Club Med Phuket

Hm... this part of the forum is sort of dead.

I'd be most interested in hearing anything about the village, the CDV and his team, since I'm gonna be in Phuket this spring... finally!
I do know the island pretty well already, but not yet the CM village.

Really looking forward to meeting Karim Dos Santos and his team of which I do already know some.

We're definitely plan on going to Phi Phi Island and some of us to Phang Nga (aka James Bond Island) as well. I've done the latter and not sure, it's worth a second visit. IMO, it's the type of place you say 'been there, done that'.

Thanks.

PS: And no worry, I will certainly go back to Mauritius as well, just not right now!

HI KIKI

I would love to go back to Phuket for my holiday as well but i spent it with my grgaduate ceremonie already...tant pis!

Anyway i heard they'll doing well by now ,i just was on phone with my friend there

so may not to early to say Have a nice trip and welcome to my country ^_^

<< KANI >>
paradise,right here

Sawasdee ka, Aube

Thanks. I heard as well that they're doing great.

Since you're in Kani now, you maybe met Kiki before he moved to Phuket.

Happy to go back to Thailand which, in fact, I do know quite well having travelled not only to the North (Golden Triangle), but also to the South already (Hua Hin, Phuket).

I am sure Kani is superb, but like most GOs when away, you must miss your country, your family and friends to some extent.

Hi Kiki,

I worked with Kiki and Aube in Kani last summer, so I know they do know each other :) Anyway, since you know Kiki, here's a photo of him that I posted under his name in the "Track a GO" section of this site... it's one of my favorite photos that I've taken of a fellow GO :)

Morgan

Hmm, I don't think that worked, but anyway, like I said, you can see it under his name in the "Track a GO" section.

Morgan,

Thanks, I saw that picture like all the others in the gallery of Kani.

BTW, I try to keep the 'Track-A-GO' forum a bit up-to-date.
But it's difficult and people keep adding GOs that are already in the data base.

...And last but not least, I was in Club Med Phuket for a short holiday in April 2007, so here's a link to my photos from the trip:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2472532&l=c1cdf&id=9307895

A lot of the photos were taken outside the village or on excursions, but there are a few of the village if you want to check them out :)

Yes, I've noticed that there are a lot of multiple entries for GOs... but I guess it's confusing with all the nick names, etc. At least for the GOs from Kani, since I had a digital camera there, I tried to add a photo for each one listed in the database.

Thanks, Morgan.

Just see you added sweet Sweety. How she loved to dance rock-n-roll...

I take a look at your pics on facebook. But right now, sort of busy at work. No complaints though, since we're having a long Easter weekend till Monday incl.

HI KIKI ET MORGAN

yes of course,i know Kiki as well when he was here,he took me and another G.O. on small boat to go to see dophins just right next to our island...it was one of my wonderful day off. so now u can see him in Phuket then!

Aube

<< KANI >>
paradise,right here

Hi Kiki,

Well I was in Phuket recently (left 11 April) and it was my first Club Med experience so it's hard to rate it against any others but I absolutely had the best holiday of my life!

The village: lovely grounds and a great flow about it. Big pool (warm) which sits between the restaurant and the bar. Food is of a very good standard and consistent and lots of choice. The beach is a 2 minute walk from the pool and the water is clear and warm. No surf but apparently the next beach down has waves (bummer I found that out on my last day).

Village activities are probably much the same as other villages but they are really efficient at putting the notice up in the mornings showing when snorkelling, power walks, circus etc are on. Notice also displays dress code which when I was there was "white" one night, "Asian" another night as well as "brown and white" and I think there was a "black" night too? Oh, and there was a "jeans and white top" night. I found that GMs didn't really stick too much to the dress code but it didn't matter, people kind of half did it. The GOs of course all participated properly. Shows seem to be really well organised. Of course as a GM I'm not sure if there's any drama going on behind the scenes but it looked to me to be a well run place.

Staff: AWESOME! Karim was nice but I didn't chat to him too much. He seems to be well liked by the staff. Nick the barman is great but the stand-outs for me were some of the Circus team. I have to mention the wonderful Benny, Daniel and Wes (aka Wez) as they were phenomenal to me and they really made my holiday brilliant. The were great circus teachers (soooo patient with me), great party buddies but also great lads.... professional, fun, kind mind-readers!

