The Title Rawai by Chattha

We booked five nights but are leaving after one. I can’t tell whether it’s the area or the shabby Airbnb that put me off so much. A well-kept room that doesn’t face the back parking area might be alright, I guess, but the main drag out front is less than desirable. This isn’t the Phuket we’ve come to love.

The two-bedroom room was spacious, and housekeeping did a good job. I liked being able to cook my own food, which made it feel like having a residence, and the owner, or perhaps manager, was very friendly. The interior was pretty nice, and there’s a nice pool for kids. The place looks a bit old, and the bicycle service is no longer available. I didn’t mind the ants much, but I saw what seemed to be a cockroach once on the last day, and after that I wanted to leave as soon as possible. The bathroom smelled bad. Housekeeping got rid of it, but it came back after several hours. The male staff were okay, but the female staff member was terrible and needs training.

The pool was a hit with my kids. They had a great time swimming and made new friends there. Our rooms were really comfortable too, and it was a lovely spot for a family holiday. Breakfast in the morning came with a beach view, and at night we enjoyed Tom Yum soup, seafood and beers along the beach path.

For what you pay, this is a great deal. The room has plenty of space, with a living room, bedroom, kitchenette, dining table and a huge fridge. Breakfast comes with the stay, though it wasn't that great. The Seafood market is only a five-minute drive and worth visiting at night. There are also lots of speedboats to nearby islands leaving from the beach just opposite the resort.