Laya Resort Phuket

The rooms are gorgeous, especially the bathrooms, and the maids did a fantastic job every day. Restaurant and bar staff were lovely, and the beach shuttles and the concierges running them all day were great. We ate well, but there was only a breakfast buffet and one dinner buffet per week. Sometimes drinks took up to 40 minutes to arrive, and plated meals were slow too, though the food was nice once it came. The pools felt too small for the number of guests, and there weren’t enough sunbeds. Evenings were a bit dull with no entertainment, and there’s not much locally unless you take the bus. We also arrived tired and hungry, but all-inclusive didn’t start until we got our room at 3pm, and we were asked to pay extra for food. We were charged for minibar items too, although we were all-inclusive, and the terms didn’t say these weren’t included. Even so, our holiday was fantastic because we explored a lot of Thailand. Knowing what to expect, I’d definitely go back.

The beach is just a short walk away, so it was easy to head down to the sea whenever I felt like it. Breakfast was another treat, with lots of fresh, tasty options to choose from each morning. The staff made the stay especially good: warm, professional, and always ready to help with a smile. I had a wonderful time here and felt they really looked after my comfort.

The rooms are beautiful, which was one bright spot. The service, though, was exceptionally poor across the front office, waiting staff, and housekeeping. At reception, staff would seem occupied even when I was standing right in front of the counter, so I had to get their attention myself. Room cups weren’t washed unless I specifically asked. I know English isn’t their first language, but some basic communication would help. At the pool, the crew were busy playing snooker, and getting service meant pushing in instead of waiting with what I’d consider normal manners. This visit changed my view of service in Asian countries, especially Thailand, or at least Phuket. The morale across the service staff seemed very low.

Breakfast was nice, though a few of the flavours could use improvement. What really stood out was the housekeeping: the room stayed spotless, fresh, and well cared for, and the attention to detail was excellent. Special thanks to the housekeeping team and manager for their outstanding work. We also enjoyed the service and atmosphere throughout the resort, and had a very nice stay at Laya Resort Phuket. We’d be happy to come back.