Golden Palms Hotel And Spa

Breakfast was a terrible experience: the food quality was poor, an event had made it overcrowded, and regular guests could barely find a seat. The front desk offered little or no help despite repeated complaints. There were power cuts every 5-10 minutes, too. I chose this resort hoping for a relaxing premium stay based on its advertised facilities. The pure vegetarian restaurant listed on the booking page, one of the main reasons I booked, was closed for renovation. The spa and several other facilities were also being renovated, with no warning to guests. Beds and other items were left outside guest rooms, which felt unacceptable for a place sold as a 5-star resort. The standards and facilities fell well short of what was advertised. It wasn't worth the price, and I wouldn't recommend it.

The breakfast menu and service were good, and the pool, play area, greenery, and rooms around the pool are nice features. The property was thoughtfully built, but maintenance is poor. I stayed in room A-156. The Wi-Fi was unreliable, which mattered because mobile reception was weak, and each network needed a different login and password. In the bathroom, the old wall and floor stains need an acid wash; shower holes were blocked, the hand shower didn't work properly, and the fittings need repair or replacement. The towels and sheets looked very old and heavily used, despite being dark-coloured even though they were white. The hot-water kettle had a broken lid. There were visible mosquitoes in the room, and the repellent was nearly empty. Pool cleaning wasn't good either, leaving me unsure whether the water is recycled every day.

The battery-operated transport around the property was efficient and appreciated. Everything else about our corporate group visit was deeply disappointing for the amount we paid, and I wouldn't return. The rooms looked dated and badly maintained. Bathrooms were worn, mattresses had damaged springs sticking out, and the faded linen and pillows seemed old. Food quality was poor, especially the fish at lunch and dinner. Several people in our group had stomach problems after eating, and I developed severe gastritis and needed medical treatment immediately after leaving. The pool also had visible fungal growth and cleanliness concerns, despite ongoing cleaning. Indoor recreation areas were extremely hot and uncomfortable because most weren't air-conditioned; equipment and facilities looked neglected. The resort's check-in and check-out times felt restrictive and reduced the value of the stay. Guests who are particular about halal food may want to ask about preparation and sourcing before dining. Some group members said they heard crying and screaming near their room at night and felt uncomfortable enough to move rooms. There may be an explanation, but it added to an already unpleasant visit. I suggest inspecting the rooms and facilities before booking, especially if you're used to 4-star or 5-star properties. For what we paid, we could have found much better accommodation elsewhere. This is only my personal account, shared without ill intent.

The property has a lot of space and a grand layout, which is its one bright spot. The place is going to waste because the upkeep and hospitality are so poor. Our AC vents were packed with dust and barely worked. The hairdryer, telephone, and bathroom fixtures were all old and worn. Staff were reactive rather than helpful: guards watched us struggle to park, and reception never mentioned the buggy service, so we had to walk a long way in the hot sun to find our room. The restaurant was the last straw. The food was overpriced and low quality, and staff ignored the phone even while standing beside it.