As if food in Thailand isn't cheap already, how about free food? Every Wednesday and Friday at 4:00PM, Ark Bar and Resort puts on a free BBQ buffet to "Give something back" to their regular and new guests.
The hotel and bar area has expanded quite a bit since we last visited in 2011 and has added a new pool with a DJ station overlooking both the pool and the beach area. The hotel/beach bar is known to have the best beach parties on Chaweng beach and they get the party started at 2:00 PM until late night with a great music system and booze laden drinks.
The beach is lined up with a younger clientele of sun worshipers, mostly in the age group between 20-35 who have already had a few drinks. The staff is eager to please and quickly brings umbrellas and menus upon requests.
Many beach hawkers are prepared to sell you anything from bikinis, cover ups, ice cream, jewelry, hats, ice cream etc.
We're suckers for freshly grilled corn on the cob and fresh cut fruit. Of course they try to rip us off, and of course I try to haggle. In the end, I've parted with a buck.
We spent most of the day relaxing, wading, drink beer and reading on the beach.
4 PM came and they made the announcement. Free all you can eat BBQ..but you gotta buy a drink! That was no problem, we've already bought beers and Pina Colodas so we were all set. We walked to the BBQ station with our half full drinks and got in line.
There were 3 servers so the line went by pretty quick.
The food was pretty much the same as our last trip in 2011. Don't get me wrong, it was still tasty. There were 3 rice dishes, one noodle dishes, fried chicken wings, fried eggrolls, 3 types of grilled chicken, a beef dish, a pork dish, potatoes, sweet and sour chicken and vegetables, bread and a few salad, fruit and sauces. The best part, it was FREE!
It was a great way to chill out and enjoy the afternoon but when the sun goes down, that's when the real party beings.
The hotel and bar area has expanded quite a bit since we last visited in 2011 and has added a new pool with a DJ station overlooking both the pool and the beach area. The hotel/beach bar is known to have the best beach parties on Chaweng beach and they get the party started at 2:00 PM until late night with a great music system and booze laden drinks.
The beach is lined up with a younger clientele of sun worshipers, mostly in the age group between 20-35 who have already had a few drinks. The staff is eager to please and quickly brings umbrellas and menus upon requests.
Many beach hawkers are prepared to sell you anything from bikinis, cover ups, ice cream, jewelry, hats, ice cream etc.
We're suckers for freshly grilled corn on the cob and fresh cut fruit. Of course they try to rip us off, and of course I try to haggle. In the end, I've parted with a buck.
We spent most of the day relaxing, wading, drink beer and reading on the beach.
4 PM came and they made the announcement. Free all you can eat BBQ..but you gotta buy a drink! That was no problem, we've already bought beers and Pina Colodas so we were all set. We walked to the BBQ station with our half full drinks and got in line.
There were 3 servers so the line went by pretty quick.
The food was pretty much the same as our last trip in 2011. Don't get me wrong, it was still tasty. There were 3 rice dishes, one noodle dishes, fried chicken wings, fried eggrolls, 3 types of grilled chicken, a beef dish, a pork dish, potatoes, sweet and sour chicken and vegetables, bread and a few salad, fruit and sauces. The best part, it was FREE!
It was a great way to chill out and enjoy the afternoon but when the sun goes down, that's when the real party beings.