A sanctuary of tranquility for Holy Week

SAVOIR FAIRE By Mayenne Carmona (The Philippine Star) Updated March 21, 2009 12:00 AM

Horseback riding is rarely offered in any other resort.

It is exactly 16 days to Holy Monday and most of you have already made plans for the Easter holidays. For those who are undecided on where to go abroad, there are several factors to consider. How far do you want to travel? (For six days or shorter it could only be around Asia, I suppose.) What is the purpose of your trip? Is it shop-till-you-drop, to relax and unwind, to bond with the significant other and family?

If it is all of the above, I highly recommend a trip to Phuket, Thailand.

Last year, my friends and I went to Phuket and were astonished to discover the stunning natural beauty of the island. There were no traces of the devastation that the tsunami caused in 2004. Every building that the tsunami demolished was rebuilt, giving tourists more choices for their needs and budget. You will find what you need in Phuket — luxurious and secluded, wild and untamed for the adventurous, or somewhere in between — they are all here and more.

One can enjoy diving in the Andaman Sea, great golf at championship courses, exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, nightlife at Patong Beach, gourmet Thai dinners at authentic restaurants, or simply relaxing on palm-lined, fine-sand beaches at the island’s world-class resorts. If you like to shop, there are lots of markets, boutiques and fashion outlets where one can find clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry and home stores for bed linens, carved furniture, porcelain and celadon dishes that Phuket is noted for. It is not surprising that Phuket is the premier beach holiday destination in Asia, drawing in around five million tourists a year.

At Bao Tang Bay in Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna is said to be the jewel in the crown of the Laguna Resort Development. Dusit Thani offers so many recreational activities, which made our Easter holiday so enjoyable. My friends’ husbands played golf in the resort’s 18-hole golf course while the ladies shopped for celadon and jewelry. For those of us who wanted to stay fit, the DFIT fitness center offered personal trainers and classes. There was also team biking as an added activity, which some of us joined. There were cooking classes, delicious massages at the Angsana Spa (or on the beach by local masseuses for only 300 baht) and horseback riding, too. For those who wanted to have solitude and quiet moments, there were the vast tropical gardens for meditation and prayer.

Guests arriving at Dusit Thani Laguna enter a sanctuary of tranquility shaded by native casuarinas and coconut palms. Gentle sea breezes waft through the vaulted ceilings of the open-air lobby. The resort’s neo-colonial style incorporates variations on traditional Thai motifs with the bright, airy rooms defined by native wood tiles and decorated with ceramics, antique carvings and textiles.

Whatever room you choose, whether it’s the deluxe sea view room, the Club room, or the Princess Suite, which has an extended patio and overlooks the sparkling Andaman sea, Dusit Thani’s classic traditions and service give their clients the best lifestyle for their holiday needs.

PAL offers budget rates of US$118++ to Bangkok, but booking has to be done by March 31. To fly to Phuket or another destination, one has to book with a Thai domestic carrier. Thai Airways offers a “Thailand Double Happiness” promo to Bangkok plus another domestic destination in Thailand. Rate is US$215 plus taxes. Promo ends April 30.

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