Tri Trang Beach Resort

Tri Trang Beach Resort is a cheery jumble of multicolored buildings that lack a uniform look. The lobby is bordered in  Crayola-colored glass panels that clash with the far more somber dark wicker seats with burgundy cushions. Other buildings in the hotel also seem to be divorced from each other, as some sport the same rainbow-bright glass panels where others are painted in range pastel colors and still others are a subdued rose-and-white. Still, most guests aren’t focused on this but looking out toward the ocean, which is shown off to dramatic effect. The lobby opens onto a patio with some covered picnic tables that look over the waves and the stretch of sand just below. The restaurant, on the ground floor, gets even closer, with some tables set out on the sand itself. This beach, which is cleaner and quieter than its neighbor in Patong, is the very reason most guests select this property.The resort is set in the Tri Trang Beach area, and it draws a different guest than the hotels just north in Patong -- the party-hardy capital of Phuket. Here, guests are early to rise, active throughout the day, and calmer at night. (Quite the opposite of Patong, where younger guests are drawn to the area’s nightlife and tend to sleep in.) It’s an atmosphere that’s particularly appealing to families, and the property accommodates them by offering enormous rooms with plenty of space for extra beds and two kiddy pools. It’s not as suited for those with mobility issues, however, as the property is set across several levels connected by multiple sets of stairs.Compared to some of its newer neighbors, Tri Trang is an older hotel, and it shows. Wear and tear throughout include musty elevators, dingy floor tiles, and discolored loungers. That said, many guests happily overlook this for the inexpensive rates and the location.

The resort is set right up against Tri Trang Beach, a narrow but long stretch of sand. This area is just south of all the hustle of Patong, an up-all-night beach town that’s chock full of restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, and a glut of people. By comparison, the Tri Trang area is far more peaceful. On the downside, apart from the beach, there’s not much in walking distance, save for the neighboring beach club and a few little shops in the area here and there. (Some guests complain that they end up spending all their money on taxis taking them into town.) The hotel does operate a free shuttle that can deliver guests to Patong and the local shopping center of Jungceylon in about 12 minutes. Other nearby attractions in driving distance include Paradise Beach, which is an eight-minute drive away. Phuket's dazzling Wat Chalong temple is a 33-minute drive away and the famed Big Buddha statue is a 46-minute drive. Phuket International Airport is an hour's drive away.

Rooms at the Tri Trang are simply presented with white walls, light tile floors, and platform beds. Decorative touches are minimal -- apart from a few carvings, walls are left unadorned. Old-fashioned warm-wood furniture includes writing desks and wardrobes. Rooms are relatively well equipped with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, electric kettles with tea/coffee, safes, hairdryers, umbrellas, and free bottled water. All rooms have balconies furnished with white plastic table-and-chair sets. Standard Rooms have partial sea views while all others offer stunning full-on views of the water.Bathrooms vary by room category. Some have modern granite countertops and rectangular sinks. Others have dated ‘60s-style pink tile around the showers. But all come stocked with basic individual toiletries.Rooms are divided into three categories. Standard Rooms are the smallest at 110 square feet (34 square meters); these only have showers in the bathrooms. Superior Rooms add more space and robes and slippers. Deluxe Rooms bump up the space even more and are set with an extra twin bed along with the usual double bed; these also add separate soaking tubs to the bathrooms. Junior Suites are the largest at 180 square feet (55 square meters). The latter two categories are large enough that they can easily fit extra beds on request, a boon for families. 

By far the most beloved feature of this hotel is its beach. It’s a narrow, long stretch of sand, and it’s clean and quiet compared with neighboring Patong Beach. It’s also offers calmer water for swimming. The restaurant is set right against the sand, and a few picnic tables are set out right by the water. The property can also arrange romantic dinners for guests out here.For dining, the resort's restaurant serves all meals, including a breakfast buffet with all the standard dishes, such as an egg station, fresh fruits, juices, coffee and tea, and pastries, along with a few Asian and Russian dishes as well. Breakfast is always included in room rates. The hotel also has two bars, one on the restaurant’s terrace that can serve drinks by the beach, another in the lobby, which also serves coffee drinks. Notably, there’s no poolside bars.The property has three pools and two kiddy pools. These aren’t large or lavish, but they do provide enough room for guests to splash around (most guests opt to swim around in the ocean, so these don’t get overly crowded). White plastic loungers bordered the pools, though some of these are looking a touch worn. On-site activities are frequent and include karaoke and jam sessions with live musicians. Every Saturday night, the resort throws a beach party. Movies are also projected at night by the beach for alfresco films. A massage venue at the resort has a bank of massage tables for treatments such as Thai massage, and several cushy armchairs give a place to plonk down for a foot massage as well. Another covered space down by the beach is set with massage tables, too, for those that want to be kneaded in the open sea air. There’s also a fitness center on site with a handful of cardio and weight-lifting machines, including treadmills and bikes, but the room feels rather neglected and musty and the machines look a decade out of date. A better way to break a sweat is to go for a run on the beach or use the volleyball net there.The property has a massive meeting room on the premises that can fit 150 people. It has its own dedicated bar and the resort can provide food and drink service here. Wi-Fi is free throughout.The hotel provides free shuttle bus service to Patong and a local shopping center. Airport transfers can also be arranged for a fee.