16 AM »
Monday, July 25th, Koh Samui


As we finally got a good nights sleep (crashing at 8pm the night before), we were - how else could it be with us - up early. I called the concierge to find out about jet-skiing because sitting outside by my pool and watching people jet around with that view and that water made me jealous and made me just have to do it. The hotel quoted me their respetive 20 and 40 minute options at - what seemed to me - very high prices and so I contacted the jet-ski place myself securing myself a 40 min session at close to half the price. [Who is really going to do 20 minutes? Way too short.]

At the same time I locked in the 1pm complimentary boat ride to Koh Tan as well but more on that later. It was now time to head to breakfast which is just so fun there.


Fresh Honey


Freshly squeezed Juices


Fresh Smoothies


Their own jams they make


Yogurts and milk


They just love noodles for breakfast




Fruit-shots


Breakfast with a view



After finishing up a great breakfast with a splendid view we were off to the room to get ready for the Jet-skiing. While a given Jet-ski does fit two people and can be used for two at no additional cost, my wife had no interest what so ever to go on it. If it wasn't obvious by now, she is no fan of anything resembling any form or shape of danger. Speed is one of those. I didn't mind at all as we both know that I like speed and she would be willing to go no faster then a turtles equivalent. So we ordered a cab to take us down there (200 baht) and were down by the Jet-skies ten minutes later. It did not take long and the instructor was ready for us to go out there.

My ride


Off we go!



What an experience. Being that this was my first time Jet-skiing it took me a few minutes to get used to it. My instructor was really into it and was challenging me to do some cool stuff like standing while driving, racing and doing some cool left/right combo turns. It sure made me fall out several times but that just got me going to try more stuff. I was certainly hooked and can advise anyone to not sign up for 20 minutes ever. It is just too short. The biggest thing that kept throwing me off was the throttle.

Jet Ski Throttle


Being that I have not Jet-ski'd before and am not a biker, the only thing I could compare this to was riding a bicycle. Now while things were going well and the waters weren't so choppy, I had no issue riding and going faster and faster and adding some stunts but the moment that I got caught in a wave or struggled on some quick Left/Right turns I would automatically start going for the throttle - subconsciously thinking of it as the brakes - and would be flying through the air moments later. After landing hard the 3rd time I finally got it out of my head and was doing much better.

Riding along the coast of Koh Samui


I could not move my arms for the rest of the day after these 40 minutes
 

Me and my instructor washing ourselves off after the ride



We got back with close to an hour to spare before the boat ride over to Ko Than. We decided to eat lunch early instead of shlepping it with us and after we were done packed up some drinks and shades for the way before heading to the pick up spot.

Arrived at the dock out of which we were leaving


Conrad Boat


Anker OUT and off we go!


Beautiful Day


Pit stop for some fun snorkeling!


Where are you fishy fishy fishy?


And we made it to Koh Tan!


If I was only a monkey..


Enjoying the tranquility


And practicing being a monkey..


Locals gathering coconuts


Coconut-gatherer with his monkey pet


After some relaxing it was time to head back to our boat and return


Back at the hotel it was time for.. ... .... Happy Hour and so we went to the pool to relax and have a few drinks. Today I opted for the local beers instead of some cocktails.

The good life!


Side view of the main pool area


Someone is having a romantic dinner by the beach tonight


Relaxing in the water off your own hammock or mini-island





We then headed back to our room to relax outside a little bit and rest after a long and exhausting day once again topped off by a beautiful sunset.



Turn-down service occurred at around 8pm and after them having dropped off our new friend "Ralph" we were soon in a deep slumber..





I know that this post contains mostly pictures but it is truly the best way to share some of my experiences. If you do have any specific questions, feel free to just ask away!
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Offline Feivish

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #115 on: August 15, 2016, 12:29:32 PM »
Please share the contact info for the Jetski. Thanks

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #116 on: August 15, 2016, 12:40:15 PM »
Looks like a nice day. Were you able to eat anything besides fruit at the breakfast?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #117 on: August 15, 2016, 12:58:57 PM »
Please share the contact info for the Jetski. Thanks

I called the concierge who quoted me the Conrad rate and then simply asked her to connect me to the Jet-Ski place directly.

Once I was connected I negotiated with them directly.
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Offline CS91

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #118 on: August 15, 2016, 01:12:42 PM »
I called the concierge who quoted me the Conrad rate and then simply asked her to connect me to the Jet-Ski place directly.

Once I was connected I negotiated with them directly.
What did you end up paying for jetskiing? Also, Koh Tan is like an hour boat ride, right?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: My (very) belated Honeymoon to the "Land of Smiles" (CX F, EY F)
« Reply #119 on: August 15, 2016, 01:19:50 PM »
What did you end up paying for jetskiing? Also, Koh Tan is like an hour boat ride, right?

Much less. Maybe 25-35 minutes. But they stop about 10 minutes away and let people snorkel if they want to. (They provide the equipment)

The Jet-skiing offered by the Conrad was around 5000 baht for 40 minutes and I got it for around 2800 baht via the place directly.
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