Across the pool to the Andaman Sea. Photo / Helen van Berkel
Helen van Berkel checks into the Crest Resort and Pool Villas in Phuket, Thailand
Getting there: It is about an hour's drive from Phuket's surprisingly enormous airport, on roads surprisingly busy for 2am on a Sunday. Pro tip: If someone's trolley is blocking your access to your baggage
on the carousel, be careful how you address that person. They may be on your shuttle bus. And in your tour group.
Check-in experience: Like many in tropical Thailand, the lobby is open to the elements and whatever cool breeze it can collect. The aforementioned guest was having a problem with her booking but was gracious enough to encourage the staff to let me get to bed first.
Room: You have the choice of 144 rooms, some with views of the Andaman Sea, or cool pod-shaped pool villas that have access to their own pools. You're looking at about $450 a night.
What's in the neighbourhood? Patong Beach is at the bottom of the hill if you wish to join all the other tourists buying sarongs and caps and drink beer in the numerous bars. Or hire a car to visit Patong Old Town and check out the Big Buddha or go rafting at Komols Corner.
