Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach

The palms reflecting on the pool’s surface; the breeze from the ceiling fan on the private terrace while enjoying the room service or what was sourced to the room’s large fridge from the MoMo 2 Go deli/grocery store, while overlooking the verdant courtyard of the resort; the two grand waterslides; or the casual al fresco environment at MoMo Café with its variety of options for comfortable seating – this is the surrounding you will encounter when staying at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Surin Beach.

 

Obvious from the name, this is a Marriott brand but a first as the Surin-based resort is the introductory venue into the resort environment for this 25-year-old brand which used to operate only as business hotels, now expanding and being introduced to new areas such as Asia. 

 

Part of the Courtyard brand’s introduction to Thailand with the launch of a number of resorts/hotels (see also related story on Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok), the Surin-based resort opened in June 2007 and two more resorts has since then followed on Kamala beach and Patong beach respectively. And as if this was not enough in the strategy to become much more present on the Phuket scene, the upscale deluxe Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Kamala Cove is also being launched in 2009.

 

And to streamline the Courtyard product, here is a resort concept catering to the needs of the holiday-maker of the ‘new world’, where guests pay strictly for what they get. That translates into less restaurants, more self-service but still excellent service – and where guests can opt for any extras themselves, as explained by General Manager Theera Kanjana.

 

This type of ‘select service’ is sought-after by many holiday-makers who are increasingly savvy these days. Thus, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach will be a stroke of luck for those browsing on their own for price-worthy and independent style holidays.

 

“At five star hotels you pay the price. And in many cases you pay for the things you don’t even use. Courtyard studied what people really want, so we selected to offer those kinds of services and doing it very well, but opting not to do everything,” says the GM who says that the travellers are smarter today and don’t want to pay for things they don’t use.

 

Then there are of course those guests who choose the more sophisticated surroundings and luxury service for the sake of enjoying that.

 

“There’s something for everybody. We offer good value, and the nice, clean Marriott standard. And what I am proud of mostly in this hotel is the service and our staff.”

 

Among the available Courtyard services are MoMo 2 Go, where one can purchase pastries and desserts and a wide selection of drinks and bring along to the beach or to the room. Basically all the things you need can be purchased at a nice price, only slightly above the cost at any outside mini-mart. The resort also differentiates in that the rooms are equipped with a large fridge, instead of the mini bar, that you fill up with the products of your own choice. The personnel is also happy to do this job for you; just fill in the order list.

 

The likely core target group at this hotel with its 256 rooms (84 of them one bedroom suites) is the younger, stylish-conscious modern couple or family who expects the mod-cons that have become the norm including internet in rooms and public areas. They are also often repeat guests to Phuket, who opts for relatively tranquil Surin beach, where the expatriates on the island like to hang out when they want to have a good time and where the atmosphere is really appealing. The top-tier hotels in the area also attract this more selective guest crowd in general.

 

The hotel which was a very popular family resort already under the previous management, on this far less hectic beach area (no hotels at all are built near the beach and trees and open grass fields functions as a buffer zone), has been entirely refurbished where the concept of catering to both adults and the young ones has been taken to the next level.

 

While the kids enjoy the custom-built Kids World building on their own their parents can slip away to the beach and its clubs for the adults (Catch Beach Club etc.) or simply get some valuable time off on their own.

 

Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Surin offers a safe play area for toddlers and kids, looked after by dedicated staff who keeps a watchful eye of the children. So one can safely relax poolside, sip on cosmopolitan drinks (of course also with two drinks on house pours for the price of one during happy hour) and enjoy the time, even when bringing the children who are likely to spend most of their time focusing on the Kids World.

 

The freeform pool’s waterways meander through the lush landscape, another benefit of the resort not being new but having a fully grown garden. Noteworthy is also how quiet the area is; the resort having other hotels as neighbours on both sides.

In addition to the idyllic ambiance, the different modes of seating and comfort at MoMo Café were especially noted (comfy sofas, chairs with soft cover or large dining tables for larger companies) as well as the Mövenpick ice cream for sale. For meetings the Kata and Karon conference rooms are also suitably situated adjacent to the restaurant. Finally, at Siam Adventure Club all kinds of fun-filled activities and recreation can be arranged for.

 

Text: Joakim Persson
Photos: Joakim Persson (except where indicated)

 

See also image gallery Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Surin

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