The Marin Phuket

The clean pools and spacious rooms were a plus, and there’s a good gym and a kids’ room. It’s a very new hotel, though the area feels cut off from a lot of places and isn’t well connected. Service could be better. We had to collect towels from reception even while at the rooftop pool, and the staff were just okay. Also, be aware that the 3k deposit is a lot.

The rooftop pool and housekeeping were good, and the hotel’s in a nice location. But I wouldn’t return because the service was such a problem. The lobby and front cafe staff weren’t hospitable; they chatted among themselves and seemed to disregard guests. It felt very different from hotels of a similar price in Bangkok/Chiang Mai. At checkout, I asked for help with the luggage because I had a toddler with me. No one came for 20 minutes. While I waited, they called to say I needed at least five minutes before checkout to settle any charges. I said I was waiting for help with the bags, but still nobody showed up. My wife went to the lobby and saw three bellhops and two receptionists standing there. They sent someone only after she asked again. By then, I’d moved all our luggage into the hallway so I could handle it myself.

The rooftop and ground-floor outdoor pools were a lovely surprise. They’re clean and well designed, with good sound and lighting, plenty of quiet nooks, and spots to join other guests. The LED lights at the bottom of the pool feel a bit magical. Food and alcohol are served poolside. Our room cost €150 a night and had a king-size bed, lots of space, a big bathroom with a tub for two, quiet AC, blackout curtains, and a kitchen area with a mini fridge, sink, microwave, and hot water kettle. It was well lit and the bed was very comfortable. The only thing missing was a nightstand on the left side of the bed. The front desk was lovely, quick, and efficient. Breakfast had a very good mix of Asian and Western favorites, and the shared areas were well designed and maintained. Marin is next to Intercontinental and Novotel, and just a three-minute walk from Kamala Beach, considered the best one in Phuket. Great for a romantic or family trip.

Housekeeping was good, with special thanks to Bee for being professional and attentive to cleanliness. The room lighting was excellent, though the AC unit on the balcony made noticeable noise. The arrival experience fell short of expectations, with a lack of welcome and efficiency at reception. There are two quite different experiences in the “Direct Pool Access” rooms. Those linked to the main pool are bright, have a much nicer view, and feel open and comfortable. The rooms by the rear pool look onto a narrow pool corridor between the room and the outside wall, so the atmosphere feels gloomier and less lively. That doesn’t seem to match what you’d expect from a pool-access category. (see attached photos) The hotel is close to the beach, but getting there means crossing a busy main road with no pedestrian signals (see attachedvideo). This could be a real safety concern, especially with children, so take care.