Mercure Patong Phuket

Any sun seeker returning to Phuket every year will notice the number of establishments growing, including hotels and other services with more design and quality that are infiltrating the scene and gradually changing the landscape. 

And anyone who did not come here since say around year 2000 will find a place like the well known Patong beach nearly transformed, with exploitation soon covering all land plots available in the bay, whereas there used to be undeveloped areas here and there back then. Still, any new construction is relatively low-rise, it should be added. Patong is not being turned into any skyscraper city - which feels just right. (However, in terms of infrastructure and visitor safety a bit wider roads and with paved pedestrian walks and bike/motorbike lanes would be very welcome on the streets as well as also along the coast road.)

Of course there are still the ubiquitous street vendors and souvenir shops, but sure enough there are now more fancy dining venues on the scene and even alternative entertainment to the infamous Bangla road circuit/tourist stunt; such as more ordinary music and dance clubs (Hard Rock Café due to be among them). 

A main part of the development are the Jungceylon complex (shopping centre and lifestyle complex) and a number of new hotels, where Accor’s new Mercure Patong Phuket, designed in modern Asian style, is only a brisk ten-minute walk down the road from the aforementioned shopping attraction, while strolling down to the beach from this resort takes only five minutes.

Mercure Patong Phuket is the four-star test pilot hotel for Mercure in Thailand, (with more establishments to come), a brand that adapts to the location; be it in a city center, business or historic districts or tourist destinations. Mercure Hotels & Resorts ensures that everything is in harmony with the local environment and guests’ needs.

Four star amenities and services here come about in the form of for instance quality comfortable beds and linens (not always the case on hotels as most travellers know…), 24 hours room service, data port and Wi-Fi high speed wireless Internet service. So, if being away from email for the duration of your holiday is difficult, this Phuket hotel comes with its own business centre and you can easily connect your laptop also in the room.

Staying here one must be ready for the hustle and bustle of Patong Beach. Nevertheless, as the hotel’s general manager rightly points out, the location is strong and among the quietest parts of Patong, and it constitutes a full service resort that is well positioned on the island for taking excursions to less crowded beaches around the island, should one wish that. And access to dining, within the resort or elsewhere, consists in a very wide selection.

For guests at Mercure Patong Phuket there are great choices of food and restaurants and being close to beach for westerners, whereas for Asians the improved shopping facilities in the vicinity are most important.

Within the resort’s conference centre up to 400 persons can be seated so corporate gatherings can also be catered for, with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia as core markets.

Out of the hotel's 249 rooms there are 10 family rooms as well as 4 deluxe suites. Especially noteworthy about the rooms are the open-style bathrooms with a window to the bedroom. So either one of a couple enjoying a bubble bath can easily entice his or her partner to join in the pleasure. And the wardrobe comes with a useful innovation (especially for ladies): it can be opened both from the room and the bathroom! So any clothes hanging there can easily be grabbed from inside the bathroom.

The resort has in addition made sure to give parents the opportunity to have some time off from duties by providing the Pluto kids club which will take the full attention of their children so the adults can meanwhile relax by the pool; enjoying lounging and some sundowners from the Sun Bar.

For starlit al fresco dinner and drinks after dark, there is also the nice Moon Bar on the top sixth floor. Here you are away from the street crowds but still being able to view what is happening outside, and also sunbathe daytime and jump into the plunge pool. Come evening, I had my favourite Caipirinha drink for 195 baht. There are also Mercure specials such as the must discovery drink Moon Tango consisting in light rum, rip mango and fruit juices. Or try Neptune Coco Blue with gin, Blue Curaçao and passion fruit.

On this rooftop, featuring a small pool, various BBQ dinners are also served; for example Seafood BBQ Buffet Dinner for 790 baht.

Elsewhere in the resort, find Saturn Fitness Club on third floor where guests can keep up fitness before heading for the O2 Lobby Lounge bar where they can enjoy some cocktails, coffee or tea and snacks. Sitting in comfortable lounge armchairs or around the 360 degrees bar guests can enjoy the in-house duo band in the evenings.

There is also Venus Spa with facial massages by Hanako Tokyo. The spa comes with 5 treatment rooms but also outdoor beds for treatments behind the pool area.

Breakfast and a la carte are served in the Word Café restaurant (where you can also enjoy traditional Thai food in the Baan Napa corner). Open Faced Turkey Sandwich with Apple, 320 baht; Grilled Tuna Nicoise Salad, 380 baht; Shrimp Scampi, 280 baht; Oven Roasted Seabass, 320 baht; Mackerel Steak Tepanyaki, 320 baht; Beef Fillet, 590 baht; or Sirlion Steak Imported for 490 baht are among the mouthwatering offerings. And of course there are pasta dishes, various starters and desserts.

From in-room dining I enjoyed a lovely Spaghetti Carbonara on the balcony overlooking the enclosed pool. Or try a Mercure Club Sandwich or Tandori chicken with curried potatoes.

For more info: www.mercurepatongphuket.com
Address: Mercure Patong Phuket, 239-14 Raj U Thid 200 Pee Road, Patong, Phuket

Reviewed by: Joakim Persson
Photos: Joakim Persson and Mercure/Accor

 See also the image gallery Mercure Patong Phuket