Avista Grande Karon Resort & Spa Phuket - MGallery Collection — Hotel in Karon

Our stay at Avista Grand Phuket was nothing short of exceptional—one of the best experiences we've had in years of visiting this beautiful island.

From the moment we walked into the hotel, we were captivated by the stunning interiors. Every corner of the hotel exudes elegance and sophistication, creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and welcoming. However, what truly sets this hotel apart is the staff. They went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable.

A special mention must go to Sindee, the front desk staff member who checked us in. She was incredibly welcoming, accommodating, and made us feel like we were truly valued guests. Her warm, sweet personality left a lasting impression.

Although we don’t dine extensively at the hotel, as Phuket offers a wide array of culinary options, we couldn’t resist indulging in the hotel’s offerings once we saw the exceptional selection available. The meals we enjoyed during our stay were nothing short of outstanding—each dish was prepared with care, showcasing a perfect balance of flavors and quality ingredients.

One of the highlights of our trip, however, was the unforgettable cooking class we arranged for our child. Despite the fact that these classes are typically unavailable on weekends, the team went out of their way to accommodate us. Chef Warida and Chef Yuwatida were nothing short of amazing. Their passion for cooking was evident, and they were incredibly patient and engaging, especially with our little one.

They didn’t just teach a recipe; they made the experience an interactive and fun adventure, full of laughter and learning. It wasn’t just a cooking class—it was a heartwarming, hands-on experience that allowed our child to connect with the art of cooking in a way that will be remembered for years to come. The chefs’ expertise, combined with their genuine enthusiasm, turned a simple culinary lesson into a precious family memory. This was an experience that truly set the hotel apart and made our stay even more special.

One experience that’s truly a must-try at Avista Grand is their afternoon tea. The selection of teas was nothing short of aromatic perfection, and the price and quality were spot-on. The spread was diverse, with both sweet and savory options, and every pastry was fresh and delicious. It’s clear that a lot of care goes into creating such a high-quality experience for guests.

The hotel also made sure our child had a great time. The activities coordinator was wonderful, offering personalized options based on our child’s interests and timing, making sure they had a blast without any stress.

The most touching gesture was when the hotel Staff Kirill acknowledged our anniversary and arranged a surprise cake for us. In an age where many hotels have lost the personal touch, this small but meaningful act was a reminder of the warm, genuine hospitality that is often overlooked nowadays.

All in all, Avista Grand Phuket exceeded all of our expectations. From the luxurious facilities to the top-notch service, it felt like we were treated like family. The memories we’ve made here will stay with us for years to come. We can’t wait for our next visit! the food we did enjoy was exceptional. On top of that, we had the privilege of arranging a cooking class for our child, even though these classes typically aren’t offered on weekends. Chef Warida and Chef Yuwatida were fantastic—patient, engaging, and knowledgeable. The cooking class was an experience that created lasting memories for...

I booked a stay at the Avista Grande Karon – MGallery with high expectations, especially given its nearly perfect 4.9 rating on TripAdvisor. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to that reputation.

I just want to add that there are a suspicious number of reviews here that are from people have only one or two reviews in total when you sort by new. A behavior I’ve seen with bought reviews for restaurants but not generally for hotels.

The Good: The property is visually attractive at first glance. The landscaping is mostly lush and tropical, with well-maintained plumeria trees and gardens. Our room was upgraded to a junior suite as part of the Accor Platinum benefit, which was appreciated. The room itself was well-laid out, quiet, and featured a very comfortable bed with a partial ocean view. The breakfast buffet, while somewhat cramped in capacity, offered high-quality food and a variety that rotated slightly each day. It was one of the few standout aspects of the stay.

The Not-So-Good: Several things chipped away at the supposed “5-star” experience. The design choices — like a loud waterfall in the lobby and blaring music at both breakfast and pool areas — made it difficult to relax. These aren’t just personal gripes; for a property positioning itself as luxury, peace and subtlety are usually expected.

