JW Marriott Phuket: Russians are the new Americans

My Delta Skymiles status is really suffering this year. Here it is February already, and I haven't even qualified for Silver Medallion. Contemplating long plane rides has me thinking about Thailand again.

Last year I took an incentive group of 100 to the JW Marriott Phuket, a lovely property that might as well be a Ritz-Carlton. It has the most amazing pools and golden sand that stretches for days in both directions.

The hotel offers a free Thai fire dance show every evening at 5:15 p.m. just off the lobby in the resort's behemoth reflection pool. Petite girls in white Lycra and golden headdresses dance in Martha Graham angular fashion whist bare-chested males pound on drums and breath fire from kerosene-drenched torches.

You better believe I scheduled my cocktail reception in view of the show.  My guests thought I had arranged for and paid for everything.  I love free; and who needs to know? Last year the show ran nightly except Tuesdays and Saturdays.

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Alas, the JW is isolated, and about an hour away from any of the tourist traps of Patong Beach and the southern half of the Island. Our group ended up in in coaches for at least two hours a day which really put a drag on pool time and relaxation.

This May, I'm going to give the Westin Siray Bay a whirl. I toured the Westin twice during construction. The second time, last May, seeing plants shriveling in the sun, and construction muck running down onto the cloudy water of the beach, I had a panic attack. At that point it was of no use. We had already signed a contract.

By now the hotel should be gorgeous. It's close to town and every room as a view of the sea. I hope it works.

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Last year, the JW, and all of Phuket for that matter, were chock full of middle aged Russian men and their twenty-something girlfriends.

One local contact told me how the current Russians influx reminds locals of Americans a few decades ago. According to him, Russians are loud, expect everyone to speak their language, and have a blatant disregard for local customs and modestly norms. He told me how one couple was astonished the police would arrest them for having sex on a public beach. In any case, Russians are traveling more, and spending more. I think everyone is happy about that.

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The food in Thailand is delicious. There are Elephants everywhere. If you don't mind a good sweat, and the longest plane ride of your life, I recommend a visit.