Shanti Lodge Phuket

I came to dive with Sea Bees at Ao Chalong pier, so the location worked well for me. For other places, though, you'd need transport. I ventured up to the main road a few times, but the fast four-lane traffic and lack of sidewalks made it scary. It seemed like drivers were going about 20 km/h over the limit, close to 70 km/h there. I stayed 10 days at Shanti/Oasis guest house. “Guest house” seems to mean somewhere between a hostel and a hotel. The lush grounds have a handmade running pond and a lovely pool, and they spray for mosquitoes. I didn't get bitten during my stay. The atmosphere is bohemian, with older travelers like me and young kids around. The music was nice too, soft jazz with morning coffee and Bob Marley in the afternoon. My “traditional room” had fewer amenities and a shared bathroom, but I was glad it had air conditioning and supplied drinking water. The mattress was firm without being hard. I'd read complaints about noise from adjoining rooms, but I was in 107, at the end beside the shared bathroom, and didn't hear other rooms. Kids ran in the hall a couple of nights, but it wasn't a big deal. I found the focus on weed amusing, though it had annoyed a couple of reviewers. It's legal here, and the place has even changed its name from “Shanti Lodge” to “Oasis by 420.” I didn't partake, so I can't speak to the quality. Bring hangers, since my room had no closet or armoire. I was also glad to have a knife and fork and spoon for cutting bananas from the shop around the corner. The staff were all lovely and friendly, and they can bring food to your room. The restaurant was good and convenient, with Thai and Western choices. Tips are welcome but not required, and I think they're pooled because there's a box on the counter. At my request, my room was cleaned twice, with fresh curtains too, which was enough for me. The groundskeepers looked after the pool and surrounding areas every morning. I had three wonderful Thai massages while there, one after my 25-hour journey and two after diving days. They cost more than at the beach, but the convenience made them worthwhile. The room didn't have a closet or armoire, so hangers would be useful. Management might want to clean the shared bathroom twice a day. There were enough misses to make that worthwhile, and for my first two days one toilet had no paper. I also agree with the reviewer who suggested a full-length mirror.

There were four of us friends staying at Shanti Lodge on our Phuket trip, and it was such a peaceful, enjoyable experience. It felt calm, clean and welcoming. The cafe server was so kind and polite, always greeting us with a smile, and the owner helped us out in lots of ways. I felt comfortable and well looked after. Highly recommend it if you want a quiet stay in Phuket. 🌿✨

The pool and surroundings felt welcoming, and the staff were super friendly. Our spacious traditional room was quite noisy, though. We could hear a lot of the street and people nearby. It's a little away from the main attractions, but easy enough to reach by car.

Everyone was incredibly welcoming during my December stay. They have friendly dogs and cats, and the reception has a lovely porch feel. There's a small pool too. On our last day they gave us fresh coconuts, and they helped arrange a taxi to the airport in the middle of the night. A special thanks to our 2001 friend for being so kind.