CROWNE PLAZA KARON BEACH PHUKET

Phuket after the tsunami has never been the same. So does this hotel on Karon Beach . Closed for 18 months of major renovation after a change of ownership, the hotel recently re-opened with a major facelift of its garden landscape, lobby, guest rooms, and an addition of villa-style accommodations.

Under the management of the Crowne Plaza Group which usually handles city hotels rather than holiday resorts, it's not surprising to see many facilities (11 meeting rooms, and a ballroom that can fit 800 guests) geared towards the MICE market, in addition to leisure travellers.

The hotel's "Kids Zone", claimed to be largest in Phuket, offers a large and colourful array of toys, games and facilities for children of different age groups. The soon-to-be-completed "Wildfire" complex comprising restaurants and a beachside bar could be a nice place to wind down at sunset.

The Crowne Plaza Karon Beach is one of the several Phuket hotels that join Thai Airways International's "Southern Fun & Easy Package". Priced at 4,500 baht, the package _ inclusive of round-trip airfare, two-night accommodation with breakfast and airport pickup _ is available until October 31.