Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 3 - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

A lazy wake up and a swim in the pool later, we strolled to The Natai, Aleenta Phuket’s in-house restaurant serving local delicacies and our breakfast spot perched high over the seaview. With a spectacular view towards the endless sea and a nicely landscaped garden of pools, it couldn’t make a morning any more pleasant.

The Natai's menu in wooden cover

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 2 - Pool Villa experience

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

At 180 m² (1937.50 ft²), Aleenta Phuket’s Pool Villa is a choice for vacationers balancing between luxury and cost. It is neither the smallest nor the largest but for honeymooners and couples without kids, it is more than enough. With fencing and gates, the villa is surrounded by an extra layer of privacy most suitable for those looking for sunbathing with no tan line (I quote from their website on this).

We of course excitedly explored every inch and amenities of the villa when we were left to ourselves. The Pool Villa was laid out in generally 3 sections – an enclosed living area with TV, another enclosed bedroom area with an adjoining dressing room, and finally the open section with the pool between both where we could enjoy sunbathing and swimming. 

Welcome to the Pool Villa! This is how it felt when the attendant brought us to our villa, opening the gates with a dramatic flourish.

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 1 - Arrival

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

My wife and I are a stingy couple, as our friends readily attest. We save as much as we can, splurge only occasionally or for celebration. She chanced upon a recommendation of Aleenta Phuket (not sure from who or where) but the price tag for this luxurious hotel at a private beach was really hefty. The mesmerizing and attractive photos she viewed online could only be left in cyberspace. Things did a positive turn when I got my hands on some travel vouchers. Since those vouchers could not be cashed in, we decided that we should just splurge on, using the vouchers to cover our expenses. 

An infinity pool stretching to the sea and lounge that seemed to float are one of our best memories of Aleenta Phuket.

Malaysia Food Blog - House of Häagen-Dazs @ De Garden, Ipoh - A Chinese New Year Chocolate fondue experience

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Note: This post is written base on the dining experience in De Garden, Ipoh branch. Experience may vary from that of other outlets.

Recommended: Chocolate Fondue (RM68)

Somebody in the house (my sister actually) wanted to try Häagen-Dazs’ chocolate fondue but not willing to spend her hard earned money. Out of pity and curiosity I relented after she ranted for months for a treat from me, and I also thought it would be a nice experience for the old folks at home to try something young. 

Welcome to the House of Häagen-Dazs! Somehow those scratches seem to reduce the feel of a premium brand...

Starbucks® Bottled Frappuccino® Coffee Drink

My familiarity with Starbucks is limited to two things: there is a mermaid and there is our favorite Green Tea Latte. It wasn’t until my recent exposure to its chilled bottled variant that I even realize existence of such a convenient packaging. So I thought that maybe I can share my experience here. 

I first encountered it in a nearby 7-11 store and out of curiosity I bought one to try. At a whooping SGD4.10, it was truly a heartache for me. That was a high price to pay for just 9.5 fluid ounce (close to 281 ml) of beverage despite the fact that it came in a glass bottle, a rarity these days if you are not purchasing alcoholic drinks. My first choice of heartache was a Mocha. 

It is rare nowadays to see bottled drinks still sold in glass bottle in Singapore. Still the weight on your hands lend you the premium feel the brand is suppose to deliver. The price is hefty but I like the beverage, especially this Mocha drink where the rich chocolaty taste is very fulfilling.

Singapore Food Blog - Sakae Teppanyaki @ Plaza Singapura

Location: Dhoby Ghaut, Central Business District (CBD), Singapore

I am familiar with Sakae Sushi (who isn’t?) but not with its teppanyaki offering restaurant. My wife however tried it once with a friend and was absolutely hooked to it. After a few prodding from her, I finally agreed to give it a try, choosing the branch in Plaza Singapura since this is one of the malls which we frequented. For your information, Sakae Teppanyaki has a smaller business footprint compared to Sakae Sushi. There are currently only 7 branches in total in Singapore as opposed to the 35 from its sushi cousin (that’s the count I got from their website). 

Front entrance of Sakae Teppanyaki

Nothing Important Happened Today – An obituary to Lee Kuan Yew

An ironic title for the sad passing of a giant. This title was not chosen as an insult but to reflect a few things in my mind upon reading the news of his death.

“Nothing important happened today” is a phrase familiar to history buffs and X-Files buffs for this is a phrase supposedly written into the diary of George III, reigning English monarch on the day when the USA ratified their Declaration of Independence (Jul 4, 1776), signifying the irony. It was recently debunked with the revelation that the king did not keep a diary, and it was the French monarch, Louis XVI, who wrote something similar (he was referring to his empty-handed return from a hunting trip) that on the day Bastille was stormed (Jul 14, 1789). X-Files employed this ironic title for one of their milestone episodes as well and I believe my point of choosing this title should be obvious by now.

Banner tribute to Lee Kuan Yew by Channel News Asia.