| The Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel was the first five star resort property
which opened in 1987 in the prestigious Laguna Phuket complex. It quickly became
home to numerous international guests who have returned each year, often to spend
many weeks over the winter months. The Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel was the
first five star resort property which opened in 1987 in the prestigious Laguna
Phuket complex. It quickly became home to numerous international guests who have
returned each year, often to spend many weeks over the winter months. "At the Dusit Laguna, we are proud to be a Thai hotel chain which
celebrates the culture and society of a great country," stated Mark Van Ogtrop,
the property's General Manager. While during the past dozen years, four
other resort properties have been built close to the Dusit, this seaside resort
is launching into the new Millennium with renewed energy which includes some of
the most exciting food at Laguna Phuket, if not the island. The Ruen Thai
restaurant is a teak wood house set on the water facing the ocean. Here guests
can appreciate the same type of setting that Thais have enjoyed for many generations
as traditionally all houses were set by rivers, lakes or the sea. The Ruen
Thai offers Royal Thai cuisine which was specially developed in the kitchens of
the Grand Palace in the last century. It is an advantage that the Dusit Laguna,
as a prestigious member of the Thai Hotel Association, has access to the true
cultural and culinary treasures of the Kingdom. While the beautiful menu
at the Ruen Thai offers Thai cuisine suitable for the international palate, several
offerings are presented flambe, a Western influence which makes a Phuket Lobster
topped with Sweet Red Curry sauce a special treat. The Ruen Thai is designed
to recall the era of King Rama V whose picture is displayed through the extended
restaurant. Most Thai people respect and honor this monarch as he is seen as the
bridge between Thai traditional life and the modern world. The lighting is soft
in lamps also reminiscent of the turn into the twentieth century. The atmosphere
at the Ruen Thai is relaxed and guests can sit and slowly enjoy a warm evening
by the Andaman Sea. Across the Dusit Laguna not more than a few meters from
the beach, sits the La Trattoria, the resort's Italian bistro where Giordano,
an Italian Chef from Bologna, waits to prepare authentic family style regional
cuisine. He is joined by Renato Coco who manages La Trattoria and between them
and the sounds of the Andaman Sea outside, guests are bound to have a memorable
evening. The menu at La Trattoria includes such pasta specialties as Spaghetti
Aragosta with Phuket rock lobster, parsley and chili, Cannelloni ai Carciofi or
pasta stuffed with spinach and sauteed artichokes and parmesan and Linguine Vongole
with clams, broccoli, white wine and extra virgin olive oil. "Every
day, I design new menu items which I offer as specials," states Chef Giordano.
"Today, I am offering fillet of sole and sea scallops combination with saffron
sauce and green pepper corn and for dessert, there's chocolate and vanilla "Tartufo"
ice cream cake with expresso coffee." Renato has expanded the range
of after dinner grappa available to nine labels and there's an exciting range
of Italian coffee cocktails such as the Café Gennaro with Sambucca, rum bianco,
coffee and whipped cream. For anyone who loves to experience Italy, an evening
at La Trattoria should be on the list. Recently opened is the refurbished
Recreation Center where guests can exercise on world class machines or take an
aerobics class or play table tennis. For families, the children's center
or Kid's Club features an adventure playground and an air conditioned play area
supervised by Dusit Laguna staff. There's a CD Games Corner, tennis courts, a
games room and a Watersports center which offers kayaking and windsurfing lessons
but experienced experts. The Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel is a retreat from
a busy world where guests may relax and have a soothing beach massage or can make
an appointment to spend an hour at the Angsana Spa, opened recently to provide
guests with rejuvenating and memorable health and beauty. Well trained massage
spa therapists pamper the body with a blend of aromatherapy oils and international
massages designed to nourish and refresh. The Angsana Spa is set in a garden around a beautiful pond. Each massage
pavilion is designed to not only relax the body by also the soul. Colors are soft
and light and hints of tropical paradise surround the massage beds. There
are so many ways to enjoy a holiday at the Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel. Three nights
a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there's a sumptuous buffet set around
the pool with professional entertainment. For example, Wednesday features a fresh
seafood buffet with rock lobster, fish, and prawns cooked to suit individual taste.
On the stage is a Viva Latino show. But these outdoor feasts around the
pool are more than extensive buffets. "Show stalls" have been created
where cooks can entertain and cook orders to suit individual taste.
On the
alternative nights, a mini buffet is set in the Dusit Laguna Resort's main dining
room, the Laguna Café where Executive Chef Joseph Bender can be seen advising
guests on what he can prepare specially to suit their tastes. The Laguna
Café is where resort guests have breakfast but it's a great place to sit and have
lunch or dinner beside a waterfall that cascades down from the resort lobby. The
menu offers international favorites, from imported sirloin steak to Laguna seafood
salad served in a pineapple.
Stop by the Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel and treat
yourself to what may be your best meal on the island. For more information
or a table reservation, call (66-76) 324-320 at Dusit
Laguna Phuket
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