Fawn, Alil, Gid, Dane also just fab. Righetto was very friendly, I don't know what he does there but he was always busy but always stopped to say hi.

For me, the holiday was great because I love to chat and socialise and not really into the small talk so much so people like Benny, Dan, Wes were great because the chats weren't "how long have you been at Club Med?". They were much more interesting.

Local amenities: Very close to the ATM (out the front, turn right, walk for 5 mins and there's a convenience store with an ATM). 5 minute Tuk Tuk ride (100 Baht) to Kata Village where you can find souvenirs, t-shirts, clothes, a Starucks (!), fake designer bags, pirate DVDs, fake sunnies, real sunnies etc. Also bars but the better bars outside CM are a little closer to CM (walking distance from the front gate, turn left).... Friends Bar, Zanzibar... there's a strip of them and you can't miss them.

On the beach you can hire a jet ski or parasail and it's quite cheap and you can have massages on the beach too (great for after circus, my abs killed me).

GM rooms were nice and clean, didn't see a GO room.

Phi Phi island is lovely but so crowded. My friends and I hired a twin motor boat ad the 4 of us (plus 2 Thai drivers) took us so we were more independent than a big group. Tey took us to a lagoon which was less crowded for a swim and that was lovely. We also went to a cove where you could lean up into the trees and feed wild monkeys. That was great. There is a place called Monkey Beach but I only saw one monkey there and it was also pretty crowded.

Half an hour from the village is Patong and the nighlife. I think tht was 400 Baht in a Tuk Tuk. Bars, loud music, strip shows and shops. Quite cool but once is enough.

All in all, I just rate CM Phuket highly enough. For me it was a 10 because of the village layout and the people (although the lady that did the trivia was a little annoying, had some incorrect trivia answers. I don't know her name.

In terms of partying, bar closed at 12 and then the nightclub is open until about 2. Wasn't really pumping but I had great nights there thanks to Benny, Dan, Wes and some other GMs.

Ages of GMs ranged from about mid 30's to mid 50's. Q

Great, Thanks so much, Bel.

Regarding the dress codes, white and black are always musts. However, brown isn't among my favourites. Have heard of it, but will pack something beige instead. Jeans seems too heavy, as often. Will pack light dark blue slacks instead. It seems the dress codes are less respected in Asia compared to the villages around the Mediterranean Sea.

Righetto is an old friend of mine. He's the number 2 in the village. Animation and sports manager (ASM). Happy to hear he's still there.

We have planned to go to Phi Phi as not yet done. I can imagine the crowds. But still, let's play the tourists that we are.

As for Patong Beach, been there, done that. I don't think, we'll return. (IMO, similar to Kuta Beach/Bali).

As for the party places near the village, our GO friends will know where to take us. I fully trust them.

Just a pity they gave up sailing and surfing after the Tsunami. We shall try to practice somewhere else. Our friend Kiki will be of much help for that.

Do you remember Eric, landsports and Vissen, bar? Both from Mauritius just like Kiki and Christelle, sports chef. They are supposed to be there.

I shall certainly come back to you, if I should have a last minute question.

Looking so much forward to some hot temperatures. We've had had nothing but rain so far in April, while it was a splendid month in 2007. Will pack light stuff, for sure.
And then the Thai massages. Lovely! Can't wait.

Big thanks to you.

D-8. YES!

Hi again,

Dress code was not rigid at all. I think the brown night was actually "white, brown and beige" so you'll be fine. My friend wore the same red dress 3 nights in a row and there wasn't a red night!

Zanzibar seems to be the bar the GOs go to outside of the club. It's a fun place but as I'm sure you know it's about the people.

I didn't know they had surfing and sailing before the tsunami. You're right, shame it's no longer on offer as I would have done both.

I remember Eric, he was lovely. Don't recall Vissen but he may be there as I didn't chat to all the GOs. Christelle was the one I found a little annoying so she is there but I didn't hang out with her.

I'm so jealous of you. I would go back right now if I could. Thinking of becoming a GO I loved it so much. Throw in my corporate, over-priced towel, sell my big house and fancy car and join the CM crowd. OK, probably not but it has crossed my mind. Might have to open a new thread to suss out pay rates.

You have fun and I look forward to hearing about it when you get back!

