Amata Patong

A simple stone walkway lined with sparse bushes and tropical plants leads to the entrance of the Amata Resort, housed in a sprawling, eight-story white building with multiple balconies and small, pitched roofs. Inside, the high-ceilinged lobby feels dated but has a simple charm, with a carved wooden front desk, massive wood columns, and wood and colored-glass paneling along the ceiling. Thai murals line the walls, while other decorative touches -- including bronze statues, flags, and old black-and-white photographs -- dot the room. The Amata Restaurant is similar in style, with simple wood tables and chairs, Thai paintings, and walls lined with wood-paneled windows for ample natural light. Guests tend to be younger and drawn to the party-heavy surrounding streets.

The Amata Resort is located in hectic central Patong, on a busy street lined with restaurants, bars, strip clubs, and massage parlors. Unsurprisingly, noise drifts onto the property day and night, making it a less-than-ideal setting for business travelers and families with children. The popular Jungceylon shopping mall and Bangla Road nightlife area are both within a five- to seven-minute walk, while Patong Beach is a 15-minute walk away. Phuket International Airport takes about 40 minutes to reach by car.

Guest rooms are air-conditioned and simply decorated, with beige tile floors and white walls and bedding. Black and gold bed accents, red-patterned curtains, and colorful fan-shaped wall paintings lend some quirk and flair to the otherwise plain spaces. All rooms have small balconies, minibars, tube-style TVs, and safes that are too small to fit most laptops. Bathrooms are modern and attractive, with black and gray tiling and walk-in showers, plus free toiletries. Some rooms overlook the pool, while others have views of neighboring rooftops and the ocean in the distance. 

The two pools are somewhat small in relation to the size of the resort. The ground-level pool has a kids' area and a hot tub, as well as a small wood bar and white plastic lounge chairs. The rooftop infinity pool, meanwhile, overlooks the city and offers a few simple lounge chairs. The Amata Restaurant has a small bar, and serves American-style buffet breakfast for a small fee, as well as Thai and international cuisine for lunch and dinner; meals can also be taken at the rooftop pool. The tour desk in the lobby can arrange for excursions to nearby islands. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.