The Club Residence by Alexanders

I've spent every winter here for the past four years and plan to come again. The pool area is peaceful and pleasant, and my room was clean and lovely. The beach and the stretch of restaurants and bars are about a five-minute walk away.

The rooms are basic but functional, and the shared spaces and pool were kept clean. There are also private rooms available through other websites. This is a basic three-star stay that met my expectations. You can walk to the beach and restaurants, but the hotel sits on Kamala Beach's main road. Rooms facing the road get noisy through much of the night, since Phuket doesn't really sleep. Traffic and city sounds could be an issue if you're not used to them.

This is a set of private one- or two-bedroom apartments, so you take care of things yourself rather than getting hotel service. Some units are nicely updated and well equipped, while others aren't. The standard is good but not luxurious, and the weekly rates are moderate. I'd rent directly from the apartment owners and avoid others; check their Facebook site, "Guests at the Club Residence in Kamala," and ask about availability there. The grounds are a lovely, peaceful oasis, with a swimming pool between the buildings and a green garden with palm trees for shade. It's very central, with restaurants, massage shops, MC rentals, 7 Eleven, taxis, and other things nearby or just around the corner. The lovely beach is a five-minute walk away, and Patong is 10 minutes by car, tuk tuk, or bus.

We really like this apartment. The room is beautiful and spacious, and it's close to the supermarket and beach. It's quiet too. The one thing is, the TV still hasn't been upgraded to a smart TV.