562 Patak Road, Karon Beach, Karon, Thailand | (888) 240-0568
Five minutes'
walk from white sands of Karon Beach
Three swimming
pools as well as poolside bar
Higher-floor
rooms have terraces with sunset views
Deluxe rooms have fresh and contemporary finish
Restaurant
serves seafood barbecues
Free Wi-Fi and parking
On-site spa and game room
Massage treatments available
Babysitting services available
Lots of stairs might be issue for mobility impaired
Some areas and
rooms feel dated
Lower-level rooms can suffer
from street noise
BEST WESTERN Phuket Ocean Resort is a mid-range,
240-room holiday complex set on a hillside overlooking the north end of
Phuket's Karon town. Although set on a busy road, the hotel's terraced tropical
gardens are relatively serene and perfect for experiencing sunsets. While the
site’s three swimming pools are impressive, some facilities feel dreary and
dated, and climbing the property's numerous stairs can become a chore.
Ultimately, there's not a lot to get excited about, though the hotel is
perfectly adequate with reasonable rates.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Unpolished but well-maintained complex set in terraced tropical gardens
Upon seeing the hotel's red brick facade and corrugated
plastic roof, arriving at BEST WESTERN Phuket Ocean Resort can be a pretty
underwhelming experience. Stepping inside, however, the lobby is pleasant and
roomy, offering spaces awash with natural woods, wicker furnishings, and potted
plants. The resort's hillside setting means the grounds are a series of terraced areas
connected by sloping footpaths and steep stairways, all set among lush tropical
gardens of palm trees, exotic flowers, and sculpted shrubbery. While most of
the complex is well maintained, the overall feel is leaning towards dated, with
little in the way of panache. Nonetheless, the property is still popular with
vacationers willing to overlook some aesthetic shortcomings for a decent, family-friendly holiday.
Location
Set on busy road overlooking north end of Phuket's Karon Beach
The hotel is set on a busy hillside road overlooking
the north end of Phuket's Karon Beach resort. While it's only about five
minutes by foot to the lovely white sands of the town's beach, the walk back
uphill might be a struggle for some. There are bars and restaurants just
outside the hotel as well as plenty more within walking distance, while the
neighboring resorts of Patong and Kata Beach are both less than 10 minutes away
(in opposite directions) by tuk-tuk or taxi. The area's capital, Phuket City,
is about 25 minutes northeast by car, while Phuket International Airport is almost
an hours' drive to the north. Flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi
Airport take an hour and 15 minutes, in addition to boarding time.
Rooms
Higher-floor rooms have furnished terraces with sunset views -- though lots of stairs
The resort's Deluxe rooms are spacious and
tastefully finished in light tones with natural wood flooring and simple
contemporary furnishings, while lower category Superior units are more
traditionally styled and slightly dated. Bathrooms are little more than
adequate. In-room amenities include large fridges, free Wi-Fi (a bonus for
Thailand), and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. All rooms are air-conditioned
and open onto furnished balconies or terrace areas. While higher-floor units
feature the best sea and sunset views, they require the most step climbing. Low-level
rooms, however, can suffer from street noise.
Features
Three swimming pools with one poolside bar and paddling pool for kids
The hotel features an impressive three
outdoor swimming pools, one with a poolside bar and a small paddling pool for
kids. The Beach Restaurant serves up a free daily buffet breakfast and fresh
barbecued seafood as well as Thai favorites for lunch and dinner. Other
facilities include the on-site Ocean Spa as well as a children's play area,
fitness room, game room with billiards and table tennis, and minimart, though
all feel a bit token and lackluster. Massage treatments are also on hand as are babysitting services for an additional fee. Free Wi-Fi and parking are
available as well.
