Urban minimalism meets Western chic, with barely a hint of Thai in this modernist hotel. Some guests will want to stay in a resort with a more Asian ambience, and such travelers are recommended to give the Millennium a miss, and to consider booking the Bundarika, The Chedi or the Amanpuri instead.
Patong Beach is primarily a party and shopping destination, and it is for high-rolling shoppers and party travelers that this up-market hotel, the only 5-star resort on Patong beach, is recommended.
As well as being only a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of the nightly action, the Millennium is located in the huge Jung Ceylon shopping complex, so making it a good place to shop as well as to party.
In addition to its prime location at the heart of Patong, the guest at the Millennium benefits from the hotel’s tasty food and superlative service standards.
The Millennium Hotel consists of two wings, the Lakeside Wing and the Beach Wing. These two wings are over a hundred metres apart, making the Millennium effectively not one, but two hotels.
The Lakeside Wing is better equipped than the Beach wing, which isn’t particularly near the beach and in which the minimalist theme has been taken too far, resulting in an austere lobby over which corridors of rooms loom - architecture more reminiscent of a correctional establishment than a luxury resort.
A common misconception about Patong Beach is that the only night life there revolves around girly bars and vice. Whilst it is certainly true that men on a night out in Patong will be virtually besieged by bar-girls almost wherever they go, there are places where the bar girls can’t afford the entry charges and so don’t go.
Couples as well as men trying to escape from the girly-bar scene are recommended to check out the trendy Club Lime or the hip new Sound Club where, in contrast to the girly bars, the only thing money is spent on is the refreshments.
Facilities
Fitness Room
The well-equipped fitness room has fully 18 stations including, unusually for Thailand, a rowing machine.
Restaurants
The contributors to www.tripadvisor.com are almost unanimous that the food in all this resort’s restaurants is superb. The laid-back poolside restaurant serves tapas and sushi at the bar, making it an ideal place for single travelers to meet new people and make friends.
Spa
The unprepossessing décor in the rest of the hotel continues into the spa which, whilst offering a vast range of exotic pampering treatments, is somewhat drably if immaculately decorated. It uses the exclusive Pavonia range of cosmetics and creams, including the ‘Myoxy Caviar Anti-aging’ cream.
Whilst eating caviar is expensive, it is a much cheaper pastime than having the fish eggs smeared on your face – the cream costs THB 11,000 for a small tub. The spa’s signature treatment is the blissful 4-hands massage, carried out by masseurs specially trained by the spa’s charming French manageress.
Accommodation
Executive Suite
These huge, apartment-style suites have all the visitor could possibly want, except maybe an Asian feel. Dark colours were used to decorate these rooms, in order to appeal to older visitors. Whilst the décor is tasteful it is, however, somewhat somber.
Cabana Rooms
These pool access rooms have personal Jacuzzis on their verandahs and are popular with honeymooners.
Prices
The above rates are net per room per night and inclusive of service charge and breakfast for 2 people.
