Nirvana Inn Patong

It felt like being in jail, with the reception guy always stuck in there. Just behind the rooms, there’s a cheaper place that’s way better.

It’s a good-value hotel with a helpful, pleasant staff, though many of them don’t speak English. Usually there’s at least one English-speaking person on site. I had a desk, mini fridge, strong internet, coffee, and a kettle in my room, and it was all very clean. The place was pretty quiet, apart from the odd bit of noise from the hallway. Downstairs there’s an Indian and Italian restaurant. The beach is about a five-minute walk away, and several restaurants on the main strip are just minutes away. I stayed five nights and had a very pleasant visit.

The quiet little neighborhood suited us well. We asked for a room with a view and got one, and it felt like a peaceful escape from the busy town. The main attractions weren’t far, though, and you can rent a bike if you don’t want to walk. There’s a family Mart and a laundry service less than five minutes away on foot. We booked a bike through the owner with someone they knew. The price was similar to what we’d seen elsewhere, and it saved us the trouble of going out to find one. We also asked about a nearby massage place and went there. The massage was genuinely good, and the place was clean, unlike the sort you find downtown. This is a budget hotel, but the service felt five-star. It’s run by an Italian and Thai couple, and even though we paid very little, they made up our bed and brought fresh towels every day. Coming back after a long day of travel to a neat, clean room felt great. The whole hotel was spotless, and the king-size bed was more than enough space for my husband and me. Breakfast was excellent. Food in Phuket is relatively expensive, so the price felt average, but the portions were worth it, and the coffee was wow. There’s no kettle in the room, but when we asked for hot water, they kindly lent us one to take upstairs. Everything worked out really well, and we felt at home. For what we paid, it was worth more than five stars. We couldn’t have asked for more.

The staff were friendly, arranged a scooter for us, and the receptionist pointed us to Patong’s hidden gems with clear directions on a map. I can’t remember his name, but he was very helpful. The owner, Vincenzo, also let us check in early in the morning and was a big help. Our rooms were clean and spacious, with great features, including a fridge to keep drinks cold. We stayed two nights, and it was close to Patong’s hotspots. I’d recommend it to anyone after a budget hotel with good service.