Karona Resort and Spa Phuket

Love the nice and cosy resort...and its a stone´s throw away from the lovely beach!Away from the hustle and bustle of Patong beach.

It´s my 6th time in Phuket, so have stayed at a number of Hotels around the whole island on my previous visits, but my 1st time at Karona Resort...I was at this hotel in November 2006...My overview of the hotel is it´s close to a Superior 3*/4*..First impression of the hotel is good, would probably call it more of a boutique hotel and looks really tropical and lovely..Location is great and it´s enterance is on a side road just off the main Karon Beach road, literally 2 min walk to the main Karon Beach so it is NOT beachfront but is within easy walking distance, with a number of restaurants and plenty of shops, massages etc also within easy walking distance of the hotel, very close to the south end of Karon going into Kata area, so best of both..My room was ready at check-in, which was quick & easy and I received an ice cold face cloth and welcome drink on arrival, which was lovely in the scorching heat..I booked a Deluxe Pool View Room which had a double + a single bed in it..The room itself was absolutely stunning, colourful, beautiful, tiled, smelt so fresh and clean, not much cupboard space..Room was definitely a decent size room, with stunning bathroom facilities with a huge shower only, no bath, had the basin in the enterance of the room which was very different, very spacious, neat and tidy..Pretty high tech room with all that you need, fridge, air con, tv etc..Hotel is L-shaped and looks onto 2, two tiered pool areas, which is designed around the rooms, reception and dining area, very pretty, with ample lounges and umbrell´a for the guests, so there is plenty space to laze around the pool at this hotel although they are all on top of each other, so not very private..So the plan is obviously to rather hit the beach which is a 2min stroll from the hotel where you can hire a lounge and umbrella for a day..Breakfast was fair and very basic as are all the hotels in Phuket..I´d definitely stay at this romantic little hotel again but only for a few nights and probably move onto another area which is of the same standard hotel, but possibly more beachfront..It is a higher priced Hotel but the service and staff are all extremely friendly greeting you every chance they get, which is great to see, compared to other hotels I have stayed at in Phuket, Hotel has great room facilities and getting around Karon is within an easy walk or quick tuk/tuk ride to the main Karon or Kata shopping, restaurant area and a quick walk to the beach..November is a great time to visit, however Karon area was fairly busy, packed with tourists, so if you like the quieter side of a holiday maybe think of visiting a quieter area..Beaches are great but also busy, calm and very warm sea, it´s very hot and very little rain..Love Phuket and will be back in 2007...