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Owner Story |
Phaisal Lortae – A journey of joyful togetherness.
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“At the beginning of June 2015, my family and I—10 people total—brought our paralyzed mother to Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao for the first time. Before the trip, I was worried that it wouldn't be comfortable for her and that she—or we—would be disappointed.
But throughout the visit, every member of the family, and especially my mother, felt welcomed and received exceptional service and attention. The fantastic staff and facilities at Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao made us feel like we had a second beautiful home. We enjoyed swimming in the pool in our villa, cooking together and being close to mother. It was wonderful to see her so happy – she smiled the whole time! The resort is beautiful and fully equipped.
My mother even mentioned that she’d like to come back next year. It is the kind of trip that my mother can take with us, so it inevitably became the happiest holiday I’ve ever had.”
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Experiencing Moments of Magic | Club Owner Travel Tales |
Anantara Vacation Club is one big happy family! So, it's always interesting to hear about fellow Club Owners' unique holiday experiences. Here we meet Fran McDaniel.
Since becoming Club Owners in October 2011, Fran and David have enjoyed vacations at nine Club Escapes in Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives, plus one Club Resort in Thailand and a spectacular Royal Adventures in the Maldives, created exclusively for Platinum and Royal Club Owners.
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Originally from England, the couple first arrived in Thailand, with their now teenage son and daughter, five years ago as David took over the helm of CFO for Nestle Indochina. Anantara Vacation Club asked Fran to share the family's incredible Club Owner travel tales.
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What attracted you to Anantara Vacation Club?
We were on holiday in Phuket and visited the sales suite. We liked the Anantara brand already and it seemed a good investment; a way to know we would have good quality holidays in the future.
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What has been the highlight of your holiday experiences so far?
Our holiday to Anantara Kihavah Villas through Royal Adventures Programme. At the end of a wonderful holiday, we wanted a later airport transfer. Guest Services organised a sea plane transfer from a neighbouring island and arranged a private motor launch transfer free of charge. On the way, the boat crew spotted some dolphins so we played with them in the water before watching our pick-up flight land in front of us and take us home!.
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Which resort would you recommend for fun family time?
Club Escape at Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa has plenty of activities for the young children and families with teens like us. The bikes on the island were a great way to get around and it was fun to be able to take the boat to Veli Island and to kayak over to Guli Fushi Island for fantastic snorkelling.
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Which vacation have the kids loved the best?
At Club Escape at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, because of the elephants and the stunning scenery there.
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The best meal we have had during a stay was…
when we dined in the underwater restaurant at Anantara Kihavah Villas. Imagine having dinner in a restaurant with fish swimming all around you!
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The most fun we have had during a stay was…
snorkelling with the turtles in the Maldives..
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Tell us what was memorable about your stay at… .
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Club Resort at Anantara Vacation Club Bophut Koh Samui
Being given lanterns to light on the beautiful beach here was really special.
Club Escape at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa
The best experience during this stay was the two day Elephant Polo Tournament…magical!
Club Escape at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa
We loved this resort! So quiet and peaceful. We went to the resort's private island to snorkel during the day and watched the sun go down from the beach house with sunset drinks and some games. Was also great to rent bikes and kayak through the mangrove swamps.
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Club Escape at Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa
We booked a Sunset Over Water Suite for the grown-ups and a Sunset Beach Villa for the kids, which was perfect. We loved the snorkelling, beach volleyball with the staff, kayaking and cycling around the island.
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Club Escape at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa
Living in Bangkok for five years we decided to book a night or two away from the hustle and bustle and spend time down on the river. We had a wonderful meal in Benihana.
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Club Escape at Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
After a long drive from Ho Chi Minh it was wonderful to relax in our own private garden sea view villa. Playing in the sand dunes down the road was really good fun and very unusual!
Club Escape at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
The Hall of Opium Museum across the road is fantastic, as is the wonderful Elephant Camp. The long tail boat up the Mekong was also great.
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Royal Adventures at Anantara Kihavah Villas
Our kids were out of Thailand and we grabbed the chance for a perfect escape for a few days without the children and booked a Royal Adventure in the Maldives, staying in an Over Water Pool Villa. From the minute we stepped off the plane in Male to the minute we left we were treated amazingly well and made to feel like VIP guests. Nothing was too much trouble. As we walked around the resort everyone greeted us by name and the staff seemed to know exactly where we were and what we wanted. We had complimentary bubbles at breakfast and a golf buggy waiting for us when we finished dinner. The day trip on a boat was incredible - snorkelling, stingrays, dolphins and a picnic on a deserted island…so many amazing memories!
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Club Escape at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa
In March this year we stayed right on the banks of the Mae Ping River and watched lovely sunsets. Unfortunately the Colonial House was under renovation at the time.
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How would you describe Anantara resorts in 5 words?
Relaxing, beautiful, tranquil, serene, pampering.
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What are you next holiday plans?
Sky Safari trip, under Royal Adventures Programme, has been booked for the family for Christmas and New Year 2015. We thought we would like to share another amazing Royal Adventure, this time with our children!
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What are your five holiday essentials when you pack for an Anantara Vacation Club getaway?
Swimsuits, sunscreen, sports kit, sunglasses, something to read.
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The best holidays in life are…
those filled with unexpected moments of magic.
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Vacations are…
for the fortunate - don’t take anything for granted!
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