Countdown to a beach Luxury Escape to the Cape via Katong and Karon

[Flyfrequently]

Countdown now for another flop 'n drop trip for us to evade Victoria's chilly +/- wet miserable July weather.

Enticed by a DSC in February, I looked at Melbourne to Singapore via Sydney with no real plan of where our destination would be - as usual!

As PC+ & WP I was hoping to burn some points and have F seats released - yeah/nah.
Plan B, purchase revenue J and request upgrade to F

I don't have Expert Flyer, but with kind AFF folk who had looked at my dates, I booked and live in hope of a little bit of A380 Luxury.

Now 4 days our from our flight, the countdown is on, so hoping to get "The Text" over the weekend

Need to disclose, I do have inside Intel thanks to my Favourite Nephew (Pilot) loads are favourable for an upgrade.

 

[Flyfrequently]

So putting aside the "where to" I first had to work out our J CR June trip to CGK.
This took us to Bali to enjoy some beautiful weather.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Ok, back to planning.
I first check out Accor properties as I'm Explorer Platinum.
Weather - Mmm, mostly humid in SE Asia with tropical showers anywhere within coo-ee of Singapore, but then again beats bleak Melbourne 11°

With a delays occasionally happening with QF1, decided on 2 nights in Singapore - give me a pool and a Lounge and I'm happy.
Having stayed at Village Hotel Katong before knowing we like the area and easy to get around should we choose to, settled on Grand Mercure Roxy.

Next stop, and Thailand came on my radar.
I recalled my trips of 50+ years ago to Bangkok, Pattaya and a motor cycle accident that had me gun-shy about returning, until we spent Mr Flyfrequently's birthday in Koh Samui 2 years ago, which we both enjoyed.

My ever helpful (lounge pass begging) sister, Party Aunty, suggested coughet.
A few days in Karon and then across to Cape Panwa, and I am back on to the Accor App sussing out hotels.

 

[Flyfrequently]

With only 35 days between trips, I get cracking with YouTube and TripAdvisor reviews.
Often we know where we don't want to stay, so Katong in Singapore was an easy decision as was Karon Beach in coughet.
Having seen the seedy side of Pattaya decades ago, Patong is not even considered.

Party Aunty's suggested hotel at Cape Panwa is over ridden by Pullman coughet Panwa Beach Resort.

Hotels chosen, now, to get from SIN to HKT and back.

This journey girl has decided "comfort over cost" and splurge ridiculous $ on return ~120 minute flights. No argument from Mr Flyfrequently as long as he can bring a guitar, he's happy.
Flights and hotels booked.

And then of course, I change my mind.

I spot an email touting a Luxury Escapes deal to Cape Panwa - yep, Pullman.
My only experience with LE was back in winter of 2020 and we all know what happened then.
It took many months to get our refund and since then, being the catastrophiser that I am, I book fully refundable hotels.

The LE deal is cheaper than my Accor app booking, includes massages, coughtail hour, breakfast and choice of lunch or dinner.
A no brainer really and with TI pre existing sorted, I feel comfortable with booking LE thanks @Ansett Nostalgic

With Pilot Nephew's Dad, my brother who has proclaimed to be his own version of Expert Flyer, I get weekly updates on my upgrade

It is now early Saturday morning and T-81 (not that I am counting down) but