Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa

Facilities: This was our first time bringing our child to Phuket. We initially booked The Emerald in Karon, but then I read reviews saying that while it was new, the pool felt a bit cramped between the two buildings. So, I checked out more reviews and decisively switched to the established Old Phuket Karon Beach Resort, which has a more resort-like vibe! It boasts a super large pool water park, and there's even a dedicated children's area with a small water slide 🛝 for toddlers, which is fantastic! Cleanliness: As an older five-star hotel, the decor is a bit dated, so the rooms feel a little old, but overall cleanliness is quite good. There were no issues with small animals or anything like that, unlike some online reviews suggested. Environment: As always, I've attached pictures; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Service: The front desk service was excellent. We booked island hopping tours daily, and they picked us up at the front desk each day. On the first day, I was unfamiliar with the area and worried about finding the driver, so a staff member proactively helped us check our itinerary and contacted the driver via phone to clarify things in Thai! Thumbs up! One more thing I absolutely must mention: The Old Phuket Karon Beach Resort's location is arguably the most convenient in the Karon area. Right outside, there's a small commercial street with massage parlors, fruit stalls, Thai food, and seafood – everything you could want! Plus, turn right out of the hotel and walk just 30 meters, and you're at the stunning Karon Beach in minutes. There's also a 🚌 bus stop right outside that goes to Phuket Town, which is much more convenient than Centara Karon Resort Phuket!

When we arrived, it was already past midnight. They put us in a room in Building 1 facing the street. I had to ask them to change it the next day, even though I had already requested a quiet room away from the ends when I booked. It's a good thing they eventually sorted it out. Breakfast wasn't anything special, but it filled us up. The hotel's spa cost 1999 baht for two, with many packages to choose from. We picked the Thai massage + essential oil, which lasted an hour and a half. Later, we went to the biggest massage place across from the hotel, the one with the orange uniforms. Their foot massage was much better value at 300 baht for an hour.

I think this hotel really depends on the price you pay. If you're visiting during the off-season and get it for 300-400 baht a night, you'll be pleasantly surprised – it's an absolute steal, offering incredible value for money. But if you're paying over 800 baht, you might be a little disappointed. First off, the hotel's location is super convenient. It's easy to get to the beach, and there are plenty of dining options nearby, along with a 7-Eleven, pharmacy, massage places, and fruit shops. Secondly, the hotel pool is fantastic! It has slides for kids, both big and small, catering to all ages, so you can have a blast playing in the water even if you don't go to the beach. The facilities are all good, not as old as some reviews might suggest. Breakfast is decent; they have bread, eggs, noodles, and vermicelli, so you'll definitely fill up. The rooms are also fine, comparable to a 200-300 RMB hotel in China – pretty clean, simple, and functional. The hot water supply is ample and consistent, no sudden temperature changes. The air conditioning is very strong, almost too cold. AC here is generally set very low, so I had to set it to 27 degrees Celsius at night to avoid feeling too chilly. As for service, the staff are all very friendly and welcoming. I didn't experience any of the discrimination mentioned in some reviews. Overall, it's great value for money. If you're on a budget, go for it – 300-400 baht a night is definitely worth it!

I had emailed beforehand requesting a high-floor connecting room. When I checked in before 12 PM on the day of arrival, they gave me a connecting room on the 4th floor of Building 1, located in the middle. The room and bed were both very spacious. I asked the front desk if I could get a room in Building 4, but they said my booking was for a pool view room, which wouldn't be noisy. In reality, Building 1 faces the street, and there was a lot of motorcycle and music noise at night. The rooms on the pool view side were better, but if you're a light sleeper, you'd still hear it. Earplugs solved the problem for me. Breakfast was not crowded when I went around 8 AM. The restaurant closer to the front desk had a wider variety of options. Dining nearby is very convenient; the 7-Eleven was very busy, and one day they even ran out of ice cups. If you walk out towards the mountain, there's another 7-Eleven that's less crowded. The restaurant to the right of the hotel's main entrance was delicious, with generous portions and beautiful presentation.

The hotel is a bit old, but clean and cozy. It has two water slides that operate from 10 AM to 6 PM. The breakfast buffet is very diverse with delicious food, including fruits, vegetables, pastries, porridges, soups, and cereals – you definitely won't go hungry! Our room was large, with a balcony and a mountain view. Housekeeping and towel changes were daily, and they provide four bottles of drinking water. The pool is warm and clean; there's a large one with the slides and a smaller separate pool with kids' activities.

My child had a blast! 🎉 I could see them playing right downstairs, which completely freed me up.

Beautiful grounds. Clean. The restaurant has good food. Lots of entertainment for kids. Clean pool.