Happy to hear Eric is still there. Have known him for more than 3 years (5x in La Pointe!).
There's also Pravin, sound engineer. A real cool guy.

As for Christelle, have only heard about her. Will let you know how I liked her, once back.

Also looking forward to finally get to know Karim who must be a very good CDV.

Bel

Thanks for the update.

Phuket is one of my favs. Also, a shame is the Annex Seafood Restaurant which is now gone. It was nestled up the hill (right of Club when facing the beach)

Is Taka - still the golf GO ?




Aita Pea Pea

Anybody an idea on what to expect on Coronation Day (May 5) which looks like a national holiday in Thailand?

I wouldn't mind French champagne and some fire works!

I took a photo of the GO Board. It was sunny so it's not very clear but I just blew it up and saw that Vissen is there. Wayan was the golf GO that looked after my friends. I tried to attach the photo to this email but it didn't work.

Really comforting that Vissen, bar, is there.
At least, we're sure to get some properly made Ti punches.

I uploaded the GO team photo. But one obviously has to fully blow it up to recognize the folks.

Bel, big thanks!

D-6

HI VINZ

I heard Taka is now as a Circus GO at Kabira.....

<< KANI >>
paradise,right here

Thanks Bel.

I hope I can go to Phuket with my friends in June 2008. Otherwise, I should be wait until Oct 2008 because I will be very busy in July, Aug and Sept.

Ric
Nice to see you back here!
I shall make a detailled review once back home again.

Bel,
One of my friend already at the village just informed me about the nice circus team.

One last question: Is the restaurant air-conditioned? Just need to know and I'll pack some pashminas to wear around my neck for dinner.
Already have one for the flight anyway.

Can't wait to be there.

D-4!

Edited to add the requested info:
The restaurant has A/C (inside), but one can sit outside as well.
I would hate to be cold during my holiday.

D-2!

Can't wait to read your review when you get back. Can't imagine you'll be cold (one pashmina should be enough). Oh, I wish I was back there now. It's FREEZING in Sydney!

According to my friend who is already there, it's really hot.

I know exactly how you feel, Bel.
It's hard to read about someone going right after your own return.

OK, I am off. Must get my suitcase ready for tomorrow.

Take care.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Irlandaise

Hi Kiki,

I worked with Kiki and Aube in Kani last summer, so I know they do know each other :) Anyway, since you know Kiki, here's a photo of him that I posted under his name in the "Track a GO" section of this site... it's one of my favorite photos that I've taken of a fellow GO :)

Morgan

---

Hi hi I think I know you as well...
Uum

Hi all!

Back from two wonderful weeks in Phuket.
Still suffering a lot from jetlag, the looong trip and even more from post CM blues...

Will write a full review once recovered from jetlag and having done all the awful things once back home (laundry, food shopping, checking the different mails and so on).
And then, back to work tomorrow... Don't even want think about what's waiting for me!

Later!

PS: Most happy that I finally got a T-shirt!

Kiki,
Welcome back! We are all anxious to hear about your trip. Phuket is one of my very favorite places. I know about the jet lag. I was sitting in the Red Carpet Club in Bangkok at 7:00 AM waiting for a flight back to Chicago, and thought to myself, Well, I better reset my watch for Chicago. Then it occured to me that it was 7:00 PM (19:00 hours)in Chicago. At that point, I knew that I was a long way from home.

John

PS: My Cherating 88 shirt is yellow. What color is yours?

Hi John

My 88 T-shirt is dark blue, latest collection. Can't wait to wear it in my next village (think envious looks here).

I gave Robin your hello. She remembered you.
Her parents (André and Tanja?) arrived last Monday and will leave tomorrow. She was so happy and excited and is having a couple of days off.

BTW, the snorkeling team consists of Kiki, resp., Robin and Dane from Australia (leaving soon for Lindeman (?) though).

Thanks for saying hello to Robin. She has been telling me for a month how excited she was to have her parents in for a visit. I had the pleasure of having dinner with her and her parents several times when she was a GO in Cherating. They are really nice people. Thanks, again, Kiki.

John

Hi Kiki,

Welcome back to the forum. Can't wait to hear about Phuket!!! Isn't it just heaven and aren't the GOs just special? Dane is a lovely guy and can do a very impressive backflip into the pool! I'm dying to know what you thought of everyone.

