Sawaddi Patong Resort & Spa by Tolani

The beautiful facilities at Sawaddi Patong Resort were great, but the service really made my trip special. Fon and Jo were so welcoming and helpful throughout my stay, and went above and beyond to make me feel at home. I had an absolutely wonderful time and highly recommend this resort to anyone visiting Phuket.

The staff were lovely, the hotel and facilities were great, and breakfast was fine. I chose the place hoping for a peaceful stay, so the paper thin walls were a real letdown. On my first night, after a 23 hour journey to Phuket, neighbours were blasting music at 11pm. Reception sent someone up and it stopped for an hour, then started again and woke me. The second night was quiet, but on the third, guests on the other side shouted in the corridor, slammed a door, dragged chairs, and talked loudly in their room around 11:30pm. It was so clear I felt like I was in there with them. I know inconsiderate guests aren't really the hotel's fault, but I'm on my own for five more nights and hope it improves. Some signs asking people to respect their neighbours and keep the noise down might help. A guard checking the halls every half hour after a certain time could be another idea. I'm typing this close to midnight, wide awake again after being woken by the noise. The hotel is lovely, which makes it a shame that the sound is affecting my sleep. Rest matters most to me on holiday, so I only gave it two stars and I'm not sure I'd book here again.

I had an enjoyable, relaxing holiday, but this place has definitely lost some of its touch since my previous visit. The staff outside reception were great, and our second room, number 1215, was lovely with a huge balcony. Getting there took two days: the first room had rowdy neighbours, and staff were doing repairs next door early and late. Reception was slow to respond and could come across as uncaring before they eventually moved us. The rooms are dated but adequate. Cleaning felt like a quick pass: dust and hair stayed, mirrors were stained each day, and tea, coffee, shampoo and other supplies often weren't topped up. In the new building our room sometimes still wasn't finished by 5 or 6pm. The cleaner on level 6 seemed badly overworked. Breakfast was a disappointment compared with a few years ago. There wasn't much variety, and the food was often bland, perhaps because they cater to different nationalities. Up to five dishes were empty each morning, and we had to ask several times for eggs and noodles to be replenished. The breakfast area also seemed short staffed, with dirty or messy tables and little tasks left undone. They could put the eggs at the egg station and free up room for more dishes. It gave us the impression they were trying to cut back on staff and other things. The TV reception was weak, and the shower in the newer rear building had pressure and hot and cold water problems. By morning the pool area hadn't been cleaned, with cocktail glasses and cigarette ash and butts still on the tables. The price has doubled since my last stay, which I'm okay with, but comfort and service haven't kept up. Also, check-in requires a 3,000 baht deposit. It isn't mentioned anywhere, so have cash ready.

Breakfast was amazing, the room was great, and the staff were so kind and attentive. Fon at the service desk was especially helpful. The shower kept swinging from very hot to cold and back again, which cost it a star.