Benyada Lodge

You can reach the beach in about two minutes, and there’s a little food market right beside it with tasty, affordable meals. The hotel sits a bit away from the busy area, so it stays peaceful, and the staff were warm and helpful. I also liked getting free water and snacks in the room each day. The main drawback was how clearly you can hear people in neighboring rooms, so noisy neighbors could be a problem. Still, the service and location made this a very good hotel.

Finally settled in at Benyada Lodge on Surin Beach. The room felt calm, with herbal aromatherapy, soft yellow lighting, and the curtains already drawn. It’s spacious and nicely decorated, and the beach is only a five-minute walk away. After training, I was looking forward to a soak in the tub. So far, my workout had mostly been hauling heavy luggage up four flights of stairs. My legs were burning, but it was worth it. Benyada is the name of the sweet, friendly lady who runs the lodge.

This was the worst hotel experience I’ve had. The room was awful, and the nephroline smell made me throw up. They wouldn’t refund me, and the other rooms they offered were just as bad. There was roadwork right in front of the hotel too. I felt something was off already at check-in, and I wouldn’t stay here if you want to enjoy Phuket.

A good option if you’re on a budget and want a convenient spot. The beach is about a five-minute walk, and they provide beach towels at no charge. The staff were helpful and even stored our luggage for free on our last day.