Mercure Hotels in Amphoe Klaeng

Whenever Mercure takes over a property, one can always be assured of transformation for the better. This is not the first Mercure “revamped” resort in Thailand I had been to. This spot was once a locally run beachfront resort called Lom Talay. Translated it means sea breeze. Everything here has now been entirely renovated, reconstructed and enhanced to a level that you never know it was once the site of a tried resort that had seen better days. The pool had been re-cladded, beautified and now features jacuzzi sections. The landscaping completely redone. The accommodations are now ultra-modern, you can find so many USB charging ports in your room you can combine them to charge your Tesla. They have in total just over 50 rooms, so this resort still retains solitude vibes for one that seeks a quieter seaside retreat. According to what’s known, there is a second phase coming, expanding the resort with another hundred plus rooms, more restaurants and facilities. How the vibes will be then, remains to be seen. This be a small resort of sorts for now. On popular weekends, parking will have to be 2000 miles away as the front porch will be already full of parked cars. Not to worry, a golf cart is available to ferry guest so that you won’t have to bake in the inferno climate of Thailand. The pool will be mostly empty in the day even when the resort is at full occupancy. This is because Thais only come out in the gentle hours approaching sunset. They don’t like to grill in the sun like foreigners to become red lobsters. That said, there were mostly locals when we were here, I will say only 15% were of overseas origin. The beach is very well maintained, no rubbish strewn around like the resorts further west. The gradient is gentle and reveals critters during the low tide. Dig in the light brown sand a little and plenty of clams can be found. The waves were gentle in March, the clarity of the sea was the I can see my ugly toe-nails in knee deep water type. Not much of a bustle which I like. Occasionally, cheapo jet skis (more of like a jet ski body with an outboard) whizzed by the beach to decapitate unsuspecting guest in the water. Mercure is situated alongside the main road, and just next door is a public beach that separates the resort from a row of rustic seafood restaurants. They don’t’ seem to have changed much over the decades. Live seafood in tanks, and to be guaranteed a good restaurant, just watch out for which has a crowd. The alternative for dining will be in the resort’s lone restaurant in a much trendier setting watching the sunset. This is where breakfast will be served too. On the weekend we were here, there was a seafood BBQ buffet going on. There is a bar on the side of the building for that light after dinner beer chatting deep into the salty night. Breakfast is buffet styled with a good spread of food for a small resort. It was no disappointment. The restaurant had plenty of space to sit all the guests even during the popular hours. T