PapaCrab Boutique Guesthouse

Papa Crab has a relaxed, welcoming feel, and the staff are a big part of that. They were friendly, attentive, and glad to help, which made the stay feel personal. The place is just a short walk from the beach, with plenty of restaurants nearby, yet the area still feels calm. My room was spotless and comfortable, with stylish decor and an open, warm feel that made it easy to settle in. It’s a lovely boutique place for a laid-back beach stay in Phuket. I’d gladly return and recommend Papa Crab.

The bedrooms were spacious, and shops and Kamala Beach are conveniently close. But we spent a week here as a family with a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old, and it was a disappointing stay. Traffic from the very busy road next to the apartment was extremely loud indoors, especially at night, and our kids struggled to sleep. We asked about changing rooms and were told that wasn’t possible. When we asked to leave two nights early because of the noise, we weren’t offered a refund. The apartments also seem very outdated, and the WiFi was so slow that even basic pages barely loaded. The lighting was poor, and brownish-orange water came from the bathroom tap. We weren’t comfortable bathing the kids in it. We also saw that colored water in the kitchen once (see photo), which didn’t feel hygienic for washing dishes or baby bottles. During the week, we had to ask repeatedly for fresh towels and garbage bags. The price didn’t feel reasonable for what we got. Booking reviews can be misleading because they combine Papacrab Guesthouse with the apartments, which are in different locations. The guesthouse’s high ratings give an overly positive impression of the apartments. I wouldn’t recommend these apartments to families with young children who need quiet for sleep.

Papa crab guesthouse is close to the beach and shops, with great restaurants around and lovely beaches that have a relaxed vibe. The staff were friendly, accommodating, and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. We had a wonderful holiday here, and I’d recommend it to anyone after a relaxing stay with an authentic feel. I’m looking forward to coming back next year.

The owners helped make my proposal here perfect for my little turtle dove, so this place will always mean a lot to me. I couldn’t have chosen a better spot to get on one knee and pledge my heart to my little love muffin. The facilities were really clean, the gardens were well kept, and the staff were very accommodating.