FAQs: The Glasshouse
What time can we arrive at the villa?
Check-in time is 3.00pm (afternoon). We can usually be flexible on check-in time unless there are guests departing on your arrival day. If your flight arrives early in the day, we will do our best to have least one bedroom ready by midday so that you can shower, change and relax around the pool whilst the villa is being prepared for you. Please ask if you’d like a guaranteed early check-in.
What time do we have to leave the villa?
Check-out time is 11.00am (morning). We can be flexible on this unless there are guests arriving on your departure day. Please ask if you’d like a guaranteed late check-out.
Can you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can arrange for any airport transfers you need. Each van can accommodate 8 passengers with luggage and the rate is THB1,200.
Why do you have an electricity allowance and how does it work?
The main factor in the amount of electricity used in the villa is aircon use. To encourage responsible use of resources without limiting guests in the way that they use aircon, we have found that the best way to do this is by including an electricity allowance in the rental price. The amount included will generally cover the running of the house (lighting, hot water, appliances) and pool pump with modest use of aircon. We find it’s sufficient for about 80% of guests. Any use over the allowance is just charged at cost +5%.
How does the chef service work?
We have a small number of tried & tested chefs who can provide the quality of service that Glasshouse guests expect. They charge a fixed daily rate for their service which includes shopping, preparing, serving and clearing up. You can book them for however many days you’d like. The rate is THB2,500 for up to 8 people and THB3,000 for 9 or more people (including children). Ingredients are charged separately.
Our chefs are very accommodating and will generally cook whatever dishes you ask for. Their expertise is in Thai cooking but they can prepare a much broader range of Asian, International and kid-friendly dishes. We can provide a list of Thai dishes for you to choose from if you need some ideas. If you book the chef, it’s best to request the dishes for your first day in advance and you can then discuss with the chef what you’d like to eat on a day to day basis.
The chefs are used to special requests including different levels of spiciness, nut-free (or other allergen-free) dishes, food for diabetics, halal meals, vegetarian and vegan dishes etc.
We are sometimes asked how much the ingredients cost but this depends entirely on the menu and season. The chefs will generally source fresh products from the local markets and packaged products from low-cost supermarkets. If you have a specific budget for food, let our chefs know in advance and they will work within your budget.
You can request the chef service at any time but we recommend booking as early as possible to be sure of their availability. If you do change your plans and need to cancel, we ask for 7 days notice otherwise the service fee will be due.
What other services can you provide?
Khun Pond, our villa manager is only too happy to help with any requests you might have. Most things can be arranged once you’re in Phuket (e.g. massage service) but it helps to provide some advance for some services (e.g. nanny or babysitter).
Is the Glasshouse suitable for Children?
Yes; the majority of our guests are families with children of all ages. We have 3 cots and high chairs for infants and plenty of floor mattresses for kids that can be placed wherever is most convenient for you. We have a Vtech baby audio monitor for guests to use.
Ao Yon and Khao Khad beaches (within 200m of the villa) are both in sheltered bays and don’t have the high waves and rip tides that the west coast beaches experience. This makes them much more suited for kids to swim all year round.
There are a couple of child-safety related things to note. Firstly, the floor in the living area is marble and gets slippery when wet. Also, there is no barrier separating the pool from the rest of the outside space, which is standard in Thailand.
Is the villa wheelchair and/or elderly friendly?
The main living area is on the upper ground level that’s accessed with a flight of stairs. Once on that level, the poolside bedroom/bathroom is easily accessible (2 steps up and 2 steps down).
Can we host our event at the Glasshouse?
We’ve hosted a broad range of events at the Glasshouse from yoga retreats to weddings, from simple to lavish. The pool patio area with the stunning views across Chalong Bay to Big Buddha makes for a private, romantic and intimate setting for any celebration. We work with an excellent event organiser who can coordinate all the services you need for your event. Please contact us to discuss your dreams and needs and we will do our best to make your event as perfect as it can be.
Can you arrange tours, day trips, island hopping etc?
For any tours or day trips, we recommend the services of Heike from South East Asia Dreams. Her contact is:
http://www.southeastasiadreams.com/packages/thailand/phuket/
It’s best to contact her as early as possible, especially for any trips that involve chartering a boat as these can get booked up in high season
What’s the best way to get around?
There are plenty of local taxis including an excellent service at the bottom of our driveway. They can help with anything from a short run to the shops, a night on the town, to a day trip around the island.
There’s no real public transport in Phuket. Whilst it’s possible to rent a car or motorbike, it’s worth keeping in mind that the accident rate in Phuket is extraordinarily high.
Are pets allowed?
We don't usually allow guests to bring their pets. However, if you do have a pet you'd like to bring, please discuss with us before confirming your booking.
Can we stay at the Glasshouse for our hen/stag gathering?
Based on previous experience, we no longer accept bookings for hen, stag, bachelor, bachelorette or graduation gatherings.