Hey spread the word about donating to the site if you get a chance, it seems to be running pretty low on juice.

Cheers
BEL

My feedback will be posted very soon.
It's kind of long and I must go through again for grammar and typos.

Stay tuned!

I just posted my feedback!

Edited on May 24, 2008

Anyone recently back from Phuket who cares to share the experience?

I know that Karim and most of his team are still there which is a good start.

D-5!

Robin tells me that they have been having a lot of rain recently, but to the best of my knowledge they should be headed into the dry season. She's pretty happy with the GO team and the CDV.

John

John,

I know about the rainy season, but it should be getting better now.
Also, the rain cools down a bit, because it can get really hot.
Season starts and that is why we have direct charter flights from Zurich as from now until sometime in spring. Thailand is an extremely popular holiday destination for us.

Hello Kiki de M

I feel enviable that you visit Phuket again.
I stayed in Phuket with my husband in the beginning of August.
Karim Dos Santos and his GO team were very splendid. I served as a reference with your[ Feedback May 2008] very much. We had the vavance the same you and my impression of Phuket is the same yours.
.
We spend our all most vacance in a village. That village can be connected by the corridor, as for all the villages. So the weather has nothing to do too much for us. But I like staying in the village in rainy season. Because there are many fruits and those are very delicious!!. The rainy season has shinny greens and a lot of good flowers of the fragrance.

I like talking with GO and GM of various countries. I think that we can spend the pleasant vacation which accepted the situation anywhere anytime in Club Med. So everybody, let's go to the vacation village when we wanted to go regardless of the season,. In particular I think that Karm Dos Santos and his GO team is a good splendid team and they have very nice teamwork.

I will go to Maldives Kani with my mother from October 23 to November 6. The Kani is still wet season, too. And there are all most of are open air unlike Phuket, We want l enjoy my vacance with everyone to going to Kani at this time of raniy season. I d’not know to how to write [ Who's in Club Med now ?] Please add our schedule of to that forum. Thanks!!

ile maurice

Hello Yuko

Thanks for your nice post. Happy to hear you had a great time in Phuket.
I am SO looking forward to going back and I haven't taken any holiday since May.
And like you, we didn't really mind the little rain.
It was a lot more relaxing than a hot sun all the time.

As for the 'Event Calendar': It's here. Enter your dates, name, etc. I can't do it for you, because then, my name (instead of yours) will appear.
http://www.clubmedplanet.com/events.asp

I wish you a great stay in Kani. It must be a paradise just like Phuket, but in a different way.
Please make a little feedback, once back home.

D-4!

Hello Kiki de M
Thank you for your advice. I succeeded my schedule Event and Calender.

At this time of the next week, you will watch beautiful scenery of Phuket.I hope to you and your friends have a nice holiday.Please give my best regards to CDV and his GO team. I think that Karim and almost GO remember us maybe. (Because there are few Japanese whom there is at bar to the Night and Day and don’t go for an excursion like us#65289;

I inform it of dress codes from September 27 to October 3 in Phuket.

All black

Free elegant

Asian

Colorful and jeans

Beige. Brown. White

Elegant

This is reproduction from a website of Club med Japan. There are some information of Asian villages and kani and Mauritius. But there is not English translation. The site will be useful before vacation if someone can read Japanese.

Have a nice vacance!!!

ile maurice

Yuko,

Thanks so much for the dress codes. They are very similar to the ones in May.
What an excellent service of CM Japan.

As for excursions, we only did Phi Phi Island with the Club. This will be my 5th (I think) visit to the island, so I know it quite well already.

I will give your regards to Karim and the team.

And congrats you managed to add your dates into the event calendar.

Kiki,
I am curious. How long is the flight from Zurich? You mentioned that Phuket is a popular vacation destination. I had forgotten how international this club really is. The last time I was in Phuket we had 51 nationalities.

John

John,

The nonstop flight is 11 hours, whereas with a stopover in Bangkok or Singapore it's easliy some 4-5 hours more.

Zurich-Phuket is overnight. Phuket-Zurich is daytime flight.

If it wasn't such a popular destination, there wouldn't be any nonstop flights and we have them only during the winter half, when it's season in Thailand and Phuket in particular. However, it's not a flight chartered by Club Med. It's rather that various travel operators book that flight for their customers incl. CM.