The hotel’s stinginess also stood out. Pool towels were placed in the room, and guests are expected to bring wet ones back — no fresh supply conveniently located by the pool. Small details like that added up. Worse, the hotel was inconsistent — and at times resistant — in honoring AccorPlus benefits, including initially denying the discount at CHAR’d and even the pool bar. While they eventually relented, it left a sour impression.

Dining Experience: CHAR’d looks beautiful with its unique setting partially inside the pool area, but the food was subpar and overpriced. Most dishes were overcooked and lacking in flavor — a serious letdown for a supposedly premium restaurant. Given the steep prices and the original refusal to honor the AccorPlus dining discount, it left the worst impression of all.

Staff and Service: While some staff were friendly, a few interactions were jarringly cold or even borderline hostile. One breakfast attendant (an expat male) seemed visibly annoyed when we seated ourselves after waiting at the entrance without acknowledgment for several minutes — despite the restaurant being nearly empty and the staff idle. Not the kind of attitude you’d expect at any hotel, let alone a luxury one.

Final Thoughts: Avista Grande Karon is not a terrible property — it’s new, clean, and visually appealing in many areas. But it doesn’t justify the price tag or its five-star rating. The property is small and would likely feel extremely overcrowded if anywhere near full occupancy. There’s no lounge, nowhere to really walk or explore on the premises, and the experience feels more transactional than welcoming.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience in Phuket, there are better choices — even within the...

My husband and I stayed at this resort in mid-April 2025, over the Good Friday/Easter weekend. Everything was incredible and we enjoyed pretty much everything! Let me break it down:1. Hotel locationAlthough it takes 1.5 hours from Phuket airport, our Grab ride was smooth and comfy. Roads are decent and after a quick nap, we arrived at Avista Grande. The hotel sits conveniently along Karon Beach, with a footpath from the lobby to the main street. There, you’ll find cheap eats, local Thai food with fresh seafood (we ate at a little restaurant called The Twin twice in 4 days!), and the beach. The resort’s proximity to the clean beach is perfect for a lazy afternoon or catching the sunset. A 10-15 min stroll leads to massage and manicure spots, pharmacies, restaurants, and the Kata night market — which has fresh and CLEAN seafood!2. The HotelAvista Grande is modern, thoughtfully designed, and generally well-kept. When it rained, staff offered umbrellas and cleared puddles quickly. The pool is gorgeous with ample lounging areas, though the sunbeds get snapped up fast! There’s also a decent gym — my husband used it once and had a good workout.3. The FoodThe hotel’s restaurants are solid. For our Asian tastebuds, the food wasn’t overly salty or sweet. The breakfast buffet had great variety — including a full honeycomb you can chisel off for your pancakes or yogurt! We especially loved the egg and salad stations, complete with jars of pickled veggies for a tangy crunch.We also tried Chard, the poolside restaurant where you can dip your toes in the water as you dine. We had dinner on a Friday night when there was a fire show — magical vibes under the stars. Prices were reasonable for a steak, truffle pizza, and a bottle of red.Our favourite spot though? The swim-up bar in the pool. Prices were fair for draft beers, mango smoothies, and pina coladas. Unlike some beach bars where cocktails are mostly syrup, the drinks here were legit. We ended up ordering from the swim-up bar every single day — it was our happy place.4. The RoomWe booked a Deluxe Room with a balcony facing the pool. Small touches made a big impression: the rubber flip-flops had actual grip, and the large rattan beach bag was stylish and practical — perfect for lugging towels to the beach. (You can even buy it from the hotel if you love it as much as we did!) The balcony had towel racks too — super useful for drying swimsuits overnight, instead of in a humid bathroom. It’s a small feature, but it shows how guest-friendly the place is. The bathtub was a great bonus, and the shower had solid water pressure and stayed hot.Overall: We had a fantastic 4-day getaway at Avista Grande. I honestly wish we stayed longer. We only spotted one other Singaporean family during our stay (up to you if that’s a plus or minus — I loved it). Most guests were Caucasian families, and the only minor con was the number of young kids (under 18) who could get loud. If you’re not a fan of noisy mornings by the pool or at breakfast, just bring headphones or pick a...