Phuket Seaview Resotel

The staff were the highlight for me, outstanding. The lobby and pool have a tropical oasis feel, and the hotel is less than a block from the beach, convenient for getting around. My room was simple but suited me well, with loads of storage, and the pool is long enough for laps. A nearby bar gets very loud from 8 to midnight, so that's a problem if you're in for the evening. The bed is very firm, though I slept well. The price was good when I visited in low season.

Our stay was going okay until the night front desk worker started shouting at our driver for parking in a spot in front of the lobby. We had only gone to collect our bags and came back less than 30 seconds later. He was lunging toward her, so I stepped between them. She was much smaller than him, around 105 lb. The behavior was unhinged, and I hope management checks the camera footage and holds him responsible. The rooms and facilities were fine, and the other staff and housekeepers were friendly enough. The pool's back area is run down and could use some care.

The Deluxe Studio was spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the large balcony and clothes storage were handy. They cleaned the room daily and left a free bottle of water. The pool is a good size, and the bath had a tub with soap and shampoo provided. It's close to restaurants and the beach, though boats fill this beach so it's not really for swimming. Other beaches are about a 10 minute drive away. Good value for a budget stay, and I'd come back. A few things could be better: the towels, especially pool towels, are old, and the pool loungers have broken, worn mattresses. Water pressure is weak in the daytime. There's no do-not-disturb sign, so cleaners may wake you, unless you ask reception to arrange a later clean. Also, the pillows seemed to be changed every day, so the arrangement was never quite the same.

There's no breakfast service, but the wifi is strong and the hotel pool stays open until 21.00. Lots of people seem to stay here for long stretches, even a year. The seafood market is a five-minute walk away. The hotel is right by the Rawai sea embankment, with a nice view and boats to the islands close by. You can't really swim there, it's too shallow and crowded with boats. Yunai beach is a 30-minute walk or a 5-7 minute taxi ride, 200 baht by car or 50 baht by taxibike (2025). NaiHarn beach is recommended too.