How nice to have such a "short" flight. For me it is 13 hours to Tokyo, 7 to Bangkok, overnight at the airport hotel, which is very nice, and then on down to Phuket the next morning. No wonder that there aren't many North Americans there. BTW, it is worth the trip.

John

Back from two terrific weeks in Phuket. It was even better compared to my May 2008 stay. Gorgeous weather, terrific GO team (bascially the same as in May), very nice GM crowd.
I was even thinking about adding a third week, but decided I save the bucks for my next stay in La Pointe aux Canonniers next spring (booked!!).

Will do a short feedback soon. But basically, not much to add to my May review except that it was, as said before, even better! It's so good to return to a village with the almost same team. I also was extremely surprised that most GOs remembered my name and Nic, bar, even remembered how I wanted my espresso (with a dash of milk).
And Vissen prepared my ti punch as soon as I arrived at the bar in the evening. Thanks, guys!

Kiki, suffering from a tremendous post-club-med-blues...

PS:
Especially for John-Chicago:
The picture of the chocolate fountain will be posted sometime.
Right now, trying to catch up at work I started again yesterday!
TGIF!

Kiki,
That is so nice of you to remember me. Thank you. I am starting to salivate already. I understand that the political situation has calmed down. How crowded was it? I am wondering if the financial mess is going to have an effect on the resort business.

John

The village was fuller than in May. Also, Kata Beach in general was pretty busy.

I'd say first week about 60 %, second week about 60-75 %. Perfect. Never a wait be it at the bar, resto, deck chairs, reception, etc.
Also, we had our meals at least one hour later than the Asians, i.e. at 1 PM and 8 PM earliest.
Consequently, never a wait in front of the food stands or finding a table on the rather small outside terrace (largest part of the restaurant are smaller rooms with A/C. Too loud and too cold for European taste).

Also, a pretty good mix of nationalities. I'd say 60 % Asians, 30 % Europeans (among which some French ex-pats living in China, Thailand, Singapore, etc.) and some South Africans and Australians.

And re. your question about the resort business: I can only tell you that we got the last standard rooms (cheapest category) for La Pointe and this for end of April 2009!!

Here you go: The Chocolate Fountain!

I don't believe it. That's great. I expected to see your finger reaching in to get a sample. On the bottom right, are those for dipping into the fountain?

John

PS: Thanks again. I have never seen that at a club before.

On the botton right, you have small pineapple and banana cubes, almond slices, etc. to garnish your dessert (usually ice cream). Then, you'd stick the serving spoon (not in the photo) into the fountain to get some of the liquid chocolate and pour it over the dessert you've put together.

In fact, the chocolate is not enough black for my taste. I ways preferred the dark small chocolate that came with the coffee at the bar.

And no, you wouldn't help yourself with your fingers. First the chocolate is hot, second, it would be a sign of bad behaviour.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kiki de M

And no, you wouldn't help yourself with your fingers. First the chocolate is hot, second, it would be a sign of bad behaviour.

---

And I would never, ever accuse you of bad behavior

John

John,

That's good to know.

Anyway. Sort of under pressure at work. So, please, be patient with me re. my feedback.
Also, I've got some pains in my right arm and was hoping it would improve during my holiday, especially with the massages. But nope.
Now, I am going to physiotherapy, but should not overdo (typing, ironing, etc.).

For the moment just enjoy beautiful Kata Beach:


Also, this beautiful mandala next to the excursion desk:

Kiki,

Your photos just whet my appetite for more. So that is a mandala. Very Buddhist.

Sorry to hear of your discomfort in the arm. After undergoing some physiotherapy for a rotator cuff problem last year, my friend in Montreal, who is an ex GO and physical therapist sent me the ten rules for physical therapy. I should post them here, but one was, don't tell a therapist that an exercise is easy to do, because they will really make it really hard.

John

John,

I call it a mandala, but you could also call it just a floral decoration. Mandalas are often made with sand. For more (it's interesting):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

Incidentally, the village itself is full of such pleasant details one often overlooks. I should have taken more such photos.

I could go back in a heartbeat. We've had our first snow this morning... Yuk!

PS: Just added a few more photos. Check the gallery, please.

Blue anywhere: